May 25th to May 31st
Weather: The last couple of days have been very windy, causing Hardy-Planters to do some desperate staking. The new week, however, brings a return of high pressure – settled, sunny weather is back again
Ann Fritchley is back, explaining a mystery ‘weed’
People keep wanting to know the ‘weed’ which has appeared in their gardens. It is Tragopogon porrifolius or Salsify which was once used as a root vegetable. Its common name is ‘Jack go to bed at noon’ as the flowers close up after midday. 
Tragopogon porrifolius – the vegetable oyster 
The orchid is Cypripedium Emil, the nearest I could get to the Yorkshire Lady’s slipper, and this year I’m thrilled it’s had 9 flowers, needless to say surrounded by beer traps.
Kate van Heel is doing very nicely with her Clematis
Clematis ‘Omoshiro’ 
Clematis ‘Omoshiro’ 
Clematis ‘Gladys Packard. This is a type 2 clematis. I thought it was a type 3 and it took me a while to realise that was the reason it wasn’t flowering – I kept pruning the flowering stems back! 
Clematis ‘Helios’ 
Tulipa sprengeri – grown from seed from Heather Russell’s garden
Judith Ladley has pinned down a Geum
Geum Mai Tai. I sent a previous picture but didn’t know the name. Have now discovered it is Mai Tai, a really pretty geum, pale apricot coloured and not too tall. 
Colutea arborescens (bladder senna). Listed as a shrub but its a bit of a climber with me. There is also a yellow version but I like the orange one better. 
Hesperis matronalis (sweet rocket). This is a really good plant, I think, for pre-summer colour. Shades of mauve mostly but some white
Preston Harrison is amazed at the difference in conditions between February and May, but his garden is flourishing despite the climatic challenge!
Preston’s garden in Feb 2020 
Preston’s garden May 2020 
Preston’s Garden – defying the weather 
Another view of Preston’s garden 
Rhododendron ‘Scarlet Wonder’ 
Rhododendron ‘Scarlet Wonder’ 
VIBURNUM plicatum ‘Mariesii’ 
Viburnum plicatum rotundifolium 
VIBURNUM sargentii ‘Onondaga’ 
PERSICARIA bistorta ‘Superba’ – Grows in dry shade in the woodland garden 
Maiathemum bifolium. Good ground cover for the woodland garden 
Hypericum – Yes it does self seed freely but it does have a long season of interest 
Clematis montana 
Azalea ‘Gibraltar’ 
Acer ‘Bloodgood’ accompanied by Hostas, Woodrush Luzulu and Geum borisii
Terry Benton has a question of identity for you to solve
I propagated this from a cutting off a failing parent plant that a friend couldn’t cope with. There was no label with it. I have only a very basic knowledge of succulents and cacti. Could it be Euphorbia enopla? Can anyone identify it properly? 
Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ 
Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ – close up 
Nectaroscordum siculum 
Campanula portenschlagiana? 
Tradescantia. I don’t know the varieties. Got them years ago at a charity sale. Vulnerable to slugs but very easy to propagate. 
Tradescantia. If you look carefully you can see pollen dust on the petals
Denise Dyson has some stunning colour combinations this week
Lovely to have Maggie Sugden back with us
A friend of mine in London has asked me to identify this plant (the bicoloured one) – I have failed dismally, though I’m sure I’ve seen it before. Can anyone help me (Brian)?
Here’s the latest selection from Judith Edmonds’ garden
Unknown Rhododendron, was in the garden already, and the last one of mine to flower, it’s very pretty and bumble bees like it 
Allium Purple Sensation also popular with bees 
Golden leaved Aquilegia” Powder Blue” , I don’t think the leaves should be mottled but it seems very healthy! 
This plant was given to me as a “ nice red Astrantia” – anyone know which it is?
The bicoloured plant to be identified is a nemesia, some of mine have lasted the winter.
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The unidentified bi-coloured plant is a Nemesia (an annual)
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