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2012-01-16T19:42:00.004Z

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EGG-CITING DISCOVERY!

This isn't the first egg I've found buried whole in my planters!

It's the work of a fox, who being very dexterous can handle, bury and dig up eggs without breaking them.

I'm just glad I didn't break into it with the trowel!

Where on earth it's finding the eggs .. but there's evidence to be found around the garden.

There's no farm nearby, or who keeps chickens? .. a neighbour must be putting them out especially for the opportunist thief.

It stores them away for the next time it's hungry.

I wonder where it's next cache will be found?

.

2012-01-05T21:21:00.002Z

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WINTER INTEREST

.. berries

.. grasses

.. seedheads

.

2012-01-01T22:01:00.001Z

Forecast for today .. blustery with rain.

.

2011-10-14T22:39:00.055+01:00

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BASKING IN OCTOBER SUNSHINE

Monty Don said on Gardener's World this evening that he's been pleased with how his Dahlias have done this year, and so have I.

The one above is Happy Princess, one of the five dark-leaved varieties I ordered from Unwins at the beginning of Summer.

Ordered at the same time were plugs of New Guinea Impatiens, which I planted four in a trough. Usually this is the time of year to turf out the Summer bedding, but I can't do much at the minute as they are still flowering away like mad! These are great value plants, which are tolerant to a bit of drought and sun.

This beautifully structured nest came out of one of our neighbour's trees. The bronze leaves on top are from the shrub/tree Amelanchier. Does this nest belong to a Crow or Magpie, anyone know?

I've been secretly longing for this monstrosity of a conifer to come down, at least the top section anyhow. Magpies seemed to favour it, and the sound of a magpie is not the kind of birdsong I want to be hearing at any time of the day.

I shall miss the little Dunnock though, who did like to sit right at the very top and sing it's little heart out!

I've seen an increase in Red Admirals in my garden this year, four together on Michaelmas Daisy. Even today there was one catching up on last minute nectar from Verbena B.

Other plants they've favoured over the summer months have been Giant Scabious and Cosmos.

I know their caterpillars like to feed on nettles, so I keep a big patch in an unused spot at the top of the garden. The butterflies like to feed on apples, so leave out some windfalls if you have them.

This fern looks especially lovely in Autumn light. I've a few different varieties planted in part shade around the base of a tree.

We were down in Somerset for a few days this week, and on a cycle ride I noticed the edge-ways were covered with Harts Tongues. The first time I've ever happened to see so many growing together in the wild.

My garden this year has again been filled with many different varieties of bee. Most of them I'm not familiar with, but I'd be interested to learn more about them in the future.

The small one above is on another one of those Dahlias, this time Happy First Love. This variety has almost a paint-brushed effect on the petals.

Sadly all five are coming to an end now, but I shall try my very best to overwinter them, but cannot promise any success?

.

2011-10-08T16:15:00.002+01:00

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FRAGRANT SWEETPEAS

Instead of Runner Beans next year, I think I'll grow more Sweetpeas.

After a slow start, this mix Elegant Ladies have been flowering really well.

They smell amazing, and remind me of the old-fashioned Matucana and Cupani varieties.

I took up Monty Don's invaluable advice to pick blooms every 10 days, which has proved a great success!

.

2011-10-07T20:36:00.001+01:00

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A COLOUR SPLASH IN AUTUMN

It's October, and we imagine the garden to be full of browns, yellows and oranges.

Not so!

Salvia Black 'n Blue

Aster Barbados

Dahlia Happy Wink

2011-09-26T22:00:00.004+01:00

I've decided to leave my 300th post giveaway open for a while longer.

For each and every comment you leave, you'll gain an entry into the draw.

Think of it as a little thank you for your loyalty to my blog.

2007 to present.

Good luck!

2011-09-24T21:16:00.002+01:00

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HUMMINGBIRD HAWK-MOTH

Hummingbird Hawk-moths move at speed, and are not easy to photo, so I was pleased to get these three photos of one in action in my garden.

I've noticed this particular one returning to the same patch of Verbena B since the end of August.

If you have seen one or more in your garden, you can plot your sighting at the Migrant Watch webpage.

o

2011-09-03T20:26:00.004+01:00

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PAINTED LADY

I don't know where they've been hiding up until now, but today I spotted the first Painted Lady of the year.

A year or so back Britain saw an invasion!

Have you seen one or more, or a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in your garden this year? If so, how about plotting your finding(s) at the Butterfly Conservation's website in their survey Migrant Watch.

In my garden both species have been favouring Verbena Bonarensis.

Which plant(s) have you spotted either species on?

2011-08-13T19:47:00.020+01:00

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LATE SUMMER FAVOURITES AND A 300TH POST GIVEAWAY

This is my 300th post so I'm having another giveaway!

The giveaway prize will not necessarily be influenced by my love of the garden, leaving it open to everyone.

If you'd like to enter, comment on this post and I'll pick out a winner at random on Sunday 11th September.

Good luck!

This year the Sweetpeas have been very slow to flower, and slow too to even climb up the poles.

Maybe because they're Elegant Ladies, and can be seen here proudly showing themselves off with a 50p jelly-mould!

Monty Don suggests Sweetpeas are to be picked every 10 days.

I guess I should take his advice.

Big 'n blousy Gladioli.

I've never ever grown these before, so I took a chance in planting some up in large pots.

I stole the idea from Carol Klein, after seeing her do the same in her own garden at Glebe Cottage.

They're doing really well, and come as a highly recommended addition to a late Summer garden, and the good thing about having them in pots is you can move them around when you so desire.

It seems the odd spike may become a little top-heavy, like the one above which flopped over in today's blustery conditions.

I snipped it off, and it's now looking drop-dead gorgeous indoors!

Another new discovery for me this year is Helenium.

It's orange colour is just perfect at this time of year.

I definitely plan to introduce more to my garden next year, and hopefully divide this one if it gets through the Winter?

Dahlia, an old favourite of mine, especially the dark-leaved varieties.

I confess to having bought five new young plants this year.

I'm by no means an expert gardener, and all becomes hit 'n miss when it comes to overwintering them.

This year I made the mistake of placing a couple out in the borders, later discovering I'd inadvertently given the resident earwigs the go-ahead for a good nibble - also all five were sprayed with a washing-up liquid solution to rid an infestation of blackfly.

All were rescued in the nick of time and somehow all managed to survive their ordeal, and each in turn are giving a lively display of colour.

Another plant now an array of flowers is the Japanese Anemone.

You'd be forgiven for thinking its pastel tones would fail to fit in with the bolder shades of late Summer.

I've small pockets of space around the garden to grow a small selection of vegetables.

Today I've picked a generous trug full of Runner Beans and another 1lb in weight of Raspberries.

No sign of any Summer Squash as yet, and the Tomatoes are slow to ripen.

I watched that Blackbird in the photo be such a good father to his broods this year, and have helped him out with a few sultanas here and there!

I've seen, and heard the foxes again on a number of occasions.

The neighbour's terrier lets me know when he and his sibling are around.

It goes ballistic!

2011-08-11T20:03:00.004+01:00

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HOVERFLIES

There are about 6000 species and 200 genera in the family.

I get to see many varieties in my own garden, including this rather impressive one, which I believe to be Volucella zonaria!

Please let me know if you know otherwise?

2011-08-07T18:19:00.007+01:00

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THE BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT AND A GIVEAWAY WINNER

Beautiful Anchusa with its gentian-blue flowers.

It's a hardy perennial, mainly upright with an annoying tendency to flop!

