Let’s all heave a sigh of relief thatnone of us are mayflies. Imagine the agony of being born on a glorious May morning and knowing that it would probably be the last sunrise of your extremely short existence. No time to have a long, leisurely lunch on the banks of the river. No chance of visiting the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. No time to watch the roses unfurl in the morning sun and definitely no spare moments to lie on the grass and listen to the bees. Luckily, we are a bit more long-lived and can thoroughly enjoy one of the very best months to be in the garden.
WORDS JAMES ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR
STAR OF THE MONTH
Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’
This is one of those shrubs that, due to the unfathomable vagaries of fashion, has slightly fallen from grace over the past couple of decades. There was a time when every suburban park and garden boasted a perky pink- (or white-) flowered deutzia, but they have been ousted by the undoubted charms of massed perennials. Perhaps now is the time for gardeners to rise up and demand the return of the deutzia? After all, it flowers well, copes with all soil types, behaves immaculately, shrugs off pests and is really easy to grow. What’s not to love?
Its only requirement is decent light. Keep in shape by pruning after flowering. Height x Spread 1.5m x 1.5m
FINE AND DANDY
I love an Iris, but in almost all circumstances I find myself being drawn towards the solid-coloured, classic varieties. I tend to steer clear of too much fanciness, especially the ones with more ruffles than an Elizabethan dandy on a stag weekend. However, there are always exceptions, and I am attracted to the beautifully spotted falls on this one: it looks as though it has been gently stippled by a steady hand.
Iris ‘Splashacata’
When planting, make sure that the top of the rhizome (knobbly surface root) is above ground and in the sun. H x S90cm x 70cm
SUMMER LOVIN’
The pelargonium is a wonderful plant: lots of colours, easy to grow, cuttings that take with alacrity and that distinctive earthy spice scent. To be honest, they are not at their best in borders, but perfect for window boxes, hanging baskets and pots – it is one of the greatest plants ever for summer colour. Interesting(ish) fact – the name comes from the Greek for ‘stork’ because the seedhead looks like a bird’s beak.
Pelargonium
