I almost didn’t post this week as I was in a bit of a funk yesterday. I took myself off to the garden though, saw what was blooming in there and I was instantly inspired to share with you all. May is a fabulous month when the plants really start to motor.
Epiphyllum crenatum
I’ve shared this stunning cactus before but it never fails to wow me and hopefully you too. I have four different epiphyllums and this is the first to flower this year but there are many many buds to come so expect more in future weeks.
I grow these epiphyllums in hanging baskets as the arms are very long but it’s on these that the flowers are borne so they cannot be pruned except for cutting material or you’ll lose your flowers. I know that some people move them outdoors for the summer but I’m tempted to leave mine in the greenhouse as the sweet honeyed scent is amplified inside.
Covid Corner
Outside the greenhouse I’ve been faffing with pots this week to create a little calm oasis for anyone in the family wanting a break in the fresh air away from the hubbub in the house.
The last frost has been and gone so I have moved some of my tender plants out to cocoon my steamer chair. Some are destined for other parts of the garden but for now this little collection is giving me enormous pleasure.
Echeveria pan
Last autumn I treated myself to this gigantic terracotta pan and earlier this spring I planted it up with all the echeveria babies I had taken from just one parent echeveria last year. I just love this succulent and the one sole plant I bought for £10 two years ago has spawned tens of plants.
The flowers aren’t quite open yet but they will be soon. Here’s a picture of one from two years ago.
Dazzling Delphiniums
This border is in its second year after it was destroyed by the big boots of many builders. Last year the delphinium display was far from disappointing but this year they’re going to be even better with multiple spikes on each plant.
I read this week that these were Prince Charles’s favourite flower and I have to say I did a little nod of respect for that. They are not my favourite (that changes all the time I think!) but I see where he’s coming from.
Plant Sale 
Last Saturday, just after I posted, I beetled off down the drive with several trays of surplus plants. I was holding a plant sale in aid of my favourite hospice charity, Rennie Grove Hospice Care, which has done more for my family than it’s possible to describe.
What fun I had. I’d advertised on Facebook and to my horticultural society and the first punters pulled up on the dot of 10am. Everyone stood suitably distanced and I even had a queue at one point.
Most people were looking for fruit and veg plants, particularly tomatoes, climbing beans and strawberries but a few wanted flowers and some dahlias really sold well.
Marigold ‘Alumia Vanilla Cream’
The lovely thing about the plant sale was how many friends turned up to buy something, friends I hadn’t seen since lockdown began. One had come especially to buy some marigolds. I think marigolds are underrated and yet they are so jolly and easy to grow, with their pretty feathery foliage.
This one I grew from seed and it’s a very simple flower but is a lovely lemon yellow colour. My friend reports she’s been checking her marigolds daily and they’re about to flower. She’s hooked – another gardening convert.
This seasonal diary is part of a weekly link-up of garden bloggers from around the world, called Six on Saturday. For more information and links to other blogs crammed with gardening activity, check the blog of host The Propagator.
I love the yellow marigolds. I tried sowing seeds from some yellow marigolds my mum gave me a few years ago but without success. I must get a packet of seed. The Epiphyllum crenatum is a stunner and the Covid Corner is a lovely idea.
I think these seeds came free with a magazine but I’m so glad I gave them I try. I noticed Monty was sowing this one a few weeks back on Gardeners’ World. The name is a bit off beam but the flower just makes me very happy!
Wonderful flower of your epiphyllum Katharine !
Nice COVID corner : I don’t remember, has your brugmansia bloomed so far? I’m waiting for mine which is a bit shorter than yours (> mine is yellow, I also have a pink but still young )
Hi Fred. Yes the brugmansia flowered last year. It was a cutting planted in spring but it grew really quickly and then flowered all in one go in late summer. Here’s a link that contains a picture.https://teabreakgardener.co.uk/exotics-in-the-garden/. Like yours it is a yellow one. I also have a pink one and I’m hoping this summer it will choose to flower.
What a great idea, Covid Corner, I think I could easily relax there for an hour or so. Well done for your plant sale, doing something positive in such a negative time. Hope you are feeling less funky, or perhaps more funky, happier now anyway.
Hi Gill, thanks for you kind thoughts and yes I’m feeling in less of a funk now. We’re having to deal with things that would be hard enough in normal times but are just more difficult in the current circumstances. The garden, as ever, is solace.
I love echeveria flowers! I get the same look from my hens and chicks, when they decide to flower, which they haven’t for a couple of years. Plenty of babies though! I can’t grow echeveria outside, it gets too cold, so stick with sempervivum.
Hi Lisa – yes you’re right. I overwinter the echeveria in my greenhouse. I think it would be OK in a house too but only in a really light place. I’ve tried this and they stretch out if there isn’t enough light. Still, sempervivums are lovely too so it seems wise to pour your love into these.
Fantastically inspiring blog as ever. I love Echeveria as well.
Thanks Linda – I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it. Echeveria is a plant that just keeps on giving. Many of my friends have baby offsets from this one too!
We bought an Ensete ventricosa last year, hope it gets to look like yours very soon. Sadly, and reluctantly, we ditched our last Epiphyllum earlier this year, having grown them for many years. Just tired of their unruly nature for a very short, albeit magnificent flowering. Seeing yours made me feel guilty enough to pop out and see if the last plant was still around but I think I must have shredded and composted it.
Lovely to hear from you Jim. Glad you spotted the Ensete. This one is two years old and stays in the pot so I can whisk it into the greenhouse when the cold comes. I can’t say I even feed it that often and yet it’s looking better than ever this year. I did have a wry smile when you mentioned your Epiphyllums. They are indeed unruly. I just gave away a cutting I took last year but if I do some more I could post to Cornwall!
The Ensete is just two years old! Gulp. Might pot ours on tomorrow.
I’m glad your Covid corner brings you so much pleasure. It looks like a perfect place to relax with a good book and a nice cup of tea. You were generous to have a plant sale and I’m glad it was successful. A lovely way to catch up with people.
Yes, the plant sale really did cheer me up although I did feel a bit guilty selling plants to friends who I’d normally give to for free. Still it was a good cause.
I think you might start a trend with your Covid corner. We could all do with somewhere beautiful to retreat to.
Yes I think so Hortus. Last week I shared a Covid tree planted by family in Manchester and now my Covid corner too! For those of us lucky to have some outside space it just seems logical to seek solace there right now.
I think you might start a trend with your Covid corner. We could all do with somewhere beautiful to retreat to.
Loving the Echeveria bowl! they really are great plants if you look after them. I am staying clear of Epiphylums as I know if I start growing them I will not stop collecting them. I will stick to Rebutias they are much smaller and more compact.