It's still one of my favourites, and over a long flowering period it keeps the bees and hoverflies happy too.

It's the last day to get your Big Butterfly Count in.

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, I entered my findings today!

2 x Large White
3 x Small White
1 x Red Admiral
3 x Gatekeeper
1 x Common Blue
1 x Peacock
1 x Comma

That's what I noted down from my own garden, over a 15 minute period.

Has anyone spotted a Painted Lady this year?

Thanks to all for entering into my giveaway, commenting on a favourite perennial of yours.

With names scribbled on paper, scrumpled into tiny balls, I picked out a winner.

Tales from a Cottage Garden

Congratulations, it's you!

A favourite perennial - well it has to be the cottage garden favourite - the lupin - beautiful and tough as old boots!

Couldn't agree more Jeanne!

2011-08-03T10:25:00.103+01:00

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CERINTHE MAJOR PURPURASCENS

I question why it has taken me so long to introduce Cerinthe to my garden?

I've always loved the look of this plant, after seeing it featured in many gardening books and magazines over the years.

It's a half hardy annual, and it's very easy to grow from seed.

Just look at the results - it's so beautiful with its hints of blue and pink.

Try growing some, and see for yourself.

If it decides not to seed around, I'm definitely buying another packet from Thompson & Morgan.

2011-07-23T20:55:00.008+01:00

... I'd love this beautiful blue-stemmed Sea Holly even more if it didn't smell so bad!

Since my last edit, I've come to the conclusion this Eryngium smells unpleasant in all weathers, and is also very attractive to Greenbottles!

Click on my comments and read what Sarah F had to say on the subject, and then read my reply below.

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you've said this. Fox/cat poo is exactly what I can smell, but didn't really like to mention that on my blog! Cats and foxes use my garden as a loo too. Thanks so much for your comment, it has made me smile, and the best one I've had in ages!

2011-07-21T17:57:00.032+01:00

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NEW ADDITIONS FOR AN AUTUMN GARDEN

Isn't it a beauty, it's a Helenium Sahins Early Flowerer, it's really tall, and it's going to look lovely in my garden.

It's featured in this The Telegraph article, which also gives suggestions for plants to choose as companions too.

I may well need another trip to the wonderful Jack Dunckley's Birchfield at Henfield!

This nursery is a plant lover's dream.

I've quite a few Heucheras around the garden, but this is my first Heucherella, called Golden Zebra.

What a great plant name!

Miscanthus sinensis Morning Light, a name just perfect for this beautiful grass.

I love grasses.

I really hope there's no rain tomorrow, so I can get my new additions settled in.

o

2011-07-18T22:05:00.124+01:00

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NEW VISITORS AND A GIVEAWAY

There's been new visitors to the patch recently, including this fluffed-up blackbird fledgling and a young fox - one of two, who seems quite content to lie on top of empty flowerpots!

There's been new visitors and followers to my blog too, so thank you.

To mark this I'm having a giveaway!

As all you gardeners will know, Autumn is an ideal time to be adding plants to your garden, and to plan ahead for next season.

With this in mind my prize is a copy of 200 Great Perennials, a neat little book, full of expert tips, practical advice and inspiration.

No garden should be without a perennial or two, so what I'd like you to do is to name one you would recommend every garden should have.

I'm leaving the giveaway open to all who visit my blog, from the UK and overseas, and also those who haven't ever left a comment before.

I'll pick out a winner on 7th August, so please get your suggestions in as soon as you can.

2011-07-16T20:41:00.002+01:00

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THE BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT

... is on.

So today hasn't been the best of days for counting butterflies, but there's plenty of time to get your sightings in.

I'm going to wait for a sunny day!

Big Butterfly Count

To date, all these beautiful butterflies have been regular visitors to my garden.

Above is the Small White on Verbena bonariensis.

A Red Admiral on Cephalaria gigantea.

A Speckled Wood on Buddleia davidii.

A Gatekeeper on Marjoram.

A Common Blue on Stachys byzantina.

A Comma on Euphorbia ?.

Gardening for Butterflies

o

2011-07-15T14:57:00.002+01:00

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TODAY'S BOUNTY

To date it's been a good year for soft fruit in my garden.

That includes a successful first crop of Strawberries, and hopefully another smaller flush to follow in a month or so?

Today I picked 3lb of Gooseberries, off one bush.

Now for the top and tailing!

Yet more Raspberries, which are always in plentiful supply.

There's just enough here to use in an Almond and Raspberry Cake.

I can definitely vouch for this cake being equally delicious cold, or served warm with ice-cream.

Just the Redcurrants laying in wait to be picked now!

o

2011-06-30T19:10:00.008+01:00

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RAIN STOPS PLAY IN JUNE

Would you believe at the end of May I was praying for rain?

Well my prayer was pretty much answered. After an exceptionally dry month in May, June has seen its fair share of heavy showers, with hail and a cracking good thunderstorm thrown in.

The garden's enjoyed endless soakings, and the water-butts are full.

Pretty yellow Lysamachia above (my Dad calls it Bombsite 'cos as a kid he remembers it growing on unused and neglected spaces).

A beautiful bronze Comma butterfly perching on Euphorbia seed-heads.

With a list of to-do jobs as long as your arm, this kind of weather can seriously hold you up.

With much to do and limited time, you begin to wonder whether you're ever going to get anything done?

Panic!

It's only by having time off work, and a spell of fine weather, I've been able to make some kind of headway.

There's been a lot of cutting back to do of early Summer perennials, to make room for annuals like Cosmos, Cerinthe and Calendula, which I've grown from seed.

Whatever size garden you have, there's never enough space!

I wouldn't say no to a few more day lilies, like the one above.

Here's that Comma again, this time on the seaside-loving shrub Escallonia.

I've also noticed a rather handsome pair of Red Admirals taking nectar from Giant Scabious, and big hairy caterpillars that I've yet to identify?

There's a rather cute pair of baby blackbirds around too, getting pretty tubby with their endless feasting on Amelanchier berries, and sultanas!

I love my garden, and all those who love it too.

o

2011-06-07T22:37:00.047+01:00

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BLUES

Have you noticed how blue flowers remain visible for longer at dusk?

This is because the eye is more sensitive to blue than other colours in dim conditions, and also because the light after sunset has a blue cast and so it is reflected back by blue objects - Andrew Lawson (The Gardeners Book of Colour).

Geranium, Centaurea, and Campanula.

o

2011-06-06T13:56:00.004+01:00

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MAY

There's always so much to do in my garden in May.

At this time of year I could do with an under-gardener!

All these beautiful blooms are now over for another year.

Blue Veronica and Helichrysum - white Rhododendron and purple Iris - white Iris and pink Poppy.

Thank goodness I found a little time here and there just to relax, take photos ...

and admire the fruits of my labour.

o

2011-06-04T23:41:00.003+01:00

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RASPBERRIES FROM THE GARDEN

... eaten lightly dusted with icing sugar and served with organic vanilla ice-cream and a big dollop of thick Jersey cream on top!

How do you like yours?

o

2011-06-02T20:56:00.016+01:00

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... dainty damselflies in my garden.

Click on the photos to see the colour in their beady eyes!

o

2011-05-02T21:21:00.006+01:00

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UFO

I've never seen one of these before - an unidentified flying object!

It's a female Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly.

It flew into my garden today, and it was huge!

I'm hoping it comes back so I can take a closer look.

o

2011-05-01T21:22:00.007+01:00

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THE MONTH OF APRIL

Warmest since records began more than 350 years ago!

Heads of Cowslip.

Unlimited sunshine!

