The Boccelli Garden in Mid-June

When the Peony 'Peter Brand' comes into bloom, the Boccelli Garden pops with excitment. I especially like the contrast of the chartreuse leaves of Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea' and the orange flowers of Euphorbia griffithii ‘Dixter’, a selection made by the late Christopher Lloyd of Great Dixter.

Another Great Dixter plant in the Boccelli Garden brought to the United States by Dan Hinkley of Heronswood fame is Ribes alpinum 'Aurea', which can be seen in the center of this photo. Hinkley brought back a suckering stem of the plant at Great Dixter and propagated it for sale in 2004. I got great pleasure out of seeing the original plant at Great Dixter when I was there last month.

'Purple Sensation' and 'Dixter' fill the gap in the Boccelli Garden

Allium 'Purple Sensation' and Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter'

Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa' is a good facer throughout the season

After the late tulips pass but before the peonies pop, there is a lull in the garden. Allium 'Purple Sensation' hits the mark with impeccable timing, tone and texture. The violet purple tennis balls float in the air above the foliage of the emerging perennials and stooled trees.

The perfect compliment is Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter'. Dan Hinkley says that it "thrusts from the ground like spears of purple-orange asparagus upon which the the bronzed foliage unfurls as terminally borne, deep orange flowers appear." Allium 'Purple Sensation' is a fleeting pleasure while Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' carries on admirably throughout the season, often flowering again in the fall.