Stonewell Farm June 16th 9am 2019

The willow by the kayak was started from a small twig that we cut from a roadside tree near Durham. A winter storm of heavy snow bent the tree over the pond.

Perfect for a early morning reflection before the ducks disturb the water.

 Most of the peonies are past their best, but those planted under the large trees get morning sun only and are still in full bloom. If the Salvia blooms survive for a week, they will contrast (some may say clash) beautifully with the Knifophia to their left. 

The Miscanthus (right) tends to flop onto the path and kill the grass. This year I have it restrained with a section of wire netting. Yes I could move it to a a more sensible position, but I do like to run my fingers through the leaves as I pass by.

I'm amazed by the continuing blooms of the Iris, perhaps due to the wet, mild weather. The Philadelphus just needs a couple of sunny days to pop.

The pastel colours in the foreground, (Rosa Hippolyte is spectacular this year) the variety of leaf colours behind, one hardly notices all the weeds.

The red Lychnis chalcedonica in front of the Philadelphus is my favourite. Lychnis coronaria, which will fill this border shortly is Michelle's

Rosa Hippolyte is even more floriferous  from this side. The three glaucous stems in front of the Allium leaves are Lychnis coronaria.

The ever expanding apple tree now dissects this border creating an area for shade loving and shade tolerant plants.

Another of my favourite glaucus plants Stachis byzantium (left and throughout the border) with the pink flowering Spirea japonica behind the finished flowering Spirea 'Snow mound' 

The chocolate coloured Physocarpus has flowered sparsely this year, even so, this grouping would be the poorer without it. 

Flowerless, but still colourful. Hiding behind the Spirea and Physocarpus and out of sight of the grazing deer is a Hydrangea 'Annabelle' orange lillies and a orange Lonicera. This is a border that you have to get into to fully enjoy.

For the most part blooms have been numerous this year, although the Lilacs (center) were dissapointing.

Our Crataegus which was trashed in a winter storm is also full of buds. I still haven't figured out how to prune it, perhaps I'll just leave it.

The root stock of our white Rosa rugosa has put up suckers which have flowered. Not an unpleasant sight.

This year I decided to leave some of the roses unpruned. 'Bonica' in the back is thriving, but 'Duchesse de Montabello due to all the rain has flopped to the ground.

Finally, Rosa 'New Dawn' is about to burst forth.