Redundant

The Head Gardener has renamed what I have been calling the Kitchen Bed because it runs alongside that room. It has become

the Pond Bed because it sprawls across a sunken pond filled in by our predecessors. At the western corner stands the frog pond created from an old cistern; at the eastern end

the Waterboy fountain. The Waterboy was found in bits in the undergrowth at the far end of the garden. Now he provides drinking water for thirsty birds, and a backdrop for

diurnal poppies.

Some of the bronze fennel in the first picture is flanked by the now ubiquitous Erigeron.

The Head Gardener, during her husbandry today, produced all the photographs in this post. We have images of

camassia,

bluebells;

a hyacinth,

lithodora,

and clematis of similar hue.

Blue solanum spreads over this arch spanning the Brick Path.

heuchera leaves,

aquilegias or columbines,

and rhododendrons, in various shades of red.

Tulips,  especially

 

Queen of the Night, continue to attract.

Honesty and a New Zealand flax

can be seen sharing a berth beyond the Weeping Birch Bed.

Daffodils,

including those named after a Pheasant’s Eye, continue happily to bloom,

as do the various colours of cyclamen.

Orange Flash marigolds accompany lilac diasica.

Comfrey and

geraniums hang well together.

This hydrangea now spins a fine web.

Spirea Pink Ice has responded well to nurturing,

as have all the pelargonium cuttings in the greenhouse.

Just how much food can this rapacious blackbird carry off?

While Jackie was tidying the pots on the decking she was aware of Nugget’s presence, but not sure where he was.

She therefore moved a container exposing a collection of luscious worms.

It took her robin familiar about twenty seconds to alight. “Where’s Nugget?” (71)

and “Where’s Nugget?” (72). Bigification will probably be essential for these puzzles, but the second is rather easier.

Were it not for the fact that I carry out the task of uploading all these pictures and putting the post together with the explanatory text, I would probably be redundant by now.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy hot paprika pork, boiled potatoes, and broccoli, with which she drank Tsing Tao and I finished the Bordeaux.

 

 

 

74 comments

  1. There are always so many interesting things to look at in your garden. The Head Gardener took some beautiful pictures! 😉 I especially like the one of the brick path – very calming.

  2. Your garden is full of such wonders and delight. I like the brick path, too. And it was nice to see Nugget again.
    You and Jackie make a great team–I’m sure you will never be redundant. ?

  3. The head gardener is as good with the camera as she is with the trowel and fork, and this is very good indeed. I loved this set of joyful images. We will have to wait a fair time for our versions of some of these flowers to come out in our garden but in the meantime, I got a lot of vicarious enjoyment from the gorgeous clematis.

  4. I was wondering how long it would be before you were retired 🙂 I love that violet hued clematis. I had one like that in my Wellington garden and it is top of my list if I ever get another decent garden space. Happy to report I found Nugget, pretty much where I expected him to be when biggifying the first photo and with no need to biggify #2. Undoubtedly proving the old adage that the way to a male’s heart is through the stomach – no matter the species.

    1. Hi Pauline, Big D will never retire I hope, and certainly will not be redundant! I spent too much time wandering around with the camera (a generous gift from D.) yesterday and achieved very little in the way of proper gardening! I am handing back the reins to him now!

    1. My pleasure Sue, glad you like the garden. So nice that it can be shared here, as no one else will get to see it this year I don’t suppose. Nugget is still very twitchy tho’ he is coming to see what I am doing but then flying off if goodies are not forthcoming instantly. He is carrying away the food sometimes, so must be feeding maybe Lady Nugget or possibly baby Nuggets!

      1. We lost most of the flowering garden when we extended the house, and now it’s mainly lawns and pot plants. I dream of a garden like yours.
        Oh, I do hope Nugget has youngsters. Thank you, Jackie.

    1. Certain he will not be redundant!! Perish the thought! I would never get anything done in the garden if yesterday was anything to go by. Too much time taken up taking pictures. I did enjoy it tho’.

  5. This is just a prize garden, with fabulous plantings and lovely animal visitors (well, not all of them). It’s always nice to have a virtual stroll in it.

  6. Such interesting photos! I’ve never seen a hydrangea skeleton so well preserved. Having the waterboy bits put back together again is like a treasure resurrected. Your garden always inspires me.

  7. Your in-house Robin has become secretive.

    In the Quiz #71, he is nearly in the middle of the frame where the tail of the green broom points to (slightly to the right), half hidden by the pipes but his tail and beak can be seen.

    In the Quiz #72, he is perched at the far end of the rectangular flowerpot.

  8. The garden is looking gorgeous – so many colours and so much to see. I love the way hydrangeas gradually fade from their summer plumage, through dusky autumn shades and then on into fascinating skeletons – wonderful. I see Nugget #71 is tucked away under the table feasting on those newly visible tasty morsels – another joy of gardening, sharing our spaces with avian friends. Great teamwork from you and Jackie, Derrick 😀

  9. Redundant? Nope….
    If only I could smell that wonderful bluebells ?
    I can see Nugget in 72 but 71 I’ve watched it for several minutes and can’t see him ??

  10. Thank you, Jackie, for taking such good care of Mr. Nugget and letting us see that he is doing well! Ooh, luscious worms! 😉 Now I’m hungry! 😮 😛 HA! 😀
    And thank you for taking such beautiful tender loving care of your garden!
    You and Derrick are bringing joy, hope, and peace to people from all over the world! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) <3

  11. I’ll confess it — in the midst of all that enthusiastic color, I loved the photo of the hydrangea. It really stood out, and the intricacy is wonderful.

  12. Happy to see Nuggett again, he must be happy to see Spring!!
    You’d better watch out Derrick, Jackie will end up wit the title Head Photographer too – her pictures are great!

  13. The heuchera is one of my garden favourites!
    A magnificent clear blue sky here today the like of which I cannot remember. I benefit of lockdown perhaps?

  14. Oh my goodness! I just LOVE your garden! It keeps getting prettier every day. Lots of work represented there. You add color to my day. I appreciate it, Derrick. Thank you!

  15. The Head Gardener certainly did a splendid job photographing the profusion of colors and shapes in your beautiful garden, Derrick, but I don’t think you will ever be redundant in any capacity.
    Glad to see Mr Nugget hiding behind the table leg on the deck, enjoying his worms in the first photo and perched on the rim of the planter in the second.

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