Here are my suggestions for weatherproof cottage garden flowers
We’ve had strong winds and hailstorms in this small sheltered London garden for a few days now. Many plants and flowers are standing tall unscathed by the weather. It’s definitely worth thinking about how weatherproof plants are when you choose what to plant.
Tulips
The Ballerina variety are fantastic for lasting well in a pot or in the border. They are tall, strong and last for weeks.
Wonderful Tulip Ballerina
These below are Temple of Beauty
Tulip Temple of Beauty
Here below are the wonderful two varieties Menton and Dordogne which not only look great together but last for weeks and are untouched by terrible weather here in the border. For me they look better where they are rather than in a pot. Just my choice.
Tulips Menton and Dordogne
I first saw this mixture at Gravetye – they plants thousands of tulips every year and their display is world famous.
Parrot tulips can be ruined by a bit of rain. Here are Amazing Parrot standing tall while Apricot Parrot are looking a bit droopy.
Parrot tulips have heavy heads and can droop but still survive.
Weatherproof plants
Bleeding Heart is doing brilliantly. Used to be called Dicentra, now it’s something else. It’s in the red pot and spreads out in a light and airy fashion. The only snag is that it completely disappears from late summer to the next spring so you’re looking at an empty pot trying to remember what, if anything, is in it.
I have on occasion stared at, waited and nurtured a pot only to find that there was nothing in it at all. Hmmmm.
Bleeding Heart looks wonderful bursting out of a big pot
Who would imagine these spindley Muscari would be unbeaten by hailstones?
Muscari survived the rain very well
Tulip Orange Emperor had been in the muscari pot too. They were great through April but the rain finished them off so I pulled them out.
Tulip Orange Emperor were early to flower, looked great and were then spoiled by heavy rain
If I see bad weather coming I can always cut a few flowers for a vase where at least they can last a few days longer. I wrote about that here How to have cut flowers from your small garden
Weatherproof daffodils
Narcissus Thalia are still flowering which seems a bit odd in May but everything is later this year.
Narcissus Thalia, pure white and a late flowerer
I’ve also got some Sealing Wax and Sweetness still flowering
My jumble of daffodils for cutting for indoors
And some Pipit variety in this pot with muscari
Pipit narcissus and muscari in a pot
Species tulips
And here are the tiny thin-stemmed species tulips looking delicate in a pot. Some last better than others but I wouldn’t be without them as they are just lovely to grow.
Tulip clusiana, a species tulip
That’s enough for now. There are other cottage plants doing their thing in my garden regardless of wind and rain. That’s for next time.
So thank goodness for sturdy weatherproof cottage garden flowers
but the joy of the cottage garden style is that even where things have been flattened and battered and sat on by foxes and eaten by squirrels, it doesn’t show in the general jumble of greenery.
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Thanks Julie, this has confirmed my view (formed during this odd spring!) that for next season I will plant tulips & daffodils in pots leaving my small flowerbed for perennials rather than dying down bulb foliage. A small space needs careful planning!
Sounds a good idea although I’d say that the smaller early daffodils have thin leaves that easily disappear in a border once it gets going. But the big sturdy ones have leaves that hang around for months! That’s why I pull them up and chuck them in a sunny corner, or just a corner. Yes, a small space needs to be nice to look at all the time. We have no hidden corner to tuck things out of sight, do we. Best wishes, Julie
Lovely tulips
Thankyou Barbara, yes tulips signify the real start of late Spring here in London, I wouldn’t be without them. Best wishes, Julie
Hi Julie –
Your garden is so pretty. Your flowers stood up to the severe weather extremely well. Everything looks lovely. I only recently discovered your blog and am thoroughly enjoying it. I read one of your old blogs each night before I go to bed. Thank you for the valuable information and the beautiful photos.
Brenda
Oh Brenda waking up to see your lovely message has so cheered me up! Your comment gives me a boost and helps me know it’s worthwhile sending out my blog. I’m wondering where in the world you are? I hope you enjoy your gardening as much as I do. Best wishes, Julie
I love the Tulipa clusiana, and have planted that particular one in my garden. We had quite a wet summer, so I’m hoping that the dormant bulbs haven’t been adversely affected. Time will tell. Your pots are looking splendidly colourful.
Thankyou Jane, we need colour here in rather grey UK. At least the clusiana are reliably perennial and it’s lovely to have something delicate to see isn’t it. Big and bold is great but so is small and delicate. Best wishes, Julie
Hi,
I’m a recent subscriber after Alexandra (Alexandria?) mentioned you on my YouTube binge so I just wanted to say hi but also, I love how your write. Not just your knowledge but also your chatty asides, your fun and your honest style; you make me feel so much better about how forgetful I am in my garden.
You’re exactly the kind of person I’d choose to be friends wit in real life and that’s why I’m back for every blog post.
Stay fun!
Helen
(aged 39 and 1/4)
Oh Helen, hello what a lovely lovely message , I am smiling hugely. I haven’t tried a You Tube binge, I usually binge on amazon Prime and midget gems. Thanks for appreciating my blogs, I struggle with the technology of it but am always thrilled when I feel I have something useful and fun to say. I will think of you when I am waiting for inspiration. I am wondering where in the world you are gardening ? Very warm wishes, Julie 69 and 3 months
*with
Hi Julie –
I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, although for the first nineteen years of my life I lived in Brighton, Sussex. I do enjoy gardening very much. My husband died four years ago and my garden gives me much solace. Not only is your garden beautiful but the photographs of your home are just a joy. It looks a very cozy, happy home, and you have beautiful taste. Thank you for your blog. I realize that sometimes it must be quite demanding, but you do give lots of pleasure. I am so enjoying your older posts too.
Brenda
Hi Brenda, thankyou so much for your friendly and encouraging comment. so sorry to hear you have lost your husband, life can be rotten. We who have a garden are so lucky aren’t we, especially if we see it as a comforting place rather than a list of tasks. I am so pleased you enjoy my blog, and I now feel connected to your part of the world through our love of our gardens. I was there briefly many years ago, gosh it was far away! I do struggle with the technology of it but hearing from you and others makes it all worthwhile. Very best wishes, Julie
Dear Julie, just found your site and loved it,as you do not sound as if you know everything and make mistakes and laugh about it. I wish you were my neighbour and I could come and chat and scrounge cuttings. Your garden is lovely and I am glad it makes you happy and it gives back to you the effort you have put into it keep well and and happy gardening Maggie