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27/08/2009


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... now here's proof I have a fox in the garden!

Can you believe this urban fox was quite happily sunning itself on a bare patch in our garden. I managed to take this photo through the window. Unfortunately it sensed movement, was spooked, and took off like a bullet into the undergrowth.

Just a relief I don't keep chickens!


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16/08/2009


my photo

MICHAELMAS DAISY - love, daintiness, after thought

When colour is beginning to fade in the late Summer garden, the Aster or Michealmas Daisy as it is commonly known, is just coming into bloom. This perennial, with its pale mauve daisy-like flowers is a real treat, not only to the human eye, but to butterflies, bees and hoverflies.

Aster comes from the Greek word Asteri, meaning star. This celestial body puts on an outstanding performance when planted in a sunny position. The variety I grow is quite happy to self-seed in cracks between paving. Its tall, and wiry stems would benefit from staking, to protect from wind damage, if only I could push a cane through concrete! Its foliage can be prone to mildew, but when growing in extreme dry conditions like mine, this just doesn't happen.

This is my 200th post!

The names of all who leave a comment on this post will be entered into a draw, to win a garden/flower themed mystery givaway.

I shall pick out a winner on September 30th, so there's plenty of time to get your comments in.

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15/08/2009


my photo

... seed heads of the iris plant

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10/08/2009


my photos

PAINTED LADY

This beautiful butterfly migrates from North Africa. We have seen a large population this year. They don't hibernate over winter in this country, and in autumn some will make the long journey home, and the ones remaining will die.

A plant they seem to love is verbena bonariensis. I counted nine on these plants at one given time yesterday!



Look at me, from a different angle!

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09/08/2009


my photos

BARRINGTON COURT

Barrington Court, an attractive 16th century house, came into the possession of the National Trust in 1907. Set in Somerset countryside, this property is well worthy of a visit.



Take a stroll along basket weave paving, with fragrant lavender edging.




Walk past electric blue salvia, which makes a statement. One of many herbacious borders being influenced by Gertrude Jekyll.

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Discover a spectacular White Garden, just one of a series of walled gardens.
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A lovely feature, the 17th century stable block, adorned with rambling roses.
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Barrington Court is built in an E-shaped style of the period, in Ham Hill stone. This side of the house is faced with meadow, a great natural habitat for all insects, especially butterflies.
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The practice of forcing rhubarb didn't start until the early 19th century when a Chelsea gardener made a chance discovery by leaving a chimney pot over one of his plants. He found that depriving rhubarb of light made the stems shoot upwards, searching for light, which made for a more succulent-tasting product.
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Looking down from the Tudor manor house which was restored in the 1920s by the Lyle family (of Tate & Lyle fame).
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Espaliered fruit grows against high stone walls in the working kitchen garden with apple, pear and plum trees, as well as cherries.
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A view from the kitchen garden. Sweetcorn is wind pollinated, and best planted in large blocks.
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Another herbacious border, with swathes of planting.
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Let's hope these bee hives are playing a part in helping to restore our dwindling bee population.
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06/08/2009


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... I remember my grandad growing bunny rabbits in his garden!

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