Fading Beauty and Christmas Preparations

Almost Christmas and much to do. While the garden is sleeping I have time to prepare for the festive season. In between activities I wander around the damp garden for a breath of fresh air and to seek out glimpses of end of year beauty. Although the flowers have faded there are lovely leaves, mossContinue reading “Fading Beauty and Christmas Preparations”

Seasonal Pursuits

November is rushing by and thoughts of Christmas are uppermost. The weather has changed to seasonal cold with frosty mornings. Although this has finished off some of the plants there are highlights here and there. The winter Jasmine is flowering with its cheerful little blossoms. It’s a vigorous plant and needs cutting back every coupleContinue reading “Seasonal Pursuits”

Garden Treasures and Green Tomato Chutney

November is an intriguing month. The beauty of Autumn all around us but the hint of Winter about to arrive at any time. So far, here in my part of the UK, it’s been very mild and damp. It’s been very much like Spring with the temperatures, light levels and absence of frost. The resultContinue reading “Garden Treasures and Green Tomato Chutney”

Seasonal Pleasures, Cakes and Soup

October ending; November beginning. Autumn truly underway. Leaves are falling like coloured rain and swirling around in the chilly wind. Drifted piles lie in scented heaps where hedgehogs sleep and insects hide away until Spring warms the earth again. In the garden I’m finding changes day by day. Leaves of such beauty are either clingingContinue reading “Seasonal Pleasures, Cakes and Soup”

Mellow Colours, Bright Berries and Teapots.

October is a time of gently pleasant decay. Leaves are turning to mellow golds or burning oranges while berries blaze with glowing colours. The garden is winding down yet full of sights and scents to please me. The marigolds have curled seeds which promise more beauty next summer and the Rudbeckias have almost black conesContinue reading “Mellow Colours, Bright Berries and Teapots.”

Autumn Tints, Jam and a Painting

Late September. A bit of a nip in the air and a slight scent of Autumn. The fruit trees have yielded their delicious treasure and are now preparing to rest. The garden is winding down and so am I. Not everything goes to plan when you’re a gardener. In August I always sow my SpringContinue reading “Autumn Tints, Jam and a Painting”

Fruitfulness, Bric-a-Brac and a Painting in Progress

We’ve had some very wet days since my last post but our garden needed it. Sunny spells have relieved the grey skies in between showers. The early Autumn flowers are a delight. Rudbeckias glow even on the dullest day with their golden petals and near black cones. I brought in a few to fill aContinue reading “Fruitfulness, Bric-a-Brac and a Painting in Progress”

Summer Treasures and Tomato Chutney

Although Summer is still in full swing there are signs that the garden is winding down. Leaves are falling from the fruit trees and pears and apples are giving up their treasure. Blackberries shine out where the brambles have sneaked in here and there. Glowing autumn colours lighten up the garden now. Rudbeckias are favouritesContinue reading “Summer Treasures and Tomato Chutney”

Late Summer Pleasures and Cake

The last month of Summer has begun. A few more weeks of light nights and flowers before the season of “mellow fruitfulness.” Meanwhile, my “Stargazer” lilies are fabulous and their heady perfume lingers on the air. There is a lily called “Brasilia” which I love and hoping to buy and plant this autumn. It hasContinue reading “Late Summer Pleasures and Cake”