CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM. REPEAT IF REQUIRED. THERE ARE NO HIDDEN OWLS TODAY, HOWEVER…..
Well, I did cut the grass, and wander round the garden, but that was along time ago. The rest of the day was spent preparing my finances for my very efficient accountant. Had I done even a modicum of filing any time during the last seven months, the task may have been a little more exciting. But I didn’t. So it wasn’t.
Jackie, however, may have found her own awesome effort, rather more satisfying.
She spent the whole day resuscitating a small section of the Dragon Bed. This involved the usual method of improving the soil with compost; finger-fishing for thousands of tiny allium bulbs; prising out buried lumps of stone which now form the access path you see here; and planting new residents.
We have also been clearing the Palm Bed; enough to allow a glimpse of a hidden peony.
The inherited clematis on the Shady Path is doing well,
as is the rose Special Anniversary, in the Rose Garden where
Festive Jewel begins a bid to compete with the fluorescent heucheras.
I swear that wherever there is a breeze we can hear the jingling of Spanish doubloons.
The red mimuluses in the hanging basket slung here, not only survived the mild winter, but also self-seeded in the camouflaged blue painted Butler sink below.
The viburnum plicatum becomes daily more glorious.
This is a view from the Shady Bed towards the Waterboy;
and another across the Phantom Path, leading to the revived yellow-leaved tree, on which, when we arrived, only the bottom right hand branch bore foliage.
As we sat in the Rose Garden with our pre-dinner drinks I reflected from my chair on what it would look like when all these plants were in full bloom.
Now, boring as my day mostly was, it did have one major benefit. Jackie has painstakingly written her plant labels in black permanent marker. Unfortunately this is not proof against the wind and the rain. My files are all labelled with a Dymo Marker, which I thought would be longer lasting. So I showed her how to work it, and she was away.
Mister Chatty Man, proprietor of Hordle Chinese Take Away, provided our dinner this evening. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Reserve des Tuguets madiran 2012.
Glorious, indeed! Glad that the head gardener got a break from cooking. Sounds like she was busy as can be in the garden.
She sure did, Laurie. Thank you
Jackie is such a hard worker! Did you post that B&B pudding recipe?
Thanks, Luanne. I see you’ve seen the relevant post
Yes, thank you!
Those Demo label makers are wonderful…especially for outdoor use, I would think. Of course, depending where they might be located, I might need a magnifying glass to read them!
They are on little poles, Cynthia – so we don’t have to bend down 🙂 Thanks
Good to see the layers of plantings. Dymo labels are a good idea.
Thank you, Mary
looking so lovely, I really like the stepping stones in the beginning pictures!
Thanks you, Lynn
I have never thought to use my Dymo to label plants with – another good idea from the Knight-Stockley duo 🙂 Bread and Butter Pudding went down a treat last night, the eve of the first frost of the winter! I too wonder how the garden will look when everything comes into bloom!
Thanks very much, Pauline. Jackie is pleased that the pudding worked
You and Jackie make a wonderful team, Derrick! Everything is absolutely beautiful.
Many thanks, Jill
Fabulous garden, Derrick. I think you both deserve a pat on the back. 🙂
Many thanks, Sylvia
Another succinct tour along your paths–such variety, familiar and not–and such a rainbow of color. And such tidiness which somehow looks like you flung the seeds and bulbs everywhere to have their own fun! Fine job, Jackie and Derrick.
Thank you, Cynthia. Jackie did do a bit of seed flinging
Hard work pays, always, and the rewards are stunning… 🙂
Many thanks, Maniparna
Jackie, you have a soul-mate here in Australia.
My across-the-back-fence neighbour, Pete, who is from Holland, is in his garden every day, all day. It all looks so pretty in the different seasons. I benefit with no effort, with vegetables, fruit and flowers passed over the fence.
Thanks from Derrick, Yvonne. I expect Jackie will have her own response.
I’ve not seen these new*-style Dymo labels before. I still have my father’s, and a bit of original tape, where the letters were pressed into the coloured plastic tape, which turned milky pale under the pressure, leaving [sort-of] white on whatever strong colour the tape was, Some of these, bearing my and my brother’s names were fixed to cutlery and melamine ‘crockery’ when we went to scout camp (= c.45 years ago). Despite being machine dish-washed for probably 15 years,,and being such an age, they’re still attached (I have one right here at our self-catering place, as this ware is used for our on-the-move picnic set) and it remains pretty legible.
* new to me
That’s amazing, Paul, and augurs well for the longevity of our labels. I bought the new one about ten years ago when tapes for the type you describe were no longer available. Thanks
Since posting, I was washing a mug with one of these labels on, and it’s still stuck on but the lettering must have been softened by the dishwasher heat, so it’s not very legible. The other (slightly older) one, a dish with my brother’s name on, gets used far less in our picnic set, so hasn’t been though as many dishwasher cycles, or hand washes. However, it must be pretty aggressive adhesive to stay put that long.
I see the white alliums again poking their noses in, at the edge of the Kitchen Bed photo. A while back, I reported them being identified as Ransoms, or Wood Garlic. My informant may have been slightly wrong, certainly in the spelling: another friend showed me a book on harvestable wild plants with culinary uses, in which it was recorded as Ramsoms [apparent plural as singular] or WILD Garlic. A picture next to it, of another species or variety, also with white flowers, had a scientific name including triquestrum, or some similar term, translated as “three-cornered”. Since scientific names are often diagnostic, it may be that my original source is wrong about the triangular stems being unique to Ransoms, though they may be unique to the other [visually confuseable] plant. Book-production being what it is, it COULD be that the two adjacent illustrations are mixed up, and my botanist friend is right. Anyway, I’m happy to correct the spelling.
Thanks, Paul. They do have a very strong smell
Lovely, lovely garden pics, as always – Dymo label are a brilliant idea – I struggle with this yearly – this might be a good idea for me – Ha – – Mister Chatty Man – that’s funny!
Thanks, Jodie. He’s a tiny little man with a great big voice who chats with everyone and knows all his customers well. That’s Jackie’s term for him
Beautiful garden dear friend……….
Many thanks, v4vikey
I never even thought of Dymo Markers for the garden. They are certainly a blast from the past!
Thanks, John
I was wondering when your brilliant title would come into play on your post! For a moment, I thought you had miss-titled it — I should have known better 😀
When I look at all your beautiful garden photos, I can’t help but remember Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “The earth laughs in flowers.” You and Jackie must be such joyful souls. 🌷 🌼 🌸
Many thanks, Rose. We are now! 🙂
Yay! 😀
I love that Emerson quote, and it does seem appropriate here!
Wow! That’s some quote…
Your garden is so beautiful, and your photos capture it so well. I am so impressed–actually in awe of how industrious you and Jackie are. I didn’t know what I Dymo marker was, so I had to look it up. Perhaps that’s an indication of my lack of tidiness and order. 🙂
You must enjoy sitting in your garden–when you do take a break.
Mr. Chatty Man made me chuckle. Hope the food was good!
Many thanks, Merril. The food is the best locally – and there’s quite a lot of competition.
I know exactly what it’s like to get behind on the filing! But at least your garden is looking lovely.
Thank you, Miriam
Day after day your garden becomes more beautiful, Derrick. A boring day becomes beautiful after you look at these amazing flowers. Greetings for Jackie for her hard work 🙂
Thank you, Monica. I will pass on the greetings
Thank you <3