Crossing the North Atlantic ocean to the Red Hot Pokers and Agapanthus of South Africa and cruising the Indian Ocean to Plectranthus argentatus in Northern Australia to the rough South China Sea to visit the stunningly gorgeous orange, black spotted Lilium henryi in Central China. There’s sooo much going on. Oh and readers let’s go back over the Atlantic Ocean to where I’ve rudely omitted South America - with its stonkingly beautiful Verbena bonariensis, Cleome hassleriana (Spider Flower), Canna iridiflora and Rastafarian endowed Loves-Lies-Bleeding – Amaranthus caudatus. It’s endless. I’m out of breath with excitement! I can feel my green blood cells gather pace as they fly like a Boeing 747 – positively zinging through my enlarged rubbery vein walls!

This would be a very long blog if I was to mention everything in flower at Lullingstone but I have three favourite to share with you now: Starting off with the astonishingly sumptuous Salvia uliginosa or “Bog Sage” from Uruguay in South America – the turquoise blue flowers being thrust into bloom are unmistakable – in my personal opinion the best blue of a Salvia; in fact the best blue of any flower, full stop. This colour takes some creative painting by Mother Nature! An easy to grow Salvia with fruity scented leaves on tall stems to over 3 feet and as the vernacular name of “Bog Sage” indicates, it loves a moist soil especially during the summer – if it dries out it will struggle and sulk and get very stunted – so lots of moisture is the order of the day. Next it would be rude not to pick an Agapanthus that despite the last chilly billy winter have done splendidly well. I’ve chosen Agapanthus ‘Streamline’ with its sea blue leaves, rich bluey purple flowers. The whole plant is just so wonderfully compact – would look outstanding in a pot. Agapanthus in my personal opinion loves a well drained soil in full sun like the “Bog Sage” and quite a bit of moisture in the summer but will tolerate a lot of drought style conditions. And lastly a “Hot Poker” that’s simply fantastic and very well known, ladies and gents I give you the one and only – Kniphofia ‘Little Maid', - this compact creamy, white and yellow stonker is simply looking divine, loving the same conditions as an Agapanthus. Seeing them spurt into growth over the last few days has been an insomniac filled experience.

Big turquoise bog sage scented hugs to all you dear plant filled bloggers.....................