I wish flowers naturally existed in dark turquoise, it is such a deep,rich, calming and sumptuous colour experience. Thankfully my armchair provides this colour fix daily as I sink into it after work with a mug of tea or two.
A while ago I asked a customer ” Is there anything you don’t like in the garden? ” I was slightly taken aback by the reply ” Actually Sally, I don’t really like those giant yellow flowers that you have planted quite a lot of. They are just so big, and so very yellow and as not much else is flowering at the moment, they are quite overpowering ” The plant in question was Helianthus Lemon Queen.
This bold back of the border perennial is stunning from late summer into autumn, particularly when the vibrant yellow flowers are set against the fiery autumnal orange and red hues of Sumach and Japanese maples. It is a particular favourite of mine.
This conversation was a really good reality check and a timely reminder that even though I look after a fair number of gardens, they are not my own. My love for big perennials and the new perennial movement is not necessarily what all my customers want to see filling their borders.
The majority of the Helianthus is now out and will be replaced with Japanese anemone September Charm and Veronicastrum virginicum Fascination, which are also some of my favourite plants. They to are not small, however, they are not quite as large as Lemon Queen, which can reach over 2 metres in height.
As winter approaches, why not take stock and really think about what you don’t want to see in your garden next year. Swiftly followed by a list of plants you love. I very much hope you enjoy making your ” to plant ” lists.
Sally Wicks 
That is why I am no landscape designer. There would be too much white. I would not be qualified to design a garden for someone else. I just solve problems in the landscapes.
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Hi Tony, One garden I look after has the most beautiful white garden, it keeps on going from white alliums to white daisies and asters and for winter there are the silver birch stems all along the back. There are 1 or 2 Helianthus Lemon Queens in it though !
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It is hard to take yourself out of your own tastes, isn’t it? I utterly love Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’. I love all big daisies. Though I hate pink and yellow together – it makes me feel nauseous! So won’t ever be choosing a pink Japanese anemone. I wonder what influences these likes and dislikes? Pink and yellow reminds me of an old lady’s dressing table, with powder puffs and perfume bottles with atomisers.
Sorry – what a weirdo comment!!
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Hi Ali, What influences me is just a sense of beauty, and as we all look at things differently, I got your comment ! I had a pale yellow cosmos with pale pink Gaura and peach coloured Dahlias this year. I thought they looked gorgeous !
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That would be ‘no’ to couch grass and yes to big swathes of echinacea….doesnt seem to like my garden though
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For me it would be Lemon Queen all the way with Globe artichokes !
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There’s no accounting for taste. I love any daisy flower and lemon coloured ones are gorgeous. I wouldn’t be without ‘Lemon Queen’.
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It is such a brilliant perennial. About ten years ago I was given one large clump, and I have now kindly donated it to practically every garden I work in.
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