Tuesday 15 May 2018

Tags

Beth Chatto, English country garden, horse chestnut trees, Lewisia, pink flowers, Tuesday View

There is so much to do in the garden as I prepare for my first NGS opening. The speed at which everything is growing is frankly, phenomenal.

As I battle with weeds and couch grass on a border with dense clay I wonder about which plants will survive there and perhaps thrive as I have lost several in this border. ‘Right plant, right place’ needed Dorris.

These often quoted, wise words, were said to have been uttered by Beth Chatto OBE VMH to share and perhaps explain the wonderful success of her garden near Colchester, Essex. I was sorry to read that she has died and for those who wonder who she was, or would like to know about her amazing achievements, there is an obituary on The Beth Chatto blog.

http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/gardens/our-blog/garden-news/beth-chatto-27th-september-1923-13th-may-2018.

An inspirational gardener and woman. I am sure I should have enjoyed meeting her.

Enjoy your evening.

Tuesday view: Hellebores

Tags

Hellebore, Hellebore v, Helleborus orientalis 'Harvington Hybrids', March, Spring flowers, Tuesday View

The snow has melted. Colour has replaced the monochrome scene. These are the Hellebores that have survived the weather in my garden.

Hellebore viridis

Hellebore niger

Hellebore Harvington double

Hellebore hybrid from Barnhaven Primroses classified as ‘open pollinated’ Hellebores. It is rather a pot luck way to purchase Hellebores but this one is a new favourite. I especially like the colour.

Hellebore orientalis (Gwladys)

Finally this newly transferred, highly freckled one is from Gwladys Tonge’s garden, identity unknown but forever called Gwladys in my garden.

This is Hellebore season and social media is full of yummy pictures of them. If you need another fix take at look Cathy on her March post as she has joined Chloris with her monthly post to review what is looking good in the month. So many lovely plants.

Have a good day. D.

Tuesday view: crocus smiling

Tags

crocus in the lawn, Tuesday View, winter sunshine

Yesterday was cold, bitterly cold yet the sun was shining.

Delighted, the crocus gave a broad smile.

Today is so grey there is nothing nice to show you. No smiles at all.

Tuesday view: dog eye view

Tags

February, parson russell terrier, springs in her legs, Tuesday View, what Katie did next

Hold up, what’s the dog doing?

After a morning of dandruff like snow, the sun came out.

Ever in search of high ground and a better view.

This dog, who is old enough to know better, never ceases to do the unexpected.

Enjoy your day. D.

Tuesday view: potted

Tags

Chinese money plant, cross eyed, house plant, missionary plant, pancake plant, Pilea, Pilea peperomioides, pot plant, Tuesday View

Aunty Mary, a very sprightly octogenarian, is right on trend with her house plants, giving me a little cutting of her Pilea. Pilea peperomioides or Chinese money plant or as I prefer, Pancake plant. A few months on and this little poppet is showing me lots of its perfect circular leaves. All over social media this is the plant du jour.

I do believe I have a thing for ⭕️ circles ⭕️ so this is only houseplant I need or want.

Perhaps I have been looking at it too closely as I could swear it has made me go cross eyed.

Have a great day. D.

Tuesday view: planning

Tags

charity opening, garden plans, glorious twelfth, NGS, open garden, save the date, Tuesday View

On a Tuesday Cathy encourages us to share a view of our garden each week. I joined her when I could in 2017 and found it a really useful record of progress through the seasons. It is also interesting to see progress (aka having a nose) in other people’s gardens.

Autumn leaves

Winter snow

Late Summer sunshine

Spring has sprung

By recording the view you see the changes of the seasons, the difference the light makes and it helps to identify where changes are needed.

I shall be opening my garden for the National Garden Scheme in August 2018. The preparation will be significant and I already have a massive to do list. No panic allowed! So in 2018 I shall continue to share my Tuesday view, when I can. The view will be taken from the opposite end, looking back up the garden from the comfort of a bench inside the garden shelter. I like the frame it gives the view. It is from here that I am hoping visitors will want to stop a while to drink tea, eat cake and enjoy the view.

