Columbine Olympia (Aquilegia ‘Olympia’) also called Lapland’s Aquilegia is always the one that blooms first. Way too earlier than the other aquilegias.
Even though it is a low growing variety it has big blooms and lots of them.
I only have this one plant and have been trying to grow more from the seeds but without success this far.
The Monkshood (Aconitum × stoerkianum) is doing well this summer. It is one of those old flowers that have been grown up here in the north for a long time.
The bumblebees adore the flowers and there is constant buzz among the plants.
Monkshoods protect themselves with a cocktail of poison though. The whole plant is poisonous and a small dose of the root is enough to kill you. In other words not a suitable plant if you have small children playing in the garden.
It has been awhile since I have had any Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) growing.
It is a native plant for the region and I remember it from the childhood.
Nowadays you can have it in several different colors but the blue one is the original color.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is blooming. The spring was cool and the flowers opened a bit later this year.
Each autumn I faithfully collect the seeds for the next year.
Not quite sure about the variety. It has been grown by us for more than 20 years. Anyway its suitable for our climate. Grows quickly during the long summer days and blooms early.
Gardening in the North 