GBBD: hazy blue with dots of red

This month I'm proudly displaying my newest acquisition - a cerinthe bought at a local plant sale. I've held out against this plant for some time because I tend to avoid annuals when possible. I probably would have left this on the stall, but for the fact that I'd forgotten cerinthe was an annual (it looks perennial, don't you think?) and bought it before I remembered to ask. I just fall for that bluey haze every time.

I have high hopes, though, for self-seeding, as I was assured that it would be with me forever. Already, though, I fear I've put it in the wrong place, as I read that it takes best to poor, dry soil and it's in rather hefty clay.  Next year, if there are seedlings or I remember to save the seeds, I'll try them in the dusty, dry soil of our south-facing front garden. Sarah Raven gives useful information on sowing honeywort, as it's also known (bees love them).

Strangely, considering the number of gardening books I've acquired, I've found it impossible to track down in their pages and have had to resort to Google.  I suspect it's become fashionable.

The red splashes behind? Alpine strawberries. They catch me out frequently, as I wonder what the little red flowers are in the borders and realise they're fruit. I let these plants wander at will and the fruit must ripen almost as you watch as, combing however carefully through a border, I never seem to find the ripe ones all in one go.

You don't exactly get a meal (there are thirty strawberries in my hand above and no, I'm not a giant!). They are rather dry and light when picked. But mash them with sugar before eating to release the juice and you'll know why I let them roam so freely.

This is part of Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Why not pop over and see what else is flowering?

Comments

[Helene]

Cerinthes are new to me, I had to Google it, lovely plant but I am not really one for hefty self-seeders :-) I used to have wild strawberries in my old garden in Norway, I agree with you on the flavour, nothing beats them!

[Helen]

Talking of things that take over the garden, though, Helene, strawberries make quite a stab at world domination! Thank you for commenting.