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.
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 Rock Gully, the Woodland walk and the Stream Field garden.
Eleagnus commutata is a large shrub grown for its lovely silvery elliptical leaves. Small tubular yellow flowers are an added bonus in spring and early summer. This plant is useful in that it will tolerate dry soil and coastal winds and is best in full sun. It can be found in the Spiral Garden and the Long Border.
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.
Aruncus dioicus 'Glasnevin' is a lovely middle to back of the border plant with ferny foliage and creamy white flowers. It is a 'see-through' plant that will enhance rather than block out plantings or views behind. It grows happily in the Long Border where it can get quite hot and sunny, but also in more shady areas of the garden such as Lock’s Trail, the Rock Gully and the Upper Bog Garden.
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.
Geranium pratense, the native meadow cranesbill, is one of our showiest wild flowers. The saucer-shaped blue-violet flowers stand above the crowd in our wildflower meadows in the Fruit Field and Stream Field gardens. This plant will thrive in almost any soil except waterlogged and if it is happy will self-seed prolifically.
Helianthemum 'Butter and Eggs' can be found in the Square Garden and in the Model Gardens. As the name suggests, the flowers are evocative of an egg surrounded by melted butter. The rock rose is found in open scrub, particularly in the Mediterranean, and so likes sunny open sites at the front of a border, in a rock garden, or it can be used as ground cover on a sunny bank.
Although the common name for Iris ensata 'Rose Queen' is Japanese water iris, it does not need to be planted on the water's edge. It will thrive in a border of moist, acid loam. We have a large clump near the lake which flowers profusely and is a favourite with our visitors. This iris has narrow, drooping foliage and small, pale lilac-pink flowers; the falls are deep mauve towards the base.
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.