All the planning and preparation and Christmas went with the blink of an eye.
It was worth it, family time is so precious as the years pass by.
The garden has been neglected due to weather and other factors. I did manage to prune some apple trees. I always leave some of the twigs beneath the trees for the rabbits to gnaw on. By doing this, they leave the living plants alone. I have become accustomed to their ways.
Iris Foetidissima is not grown for the flowers, they are quite insignificant, although to be honest, they fascinate me. The reason most allow them space in the garden is because of the lovely berries they produce in the Autumn.
I love the way the berries hang from the plant and give a beautiful touch of colour around the garden. Note to self divide and have a better display next Winter.
Mahonia, another wonderful Winter flowering plant. Great for Queen bees when they wake on a mild Winter day. Also just look at the wonderful colour of the leaves. They seem to be continually changing.
Helleborus Foetidus, the stinking hellebore. Just about ready to burst bud.
I always look forward to the lovely burgundy rim that adorns the flower.
Cannot for the life of me remember what bulbs I put in the pots. It was such a long time ago. I do so love a surprise.
Sarcococca Confusa, or Christmas Box if you prefer (which I do) Small insignificant blooms but the sweet honey scented flowers are to die for. It wafts around the garden, tempting the gardener to go have a sniff. I am hooked on this plant and increase my numbers each year. Such beautiful perfume in Winter is a bonus.
A lone olive hangs by a thread. Memories of Summer lift my spirit, I can see the little tree in my minds eye, blooms covered in bees and the hot sun beating down.
I am ready for another gardening year. As soon as the rain stops I will be out with the rake and wheelbarrow doing what I do best :)
Happy New Year to you all. May it be a happy and healthy one for you and yours.
I have never been able to master the art of topiary. So this year I have tried my hand at cloud pruning.
I must say I am pleased with the results. I have enjoyed sculpting the trees into clouds.
I have plans for bringing a lot more of this art work into the garden. What do you think?
A friend called in today. He brought Autumn veg from his allotment. Is there anything nicer than sharing your produce. I gave him four large hardy Fuschia.
I love September. It is my favourite month. It is a soft month. A nostalgic month.
I was married in September. In fact, today is our 47th wedding anniversary.
Poppi was born on this day 12 years ago. Our best anniversary present yet.
How the years fly.
Mr P and I took ourselves to Rye for the day.
We lunched in the Mermaid Inn. The building is 600 years old and has a reputation for being haunted.
Whilst we did not see any ghosts, lunch was fabulous.
The setting atmospheric. It is said that Shakespeare visited the Inn.
I had a wonderful day with a wonderful man.
For me, there is something magical about Cyclamen Hederifolium. Where once was bare ground, the flowers appear, after a sprinkling of rain
Ants love the sticky substance that coats the seeds. As they enjoy the food source, the seeds are rolled around the garden. When the ants have had their fill, the seed is abandoned. If the situation suits another plant will appear the following year.
I have a large colony of cyclamen now, thanks to the ants. Isn't nature amazing ?
Summer days drifting away......and what a summer it has been thus far.
Sunny, warm, with the occasional shower. Perfect for the garden and wildlife.
Cosmos have flourished and seem to be out of control. I love their wayward behaviour.
It has been a joy to walk the garden and see so many flowers. The buzz of bees has been music to my ears. A comfort in this ever changing world.
Life is a journey they say. Sometimes I feel as though I have walked a million miles. I hope that I am becoming older and wiser.
I do know that life never stays the same.
It is not what happens to us but how we deal with it.
Family picnics in Greenwich Park have been a delight.
Playing rounders, Frisbee, and chase...........chatting about this and that. Watching the world go by.
A party for Poppi and Riley. Bringing their Fathers family to meet ours. It was the most lovely of days.
Memories of Daniel........his childhood and much more. We laughed such a lot, to hear about the little boy, who was always mischievous. You live and learn.
I hope you have been able to enjoy the summer.
May life treat you kindly and you all have time to smell the flowers.
I look to the sky, at last rain. I breathe a sigh of relief and feel sure the garden is doing the same. So little rain during the last year. For this wet garden it has been disastrous. We are told to be frugal with water because of low levels at the reservoirs................not good for the garden, the gardener worries. I have already removed three trees that have died...........
I woke with a headache this morning. I did not sleep well. The humidity kept me awake. Tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. The night seemed endless and sleep seemed far away.
I thought a walk around the garden would help, but the air is oppressive. I think we may have a storm. This area is known for its storms. When we first moved here, a woman had a lightening strike on an oak in her garden. It travelled the roots of the tree and shattered her conservatory. I am always aware when a storm is brewing.
The dry river bed I had planned has turned into a garden. I cannot resist planting..........This bed is full of candelabra primula. I planted them last year. I am surprised they have survived this drought , as they are water lovers. Nature never ceases to amaze me.
Summer plantings are in place. I miss walking the garden with my parents. My Mother would hold my hand in her latter days . Her little hand in mine, like a child, she was so fragile, so small.
This is for you Mum..........
and sweet peas for you Dad. My Father grew them every year. He would give me bunches for the house during the growing season. I remember one time meeting him off the train. He walked towards me with a huge bunch of sweet peas. The scent was amazing.
A sweet memory of two amazing people who filled my life with their love and laughter.......
I miss you both............
It is raining, what a change from a week ago. The garden shows no sign of waking up at the moment.
So I cheated, took myself off to the flower market and bought some oriental hellebore.
I just needed some colour..............
The garden has been frozen for days. Surely the temperatures will rise a little to allow a thaw.
At this moment Spring seems a lifetime away.
The house is cold. The log store is half empty. Keeping an open fire going during these cold days is necessary.
I wonder which plants will survive these prolonged temperatures.
It is the tropical garden I am most concerned about.
For now, it is time to sit in front of the fire with a good book and a nice cup of tea.
