Geraniums, Tree Fern and Last 0f The Irises

Tree fern with new leaves

The tree fern is growing its new leaves and looks wonderful. I have tried to remove the ivy  behind it but I can't cut too much back at the moment because of the nesting birds. In the autumn however, I'll have a go at it.  

Geranium phaeum

The hardy geraniums are all out in the garden now. They are wonderful at keeping spaces filled and wonderfully varied in size and colour and very easy to grow. I have several: G. black widow, the almost black one that grows at the back of the garden and keeps the bees happy. They would take up the whole of the garden if I let them, but I put lots of them on the compost heap to keep them under control. They don't mind a shady place, but they are nearly over now. 

Geranium sanguineum ('bloody cranesbill') is low growing and  bright red. It flowers for ages. 

Geranium sanguinaeum

Then there is a pink one G. oxonianum, which flowers any and everywhere and is now beginning to take its place in the non-mow lawn, and another one rather like it but with smaller flowers called G. Rose Clair. 

Geranium oxonianum

Then there is the G. himalayense, a deeply blue one and G. Johnson's Blue a beautiful blue which I've had for years. 

Geranium Johnson's Blue

Geranium psilostemon

Perhaps my favourite is  G. psilostemon, which is tall, a bright pink with a black eye and really eye-catching.  

Lastly, the few iris left flowering are still wonderful and loved by bees. I have a pale yellow wild one which has been controllable up to now  but this year has had lots of flowers and although I love it it will soon get out of hand so I'll have to cut the flowers and recycle them before it sows itself all round the garden, 

Last of the blue irises