At different times in this very hot day I have shared watering duties with the Head Gardener and carried some of her refuse to the compost bins.
Jackie has continued potting and tidying. When possible she sits and lifts the containers on any available surface.
The wisteria draped over its arbour here offers her a modicum of shade.
Blue solanum scales the arch in the first picture
and aquilegias share its bed opposite the greenhouse.
Nugget is very busy transporting food from the feeders outside the stable door. Before filling his beak he pauses above or below (clue) his hanging larder and when loaded takes off round the corner like an Exocet. Interestingly he will carry on regardless when we are outside, but if we are sitting inside the slightest movement cause him to flee. We suspect he cannot recognise us through the glass. He does feature in this “Where’s Nugget?” (73), but it would be so difficult to find him that biggification would probably be essential and I won’t be offended if anyone gives it a miss.
These potted pelargoniums have survived the winter.
Bonny bluebells are ubiquitous.
These in the back drive border stand beside vinca, bronze fennel, and cascading Erigeron.
We have several different varieties of rhododendron, two of which grace the Palm Bed.
This solarised cockerel lights the Pond Bed at night.
The yellow diurnal poppies have caught up with the orange ones which now require my daily dead heading attention.
Pink campion thrives beside the Lawn Bed.
For your Eyes Only, seeking shade,
and Crown Princess Margareta, attractive to flies, are two of the roses now blooming in the Rose Garden,
in which we now have abundant apple blossom.
No matter how many are pulled up by Jackie and Aaron, we cannot eradicate the wayward white alliums which produce clusters of minute bulbs seen here in the Weeping Birch Bed.
Osteospermum spills over its container on the edge of the concrete patio.
Woodpeckers Care Home has informed us that one of the residents has been admitted to hospital with coronavirus. Each remaining resident will be confined to their room for two weeks during which each member of staff has been equipped with suitable PPE. Mum is quite relaxed about it saying that she, who doesn’t mix with other residents anyway, has largely self-isolated as long as she has lived there.
We are about to dine on Jackie’s wholesome chicken and vegetable soup with crusty bread from the freezer. She will drink Peroni and I have already started on the Rheinhessen.
Beautiful pics. Our osteospermum have just blossomed to 🙂
Thank you very much, Tiny.
Lovely! The Holler is bursting with bloom too, thanks to all the recent rain.
Thank you very much, Cindy
Hot gardening, is that like hot Yoga? Hope you’re Mum remains safe and sound.
Thank you very much, