Welcome

A very warm welcome to all readers and visitors to Kensington’s Gardening Blog!

Now, with summer’s arrival, our gardens are beginning to highlight their early perennials such as low-growing hardy geraniums, which are followed by taller perennials, clematis and hibiscus, until late summer brings the climax of the year for perennials with tall Joe Pye weed and ornamental grasses, lasting well into late Fall.

By planting generous drifts of compatible annuals amongst perennials in shady areas, waves of colour continue throughout the growing season. Look out for the following annuals to perform until frost this year: colourful begonias, coleus, fuchsia, spur-flower and Brazilian verbena, a linking plant which finally covers the Perennial Garden with a lavender-hued wash.

Early autumn continues summer’s splendour but, as flowers begin to die, the ornamental grasses become ever more important in the garden as seed heads harden, forming striking shapes that contrast with late flowers and the surrounding autumnal tinted foliage. The stage is now set for the winter scene, when the deciduous trees showcase their architectural bone structure, evergreens come into their own, ornamental grasses stand tall, and hardened perennial winter scapes create evocative plays of light and shadows and unexpected shapes such as snow cones above the dried blossoms of sedums and hydrangeas.

Subsequent updates of the blog will strive to cover seasonal aspects of the garden, and also bring you a range of gardening tips and possible answers to questions you may have. We hope that you will enjoy the blog and find its layout and approach attractive and informative.