The Blues


Every year I manage to underestimate just how big catmint will get. Even after much spring division, giving away large chunks, still it does it's thing and fills out almost every inch to where it started. On the flipside I also always to manage to forget how beautiful catmint is.  June is it's best month.




Salvia nemorosa is just starting to colour up. The colour of dark denim and possibly the best blue equalled only by the blue of Lavender 'Hidcote' which flowers later on.


Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'. I still reckon this is the prettiest blue geranium though not the longest flowering.


Campanula muralis cloaks the terrace at La Forge. The wall bellflower crops up everywhere and seems to colonise regardless of sun or shade.


Comments

  1. The Johnson's Blue is so intense! Beautiful blues, all.

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  2. Oh so gorgeous! I would love for you to share it at the Home Sweet Garden Party!

    See the post here ---->>>http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/2014/06/home-sweet-garden-party-63.html

    xxx....Brooke

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  3. Hi Rob,
    In years gone by, my old white cat called Tim used to eat catmint, and completely trip out on it. Geranium 'Johnsons Blue', yep, stunning.

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    1. Hi Gary. I bet your cat thought "good sh*t man!"

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  4. Dear Rob,
    I am also a great lover of blue flowers. Therefore I like to recommend Geranium 'Rosanna'. It has the same colour, but flowers just after Johnsons Blue. And for a very long period. Sometimes until Christmas!
    Groetjes from Holland.

    Hetty

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hetty. I know the geranium. It's called Rozanne here. Flowers for a longer period of time.

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  5. Rob, We're talking with friends about visiting in the south of France. I hope I'll get to visit your gardens in the not-too-distant future.

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    1. Hi James. I look forward to meeting you sometime in the future.

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  6. Your Johnson's Blue is definitely bluer than mine. Must be the soil. Blue is a great colour in the garden and yours is looking fabulous right now.

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    1. Patty it could just be the light. I wish it would flower all summer.

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  7. I discovered catmint rather late, but now absolutely love the plant. It fills in the edge of the border, attracts bees, and has the best smell from the foliage. I trim it back to keep it in place and it still keeps blooming. As a bonus, as if this plant needs one, it doesn't mind my very poor soil. No fussy thing this one. I've now found another catmint (nervosa I think) that is slightly taller and with a deeper green foliage. We're giving it a try too.

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    1. Keir hi. There is nothing I know more successful attracting bees plus butterflies than good old catmint.

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  8. Can you not plant your catmint in a .. hm.. plastic container, say for laundry or some other suitable size and shape, that you dig down into the ground, then it´ll stay in its place :).
    Gods Peace
    Annso

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    1. Hello Annso. If I ever need to rein it in, then you're spot on. Resticting the roots will do the trick.

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  9. I know what I will be singing for the rest of the evening Rob! All glorious shades of blue but what's the pink in the top photo?

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    1. Anna I think the pink your referring to are the emerging inflorescenses of pennisetum Karley rose.

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  10. Beautiful series of photos.

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  11. I visited your blog for the first time. How beautiful the blue flowers are!
    We love blue flowers too, and now we have hydrangea, cat mint and Salvia guaranitica in our garden.

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    1. Hello Poirot. True, blue is a favourite colour in the garden. Salvia guaranitica does so well in your garden.

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  12. Hi Rob! It's my favorite color (or should I say colors) in the garden. Catmint is wonderful, but the part 'cat' in its name scares me. Will cats eat it?

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    1. Hi Tatyana. I think it's a rare thing for cats to like catmint. My cats are not in the slightest bit interested in it.

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  13. I have the same flowers growing in my garden, too. :o) I'm always looking for ways to add more blue. The bees here are crazy for catmint and the plants seem to hum when you walk past. Your garden is beautiful! :o)

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    Replies
    1. I think catmint is the biggest bee magnet there is!

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  14. I love blue flowers and can't get enough of them. That last picture is wonderful with all the blue flowers hanging over the side. It gives me some nice ideas for next year.
    David/:0)

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    Replies
    1. David the campanula muralis is the easiest thing to grow, sun or shade.

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