A brisk Six on Saturday today as there’s studying to be done, a cake to purchase for the Jubilee celebrations on the green tomorrow (although it’s not looking all that promising weather-wise) and various hayfever remedies to swallow, inhale, attempt to eye-dropperer in and suck on.
1. First up, a Verbascum of short stature: ‘Jackie in Yellow.’ Purchased back in 2020, it’s doing really well this year and its diminutive proportions are proving perfect for a small garden.
2. Last year’s Sweet Bills were a big disappointment as barely any of them flowered for some reason. Thankfully, normal service has been resumed.
3. In 2020 I was a little too overzealous in the application of a homemade aphid-zapping soapy garlic spray, killing off much of the foliage and all of the flower buds of the Samubucus nigra ‘Golden Tower.’ In January 2021, after a few deep breaths and the consumption of a chocolate cherry liqueur for Dutch courage, the elder was chopped right down to the ground. Thankfully, it proved to be a quick grower and by the summer the ornamental Elder was towering over me once more. This is the first time it has flowered since it was planted in the summer of 2019.
4. Allium christophii fairs much better than ‘Purple Sensation’ in my garden, the latter having mostly vanished since they were planted a few autumns ago. As well as proving more reliable, the metallic flowers of christophii are also far less fleeting than those of ‘Purple Sensation.’
5. Next up, Aquilegia. The yellow one was grown from a packet of mixed seed several years ago (I call it ‘Yellow Shooting Stars’) and the other one (‘Bordeaux Barlow’ I think) was purchased online back in 2021.
6. And finally… some of the Dutch Iris ‘Metallic Mixture’ are still in bloom, including this quizzical one by the small pond. I suspect a few more will be planted at some point.
They were my Six on Saturday. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, take a look at the site of the chap who started it all over at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
Your Verbascum reminds me that I am trying to grow this from seed, although I don’t think mine are going too well. I love the photo of your plot with the shed, it puts it all in perspective.
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Thank you. It’s funny with seeds. When I’ve tried sowing ‘fancy’ foxgloves in pots/trays I’ve not had all that much luck. Most of those that do well in the garden are the great, great, great, etc. grandchildren of a few foxgloves that were first planted nearly 10 years ago. I always like seeing views of other people’s gardens in SoSs but rarely seem to include such shots in mine for some reason.
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Lovely last view of the garden. Interesting to hear your comments on the alliums, PS is so fleeting as you say.
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I was a bit envious of Monty Don’s Purple Sensation on GW last night – his seem to spread everywhere.
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Totally agree with you, the allium christophii are much prettier this year than the A. ‘Purple Sensation’.
Pretty aquilegias: I have one looking like yours, variety named: A. vulgaris stellata ex red flowers
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I think I’ll have to plant Purple Sensation each autumn to guarantee a better show of them.
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My A. Christopher are just starting to unfold, shorter that I expected, while Purple Sensation are still going strong. A much looser flower ball than other alliums, eh?
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They are. I don’t think the Purple Sensation like my clay soil which is a pity.
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Your garden is looking lovely, you really chose the right colour for the shed, works so well. I have the same experience with those two alliums, but I do love the effect of Purple Sensation en mass. The verbascum is so pretty, good to know they come in mini forms too.
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Thank you. On Gardeners’ World last night, Monty Don had a sea of Purple Sensation in his garden and they looked fantastic. I think the blue of the shed is ‘Coastal Mist’ – it could probably do with repainting next year before the Clematis Montana reaches it again.
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Lovely view at the end of your garden, and its thumbs up for the verbascum.
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Thank you. I was bit disappointed by the verbascum last year but it appears to have finally settled in now.
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I really like that little verbascum, especially paired with the red sweet William.
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I’d love to say that was planned… it wasn’t!
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Pretty verbascum, (predictive text tried to replace that with umbrella 🌂!) It didn’t do well here but I think it was in too sheltered a spot. The view of your shed corner is lovely.
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Thank you. Predictive text can come up with some odd yet amusing choices.
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All going beautifully well for you – though not the hayfever!
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I think my hay fever (grass pollen) starts earlier and lasts longer these days
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I did it!! I purchased an Aquilegia, and I’m now hoping that it will flourish and bloom as well as yours do! They are really beautiful! The last photo is lovely and it is great seeing how well your garden is doing. I’m really envious of your iris!
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Well done on the Aquilegia purchase! I hope it does well for you.
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