What3Plants 7 Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba', Geranium phaeum, Aquilegia vulgaris

Another favourite combination of flowers, this time from the long border beside our mossy croquet lawn.
After the daffodils have finished, and a few Alliums appear, rather unreliably, masses of Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba' flowers begin to bloom. These tall flower stems seem to cope with the congested planting around them, and set seeds very prolifically. Gradually I'm spreading them by seed scattering along the entire border.
The equally thug-like Aquilegia vulgaris also seed around vigorously in this area, as does the small dark mauve flowered Geranium phaeum. The Geranium flowers for many weeks, but usually overlaps the appearance of the somewhat later Camassia. The Aquilegia also flowers a little earlier, but usually extends to Camassia flowering season.
En masse, when the sun is shining, the scene is alive with bees: bumbles prefer the Aquilegia and the Geranium phaeum. The honey bees prefer the Geranium and the Camassia.
As the G. phaeum finishes, Geranium macrrorhizum with its pink, white or red flowers, which grows higher up on the bank behind this border, has more of a visual impact.
Typically at its height from the end of May and into mid to late June, it creates a spectacular visual treat - which compensates for the rather drab appearance once the Camassia has finished blooming.
For more information about our garden plantings, wildflower meadows, insect-friendly flowers, and low-intervention honey bees see our website:
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