Red Admiral butterfly on fragrant Lilac.

Snow showers!

Amelanchier blossom.

o

2011-04-28T19:33:00.049+01:00

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PRETTY IN THE GARDEN

I notice there's already two blooms on my Papaver Orientale Patty's Plum, planted when all the rage back in the late '90s.

I find it's colour a bit wishy-washy, but the bees seem to like it!

A garden dilemma.

Where to put eight large divisions of Rudbeckia?

Giving an abundance of striking yellow blooms right when you need them in late Autumn.

I know it's invasive, I've dug it out of the garden before.

I put it in a large pot, but it didn't want to know.

It's a thug (a beautiful one at that) of which needs to be kept under control.

Rather like Periwinkle!

Good for ground cover, in both sun or shade.

I've noticed a few self-seeders in the garden over the years, including the one above.

Do you know what it is?

It's getting on for 90cm tall, and I'm very happy it came to live in my garden.

I was thinking maybe a Stock of some kind?

Uurgh!

It's not all pretty in the garden you know!

Edited - Thanks Flighty, the mystery plant is Sweet Rocket!

o

2011-04-22T19:46:00.007+01:00

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GOOD FRIDAY

It's been a Good Friday today in the garden.

It's now time to settle down and put my feet up for a whole hour of Monty Don in Gardener's World, with a nice mug of tea and a large slab of home-made Simnel Cake!

Happy Easter weekend to you all.

PS. Thanks Monty for a retweet on Twitter today!

o

2011-04-21T07:43:00.017+01:00

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BERBERIS DARWINII

Nectar heaven for Red-tailed Bumblebees (bombus lapidarius)!

o

2011-04-18T21:16:00.006+01:00

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IN THE GREEN

The month of April sees my garden looking at its best.

Well that's my opinion.

I really wouldn't mind if any of these perennials and grasses ever flowered.

I love them just for their foliage.

Fresh new growth carpets the borders.

My aim is for every inch of soil to be covered.

One day?

Once the flowers appear on these perennials they will be loved by bees, of the honey, solitary and bumble kind!

With much to do at this time of year, I've been busy over past weekends and on days off.

Jobs done:

Divided one large clump of Rudbeckia into six, and Ophiopogon, making eight plants out of one.

Potted up self-sown Verbena B and Euphorbia making a dozen or more new plants, to either give away or add to the border in Autumn.

Potted up three Bronze Carex plants, bought for 30p each from a local church table-top sale.

Re-potted plants from last year, yet to find a new home.

Sown Cerinthe.

Cleaned out pots in readiness for arrival of five varieties of dark-leaf Dahlia mail order.

Pulled up 1970's concrete slabs, making more space for planting.

Picked first Rhubarb of the year, to make home-made crumble.

Pricked out hundreds and thousands of weeds, and pulled off tens of Dandelion heads!

Much time has been spent planning for the Summer ahead too.

I have quite a few spare pots (smile).

To buy:

Varieties of Mint, and Lavender plants ...

and maybe anything else that pulls at my purse strings!

o

2011-03-28T18:50:00.007+01:00

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SUMMER AND SOWING

This weekend the clocks go forward, and for us gardeners is the best time of the year because it means that at last the light has caught up with all our instincts to get out there and garden for as long as possible - Monty Don on Gardener's World.

How right you are Mr Don, and contrary to an earlier post I have been enjoying the gardening coming from your very large patch at Longmeadow.

I know I am going to be envious of your Dahlias come Autumn!

For well over a week now the UK has been basking in the most glorious sunshine, and today has been no exception and an excellent day for making a start on seed sowing - Beetroot, Tomato, Sweet Pea, Nasturtium, Calendula, and Morning Glory.

The seeds I ordered from Thompson and Morgan arrived yesterday, just in time for the weekend - Runner Bean Lady Di, Beetroot Kestrel, Tomato Vilma, Nasturtium climbing mixed and Patty Pan mixed with Cerinthe major Purpurascens to follow.

I also cut back and tidied foliage around the garden, and potted up cuttings from Coreopsis and Scabious - a simple and cost effective way of increasing stocks of perennial plants.

I love the colours of lemon and lime together, inside and outside.

Looking positively zingy and zesty in the sunshine have been the colourful blooms of the Mahonia and bracts of the Euphorbia.

Two seven-spot Ladybirds and butterflies of all colours have been emerging into the sunshine, a Comma, Holly Blue and Small White.

Also visiting, a pair of Goldcrests and the welcome return of Greenfinches to the garden.

2011-03-13T15:02:00.017Z

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IN SPRINGTIME

I've been left feeling rather deflated after Friday night's Gardener's World - not sure why, I've been eagerly awaiting the return of Monty Don to the show for weeks.

Toby Buckland, Alys Fowler and Greenacre are no more, and the programme is now being filmed from Monty's own garden in Herefordshire.

It may be because having spent many hours thumbing through the pages, and drooling over the beautiful colour plates in his books The Jewel Garden and The Ivington Diaries, I'm already too familiar with the garden?

Having loved the garden at Berryfields, and being a big fan of Monty Don's approach to gardening, I'm sure to feel different once the season gets underway.

It's early days.

I'd be interested to know your thoughts?

I spent an hour or so this afternoon working on my Spring border - splitting Snowdrops in the green, and planting Honesty, plants grown from seed by my Dad.

Purple Honesty thrives in his garden of chalky soil, but up until now I haven't had much luck with this plant in my rich loamy soil.

It's Latin name is Lunaria, deriving from the moon because of its round and silvery looking seedpod.

This morning we had drizzle and light rain showers - it's been quite dull with short spells of sunshine breaking through this afternoon.

The beautiful lime-green Corsican Hellebore has enjoyed a good soaking.

The Spring border is on a bank which faces North, and sits opposite our workshop wall - it's not in complete shade, and gets morning sun from the East and evening sun from the West.

First to appear are Snowdrops, followed by Primula vulgaris, Hellebores and Euphorbia - I may be tempted to introduce some Crocus next year?

I'm not a fan of bulbs in borders, there's too much danger when digging in for other plants with a trowel.

So as not to disturb the Snowdrop bulbs, I surround each clump with chunky bark pieces, which also adds a more woodland feel to the area.

Whilst working, this lone Sparrow sat above - of course as soon as I came back inside the whole group (host) decide to come out of the hedgerow.

A bit nervous, or camera shy perhaps!

I could also hear a loud hum of Buff Tail Bumblebees - both on the Winter Clematis and on the bank, where they are happy to nest underground.

The Forsythia is not the only yellow shrub in Spring in my garden - there's Mahonia Japonica and Winter Jasmine which has just about gone over now.

I have two large clumps of drumstick Primula in pots coming into bud, and miniature Daffodils planted along the wall edge - though I notice many this year are coming up blind.

o
There's colour appearing on the rockery too.
o
This tiny flowered white plant is pretty rampant, and if allowed will quite happily spread a mossy blanket of green across the whole area.
o
Soon purple Aubrietia will be in full bloom, amongst self-seeded(!) yellow Celandine.

I'm finding myself starting to like these out of focus colour blur pics!

o
All nature seems at work, slugs leave their lair,
The bees are stirring, birds are on the wing,
And Winter, slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!
o
In Springtime - by S T Coleridge

o

2011-03-03T17:13:00.003Z

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HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN

If your passing a Robert Dyas store, pick up a copy of this.

It's a 24-page, one-stop guide to tasty home grown crops.

As well as advertising their gardening products, inside are concise articles, hints 'n tips, recipes and money-off vouchers.

