THE garden is filling with flowers as we leave spring behind and go into early summer.

Here, clematis viticella etoile violette has been in bloom for the past couple of weeks, which is unusual as it was originally chosen for its late flowers - usually from August onwards.

This year it was hardly pruned which could explain the early arrival of the flowers, which are much larger than normal; but I hope the new young shoots that are appearing now will bear the autumn flowers that are so welcome at the end of the season.

Clematis heraclefolia, the herbaceous clematis, is about to flower but at the moment the dark purple buds nestle among the black stems and tiny variegated leaves of a variety of Pittosporum tenuifolium.

The long, dark, rough leaves of the clematis contrast well with the yellow and green foliage of the pittosporum, which grows against a warm brick wall in the sun. It was bought last year at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales - well worth a visit if in the area - and has thrived in our sheltered garden.

Elsewhere in our garden geraniums are coming to the fore with G.phaeum flowering in the dry area under a holly tree and my favourite - G. Anne Folkard - sending long stems into Euphorbia Humpty Dumpty.

The phaeum, dark maroon-flowered species and white album will bloom for several weeks and seem to do well in any situation. They are useful in dry shade although mildew can be a problem - a thick mulch in early spring helps to avoid this.

Geranium clarkei Kashmir white has been with us for several years and has gradually made its way around the garden. The leaves are feathery and flowers large, white and netted with purple. It tends to flop if put at the front of a bed and does better if placed next to stout perennials for support.

A new geranium, which I think I bought last year, has grown very tall with strong stems and tiny white flowers. I have it in mind that it is G.sylvaticum albiflorum but it seems too tall. The flowers seem small and insignificant during the day but at twilight they glow in the fading light and look beautiful.

Updated: 08:43 Saturday, June 05, 2004