Some flowers fade but others keep on coming

I wandered around the garden and noticed how some flowers are coming to the end of their blooming period while others are just beginning.  This is a time of abundance and as one plant fades away another takes its place. It is almost overwhelming.

Here is one of my last few Poppies. It is looking slightly tatty and the petals are about to fall.  It is sad to see it go but there will be lots of seeds to collect later on. Next to it the Achillea  positively glows against the surrounding foliage. It is just getting into its stride. Unlike many Achilleas it has small, round, double flowers rather than the familiar flat heads. The flowers are pure white. It is also known as Sneezewort because the dried and powdered leaves are supposed to cause sneezing. No……I haven’t tested that theory!

Achillea ptarmica 'The Pearl' and Papaver somniferum

This is the first of my Calandrinias to flower. It is a native of Chile and is tender here so I grow it from seed which I collect each year. Hoverflies and bees love it and it flowers throughout the summer.  The foliage is a bluey grey, the buds spotted with purple and the flowers appear on stems about 60cm (24″) high.

Calandrinia grandiflora

Finally a new addition to my garden. I am not always keen on variegated foliage and flowers. I think the foliage can detract from the flower but in this case I think the combination works well. I’ve always wanted an Alstroemeria psittacina and this named variety is especially beautiful. I saw it in the plant shop when I went to see the designer gardens at Future Gardens and couldn’t resist. Plant shops are a terrible temptation.

Alstroemeria psittacina 'Royal Star'

Alstroemeria psittacina 'Royal Star'

So many flowers, so little camera time.