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Becky, Ian, and Scooby returned, last night, to their home in Emsworth
The wisteria, sharing its perch with a red rose, is now fully in bloom;
and aquilegias (columbines in U.S.) are cropping up everywhere.
We live in a fascinating microclimate where, despite the vast improvement in the accuracy of weather forecasts, our experience is often better than we are given to expect by the meteorologists. Take today, for example. We were promised an afternoon of rain.
Our gardening was therefore done this morning.
My major task was to cut the grass, after which I reshaped the Japanese maple standing on it, so that the lower branches no longer restrict our access to the small sward, and the chimney pot planter may be viewed from the Gazebo Path.
Jackie continued tidying and weeding. The wonderful pastel shades of the peeling eucalyptus bark lead us into the first of these pictures. Not having complete faith in the promise of rain from mid-day, the Head Gardener slaked the thirst of the drooping rhododendron beside her with several buckets of water. Naturally this ensured that the meteorologists kept their word. It rained all afternoon.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious sausage casserole, with boiled new potatoes and curly Kale. The Culinary Queen drank Peroni and I drank Reserve des Tuguets Madiran 2014.
P.S. Note exchanges with Mary and Gwen, below. We have Lemon Scented Gum ( Eucalyptus citriodora ),
Culinary queen for sure!!! pass me a plate please Jackie!
🙂 Many thanks, Lynn
Although we also know them as aquilegias here in New Zealand, I grew up calling them (and still do) granny bonnets! I always wondered what columbines were – mainly because of Ophelia’s “There’s Fennel for you and Columbines” in Hamlet.
Absolutely, Bruce. It is my thought that the early settlers took the language of Shakespeare’s time with them, and retained some of it.
True – it’s where they got gotten from!
Granny bonnets! I have the very same (purple/white) that Derrick shows & have never known them as anything other than columbines. I won’t start calling them aquilegias – because I don’t know how to say it – but granny bonnets could stick.
Derrick, I’ve never seen a tree trunk like the one pictured on the left in the captioned photo. Fascinating. How wonderful to see your garden come back to glorious life!
Very many thanks, Rosaliene
That got my attention, too – I was all set to ask what it was until I read further & he told me. Stunning tree.
I studied your header picture for a while, wondering if you had boosted the colours of the eucalyptus to match Jackie’s gardening outfit. Apparently it was all a serendipitous meeting. Just beautiful!
Very many thanks, Pauline – especially for the colour confirmation
What is the interesting tree to the left of Jackie in top picture…it isn’t a madrone, is it? I do like how Jackie’s colors seem to complement the others in that frame! : )
It’s a eucalyptus – native to Australia. Thanks, Cynthia
Ah, should have guessed–have seen it in California…thanks.
Gorgeous! Room at the table?
Of course. Thank you, Candy X
Beautiful colors in your garden–and lovely photos, as always.
Thanks very much, Merril
Your new header is marvelous, Derrick.
Many thanks, Jill
Watering the garden and washing the car – works every time. 🙂
When I was reading about you admiring the peeling bark of the eucalyptus I was thinking, yeah, that not what gardeners here say when they are cleaning up their yards day after day. And then I read all those positive commments. We do take for granted the things we are used to. It is a particularly nice species, the one where it reveals a pearl pinky white trunk. Pity I can’t remember its name. Mary Tang will probably know.
Thanks a lot, Gwen. I’ll ask, Mary
Only 900 or so varieties to choose from ?
🙂
I used to have them on my property before I downsized. We call it the Lemon Scented Gum ( Eucalyptus citriodora ), the bark reveals a pink trunk. There are probably others with similar appearance.
Many thanks, Mary. Is it the trunk, leaf, or the blossom that is scented? It’s quite tall
The leaves are scented, so are the blossoms. Yes, it will grow and grow and grow to 35M plus. 🙂
Thanks, Mary. The leaves have it. I have added a P.S.
The eucalyptus bark looks like a couple of modern interpretive dancers. So fluid and lovely.
A lovely description, Susanne. Thank you.
Gorgeous bark, gorgeous columbine/aquilegia by whatever name! Your garden is so lovely. I do like Jackie’s kneeling/weeding bench. I have thought of getting one of those, but an still using a pad to sit/kneel on when working. Glad you got the chores done early!
Thanks very much, Lisa, for such a full response
Wisteria makes me wist-ful
Thanks very much Pleasant
I had a wisteria once, many years ago, and loved its beautiful color, but hated the need to constantly cut it back. What a garden you two have!
Many thanks, Diane
I so love wisteria ?
Many thanks, M. L.
Love your wisteria. We have two across our front verandah. No bloom yet but perhaps spring 2017 will be the first! One unruly shoot (is that what they’re called) found its way into my ear as i walked past it last night, fetching firewood. The aquilegias are lovely too (columbine has negative connotations).
Very many thanks Mek – for such a full comment
You’re welcome. I’m not reading as much as I used to, but always nice to catch up with your posts when I can. ?
I just learned we can call them granny bonnets, which is not so sad as Columbines and not so difficult as aquilegias.
Granny bonnets! Cute! Thanks Jodie ?
Yeah – I’m liking that, too.
So lovely and sausage casserole to end the garden day. Sounds lovely.
That wisteria makes my heart go pitter pat, it’s so lovely, I wish it grew here…
Of course watering the garden – or washing the car, always ensures rain. 😉
I love your new header Derrick, it that Poppy?
Oh, wait, now it’s Jackie lol! It must change with each new post?
It does 🙂
🙂 Thank you, Julie
A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, A Loaf of Bread—and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness—
Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!
I borrowed some words as I didn’t think mine did Jackie justice. 🙂
Thanks very much, Quercus
Your garden is beautiful and amazing captures. Nice post Derrick.
Many thanks, Sumith
Love the wisteria on the arbor with the blue door. Makes me want to have a sit.
Thanks very much, Jodie
: )
That sausage casseroles getting a bit of a hammering of late. Perhaps you should make Jackie spend more time in the kitchen, a mans surely entitled to a bit of variety in his meals after a strenuous days work, taking photographs, being driven around, what is Jackie up to?
I’ll have a word. 🙂 Thanks, Brian. I guess this means you are feeling better.
The wisteria blossoms over the wooden awning over the patio with the colombines (aquilegias) were my favorite photographs. Jackie is a trooper and wonderful cook! I respect how you both work so hard on the gardens and paths. Makes me feel guilty for reaping the pleasure of multiple beautiful views.
Thanks very much, Robin. I’d be disappointed if the views were not enjoyed 🙂
You find a wide variety of subjects to take photographs of, bringing interest and depth to them, Derrick. Many note your dry wit and fun elements, too. 🙂
Makes me feel guilty for reaping the pleasure of multiple beautiful views. I won’t start calling them aquilegias – because I don’t know how to say it – but granny bonnets could stick.
Thank you, Mark