2007 has brought some problems with it; not the least that from 19th March, with the exception of some drizzle and low cloud on 29th, until 6th May we have had no rain. That is at the best more than five weeks without any rain and in reality, seven weeks until we have had the rain required to replenish the soil. I have been forced to water, despite the rain butt, and when you are on a meter this can be expensive!
The pots have had to remain pretty much as they were last autumn because the mild winter has meant that plants bought as bedding plants, such as fuchsia (15 for £3.99 from B & Q!!) have survived and are now showing small leaves; I cannot bring myself to throw away anything that is so brave!
Whilst writing this on 9 May 2007, the rain is beating down and it is hard to believe that the sun will shine again. We shall see!
The pots have had to remain pretty much as they were last autumn because the mild winter has meant that plants bought as bedding plants, such as fuchsia (15 for £3.99 from B & Q!!) have survived and are now showing small leaves; I cannot bring myself to throw away anything that is so brave!
Whilst writing this on 9 May 2007, the rain is beating down and it is hard to believe that the sun will shine again. We shall see!
Well, some rain did fall and it has been quite cold. We live about 650 feet up so it is always a little bit colder than other parts of the surrounding countryside but it has also been much drier for the last year or so. The soil is heavy clay so clematis thrive but I have been astounded by one which was planted two years ago and has not really done very well; this year it is so glorious that it dominates a quiet bit of the garden. It is difficult to take a photo which does it real justice as even in dull, cloudy weather it has a luminous quality which makes it stand out.
During 2007 we were able to do a great deal of work on the garden and the bed beside the house was no exception.
The bed along-side the house was improved with soil and peat and many pots and plants introduced - among them a camellia which had been given to me on my big birthday the previous year. We tried to place colourful plants between shrubs guaranteed to thrive in the cold including various heathers, love-lies-bleeding, acaena, potentilla, azalea and callicarpa among others.
The bed along-side the house was improved with soil and peat and many pots and plants introduced - among them a camellia which had been given to me on my big birthday the previous year. We tried to place colourful plants between shrubs guaranteed to thrive in the cold including various heathers, love-lies-bleeding, acaena, potentilla, azalea and callicarpa among others.
Love lies Bleeding
Potentilla
Azalea
But one of the nicest acquisitions was the Bhudda head, chosen to complement the stone lion which was bought in August 2004
June 2007
June 2007
August 2004
The patio area was taking on well although the area round the pond had to be carefully thought out as the pond could not be re-sited without disturbing the newts and frogs who live there and the magnificent heather which gives such colour in spring.
October 2007
April 2009
We introduced this lovely stone monk in August 2007 and later moved him to along-side the pond to overlook the creatures there.
The area next to the patio with a trellis and steps has always been difficult to cultivate as it faces north and is in the shadow of the house and there are a couple of small springs causing additional problems. In the end I selected aucuba, photinia and black holly as backdrops to a beautiful peony which was already there when we moved in.
This photograph taken in 2003 looks pretty miserable but the plants require no real care and there was a considerable improvement in the later picture taken in 2009.
This photograph taken in 2003 looks pretty miserable but the plants require no real care and there was a considerable improvement in the later picture taken in 2009.
With most of the heavy labouring work in the garden complete we have been able to sit back and enjoy with the rather sad result that I stopped taking photographs in 2009 with a few sporadic ones in 2010 but when garden planting is done then there is no further need to comment!
A garden is never, of course, complete!
A garden is never, of course, complete!