I hope you will join me and Cathy to track the year in your garden. Be sure to include a link to Cathy. Let me know what your plans are, it’s good to share. D.

Tuesday View: 12/12/17

Tags

December, parson russell terrier, snow and ice, Tuesday View, water bowl, Winter weather

It was a cold, crisp, bright morning here. The snow melted yesterday afternoon but then re-froze and consequently there is black ice all around.

The snow has broken the back of the Molinias yet the calamagrostis remain standing.

The water bowl which the dog likes to drink from after her walk is frozen solid. Somewhat confused by the lack of water she had make a thorough investigation.

Having established that there was no water and as if by way of protest, she decided to pose on the ice.

Hoping you have had a good day. I am joining Cathy with her Tuesday view.

Tuesday view: 14/11/17

Tags

frost, molinia Transparent, nasturtiums, November, persicaria affinis, Tuesday View

I have been very poor at updating you with my Tuesday View and taking part with Cathy and other bloggers sharing their view.

On 6 November I took these pictures. There had been a frost overnight and the morning was bright and crisp.

The Molinia Transparent looked very beautiful in the sunshine and the carpet below looked colourful. Persicaria affinis dusted with frost.

The frost looked pretty.

One of those beautiful days to make us grateful to be alive.

Not sure the nasturtiums were feeling the love.

Tuesday view: 3/10/17 with a Monday Vase

Tags

Coreopsis moonbeam, David Austin Roses, Erigeron, in a vase on Monday, Molinia nia Transparent, Nassella tenuissima, papaver somniferum Black Single, persicaria affinis, rose a shropshire lad, sanguisorba canadensis, stipa tenuissima, Tuesday View, Verbena bonariensis

Evening all. First off a Vase to join Cathy. I am late for In a Vase on Monday but I hope I will be forgiven. 

These are roses from David Austin, rose ‘A Shropshire Lad’ with dahlias from Sarah Raven and opium poppy. ‘Black Single’. 

I hope you had a Vase to share with Cathy and the many other growers from around the world. 

Now to my Tuesday view. Cathy Of words and herbs , rather than rambling Cathy who hosts IAVOM, encourages us to record a view in our gardens throughout the year. It is both a useful record and interesting to see the impact the weather and seasons are having on our chosen spot. 

From the ground up, this shot shows the carpet of Persicaria affinis catching the morning sunshine. This is a very happy plant and I will have to be cutting it back before it takes over the lawn.

Molinia Transparent is doing its job well. A transparent screen. 

White sticks of self sown Sanguisorba canadensis mingling where they choose. 

Behind the Molinia is Coreopsis moonbeam, still flowering. 

Today has been lovely but in exposed parts ( the garden, not me) there was a nip to the air. Autumn is coming in fast now. We need to make the most of these last flowers of Summer before the scene turns brown and crisp. 

Just look at these lovelies. 

Erigeron, stipa, now known as Nassella tenuissima, verbena bonariensis. 

Tuesday view:19/9/17

Tags

autumn approaching, Eupatorium Elin, Miscanthus sinensis, sanguisorba candenensis, Sedum Autumn joy, Tuesday View, Verbena bonariensis

Hola! Having not long returned from my holidays, I am struck by how cold it is. Where did Summer disappear to. The view this morning was softened by a grey light mist.

After last nights rain everything was dripping wet, literally. 

The one thing I do like at this time of year is seeing the cobwebs:

That poor verbena bonariensis is swamped. 

Sedums are in full colour looking at their best this time of year. 

The other outstanding plant for this time of year is Miscanthus sinensis seen here with Eupatorium in the fore ground and white Sanguisorba candenensis 

So that was my view this morning, rather Autumnal. Now at 6pm the sun is shining as if a different day. I am joining Cathy to share my view. Why don’t you think about sharing yours? 

Have a good evening.D.