May is definitely a good month for the garden! It’s really coming alive, with so much new growth and things bursting into flower. Maybe it’s that there’s a bit more sunshine? Here’s what’s flowering in my north east facing garden in May.
The start of the month saw the arrival of the apple blossom which is one of my favourites in the garden. You know Spring is on its way when the apple blossom is out!
My potential new cutting garden has been marked out and the baby plants planted out. Fingers crossed I’ll get some cut flowers from there this year! It’s not the biggest of spaces yet but I can always add to it if it works well.
The bluebells started to come out around the start of the month too. We were lucky when we moved into the house that there were so many of them all over the rockery, and they grow like weeds!
My tulips are also doing well, surprisingly. I forgot I had planted them! I think they came from a Gardeners World Magazine offer and are beautiful. I especially love the darker colours of the purple tulips, but I’ve no idea what they’re called. I have a terrible memory when it comes to plants in the garden – I often forget I’ve ordered them. Oops!
That path is horrific though.
The mixed hedge of hawthorn and a random holly bush is growing well this year. I planted 4 hawthorn whips and a cutting of holly the first year we moved in and they’ve all taken well. Eventually this will give us some much needed screening for the bottom lawn so we’re not quite as on view when visitors come up the steps.
The weather has been really kind the last few weeks with some lovely sunny days – it’s been quite hot at times though. I think this may have helped the alliums to flower and they always make the garden look stunning. Some people think they’re a bit naff but I love them! I need to invest in more white ones for next year I think.
After spending a small fortune at Sarah Raven on dahlias this year, I grew them on in my bathroom and then planted them out. Unfortunately, as mentioned in my last garden post, I planted them out one day when there was an unexpected frost which burnt the leaves of some of them. I watched and waited though before digging them up, and new growth appeared so I think I’ve been lucky this time! My impatience won’t get the better of me next year though and I’ll be sure to wait until the risk of frost has passed before planting them out. I’ve gone for Cafe Au Lait and a few other varieties.
The lawn is looking better after it’s suffering over winter. The ashy mining bees are back too!
The middle of May saw us replace our scratty old garden path. I did blog about it HERE and it looks a million times better. I love the colour of the reclaimed bricks against the foliage. In all it took us two weekends to complete the whole path and I’m so pleased with it.
I did manage to get some cut flowers from the garden borders and I’m so pleased! They’re so pretty 🙂
I can’t wait until the roses start to come out! Roll on June…
I’ve been admiring your garden for the past half hour, I love your reclaimed brick pathway! what is that twisty/spiraly looking border on the side of it, is it original to the home or did you add it in? I just love that extra detail!