A Fresh New Start

A new month, a new year! Happy New Year everyone. The festivities are over and time for a reassessment, New Year resolutions and looking ahead. Snow has fallen and covered the garden in a pure white blanket. A timely reminder that Winter has begun. Although the garden is mostly dormant there are some lovely plantsContinue reading “A Fresh New Start”

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”

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”

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”

High Summer and Stitching

High Summer. The hum of the bees, fluttering butterflies and the scent of honeysuckle on the evening air. It flits by in the twinkling of an eye but so much to enjoy while it lasts. While some days and nights have been much too hot for comfort the gentler days have been a delight. NowContinue reading “High Summer and Stitching”

Strawberries and Wine

We’ve reached the Summer Solstice so Summer has officially begun. The heat some days is intense. Too hot by day to work in the garden but the evenings are pleasant. So much going on now with flowers, fruit and vegetables. I harvested my little crop of garlic which I planted in Autumn. The bulbs areContinue reading “Strawberries and Wine”

Roses, a Recipe and Thoughts of Spring

Refreshing rain at last! Sunny days are wonderful but constant watering is a chore. The garden was very thirsty but now it’s moist and full of promise. The roses have started flowering and their beauty is a joy. My “Golden Showers” climber was the first and lit up a corner where it leans against theContinue reading “Roses, a Recipe and Thoughts of Spring”

The Merry Month of May

Drifts of May blossom petals scatter over the paving, the scent lingering in the air and the satin flowered Welsh poppies are lit with a golden glow, filling the garden with welcome colour. So much to enjoy in the month of May. My Clematis montana “Elizabeth” scrambles right to the top of the fruit treesContinue reading “The Merry Month of May”

Bouquets, Repairs and Seed Sowing

We’re past the Vernal Equinox now so days should be a bit longer than nights. Good news for everyone and especially gardeners. April is usually a lovely month with warm Spring days, a few showers to keep the flowers blooming and fresh green leaves bursting out everywhere. We celebrated our Diamond Wedding Anniversary and theContinue reading “Bouquets, Repairs and Seed Sowing”