This is Phlox drummondii 'Silver Stars'. It's trying to flower at about 10cm tall so I cruelly pinched out the top. I had to save it though. I can't wait for some taller stems. This is a shot glass.
Do join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.
Here is a new bed half planted. The phlox are at the front. I think they were in trays too long due to me going away at the wrong time. It's very quick to plant as there are no weeds and the compost is loose.
Not nearly as tidy. Cornflowers, stocks, sweet rocket, straw flowers and Calendula with new plantings of sunflowers and other things. The plastic at the back is to cover the soil until planting to keep the weeds down.
Finally ducklings:
We've had to add another bowl as they barely fit into one bowl now and they do like water! Apparently their fluffy feathers are not waterproof yet but the water does seem to run off in true duck fashion. Our two ducks did have a paddling pool which was perfect for a pond. It sprang a leak but I'm going to try and seal it today as I think the ducklings are big enough for it now. The they'll have a bit more room.
Your foxglove are beautiful. I would have never thought to use them in a bouquet, but they look lovely.
ReplyDeleteThey last well cut half to two thirds open. You always learn with IAVOM!
DeleteI like your vase. The foxgloves are attractive. Fun to see your growing beds also. 'Silver Stars' is a beautiful phlox--have never seen it before.
ReplyDeleteNo, I've never grown it before. It's an annual. I have 3 different ones, I hope I can show them all off at a later date.
DeleteI have just bought foxglove seeds - 'Foxy', which is not too tall, for the same reason. I was reading recently that some poppies will last longer in a vase so it is interesting to read about you searing yours in a flame. Thanks for showing us your growing beds too - with so much space for growing you can't afford to encourage weeds, can you?! Do show us more of them as plants grow
ReplyDeleteIt's worth a try with poppies. Even a few days is nice for a special one. I don't need to encourage the weeds, they just come! I should do more hoeing but rarely get round to it. The stupid thing is that it would save time later.
DeleteThat phlox is a real beauty...it must be a good one for vases. I had not thought that it would be, but I know you would have grown it because it is! Do the ducklings make little noises of glee when they are in the water? They are enchanting!
ReplyDeleteI've never grown it before but it's supposed to be good. I need it a little taller though. The ducklings peep a lot of the time and they do love the water. Diving under and round and round. If you want to call in when passing, then do. Don't wait too long though as they are growing fast.
DeleteThat Phlox is beautiful. I hope it grows up to your spec for it. The ducklings are still incredibly cute.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a huge amount of rain this week so that should help!
DeleteYour foxgloves are lovely, Alison, and as you say not too big for your vase. Unfortunately, mine are huge so I've had to leave them where they are. I'm impressed with your flower beds - so very organised - but I'm more than impressed with your ducklings - adorable. When we had ducks they used the redundant horse trough to paddle in but that would be much to high for ducklings of course.
ReplyDeleteThe foxglove plants have been in for a year already so I wonder if that's why they are shorter. Our adult ducks would dive into any water they found around the place. However long it had been standing! They are contained in their run for now until the little ones are a bit older.
DeleteThe ducklings have grown a lot - so cute they are. Nice variety in your foxgloves. Mine took a hit last year and had a less than stellar showing...it seems I will need to get fresh seed to sow around.
ReplyDeleteFoxgloves do seem to sometimes disappear. Luckily they are easy from seed. I hope you manage to establish some more.
DeleteThat ia a fancy phlox!
ReplyDeleteIt has lived up to expectation.
DeleteLove the ducklings! You have a lovely mix of colours of foxgloves. And the white cornflower is pretty too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I do like the mix.
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