On the centrefold is a Grow Your Own pull out and keep planner showing the best times to sow, plant and harvest.

All this, and it's free!

o

2011-02-27T10:36:00.003Z

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IN FEBRUARY

The frozen ground is broken
Where snowdrops raise their heads
And nod their tiny greeting
In glades and garden beds.

The frozen stream is melted
The white brook turns to brown
And foaming through the coppice
Flows helter skelter down.

The frozen air is golden
With February sun
The winter days are over
Oh, has the Spring begun?

P A Ropes

o

2011-02-14T13:28:00.007Z

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WINTER JASMINE

A pretty shrub to brighten up the garden in the bleak of midwinter is Jasminum nudiflorum, commonly known as Winter Jasmine.

You may well think it ordinary, but do you know of the interesting history it has?

More often than not these days I find myself snapping away with the camera, when I really should be gardening!

I like the blurry effect these two photos have taken on.

You could compare the yellowness of the Jasmine to a Summer's day - William Shakespeare Sonnet 18.

Happy St Valentines Day!

o

2011-02-05T19:42:00.005Z

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THE DARKENING GARDEN

Where have all the colours gone?

Red of roses, green of grass
Brown of tree-trunk, gold of cowslip
Pink of poppy, blue of cornflower
Who among you saw them pass?

They have gone to make the sunset.

Broidered on the western sky
All the colours of our garden
Woven into a lovely curtain
O'er the bed where Day doth lie.

Anonymous

o

2011-02-03T19:28:00.002Z

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PAWS FOR THOUGHT

I found a dead female Blackbird in my garden today.

Mauled.

It's now in the dustbin, carefully wrapped up in newspaper.

It's upsetting.

It's just nature's way.

o

2011-01-31T14:28:00.014Z

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JANUARY

Good progress has been made in the garden this month.

With a lot of ivy pulling, cutting back and trips to the tip, the garden is looking much better for all our hard efforts.

My back is now killing me!

The top photo is Hawthorn.

The bare branches of the tree are noticably striking against the bright sunny skies we've been seeing this month, adding interest to the garden in Winter.

The photo above is Hazel.

I had been contemplating using it to join in with the Tree Year Project, but this along with the Hawthorn, are now in for a severe prune!

However, I shall be following Flighty over on his blog, as he watches his plot Hawthorn changing throughout the seasons, and Glo who is keeping a sharp eye on a Hazel.

In the meantime, I've signed the petition to Save England's Ancient Forests over on The Woodland Trust.

I've noticed too how the bare branches of Philadelphus are adding interest to the Winter garden ...

along with Grasses ...

and Rosehips.

2011-01-25T14:04:00.008Z

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HAZEL CATKINS

Long male Hazel Catkins (also known as Lamb's Tails) as seen on a walk through Clapham Wood in January.

ooooooooooooooCicely Mary Barker

Click here for more photos from a walk in the woods.

O

2011-01-22T21:12:00.014Z

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LOOKING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE

I'd rather be out than in.

Being outside is where my heart and soul really belong.

Guessing my love of the outdoors stems from my childhood, and from my Dad who chose an outdoor occupation, as a farmer.

My Dad liked to work alone, just as I like to be alone in my garden.

This is a place where I feel calm and relaxed. To just be me. A place where I can fully escape from the mundane in life. A place I love to be.

Even a heart-shape has formed all by itself in the shrubbery, to remind me of this.

I have missed being outside.

It's not like me to be absent from the garden, or my blog for so long.

Truth is, over the past seven weeks I've been fighting a bout of Laryngitis, and all the symptoms that go with it, and what with everyday life getting in the way too, there'd be zero energy left for the garden, or this blog.

I've felt happy to be back in the garden this past week.

The winter bees are back out too, happy to be buzzing around scented winter clematis.

Bronze carex
o
A garden at this time of year, brings with it hope.
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With the prospect of warmth, bulbs will burst into growth, plants will flower, and birds will nest.
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Spring brings with it, new beginnings.

o

2011-01-01T22:06:00.004Z

2010-09-26T11:22:00.011+01:00

Click on link above for more Today's Flowers.

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BLUE SALVIA

I like the garden at this time of year.

It comes alive again, replenished by increased rainfall.

The dry months of Summer do it no favours.

Blue Salvia.

I need no convincing.

This plant I really, and I mean really, love.

Salvia 'Black and Blue'.

Salvia 'Mystic Spires'.

o

2010-09-19T12:06:00.018+01:00

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URBAN FOXES

Over the last month or so, I have seen what appears to be a young fox on a number of occasions just chilling in our garden border, lapping up late afternoon sunshine.

I do know that foxes have used our garden in the past. Evidence of tunnelling on the banks, holes dug in the soil, and calling cards left.

I once found a buried parsnip!

This fox looks a little undernourished, but it must have a food source close by.

Chickens!

Inbetween scavaging, this fox enjoys Basking.

Scratching!

Preening!

Sniffing!

Then sensing me from behind the curtains. It scats!

Now this is another fox, which appears older. Possibly a parent of the above?

The other evening we caught it peering in from outside the front door - the next day I disturbed it lying in a flower border close to the property, and today I opened up the back door and it was looking over from the garden bench.

The audacity!

This one doesn't seem nervous at all. For a wild animal it seems very tame, and casually trots away up the steps to the top of the garden. Where the grass snake lives!

What is your view on urban foxes?

I would not leave food for them, or water, but to be honest I can tolerate them around our garden, for now anyway.

Foxes belong in the countryside, but it looks like they are in and around our living space to stay.

Once I get a whiff of any major damage around the place, Ill turf the Renardine out the shed.

So any urban foxes who happen to be out there.

Beware!

o

2010-09-16T10:12:00.004+01:00

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COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY

The female of the species, is much browner than the male.

These Common Blue butterflies have been enjoying a small space in my garden.

I'm glad I managed these photos. They sure were 'flitty'.

o

2010-09-02T20:47:00.006+01:00

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GREENBOTTLE

They may not have a lot going for them, but a Greenbottle's metallic suit of many colours is nothing short of spectacular ...

and they appear to be good swimmers too.

o

2010-08-24T09:51:00.006+01:00

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HOLLY BLUE BUTTERFLY

My garden has a good population of Holly Blue butterflies.

Fact is, this species will feed on holly and ivy, and on plants such as euonymus, snowberry and bramble, of which I have a plentiful supply of.

These asters will quite happily set seed around the garden too.

A good food source for bees.

o

2010-08-04T21:10:00.016+01:00

photo from the BBC Wildlife Finder website

LIFTING THE LID

... on a Grass Snake.

There's one in my compost bin!

On our first meeting, the shock of seeing it curled up there, basking on the top made me jump out of my skin, but ...

I am glad it's there, and for choosing our garden as its perfect habitat.

At this time of year a female will lay eggs in this warm and protected environment, and those eggs will incubate and hatch in September/October.

A Grass Snakes staple food is frogs. Guess that's maybe why I haven't seen many this year!

Grass Snakes are a protected species, so the compost will have to be left well alone

... for a while at least.

Easy identification - a Grass Snake and Smooth Snake (non-venomous) has round eyes, an Adder (venomous) has slit ones.

o

2010-07-25T20:07:00.010+01:00

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THE YALDING GARDENS

Set in five acres of land in Kent, the Yalding Gardens is an inspirational garden for creative gardeners.

A dilapidated shed.

Rustic looking compost bins.

A garden roller.

A large clump of Rhubarb and terracotta forcer.

Willow poles covered with Runner Beans.

A raised bed full of Courgette plants.

