Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Real Men Sow
A jewel garden has flowers that are rich and vivid in bright colours, which shimmer in the summer heat. Monty Don’s Longmeadow jewel garden is a riot with vivid colours, including emerald, rich sapphire, amethyst and gold. Although most jewel gardens are created by drift planting along a large, south-facing border it is possible to make a container garden. You can plant in pots and place them closer together.
It is important to consider the site’s location, aspect, and exposure when creating a jewel garden. If possible, choose a sunny and protected spot with moist soil. You should also ensure that there is always something in bloom – alliums in spring and dahlias in autumn. You’ll be able to have the perfect display for many months if you carefully plan where and what you’ll grow.
10 Flowers To Grow In A Jewel Garden
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’
Allium ‘Purple Sensation” has deep purple, globe-shaped flowers that are held on tall stems from the late-spring through early summer. Its flowers are attractive to bees, and other pollinators.
Tulipa “National Velvet”
Tulipa National Velvet is a great choice for mid-spring. It bears velvety flowers in burgundy, and tall stems. This tulip is great for pairing with dark-coloured tulips or contrast with colors such as orange.
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills,’ an old Gallica shrub rose with fully doubled, magenta pink flowers in July, is Rosa ‘Charles de Mills. These blooms are strong-smelling, so plant them near a bench or seating area.
Zinnia is available in many bold and zingy colors, including bright pinks, purples, yellows, fiery reds, oranges, bright pinks and purples. Some blooms are semi- to fully doubled, while single flowers attract pollinators.
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
Crocosmia “Lucifer” bears beautiful sprays of bright-red funnel-shaped flowers that contrast beautifully with the mid-green, grassy leaves from late-summer through autumn.
Dahlia “Bishop Of Llandaff”
Dahlia “Bishop Of Llandaff” has striking semi-double bright red flowers that appear from July through September. They contrast well with dark brown stems and leaves.
Buddleia x Weyeriana “Sungold”, also known as the butterfly bush, bears clusters of golden yellow flowers and a strong scent. It flowers for a long time and is very attractive to pollinators so it attracts bees to the jewel garden.
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Euphorbia characias subsp. Wulfenii makes a great foil for other brighter blooms. From March to May, tall stems bear fleshy green leaves and large heads of lime-green flowers.
Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’
Abyssinian bananas make a striking centerpiece. The dramatic effect of light hitting the large, green, paddle-shaped leaves is achieved when they are illuminated by sunlight.
Calendula “Indian Prince” is taller than other calendulas and has rustic orange petals with mahogany underside. It can be grown from seeds and used to fill in gaps in the jewel border.
