Early Spring seems to be the season of yellow: Daffodils, Winter Aconites, Primroses, Crocosus but lots of people have a thing against yellow flowers in their gardens, and I have to admit I was one of them! I’m not sure why it is, perhaps yellow was unfashionable, a bi too ‘in your face’. But I think I was won over to yellow by orange! It took me to yellow and I have started to love it now, especially with orange!! Yellow also looks great with reds and blues and really zings infront of dark foliage or even a black fence! Here are a few flowers that might win you over to yellow!
Primroses – Quite a delicate shade of yellow to get you started! These hedgerow favourites are a great source of colour during Winter right through to Spring. They selfseed really easily and so will multiply for you. I love them planted in my gravel path, so they have a really natural look and once SApring is here you can transplant them to where you want so is the time of year to ask if you can have a couple from any rfiends with them in their garden!
Inula – This was a gift from a lady I gardened for. Her garden was on the North Downs so very chalky and alkaline, I’m on very sandy soil which is rather neutral in acidity and most of my garden is quite shady. These Inulas seem to love both conditions and from a couple of bits I dug up they have now formed a patch which flower from Summer through to Autumn.
Primrose
Inula
Mexican Satin Flower (Sisyrinchium striatum) – This perennial forms clumps of vertical sword-like leaves and in the summer straight stems shoot up with clusters of the tiniest pale yellow flowers. It loves being in the sun on really well drained soil and is so delicate and gorgeous.
Rosa banksia ‘Lutea’ – A beautiful rambling rose with sprays of small double, deep yellow scented flowers in April and May. Pros: its thornless and great for covering an arch or pergola. Cons: it only flowers once!
Lupin ‘Chandelier’ – Lupins were all the rage last year at the Flower Shows and they come in a wide range of colours; some bright and gaudy but some a bit more toned down and pastelly. I love this yellow Lupin with its geometric spire of flowers. They like it sunny and look great in a border of other plants, and remember to deadhead once its looking scruffy as it may well flower again for you.
Sisyrinchium striatum
Rosa banksiae Lutea’
Lupin ‘Chandelier’
I hope that gives you some ideas, I’m almost certain that yellow makes us feel good, it does bring a smile, so have a go at injecting some sunshine into your garden! Have a look at my board The Yellow Planting Edit on Pinterest for more inspiration.
Renée
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