Rosemoor looks wonderful at this time of year; the foliage on the trees is still looking fresh, the herbaceous borders have filled out with new growth, the wildflower meadows are full of colour, the potager and vegetable garden are filling out with edible goodies and the summer bedding plants are out of the nursery and in the garden.
Astrantia 'Roma' is one of the best astrantia cultivars, providing a splash of dark pink in the Long Border before the other herbaceous perennials really take off. The pin-cushion flowers are surrounded by showy, papery bracts and carried on tall stems above a mount of mid-green leaves. We grow it in a partially shaded position in the border but it is equally happy in sun. Flowers will last until late summer so it provides consistency in the border when combined with plants that flower at different periods such as Polemonium, roses, Hemerocallis and asters.
From the many blue geraniums available, Geranium ROZANNE 'Gerwat' AGM is one of the prettiest. The dark sky blue petals fade from the edge to white at the base, and these are veined with delicate lines of deep magenta to help bees hit their target at the centre of the flower. They can be seen thriving in our sunny, fertile Long Border but will do well in most soils provided they are well drained and in a sunny position.
As national collection holder of Cornus, Rosemoor has a huge variety, but Cornus kousa var. chinensis AGM is one of the best. The large, tapered bracts are up to 5cm long; opening creamy white and then gradually turning a rosy pink. The tree is smothered in soft pink and cream 'blossom' forming a wonderful focal point in a woodland setting. It is a small tree perfect for the smaller garden and tolerates a range of soil conditions. Here at Rosemoor it can be found in many locations including the Arboretum, Foliage/Plantsmans gardens, Lock’s Trail, the Woodland walk and the Stream Field garden.
This sea holly, Eryngium x zabelii, takes pride of place next to the path in the Cottage Garden. Spiny-toothed blue bracts surround intense blue/violet flowers. They provide a long-lasting display and the spiky foliage contrasts well with the softness of other cottage garden plants such as Stachys, Gaura and Astrantia.
The gorgeous deep magenta-purple flowers of clump-forming Erodium manescavii leap out from the borders in the West Country Town Garden, the Long Border and the Cottage Garden. The long flowering period from early summer to early autumn makes it especially valuable as a front of border plant, added to which, it self-seeds freely where it is happy.
The deep orange flowers of Geum ‘Dolly North’ literally glow in the Square Garden - more than earning its place in the hot borders. This perennial prefers to be grown in full sun on fertile moist soil.
Gunnera manicata AGM is not for the faint-heated as it can grow to a height of 2.5m and spread to more than 4m! The huge kidney-shaped leaves can grow to 2m long and have prickly stalks. At this time of year, the leaves are still fresh and the flower panicles are reaching maturity. The amount of room needed for this giant of damp soil shouldn't be underestimated! We grow it in the rock gully, around the lake and in the upper bog garden.
A cultivar of the Siberian Iris, Iris 'Cambridge' AGM has been planted in clumps along the Long Border. The beautiful, elegant violet-blue falls are veined a darker blue and have contrasting markings in a rich yellow/brown at the base. Siberian Iris cultivars prefer well-drained neutral to slightly acid loam in sun or partial shade.
Now that the danger of frost has passed, we can put out some of our more unusual tender plants in containers, and one which generates a huge amount of interest is Sarracenia flava 'Maxima'. This is an evergreen, carnivorous perennial found in acid and nutrient-deficient bogs in America. The lemon-yellow pitchers are attractively marked with red veins. The scented flowers are the same shade of yellow, and attract bees for pollination. Troughs have been placed in the Stone Garden in Lady Anne’s Garden.
Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga' AGM is a deciduous shrub offering interest for much of the year. The leaves are bronze when young and age to dark green, then turn red-purple in autumn. Fertile flowers are dark red in bud, opening pink-flushed white. This plant can be found along the Drive Beds in Lady Anne's Garden and in the Model Gardens in the Formal Garden.