An old wooden butt.

o
Borders full of colour.

o

2010-07-11T20:59:00.007+01:00

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HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW 2010

Some photos from the day.

2010-06-23T20:07:00.016+01:00

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BLOOMS FOR JUNE

I have three varieties of Oriental Poppy in my garden.

The red/orange one above sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb amongst other muted tones that is this side of the garden.

It's not that I don't like it, I just don't like where I've put it!

I was originally given a division by a good friend from a plant which originated from her parent's garden, so it has sentimentality. I've tried to move it, but it just keeps coming back.

I've found Oriental Poppies are like that, once they've settled in they are very difficult to move. Rather like an unwanted lodger or squatter!

I bought Patty's Plum for the garden when we first moved in. It was all the rage back in the late eighties, being regularly mentioned in gardening programmes and magazines alike. It's popular still now, even Carol Klein has recently mentioned having it in her Glebe Cottage garden in Devon.

Again where it is just isn't right, it's in a position in full sun all day, and for anyone who knows this variety will know that the flower petals that open in a beautiful pink/purple colour, soon turn a rather muddy brown when scorched.

Princess Victoria Louise is especially loved by the bees in my garden (see previous post).

It's petals open in a salmon pink colour, which I confess to not liking very much, but soon fade to a pale pink which I much prefer.

However much I love Oriental Poppies, I'd rather look at them in someone elses garden. The leaves can look scruffy (I'm an obsessively tidy gardener), the stems can droop, and when finished there's a gaping hole in the border.

To get over this I keep the foliage tidy, and after flowering has finished I leave on the seedheads for a while, before cutting the whole plant back for a new flush of growth.

Nothing goes to waste in my garden. The foliage is composted and the seedheads dried for decoration.

o

2010-06-10T11:08:00.017+01:00

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ORIENTAL POPPIES AND BEES

I've had the day off work today, and early this morning I took a leisurely walk around the garden, dilly-dallying with the camera. Lou if you're reading, I was in my nightie!

I noticed bees around the Oriental Poppies buzzing in the most crazy way outside and inside the flower head.

They were loving the rich velvety centre ...

and the silky-smooth crepiness of the petals.

o

2010-06-07T20:40:00.003+01:00

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BLACKBIRD FLEDGELINGS

Newbies to the garden.

Two blackbird fledgelings have now left the nest.

o

2010-06-03T09:06:00.005+01:00

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RAMSTER GARDENS IN LANDSCAPE

Oriented horizontally.

Jazzy pink Rhododendron.

Striking foliage of Gunnera maniculata.

Children playing Oranges and Lemons.

Wading metallic Cranes.

Upper layers of trees.

o

2010-06-02T13:58:00.005+01:00

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GREEN SHIELD BUG

Adult shield bugs will hibernate in leaf litter and emerge in May to feed on plant sap.

Just looks like another leaf!

o

2010-05-29T07:14:00.016+01:00

images from the RSPB website

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN

Drifting in and out of light sleep I woke up this morning at about 4.45 to a scratching noise outside the window. Looking through the curtains I caught eye of something moving very swiftly into the undergrowth. Whatever it was, it was having a happy old time romping through my clump of Cerastium - Snow in Summer!

It took about a minute or so before discovering it was infact a ... very fat hedgehog!

I've only ever seen one other in the ten years we've been here. It's now hedgehog breeding season, so it would be lovely to think it may be an expectant mother. How great it would be to have a family of hoglets in the garden!

It had a good nose around, before disappearing out of sight.

I then sensed movement on the garden steps. It was only a fox, the one with the bent tail, the same one I'd spooked in the garden early morning a few days earlier.

After having a sniffle around, it too disappeared into the undergrowth. On this occasion no calling card was left!

It's good to know, that whilst us two are sound asleep, these two are paying a visit to our garden.

o

2010-05-25T21:27:00.034+01:00

all images from The Daily Telegraph and Crocus websites

TAKING INSPIRATION

Every year I take pockets of inspiration from the spectacular gardens being shown at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Some plants which stood out and caught me in the eye this year are ones featured in the Gold medal winning garden designed by Andy Sturgeon for The Daily Telegraph. This garden creating colour and light, also won Best in Show.

For a 360 degree view of the garden, click here.

This is the first commission Andy has taken on since suffering the sadness of losing his partner, and mother to his three children, who passed away suddenly in her sleep last Summer.

The beautiful blue Salvia nemorosa Caradonna above was one of her favourites, and since I started gardening it's been a firm favourite of mine too. With it's electric blue flowers, it's a great value plant which will go on long into the Autumn, and will only be knocked back at the first sign of frost.

How pleased was I to see other heart-skipping favourite plants of mine chosen for the garden too.

Having always loved bearded Iris after inheriting a lovely white variety in my own garden, I've so far resisted the temptation to add any more.

Will I be able to resist the dusky and demure delights of Iris Action Time above?

Beautiful, just like my maternal Nan who was named Iris.

Or, the orangy pinkness of Verbascum Clementine?

I've been wanting to add more of this plant to my garden.

Or, the ghostly white of Eryngium Miss Wilmott?

I've coveted a big clump of this after seeing it used at Denman's Garden in Fontwell near Arundel, a local garden to me, and home of garden designer John Brooks.

I've had quick look and all these plants, and more, are available on-line!

Tempting enough for you?

2010-05-23T08:30:00.002+01:00

Just click on the Rose above for more Today's Flowers from around the world.

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Verbascum - a hardy herbacious perennial.

o

2010-05-18T19:53:00.013+01:00

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TUESDAY GARDEN RAKE

We've seen more breaks of sunshine this week, with very little rain.

The photo above shows dusky fatheads of French Lavender, a plant more suited to these conditions.

I like to dot old garden tools around the garden.

I bought this nice ladies fork for a £1 at a local carboot sale at the weekend.

There's been another trip to the plant nursery!

I had herbs on my shopping list, but came away with a Heuchera Ginger Ale plant instead!

It has such pretty little creamy yellow flowers.

Who could resist?

We've both had time off this week, and on Tuesday with the in-laws, we visited Exbury Gardens in Hampshire.

I'm really pleased we brought these copper-affect birds home, after seeing a pair in the plant area.

They look just the part whirling around, and should help to keep the real thing off the vegetable patch?

There's new fresh growth on the Lemon Balm which seeded itself next to a Gooseberry bush.

Little did I know what good companions they are.

Click here for herbal jam and jelly recipes, which includes one using gooseberries and lemon balm, together!

o

2010-05-15T16:39:00.009+01:00

HARDY PERENNIALS AND OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS

Describing the most desirable plants for borders, rockeries and shrubberies, including foliage as well as flowering plants by John Wood 1884 Illustrated.

I discovered this old book, now to be found as an e-book on the web.

All modes of culture are given from specimens successfully grown in the author's own garden.

Just like me, and my blog!

Click on the illustration above, showing A Corner of the Author's Garden at Kirkstall, to read and gather information from this charming old book.

o

2010-05-14T06:41:00.006+01:00

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EXBURY GARDENS

Just sharing with you a few photos from our day out on Tuesday to Exbury Gardens in Hampshire.

Rhododendron

Azalea

Choisya - Mexican Orange Blossom

Rhododendron

Exbury Gardens is world-famous for the Rothschild collection of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, rare trees and plants.

o

2010-05-11T20:55:00.021+01:00

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TUESDAY GARDEN RAKE

It's been another busy week!

Gardening isn't just about meandering around with your snips, cutting flowers and dead-heading, the majority of work is hard, and back-breaking.

