The Side Garden (Rhodoendron triangle!)
It's a bit of a cheek to call it the side garden as it's really just a sort of triangular bed at the side of the house! We did attempt to do something a few years ago but didn't keep on top of it. At the moment(March 2012) it consists of three dwarf Rhododendron ('Queen Alice', 'Dreamland' and 'Red Peste'), surrounded by Senecio cineraria 'Silver Dust' and some Aubretia at the front.

The photos below (taken early March 2012) show how the 'Silver Dust' has nearly taken over the Rhododendrons! We will shortly be removing the 'Silver Dust' as we have clearly let it go wild - to say the least. It will be replaced with a selection of Violas and Primula which we have already purchased.

Within a couple of days of taking the photographs below I think the embarrassment must have got the better of us, as we decided to tidy the bed up sooner rather than later! Scroll down to see progress.....

2012.....

2013.....

12th March, 2013: As mentioned above, we decided to pull out the 'Silver mist' which had got out of control and to give the bed a quick turning over.

A mixture of Violas and Primulas were planted in order to give the bed some colour whilst waiting for the Rhododendrons to open. The photos above and right were taken on 17th April, 2013.

Rhododenron 'Red Peste' (Photo taken 22 May, 2013. Close-ups taken 15 May, 2013

         

Rhododenron 'Dreamland'
Photos taken 22 May, 2013

Aubretia
Photos taken 22 May, 2013

Violas
A selection of Violas planted together in a ball – end of March 2013 (Photo taken 22 May, 2013)

Viola 'Denim Jump' (purple centres)

Viola 'F1 White' (white)

Viola 'Yellow Blotch' (yellow)

Viola 'Ruby & Gold Babyface' (gold centres)

The 'Side Garden' 23 May, 2013

Having seen Slack Top Nurseries at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show (April 2013) we decided to pay them a visit. Although they specialise in Alpines they also do a few other plants. We spotted a lovely miniature Rhododendron 'Oban' and duly purchased it for our 'Rhododendron triangle!'. It was coming to the end of its flowers when we purchased it so will have to wait until next year to see if settles in and flowers. The photo here was taken on 4th April, 2014.

2014.....
We decided to opt for a lot more colour around the Rhododendrons this year whilst waiting for them to open. Of the three bushes 'Queen Alice' didn't flower at all last year but in March this year buds have appeared so we are hopeful that they will open. I planted primroses all round the edge of the border, with the addition of tulips in some of the gaps in the centre.

Below: Tulip 'Ancilla' - March 2014
   

Below: Tulip 'Gluck' – 4th April, 2014
   

Below: Rhododendron Triangle – 4th April, 2014 (Photos taken from each end)
  

Below: Tulip Tres Chic – 23rd April, 2014
  

Below: Rhododendron triangle – 27th April, 2014 and 'Red Peste' & 'Dreamland' opening 1st May, 2014
 

Below: Rhododendron 'Oban' – 5th April and 7th May, 2014
 

Below: Rhododendron 'Red Peste' – 7th May, 2014
 

Below: Rhododendron 'Dreamland' – 7 May, 2014
 

Below: Rhododendron ' Queen Alice' – 7 May, 2014
 

Below: Rhododendron triangle – 7th May, 2014
 

Back to top