Gardening in the North

This blog is about gardening in the north.

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  • Blue Pepe

    Blue Pepe

    I seldom grow Nasturtiums because they are quite sensitive to frost. This year I made an exception.

    Got a pack of edible flower seeds from a friend and it had Blue Pepe (Tropaeolum majus ‘Blue Pepe’) seeds. The seeds ended up to a pot and grew well.

    Blue Pepe is a variety bred specifically for culinary use. The name is derived from its steel-blue leaves with purplish undersides.

    The taste was a complete surprise to me when I ate the first leave today. I would describe it as peppery and I liked it very much.

    I am also fond of the way Blue Pepe grows. It stays small and the leaves have nice color. I think this has just become a must have flower for me.

  • Elke

    Elke

    It seems that I am slow going to loose my Elkes (Geranium sanguineum ‘Elke’). After the winter I only have one plant left.

    To be honest I am not quite sure if I buy more. I like the color Elke has but it is not doing so well in the summer cottage.

    In the end there are so many flowers to choose from so you can actually be a bit picky and select the ones you like the most.

    Put let’s see how the last Elke does. It might be with me many more years. You never know.

  • Houseleek Bicolor

    Houseleek Bicolor

    We have had several days of warm weather up here in the north.

    That seems to suite the Houseleeks (Sempervivum calcareum ‘Bicolor’) well and they are enjoying the full sun.

    Must try to look for more of these plants now that I have finally found the perfect spot for them.

  • Maiden Pink

    Maiden Pink

    I have been trying to find more Maiden Pink’s (Dianthus deltoides ‘Maiden Pink’) seeds but have failed this far.

    The flower likes the rough terrain we have in the summer cottage and has done well the past few years.

    I like the pink color of the blooms. Somehow it just stands out nicely.

  • Petunia

    Petunia

    If I had known that petunias (Petunia) will do this well this summer, I would have bought more of them.

    It seems that this hot weather suits them and leads to constant blooming.

    Maybe next year I will have more but that depends on the colors that will be available. This spring the offering was quite modest.

  • Shirley Temple

    Shirley Temple

    One bloom, no more, no less. I guess I can say it bloomed this year.

    Bought my mom a new peony (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Shirley Temple’ this spring. Let’s see how it overwinters.

    The bloom was beautiful though did not last long.

  • California Poppy

    California Poppy

    The California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica ‘Aurantiaca Orange’) are enjoying their spot in the full sun. Their roots grow deep and in this spot reach an endless supply of water.

    They started to bloom few days ago and with good luck continue to do so for the next month. The flowers are in various shades of gold.

    We have been promised dry weather which suits them well.

  • My Castle

    My Castle

    I have been looking for different colors of lupine to my garden and finally managed to grow a red one from the seeds.

    My Castle (Lupinus ‘My Castle’) sure is a beautiful lupine with red flowers.

    Sadly the thunderstorm we had took the most beautiful flowers and only left some to bloom. Well hopefully I will have better luck next year.

  • Brilliant

    Brilliant

    Finally got the Brilliant (Papaver orientale ‘Brilliant’) to bloom.

    It has been difficult to find a spot for it where it would flourish. My grandma always had hers blooming under the window.

    I just adore the color of its blooms. So bright red.

  • Mountain Houseleek

    Mountain Houseleek

    I have always had difficulties to have the Houseleeks (Sempervivum montanum “Mountain Houseleek”) overwinter.

    Finally found a spot just above the lake surface. Only about 30 centimeters from the waterline which gets plenty of sunshine.

    For some reason the Houseleeks survive the cold winters on this spot even though I loose them from the other places.