Clematis Ville de Lyon on the back wall of the house.

This is the first time I’ve seen water soldier in flower, if only for a few days.

Chelsea was last week. I cut two thirds of the thalictrum in B2 and the lysimachia in B1 to about half height. We’ll see what happens.

See also May 18, May 17

I cut back the lace cap plant next to the bay tree to buds on stems that flowered last year. It’s clear that flowers are forming on the stems that these buds are growing into this year. Is this old or new wood? Either way it looks very promising, but I could have cut a bit lower to make a more compact shape.

The white mophead is also showing flowers coming on similar stems. This has had fewer, bigger flowers the last two years.

The three pots of tulips planted last autumn have done very well.

But so have the three planted 18 months ago. They’ve certainly done much better than those planted in the beds.

The pond is doing well. The London pride, bleeding heart and epimedium are particularly good.

Some santolinas, salvias, agastaches and erysimums look as though they might have been caught by the frost this last winter. I’ll give them another three weeks to show signs of life before replanting.

The thalictrum in B1 and B2 grew to about 8′ last year, which was too tall for B2. In about three weeks time I’ll give them a Chelsea Chop and see what happens.

See also May 17

The euphorbia melifera is smelling strongly of honey this year. The symphytum is rather rampant, but easy to control. The hydrangea petiolaris is starting to stick to the wall, and the ivy surely can’t be far behind.