Alcea Week

Amid the longest days of the year, the perennials gradually take up the slack in week 2009/26, with Kniphofia beginning to brighten. In a pleasant surprise, two lily bulbs planted at the end of April finally poke out shoots, from the soil at the same time as established lilies are about to break into bloom. The bees have taken all they can absorb from the Deutzia, and it goes quiet as the flowers fade. Alcea has not yet come into flower, but is forming flowerheads. Its cousin Lavatera has finally offered us the first pink flowers - on a newly planted specimen from the nursery. An established and woody specimen appears to be operating too a slower beat. Brachyglottis greyi from New Zealand has survived the past cold winter very well as is now offering its peculiar yellow flowers over the mass of grey-blue leaves.

Alcea Week

It's the week, 2008/26, when the perennial hollyhocks, Alcea rosea, begin their long run. With their height, they compete with shrubs for attention, so that one hardly notices Fuchsia magellanica coming into bloom. Also closer to ground level, Hypericum is putting on a good show. Cresting into flower are some wonderful Lilium Division 1 hybrids, the 'Grand Paradiso' lilies. In a nearby street, Stockflethweg, an extraordinarily beautiful mature Philadelphus, perhaps 'Belle Etoile', comes into its own this week. Its height about 3.5 metres is covered with square, white flowers.