We’re going to the local garden centre, would like for us to pick some plants up for you and bring them to you? Would I? Yes please! What a gift! The garden centres are recently allowed by the UK government to reopen and we’re encouraged to support them. Of course (any excuse will do)! My wish list was long though I knew that it was too early for some things and others too soon for newly restocking garden centres. No orange nemesia—these bloom nearly forever, putting on quite a show, no zinnias—again, probably too early, no miniature pink water lily. But I had to try; you never know what might turn up. I also asked for a cup and saucer vine or an orange black-eyed susan climber for our garden arch but only some sad-looking white climbers had made their way to the nursery. Alas.

HOWEVER, My friend found a gorgeous striped leaf canna—we don’t yet know what colour it will be but if images on Google are any indication it will likely be orange—my favourite. The pot says Canna Island but when I searched it, I only got listings on an Island in Scotland.

Petunias in burgundy (red violet) and blue (purple) were there—some of my all time favourite bedding flowers. They bloom again and again in their showy colours and heavenly scent. Since gardening in England, I’ve become a fan of dahlias, spurred on by frequent mention and glorious photography on BBC Gardener’s World (if you don’t live in UK, you can find excerpts on YouTube—I recommend!) In the US, we pronounce the flowers, dahl-yah; a vintage celebrity’s name—Arlene Dahl, gave us what seemed an obvious clue to pronunciation. But the Brits say dale-ya. Either way, they come in many sizes, shapes and colours blooming well into the autumn. I had picked up a couple of small ones at Aldi, which are nice but this Amazone is a prize.

I also asked for a Victoria Blue salvia, something I’ve grown every year for a couple of decades. They can be counted on for their deep blue, nearly violet spires to keep blooming until the heat slows them down, then burst into bloom again in the autumn. And again, in spring. Hmm..blue hill and blue marvel only. Yes, definitely the one that leans toward violet. Surprise! It is indeed what I’ve known as Victoria Blue—a good colour companion to my yellow green euphorbia.

We rounded out the gathering of plants with a tomato, two courgettes (zucchini) and a tray of runner beans.

My containers are looking more colourful and less lonely these days thanks to my thoughtful friends.

What’s on your garden wish list?