Tag Archives: May

Garden Visit: The Malvern Show

10 Friday May 2019

Posted by in Garden Visits, Uncategorized

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Yesterday I visited the Malvern Show. RHS members day, we arrived just after the show opened.

The weather was inhospitable but we gardeners have the right gear for all weathers. Undeterred, we headed in!

Gabriella Pill Mediterranean Terrace

Defiance by Sara Edwards at No 30 Design Studio

An artists studio at home. Jessica Makins Garden Design and Hartwyn Natural Builds.

These are garden buildings created from old shipping containers. Brilliant. The gardens all made use of raised beds and vertical structure which included a framework for climbers or shade. A sense of enclosure. Coordinated planting. These garden creations could be adapted or copied for new build houses with small plots and city gardens/ courtyards . Inspired creativity on more modest scale.

Alas the BBC coverage on Gardeners World this evening did not see fit to interview the youngsters who created these gems. A lost opportunity. Trying to attract young gardeners? Not sure I believe the RHS knows how.

In the floral marquee, the plant exhibitors were top quality.

Chrysanthemums

Succulents. A few of the spectacular exhibits.

My favourite plant vendor was this chap

Sunray Plants, selling a wonderful selection of sempervivums.

The Malvern show was really very enjoyable, despite the weather. If you are in the area or have time to travel to the show, it is a good day out with some inspiring gardens and top rate vendors.

Coverage by the BBC may have missed an opportunity for some fresh faces but the highly respected Carol Klein and Adam Frost were there.

The Malvern Show is on all weekend. Details at http://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

In a Vase on Monday: green and white

06 Monday May 2019

Posted by in in a vase on Monday

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Hello Cathy. Here we are again, Monday. My vase this week is green and white, against a “skimming stone” coloured wall and arranged on a proper linen tea towel which came from a house sale at Winslow Hall, Buckinghamshire.

Featuring Solomon’s seal and Brunnera ‘Betty Bowring’ at least that is the variety I have noted down. The Brunnera came from a WI stall years ago and then a division from my last garden. A fresh green with tiny white flowers, it too likes a shady spot.

The containers are a flask and my Japanese thumb pot which I purchased a couple of years ago at Darsham Nurseries, Suffolk.

I love Solomon’s Seal however the slugs and snails do too, so I am more than happy to take a few stems now, before they do.

Polygonatum x hybridum

Arching stems with pendulum bell like flowers they seem to like my heavy clay soil.

I hope you enjoy your ‘extra’ day this weekend. Make time to look at Cathy’s blog, link above, to see some other Monday vases. Enjoy! D.

Six on Saturday: Heather

04 Saturday May 2019

Posted by in six on saturday

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Is it me or is this year galloping by? My garden is surging ahead, almost without me. I am inundated with weed seedlings but the dry clay is making it almost impossible to remove them properly. Weeding is a frustrating and almost futile exercise. How we need some rain but at night only please!

My Six to share with you and The Propagator this Saturday are these:

Euphorbias are at their most splendid at this time of year. Fresh and bright, eye catching

Cercis candanensis

I have had this Forest Pansy tree for at least eight years, initially it was in a pot, now its home is in a raised bed and this is the first time it has flowered. Very exciting to see. It is, honestly!

Borago officinalis

Once you have got borage in your garden you will always have it. These are self sown. Glorious colour and nectar for the bees. The flowers are a lovely addition to a gin and tonic, frozen in an ice cube. Talking of G&T….

This is Geranium macorrhizum

It forms large clumps of fresh foliage which when brushed against or crushed smells distinctly like gin and tonic.

Trifolium repens atropurpureum

A great ground covering plant. With purple toned clover like leaves it is attractive and interesting.

Myosotis arvensis

Some class these little beauties as weeds. Not me, I adore their particular shade of blue. So cheery. I think they look rather classy under the foliage of Sambucus nigra Black Lace.

Forget-me-not.

In memory of Heather, my kind and generous friend, Mother in law and Nanny. 20/6/40 – 4/5/12 . Remembered every day. How I would have loved to share this garden with her.

D.

In a Vase on Monday: the latest arrivals

21 Monday May 2018

Posted by in in a vase on Monday

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I am feeling that spring is passing by far too quickly as lots of the early flowers are finished. Now the first of the Astrantia and Geum Totally Tangerine have appeared.

There are Persicaria affinis and bisorta. I love the little sprays of Trillium and the umbellifers Anthriscus Ravenswing and Sweet Cicely.

The latest addition is the pale yellow flower Trollius Cheddar a favourite of mine from Chelsea last year. Sorry but the colours in the pictures are not quite right as they are under electric light.

If you haven’t done so already please pop over to Cathy to see the vases today.