It's always my job to clear the Bramble, and ending up looking like I've gone four rounds with the neighbour's cat!

The weather has been mainly cloudy with spells of rain, and there's been a drop in temperature.

Like me, the Centaurea Montana above is most happy when in sunny conditions, and manages to catch the very little there was this week.

Unlike me, as a rule, plants with fuzzy hair or silver leaves will tolerate being baked.

A plant more suited to semi-shade is Solomon's Seal.

Once established it will spread, and goes well with shade loving ferns in a woodland setting.

At this time of year, I do my best to keep on top of the weeds!

Aaargh! Two weeds new to my garden last year are Bindweed (which I promptly treated with a Glyphosate-based weedkiller) and sticky Cleaver,which I pull out by hand.

One weed which makes itself at home is Herb Robert (a member of the Geranium family). It does have a very pretty pink flower, so I tend to leave some, making sure I pull up before they set seed everywhere!

The butterflies in the garden have been a welcome distraction.

Holly Blue, Small White, Peacock and Speckled Wood.

Deadnettle and Sweet Woodruff work well together, just like our new coalition government?

The semi-shade border is filling out nicely with Campanula, Potentilla, Geranium, Astrantia, Japanese Anemone, Heuchera, Lamium, Sedum, Aquilegia and Alchemilla.

Potted on plants bought mail order.

Gaura Ballerina Blush and Salvia Mystic Spires for the borders, and Dahlia Bishop of York to plant up individually into large pots.

I enjoy keeping a watchful eye on the birds in the garden.

As well as House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Starlings and Blackbirds, there's been Great Tits, Blue Tits, and a pesky Magpie!

There's been daily visits from the Garden Warbler, and Chaffinches are in and out of next door's Hawthorn tree.

o

2010-05-10T20:19:00.008+01:00

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FORM AND TEXTURE IN NATURE

Allium Purple Sensation.

Can you see a love heart?

o

2010-05-08T23:40:00.012+01:00

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GARDEN WARBLER

It's not easily recognisable from this photo, but this is a Garden Warbler, and in my garden!

I'm really quite excited, as the birds who commonly frequent my patch, are well, more of the common variety!

For well over a week I've been hearing the most beautiful of birdsong, and not until I took time to investigate, by listening in to a snippet on the RSPB Birds by Name, did I discover which bird indeed it was coming from.

It sings up high from the very top of a neighbour's Conifer tree.

I was lucky enough to get a couple of photos when it flew lower down into one of our Hawthorns. It's the best out of the two, which I had to crop and lighten to get some sort of view. The other photo, shows a very black eye, which is a prominent feature of a Garden Warbler.

I hope it decides on a local site to use as its breeding ground? There's always plenty of insects and berries to eat in my garden.

I also heard my first Chiffchaff of the year whilst walking through woodland in Shermanbury over the Bank Holiday weekend. Even though I am rubbish at birdsong, I know this one, as my Dad does a wicked impersonation which is so like the real thing!

Move over Bill Oddie!

o

2010-05-04T20:40:00.017+01:00

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TUESDAY GARDEN RAKE

Sitting pretty in my garden is Aubrietia.

This week sees the first sighting of the Speckled Wood butterfly. Infact there were three engaging in a dogfight!

This one takes a moment to rest on a Euonymus hedge.

o
I bought these lovely terracotta vegetable markers in Wilkinsons, and a pack of Gladiolus, Nanus Charming Lady, a pink variety, to be grown in clusters of five. Perfect for filling in the gaps.

I've done well for plants this week!

Coming away from our local B&Q with three Stachys byzantina and two Geum 'Mrs J Bradshaw' plants, (5 cottage garden plants for £5), also a pack of bedding White Salvia and New Guinea Impatiens, and a Carex 'Rekohu Sunrise', a very attractive evergreen grass.

A visit to a local plant nursery in search of more grasses, I find and buy a pretty yellow Verbascum called 'Primrose Path'.

Just to put the icing on the cake, my step-Dad-in-law surprised me with a Rhubarb Champagne crown, and a Blueberry bush!

I do work to some sort of plan in my garden, and forever moving and dividing plants.

Certain features you inherit, and short of hiring an excavator you have to work around what you've got.

I do discover happy accidents though, where plants self-seed themselves in just the perfect spot!
o

The plants have been loving the soaking they've had this week, with heavy showers.

I think this Oriental Poppy flower bud looks a bit like a bunny rabbit!

All the neighbourhood cats love the garden!

The one above, who just happens to be my favourite, wears a bell, so hopefully the birds do get an early warning?

There's lots of places in the garden where cats like to explore and hide, ready to pounce on the first thing that moves, butterflies, moths, frogs, and birds!

o

2010-04-27T20:49:00.012+01:00

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TUESDAY GARDEN RAKE

Well it's been another glorious week of sunshine, with the occasional dose of cloud here and there.

I finally got round to sowing some seeds.

Flowers - Calendula, Nasturtium, Sunflower, Morning Glory, Venidium and Cosmos.

Vegetables - Summer Squash, Runner Beans, Beetroot and Tomatoes.

Bees really love to get their noses into Lamium, otherwise known as Deadnettle.

My garden is full of many different varieties of bee at the moment, including a small dark black one who has set up home in our hose reel!

Lamium makes great ground cover, either in sun or semi-shade.

Over the years my Dad has given me lots of clumps of Cowslips.

I've had no success with it when planted straight into the borders, so not wanting to see another one just disappear, I planted the latest one in a medium sized terracotta pot.

It looks lovely in the sunshine, on a South facing wall.

Have you noticed how lush the garden looks at this time of year, with so many vibrant shades of green?

The Euphorbia above is one of my favourites in Spring, with its zingy lime-green bracts. Another plant given to me.

Be careful when handling all parts of the Euphorbia plant, the sap is highly toxic and an irritant to the skin and eye.

Will happily multiply in sun or shade.

The Lily of the Valley in my garden, is another plant which originated from my Dad's garden. You'd think I never bought any plants!

Planted in a damp position, it looks as if it will be another rampant spreader!

My Mum loved Lily of the Valley, its flowers and scent always remind me of her.

I've noticed a lot of wildlife this week, including this neighbourhood cat which visits my garden from time to time. It's got a very dappled grey coat!

Butterflies include the Small White and Holly Blue, also lots of Hoverflies and Mosquitoes.

This loved-up pair of Woodpigeons are around much of the time.

And well off-course, we had a couple of ducks waddling across our drive the other morning!

o

2010-04-24T19:08:00.003+01:00

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RASPBERRY AND ORANGE SQUASH

Raspberry ~ pink Bergenia flower.

Orange ~ buds of Berberis.

Squash ~ seeds I sowed today.

o

2010-04-22T20:40:00.008+01:00

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SNOW IN SPRING

The sunshine arrived weeks ago, and it just won't go away!

Flowering now in the garden is Amelanchier, also known as Snowy Mespilus.

The bees are loving it.

I recorded snow in April on my blog back in 2008, which did no favours to the blossom above.

There's nowt so queer as British weather!

o

2010-04-20T20:35:00.017+01:00

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TUESDAY GARDEN RAKE

I love my garden in April.

One of the plants which is looking its best right now is the yellow Primrose. The one above having the most perfect of flowers and foliage.

Thank goodness I've finally got around to moving those Raspberry canes!

Given to me by my Dad a few years back I ended up planting them in a spare patch which I had at the time. Enjoying the morning sun, they did well, too well infact and where growing high, were seriously restricting my view into the garden.

To restrict their spread underground, I'm experimenting by re-planting them in groups, in cheap small black storage containers, having drilled four drainage holes in each base.

