Autumn cyclamen

In the corners of gardens and in church yards are there are currently pockets of pink - the autumn cyclamen are in flower. They are often in the place where spring crocuses flowered and the cyclamen might be taken for a last "hurrah" of summer. But I prefer to see them as an early sign of autumn because they are usually accompanied by dead leaves that have fallen from the sheltering trees.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Pink cyclamen flowers

My wife's regime with our potted cyclamens usually results in them flowering in winter. This year due to changes in her management they are flowering in August and September. We have a few different coloured cyclamens, some subtle, others like the pink example above, are positively eye popping.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Common mallow

Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a striking plant. It grows up to 1.5m in height and has large, deep pink flowers. It is found on wasteland, roadsides, footpaths and in hedges. The leaves, flowers and seeds are edible and it is thought that the Romans cultivated the plant for food and medicines.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: iPhone

Camellia bloom

People with little interest in gardening frequently mistake the Camellia for a rose. There are some similarities: the flower is like the red/pink roses and its petals are somewhat similar. The strong, shiny leaves can remind one of roses that have foliage of that sort. However, the Camellia flowers early in spring when most self-respecting roses are dormant. In fact, the Camellia's flowers are often damaged by early frost. That has happened this year when many have flowered a full four weeks earlier than usual.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Potentilla nepalensis "Miss Wilmott"

In the UK the usual plant referred to as a Potentilla is a small bush sometimes known as Shrubby Cinquefoil. However, there are also less well-known perennial herbaceous potentillas called simply, Cinquefoil. This plant is easy to grow if planted in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. It carries its blooms on long stems and can flower from late spring to early autumn, particularly if "dead-headed" and watered through any dry spells. The variety we grow, shown above, is Potentilla nepalensis "Miss Wilmott".

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Potted cyclamen

For many amateur gardeners the cyclamen is a seasonal indoor plant. Many people like to have a few on a kitchen window sill or in a conservatory during the lower temperatures of winter. On a visit to a garden centre to buy a few heathers to replace some that didn't manage to survive the dry summer I came across a whole section devoted to different kinds of cyclamen, and I couldn't resist a quick photograph.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

The Christmas Rose in April

The Christmas Rose, Latin name Helleborus niger, also known as the hellebore, is currently in full flower in our garden on April 1. In my experience this flower has never really deserved its Christmas appellation, usually flowering in January, February and/or March.

I certainly don't recall it in bloom as late as April. It's probable that its shady location has delayed its flowering. Whatever the reason, it is putting on a good show in a spot where later flowering perennials usually appear. These straightforward photographs show the characteristics of the plant, but don't make a photograph to compare with this shot I took indoors of a hellebore from which I cut the flowers.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Pink oriental lilies

Oriental lilies are one of those flowers that come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Plantsmen have bred them to the point where the differences between named varieties are often difficult to distinguish. Yet the public's desire for the flowers seems unquenchable. I am not blind to their attractions. Given the right colours in the right setting - the background to the blooms matters - the flowers can be appealing. But, on the whole, I find the the oriental lily just a bit "too much". Subtle, they are not, as these pink example demonstrate.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Pink Panda

When we first encountered the ornamental strawberry "Pink Panda" we researched its characteristics. We found that it is low growing, produces small, insignificant fruit, bears flowers from May to November, has strawberry-like green leaves, and is regarded as difficult. All bar the last quality are desirable, and in our our experience all those qualities, bar the last, are true. It certainly isn't difficult to grow and it spreads quite quickly through runners, just like all strawberries. Fortunately it is easy to control and consequently we like growing this pretty little plant for the colour that it adds to the garden through late spring, summer and autumn.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10