Regeneration

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Today I was mostly digging up brambles and pruning dead branches from a yellow Japanese maple in the Palm Bed,

seen here beyond the Cryptomeria Bed stepping stones.

The red one was looking rather splendid in the morning light.

Magnolia Vulcan

The magnolia Vulcan, one of a row of shrubs lining the fence shared with Mistletoe Cottage, is about to flower for the first time. Like the others this was choked by the jungle that was the garden when we first moved in.

Rhododendron 1

Similarly a poor, spindly, little rhododendron that Jackie brought back to life, now shines its beacon in the middle of the Palm Bed. The roots of this were, like those of so many shrubs we inherited, pot-bound, and not properly planted.

Rhododendron 2

The pink rhododendron

Tree peony

and the yellow tree peony, have tied in the race to full bloom.

Iris

I am happy to say that my weeding of the Back Drive borders has freed rows of irises.

The viburnum plicatum is now brightening the West Bed shrubbery,

Weigela

and weigela drapes the south fence.

Apple blossom

Today’s final example of our efforts at regeneration has been affected by the light frosts we have been experiencing recently. The apple blossom suggested the tree has benefited from pruning, but the petals are now somewhat charred.

Hardly credible in April, the traditional month of showers, Jackie has today performed a considerable amount of watering.

The Raj is the current incarnation of the Indian restaurant constantly changing hands in Old Milton. Tonight we dined on their good quality takeaway food. My main choice was prawn Ceylon with special fried rice. We shared poppadoms, paratha, and onion bhajis. I drank Château Plessis grand vin de Bordeaux 2014.

64 comments

  1. I know how satisfying it is to bring half-dead plants back to life. I often buy plants from the ‘plant hospital’ at nurseries at a fraction of the full price and nursed them back to health. Your garden is looking glorious.

    1. Your garden looks so wonderful, Derrck. I’m sorry the frost hit you, you did a very good job! Ahhh, your lovely menu including wine gives us an appetite now. 🙂
      Have a great weekend! x

  2. The regeneration of those once fading and strangled plants, bushes and flowers is a wonderful outcome to your hard work, Jackie and Derrick. 🙂 Something like~ “You will reap the benefits from all the pruning, digging and removing neighboring plants for Years to Come!!”

      1. So glad this comment brought a smile and compliment back to me, Derrick. 😀 I may be “caught up,” now! Take it easy.

  3. I’m not surprised to hear you are having few April showers Derrick – April turned out to be the best month of our ‘summer’ despite the carpet of fallen, golden leaves proclaiming otherwise.

      1. LOL – no – I know a hoe. It’s a 12 inch thing with a forked edge and a handle grip. I just looked it up and they call it a weeder. Brilliant

  4. What a wonderful garden you have. I love the photo of the iris and also the magnolia buds. It must be a delight to spend time in such a lovely place.

  5. Wonderful regeneration–though I know it takes constant work. The photo of the iris is beautiful, but I like that yellow tree peony.
    We’re getting your April showers–and even thunderstorms early this morning.
    Your dinner sounds delicious. 🙂

  6. I think it is time that your garden is featured in the English Garden magazine – what you have developed here is a stunning marvel of colors, textures and gorgeous little nooks of surprises. Love my morning visit Derrick.

  7. So beautiful! This together with your older posts during winter makes me regret not being in a country which knows the passage of seasons

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