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Jackie continued her planting today. My major task was dead-heading.
This section of the Dragon Bed shows how what was a large, gangly ficus until Aaron removed it six days ago has been replaced by the Head Gardener’s selection.
The chimney pot in this shot of the view from the butler sinks at the end of the Dead End path
is one of the three in which Jackie has now completed this year’s arrangements.
The stone planters in the Kitchen Bed have received similar treatment, as have these two urns leading us to the original section of the Brick Path taking us from the south end to the house. This pair necessitated an urgent trip to Otter Nurseries late yesterday afternoon to buy a few more geraniums.
A yoked pair of hanging baskets introduces us to Margery’s Bed,
alongside which raking of the Phantom Path has commenced. The gorgeous pink rhododendron seen through the arch on the Cryptomeria Bed
is also visible from the brick section of the Oval Path, along which coils
the hose delivering sprinkled refreshment to the Weeping Birch Bed.
A white rambler and a purple clematis share the Gothic Arch;
The combination is similar on the Agriframes Arch, and we can name the rambler which, yet to bloom, is Wedding Day.
These Rozannes behind the iron urn are perhaps the most unusual of the blue geraniums.
Beside the potting shed at the corner of the Rose Garden sambucus nigra and geranium palmatums sit happily together.
Rose Absolutely Fabulous
occupying the foreground of this image is now beginning to bloom;
Just Joey and Love Knot are at the far end.
Lady Emma Hamilton
peeps round pink foxgloves at Absolutely Fabulous.
The aptly named Little Rambler scales one of the pergola posts.
I concentrated much of my dead-heading efforts on the Rose Garden, giving me ample opportunity to photograph hoverflies like these skimming For Your Eyes Only. For this purpose my camera hung round my neck as I snipped.
The beds alongside the Back Drive have demanded that they now be called the herbaceous borders.
They contain different varieties of poppy,
and Félicité Perpétue now wears a green and white shawl.
This evening we dined on pizza supplemented by a topping of bacon rashers; plentiful salad, and cold baked beans. I drank Cahors malbec 2015. Jacke had previously slaked her thirst with fizzy water, or, as she termed it, ‘eau petillante’.
I first read this as The Herbaceous Brothers…a good name for a rock band.
Thanks a lot, Leslie
So beautiful… we had pizza tonight as well, but with chorizo sausage!
Thanks very much, Marina. Synchronicity
Lovely gardens Derrick, the flowers are amazing.
Many thanks, Terry
Having just had a catch up of the last few posts it’s amazing how the garden has burgeoned in the last week! We could do with some rain down here again. Proper rain, not the mizzly stuff of yesterday.
A belated Happy Birthday to the Head Gardener.
Many thanks from us both, Jessica. Same here re rain. Some is forecast in a couple of days
Beautiful shots, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill
I do love ‘For Your Eyes Only’ and like every time I look at the photographs of your garden, I wish I have more room (and sun) in my garden.
Thank you very much, Mary. You do wonders with what you have. X
Beautiful flowers <3 <3 <3
Thank you, Paulino
Comment my photo!!! Kisses <3 <3 <3
I particularly like that shot of the poppy – It is perfection!
Oh, me too – Love the droopy buds.
Yes!! <3
Thank you both
Very many thanks, Pauline
Nipping and snapping beautiful things. 🙂
Many thanks, Widders
Garden is looking beautiful.
Many thanks, Quercus
🙂
Great shots – I am always stunned at the varieties you guys have – really a fabulous collection, and so well laid out. Your last paragraph had me Googling twice. ” eau petillante” – I drink it every night & used to call it “seltzer water” I think I must adopt Jackie’s lovely name – if I can sum up my high school French pronunciation. – I am still mulling over bacon rashers – is that bits of bacon on your pizza?
Yes – rashers that would normally be fried for breakfast. Thanks very much, Jodie
Derrick, the flowers are beautiful, and as always, I wonder just how many hours and hours of work you spent out there.
I also want to comment about your header photos. I guess I never realized that they changed and what made me notice it today was the “Filthy McNasty’s” image 🙂
I’m rather struggling with the headers. What I would like to do is use the feature photo each time, but I don’t seem to be able to do that. Either I get none at all, or they are randomised. Many thanks, Laurie
One eye, one arm, and one ambition!
Thanks a lot, Brian
Those For Your Eyes Only roses are striking. And of course, your poppies are beautiful. I hope Jackie’s birthday was fabulous.
Thanks very much, Lisa. She would certainly say so.
You have blessed each of those flowerbeds, paths, props, pots and nooks and corners of your arbour distinct characters. It is hard to choose a favourite from the floral aristocracy.
Very many thanks, Uma
Every time it seems like new details in your garden catch the reader’s eye. Thanks for sharing its beauty 🙂
Very many thanks, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
It was lovely strolling through your beautiful garden with my morning coffee. Thank you, Derrick!
Many thanks, Merril
I feel like you are my neighbor. I love our visits.
Thats lovely, Flower. Thank you.
So much color, variety and creativity! Amazing garden
Very many thanks, Lynn
Lovely Derrick!
The chimney pots were a genius purchase. The climbing, flowering vine growing on the arbor is beautiful and creates a lovely “frame” for other flowers in the background. 🙂
Very many thanks, Robin.
Such delicious roses abound in your garden! I just visited the International Rose Test Gardens in Portland, always an inspiration. For years I didn’t enjoy roses all that much but when I moved here–a great climate for flourishing–I was won over.
Many thanks, Cynthia
The gardens are looking very colorful, Derrick and Jackie! I especially love the yellow rose.
Thanks very much, Lavinia