They are now on a West facing fence, where they will get most sun late afternoon and evening.

I shall let you know how they do?

Another plant which I may have regrets in planting is Lysimachia ciliata, Firecracker. It's sure to spread like fury much the same as the two other varieties I have around the garden. I know I shall curse the day I ever saw it, but having a definite liking for dark foliage plants I couldn't resist it!

It's teamed up above with Forget me Not, another plant which once introduced to your patch, will self-seed and be with you forever onwards!

The birds in the garden are getting through food at a rate of knots! Stocks of bird food have been running perilously low.

My on-line order from Haiths arrived.

As much as I like to see Stock Doves and Woodpigeons around, I've bought Premium Wild Bird Food, a mix with no wheat, to deter them from using the birdtable.

Also, I've noticed an increase in finches around at the moment, so to attract more into my garden I've bought Native Finch, a mix containing oil rich seeds.

My garden with its ivy and high hedges provides lots of food, shelter and nesting sites for birds.

It sees many of the most common species ie House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Starlings, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins and Wrens, so to spot something a little less ordinary and unusual to my garden, is always a treat.

Not having a long range zoom on my camera, with it taken through a window, and being cropped to the extreme, the photo above is not of the sharpest quality. The bird with its flitting movement, I'd say is some kind of Warbler?

On two occasions this week I've spotted a female Blackcap around the garden too.

o

2010-04-17T22:24:00.000+01:00

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... the sun's still shining!

o

2010-04-13T20:28:00.011+01:00

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TUESDAY GARDEN RAKE

You really couldn't have asked for better weather over the past week for gardening.

It's been bloomin' gorgeous!

I've spotted my first Painted Lady of the year.

If something does well, I use repetition, rather in the style of a Cottage Garden.

At the end of flowering seedheads were left on Japanese Anemone plants, and they've rewarded me with lots of little plantlets.

I've potted up ten new plants, and will leave their roots to establish. They will be planted out either this Autumn or next Spring.

This variety has a lovely pale pink flower.

This spider's not backward in coming forward in making the most of this lovely sunshine. Behind the rock is Sedum.

Big hedges surround most of the garden, ideal for nesting sites.

Having spent a lot more time outside this week I've noticed a fair amount of Blackbird activity, with male and female both busy in and out of the nest.

This saucer of sultanas will help build up their energy. That's if the starlings don't get to them first!

Simone from Linden Grove came up with the idea of a Tuesday Garden Rake. Pop over to her blog to find out how to join in.

2010-04-12T18:49:00.003+01:00

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... a Millipede's million feet disappearing underground.

o

2010-04-11T19:13:00.007+01:00

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LESSER CELANDINE

Lesser Celandine, a native wildflower or a weed?

Whatever, it spreads like wildfire in my garden!

Looking less intense on a bank in semi-shade, this native wildflower mingles well with the Deadnettle plant, both having complementing white blotch marks on their leaves.

Looking more intense on a rockery in full sun, this weed will put itself right where you don't want it!

2010-04-09T10:27:00.007+01:00

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BLUE WITH A HINT OF BLACK

Above, the peachy pink buds of the Amelanchier tree, against sunny blue sky.

The purply, pinky blue of the Pulmonaria, in dappled shade.

And a hint of black.

Mr Blackbird taking a rest from his duties in the nest, amongst branches of the Hazel tree.

o

2010-04-05T21:48:00.016+01:00

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THE COMMA BUTTERFLY

It is said the male Comma butterfly is territorial. This one kept flitting backwards, forwards, sideways and upwards to the same spot on the wall!

I wonder if you are as fascinated with their brightness of orange as I am?

o

2010-04-01T07:41:00.006+01:00

photo - The RSPB

MAGPIES AND THE WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY

Sal from Sals Snippets, it's you!

Yes, you guessed it, the nuisance factor in my garden, is Magpies!

Like any clever thief, as soon as your backs turned, will come in and steal what's yours, or in this case the Robins!

Thanks to everyone who had a guess.

o

2010-03-28T21:43:00.018+01:00

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WINTER AND SPRING, AND SUMMER!

Lilac buds above.

But a little while a go

All the ground was white with snow

Trees and shrubs were dry and bare

Not a sign of life was there.

Now the buds and leaves are seen

Now the fields are fresh and green

Pretty birds are on the wing

With a merry song they sing.

There's new life in everything

How I love the pleasant Spring!

Today, clocks in the UK move forward an hour.

Which means one hours less sleep, but longer days and more time in the garden. I know which I'd rather have!

2010-03-26T07:47:00.015Z

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SUNLIGHT AND SHADOWS

It's been a sunshiny and shadowy kind of morning in my garden.

I can only think of one benefit of inheriting 1970's style concrete slabs, and that is the great shadows that cast upon them in sunlight.

Achillea seadhead above.

After upturning and brushing out the wooden planters in readiness for the new season ahead, this poor Housespider's life has now literally been turned upside-down.

I do hope it doesn't try to seek refuge indoors!

A white feather blows gently along in the breeze, but manages to sit still just for a second, long enough for me to take a snap.

A shadow of Ornamental Sedge in high contrast.

o

2010-03-24T07:59:00.016Z

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A WINTER STAR PERFORMER

The admirable Clematis Cirrhosa.

From November to April the Winter Clematis flowers flat-out, the month of March being no exception.

I have five well-established plants trailing over a wooden structure which separates the utility area from the main garden, three being var. Balearica, Wisley Cream and Freckles!

The South East has seen a hard winter this year, and the coldest on record for three decades. I am seeing a show of flowers on the Clematis more spectacular than ever.

Great for Bumblebees! The few who dare to 'brave it' in the coldest and darkest of months, can be seen buzzing around Clematis Cirrhosa in search of nectar.

o

2010-03-19T08:07:00.022Z

photo - The RSPB

ROBINS AND A MYSTERY SOLVED

If you've popped over to Flighty's blog lately you would have met the friendly pair of Robins who share his plot. Flighty has taken some great photos of his two.

As like mine, most gardens will have a resident Robin, but however hard I try, he/she just keeps giving me the runaround. I only have to pick up the camera and it's off!

I decided to buy a tub of mealworms, to encourage him/her to come just that little bit closer. So much for my efforts with these tasty treats, it's not the Robin who is helping itself to my moreish mealworms?

o
The thieves have been caught red-handed. The evidence, or lack of, is there to be seen, and Re it was no ferret!
o

Just for fun, would you like to guess who/what has been treating itself to these wriggly wrigglers? Entries from overseas welcome too.

The first comment to guess whodunnit correctly, will receive a set of nine pretty floral notecards, which include the ones pictured above.

Lovely, creative images to give inspiration for the gardening year ahead.

o

2010-03-18T20:46:00.008Z

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... Moments from Suburbia thought she was coming over to my blog to see something nice, and all she got for her trouble was mealworms!

I'm nice most of the time!

These purple crocuses are just for you.

o

2010-03-15T20:17:00.002Z

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MEALWORMS

Something's taking the mealworms, and I'm not sure it's the Robin?

o

2010-03-14T20:51:00.007Z

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CROCUSES

A kind voice calls, 'come little ones', 'tis time to wake from sleeping
And out of bed without a word, the drowsy folk come creeping
And soon above the chilly earth, their tiny heads are peeping.

They bravely face the wind of March, its bite and bluster scorning
Like little soldiers, till oh joy, with scarce a word of warning
The crocuses slip off their caps, and give us gay good morning.

