We managed a good morning’s work before the rain set in later in the afternoon.
I cut the grass while Jackie clipped more of the Back Drive hedge.
Part of this consisted of a fuchsia which, despite severe autumn haircuts, has really become very unkempt overgrown. Because it was the only reasonable plant in this area when we arrived were were reluctant to remove it. We have still kept a small section, but the main cluster just had to go. Discovering that it could not just be dug out without serious damage to the garden forks, Jackie employed her tried and tested Time Team technique requiring the use of a trowel. I then wielded a woodman’s axe to hack out the roots.
This clematis and these poppies form part of the planting separating the drive from the gravelled patio, in one corner of which
the hydrangea Serrata Miranda, behind and to the right of the planted urn, is thriving.
Between this plot and the Rose Garden, Elizabeth’s Bed is nicely plumped up.
The rose Ballerina dances us into the Rose Garden,
blending nicely with Florence’s petunias.
Summertime ascends the corner of the orange shed,
and the first Deep Secret bloom has survived balling from the rain to flower well enough. Balling is the term given to the soggy balls to which unopened roses are reduced when they are subjected to lengthy precipitation.
The solanum has taken over from the now spent clematis Montana the task of brightening the dead tree stump beside the New Bed.
Wedding Day rose, attracting hoverflies and beetles,
is now preparing to cast its veil over the Agriframes Arch.
Evening primrose blooms on the Back Drive northern bed,
where poppies are buzzing with bees,
which, when they expressed their disgruntlement at my poking a camera up their bums by turning on me and crawling around my head and neck, took me back to my first desperate encounter with the creatures.
In fact the only poppies that don’t harbour these beings are Californian.
This evening we dined on Mr Pink’s fish and chips, pea fritters, pickled onion, and gherkins. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Carles.
“Summertime ascends the corner of the orange shed…” sounds like the first line of a poem, Derrick. I really love that aptly named rose…
Yes, Cynthia, I agree – that line really got me, too.
Thanks very much, Cynthia. You would know
Derrick – I am loving your wide garden shots – so nicely framed! Your and Jackie’s hard work is really showing. I zoomed in to see the sign on Elizabeth’s bed & see the plant stand is stacked bricks – I am so stealing THAT idea!
Many thanks, Jodie
You’re welcome! Steal away, we were given about 700 bricks and I have used them like this throughout the garden, I think a garden always needs height.
Wow such gorgeous colors!
Thank you, Lynn
So many colors, so vibrant and amazing
I never tire of seeing how your garden is evolving. Such beauty Derrick! Really kudos to Jackie and you.
Thank you so much, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
It looks as if your garden is making the very best of the rainy weather we’ve been having. At the moment, our garden is growing faster than I can cut it back!
Thanks, John. We have that problem too
Derrick, your grand tours of your garden bring me back to my days growing up. My mother loved her roses, hydrangeas, and so many other plants. Her garden, like yours, was a labour of love. Thank you for bringing up those wonderful memories.
It’s good to be able to do so, Lydia. Thank you.
D, your corner of the earth is surely the one we’d all wish to inhabit.
Thanks very much, Candice
Your garden really looks like a piece of paradise. Well done to you both. 🙂
Many thanks, Sylvia
It’s 6ºC here; what a contrast to your blaze of colour.
I have a stone like the one behind your poppies in the last picture; only it is just a pebble that someone brought back for me from China before the area was flooded for a dam.
Thank you, Mary. It was only 12 degrees here today!
It will reach 17ºC here but only for a couple of hours. The air temperature is not the only thing that counts; there’s the soil temperature and wind chill factors…
Yes, Mary. At least we don’t have those two additional factors.
Love the sound of the pebble that you have that was rescued from the flooding, what a lovely idea. I dug ours out of the soil not far from where it lies today.
No doubt a geologist would be able to tell us about that line of quartz in the stone; anyway I like it 🙂
It’s always such a pleasure to “visit” your garden, Derrick. It’s so beautiful.
Many thanks, Merril
Everything is stunning, Derrick and Jackie! You should open up the garden for tours.
Many thanks, Jill
What gorgeous colors. Love it.
Thank you, Miriam
I’m in love with these flowers.
Thank you, Luanne
What a glorious garden you have, Derrick. Although it must require a fair bit of maintenance to keep it in check. That Deep Secret rose looks so lovely. Does it have a perfume?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a poppy that shade of pink/mauve. It’s got such an interesting centre.
Thank you, Vicki. Deep Secret does have an amazing scent; the centre of those poppies is fascinating
Ach–Californians, again! But so sumptuous the blossoms again, so divine Miss Florence is.
Thank you, Cynthia
We’re having so much rain I’m beginning to think of just turning the whole place into a pond. It will save time in the long run! Yours, however, is looking beautiful as usual. And dry.
I just nip out when it’s not raining, Quercus. Thanks.
Its always beautiful to look at pictures of your garden. Its structured magnificently and the flowers are lovely!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Mithai
You ate welcome 🙂
Sorry it was a typo *are
‘ate’ could work 🙂
Haha eating goes with anything 😀 😀 *foodie*
Your garden is looking so beautiful, Derrick. I esp. love the lettuce leaf poppies and ‘Summertime’ rose.
Thanks very much, Eliza
Beautiful garden photos! Love these flowers!! ?
Thank you, Amy