Yearning for eupatoriums

Now that’s what I call a successful plant. Have you ever seen eupatorium purpureums looking lusher or more gorgeous? It makes the ones in my garden look like puny starved neglected children.

We have had a lovely morning at Wisley – marching up and down, and inspecting the bounty of a wet English summer.   The glasshoue borders are fantastic now. I last saw them in April when things had the air of promise and hope.   Now they are a flowing dreamscape of perennials and prairie.

And I think they have the balance between oh so clever design, and just plants about right.   The Piet Oudolf borders aren’t as successful right now. I’ve noticed that lots of smaller filler plants have been added to the original design. One day I really must see this part of the garden when it’s at its best.

But there were plenty of other things to admire. Echinaceas which don’t look sunburnt, grasses that arch and preen.

The Miscanthus Ferne Ostens stole the show in this part of the garden.   But I will try and stay faithful to my pannicum squaw that is growing so well and has, I think, more interesting leaves. I almost bought one in the garden centre afterwards, but fell for two Crocosmia Hellfires instead.

I’m going to have to take off their flower stalks alas before catching the train out on Thursday. The flowers are so long they won’t fit in the x-ray machine at St Pancras.