Anna M Platt

o

2010-03-13T12:13:00.005Z

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MAKING WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

I buy lots of second-hand gardening books.

Making Wildflower Meadows by Pam Lewis, who gardens at Sticky Wicket in Dorset, just happens to be the latest, and found in a Scope charity shop for a £1.

I know I shall enjoy turning over the pages of information, photos and illustrations.

I recommend you go see the beautiful meadow gardens at Great Dixter in East Sussex, the home of the late (and in my eyes great) Christopher Lloyd.

One day I shall turn a little patch of my garden over to meadow.

Now that's a lovely thought!

o

2010-03-08T16:09:00.010Z

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BLUE

On a cold morning, in the warmth of the sun, branches in my garden took on a silvery glow.

Hawthorn.

Hazel.

Rose-hips.

Amelanchier.

A brisk North-Easterly wind.

o

2010-03-04T08:52:00.009Z

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HYACINTHS

Doesn't everyone love the smell of a hyacinth? I do, and my favourites are of the blue variety.

Back in September, after buying a few plants from a catalogue, I acquired a free bag of bulbs, and back in October I placed three on the top of old jam-jars, filled almost to the rim with water.

From this ...

... to this.

I lost one to rot, but the remaining two are now in flower, and smell bloomin' lovely.

o

2010-03-03T08:24:00.003Z

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SNOWDROPS

I'd like to think, that long ago,
There fell to earth, some flakes of snow
Which loved this cold, grey world of ours
So much, they stayed as snowdrop flowers.

Mary Vivian

o

2010-02-27T20:35:00.006Z

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... yellow Mahonia fills the air with a sweet scent of Honeysuckle.

o

2010-02-18T15:59:00.008Z

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LEAVES

Then in the Winter they come flying down
Light as a breath, and crisp, and brown ...

I know I probably shouldn't, but I leave fallen leaves amongst the borders.

I know it's a hiding place for slugs, but it makes a great backdrop for up and coming snowdrops and hellebores, and creeping ivy.

o

2010-02-15T20:03:00.012Z

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PRIMROSES AND BARGAIN BUYS

It's already the middle of February and this is the first post on my blog for 2010!

What with recovering from an operation in September (all heavy duties in the garden off limits), constantly tired with working my day job, and our five week trip to Australia with Christmas inbetween, my garden at present is no Eden, be sure of that!

To put to rights, I've made a start in buying these lovely primroses after a quick visit to a local Wyevale garden centre yesterday. They are now planted up, and should do a very good job of brightening up a dull space around the front.

I had just enough time to pick up a large Tubtrug, half price at £3.99. They come in really useful for all sorts of jobs around the garden. For mixing compost, carrying water, cutting and deadheading, potting up, as planters, the list of uses is endless.

Failing miserably to make a swift exit before doing any more damage to my purse, I spotted and consequently bought a pair of woollen Thinsulate gloves, also half price at £2.99. I do find wearing gloves in the garden restrictive but these are fingerless, and today they came in really handy for keeping my hands all toasty and warm.

o

2009-12-24T10:55:00.006Z

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CHRISTMAS WISHES

... to one and all, who visit This is my Patch.

Happy new year too, and hope to see you all again in 2010.

Louise x

o

2009-11-27T12:51:00.003Z

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WEATHER

Each of us makes his own weather, determines the colour of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits - Fulton J Sheen
O

2009-11-17T12:56:00.009Z

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... the afternoon light shining through the skeletal remains of oriental poppyheads.
o

2009-11-08T19:39:00.006Z

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FORM AND TEXTURE IN NATURE

Texture - a structure of interwoven fibres or other elements.

A Speckled Wood butterfly.

o

2009-11-06T07:51:00.012Z

water - important for any individual living thing.

berries - important to encourage birds and wildlife into the garden.

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Flowers, leaves and berries of the Hypericum.

o

2009-11-05T15:32:00.008Z

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ALLIUM SCHUBERTII

Shows a spectacular firework burst of flowers in June,

and dramatic seedheads later in the year.

o

2009-11-04T08:52:00.005Z

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NASTURTIUM

The nasturtiums are continuing to romp away happily, doing me a great favour this year by covering up two heaps of compost I plan to move in the Spring. These are the climbing variety, and their growth spreads further than most varieties of Nasturtium. Originally seeds potted up by me, they continue to self-seed in situ every year.

It looks like these plants have survived being decimated by the Small/Large White butterfly, but will be knocked back by our first frosts.

Wikipedia says, Nasturtium comes from the Latin nasus tortus, meaning twisted nose, in reference to the effect on the nasal passages of eating the plants.

It's amazing the funny facts you learn when you have a blog!

o

2009-10-30T09:09:00.008Z

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... just how blue, Salvia looks at this time of year.

o

2009-10-25T19:04:00.012Z

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COMMON TOAD

The other morning after a heavy downpour I didn't see it, but I certainly heard a toad in the damp undergrowth.

The photo above was taken back in July when I inadvertently disturbed this rather grumpy looking warty one, which was nestling right in the middle of the Giant Scabious which I was giving a cutback.

I can't help but think its skin reminds me of a well-toasted pitta bread!

Toads spend much of the year on dry land, so I hope it managed to find another safe place to shelter in the garden, with a rich foodsource, ie slugs, insects and worms.

Did you see the tumbling Venezuelan Pebble Toad on the BBC programme Life. Click here if you didn't, but we warned the clip also contains a toad-eating tarantula!

It's amazing, and really quite amusing, and remarkably no toad was hurt in the making of the film!

o

2009-10-24T14:48:00.020+01:00

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THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN

In the main, the colours of Autumn are red and brown.

Here are some photos on the red/brown theme which I took yesterday.

I believe this to be a Harvestman? Looks like a spider, but not a spider at all.

Only if you like spiders, click here to see some great photos.

A Garden Snail mulch, a tip picked up from Michelle at Veg Plotting.

My garden is full of snails, so I have no problem in collecting vacated shells.

A seedhead of Iris Pseudocorus, the yellow flag iris.

I love these!

I usually bags a few whenever we go for walks along the beach. Only ones with holes!

Evergreen and deciduous leaves.

I've noticed wasps foraging amongst these.

More pebbles, mementos from holidays and days out.

Bird seed.

Don't forget today is RSPB Feed The Birds Day, tomorrow is as well. Infact, why not feed them every day!

The birds in my garden enjoy fatballs and mixed seed, but on the whole ignore peanuts!

I know for some of us the clocks go back tonight, but if you've the time, you could read my other post from yesterday.

o

2009-10-23T17:48:00.008+01:00

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RAIN CLOUDS, A BLUE SKY, AND A RAINBOW

A morning of heavy downpours, and an afternoon of sunshine. A mixed bag kind of day for gardeners.

A Yew tree which sits at the top of the garden.

From this spot, if you look North, you can see the South Downs. Unfortunately if you look South, you cannot see the sea for rooftops!

With water droplets and sunlight, a rainbow forms.

2009-10-22T09:34:00.003+01:00

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COMMA

The beautiful Comma butterfly, with its crinkle edges, is often spotted at this time of year building up fat supplies on nectar.

One plant they favour is nettle, of which I leave in a wild patch, in a mainly undisturbed part of the garden.

Verbena Bonariensis, a plant I love for encouraging all species of butterfly, and the Hummingbird Hawkmoth. A plant I loathe when it comes to pulling up hundreds of self-seedlings, in early Summer!

The Comma will hibernate upside down, camouflaged on a tree trunk, or amongst decaying leaves.

Click on Butterfly Conservation, to visit their informative website, teamed with great photos.

o