Black Jubilee - now rarely seen zonal pelargonium and some garden views

Black Jubilee

Last winter was particularly harsh here in the UK and one plant that I lost and have really missed this summer is Black Jubilee.   For me it is a particularly good to plant out in pots in the garden during the summer, being a tall growing plant, which needs quite a lot of pinching out to make a bushy plant.  The single dark rose pink flowers shine brightly against light green leaves with a distinct wide dark zone.    Black Jubilee was hybridised by Fred Bode, U.S.A. and introduced into Australia in 1958.  I cannot find out when it as introduced here in the U.K.

Some photo's of my favourite part of the garden.  Last year I had grasses here, and it did look quite splendid.  However, the harsh winter took its toll on several of them, so I decided to put dahlias here instead this year.  I think I like it better.

I like the combination of Dahlias Bishop of Llandaff and David Howard, but will have to remember to put David Howard behind the Bishop next year.

This tower of Morning Glory is a happy 'change of plan'.  I originally planted sweet peas to grow up the tower of bamboo canes, but in the heat of April and May they did not do well and just flopped about.  I usually grow a few Morning Glory plants to grow up canes in a large pot, but decided to plant them in place of the Sweet Peas.  They have grown so much better than in the pot, and an added bonus is that some of the Sweet Peas also started to grow and mingle.   This planting is something I will repeat next year.