GARDEN OF THE MONTH

The garden of a member in Cheshire

I garden in South Cheshire, in the village of Hankelow (about 5 miles from Nantwich), Our house and garden were new in 2000 and together with my husband we have been developing the garden since then. We have about 300 varieties of Hemerocallis and hold a National Plant Collection of Helenium. Our passion is for herbaceous perennials and we also have large collections of Centaurea and Geum. We are opening our garden for the National Gardens Scheme (Yellow Book) for the first time in 2009. We run a small nursery called SpecialPerennials.com

 

 

 

Hemerocallis 'Maleny Tapestry' puts on a good show with Lythrum 'Dropmore Purple' and Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Atropurpurea' and the Leucanthemums in the background.

 

'Maleny Tapestry' is a reliable bloomer with good weather resistance even in the dull wet weather of 2008.

 

This picture was taken in mid July.

 

 

 

Another view of our back garden in July. Here Erigeron 'Schneewittchen' ('Snow White'), Phlox 'Bill Baker' and Campanula 'Pride of Exmouth' are the stars of the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gaillardia × grandiflora 'Burgunder' and Achillea filipendulina 'Forncett Fletton' tone in with the dark leaved Physocarpus 'Diabolo'. 'Diabolo' has pinkish white flowers in spring, red berries and good autumn colour – a wonderful backdrop for any border.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hemerocallis 'Gay Bombardier' is a variety we love but know little about. If anyone can give us some background on this variety we’d love to hear from them

 

Taken in early August the photo also features Helenium 'Mahagoni' one of the loveliest dark reds varieties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hemerocallis 'Spider Man' is the star of this border in July with Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' and Achillea 'Walther Funcke'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helenium 'Kokarde' makes a brilliant display in late summer. All Heleniums are loved by bees but this variety proved to be the number one favourite with honey bees in 2008. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hemerocallis 'Bright Spangles' contrasts dramatically with the vivid blue of Salvia patens and tones in well with the lemons of Alchemilla mollis, Achillea 'Moonshine' and gold of Helenium 'The Bishop'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Unusual Form Hemerocallis 'Asterisk' was planted last year and flowered pretty well for us, giving near perfect flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our nursery is a riot of Hemerocallis colour in June, July and August. We usually have about 100 varieties for sale. All are pictured on our website www.specialperennials.com

 

We are open for the National Garden Scheme

Our Helenium National Collection Open Days are 14th & 16th August.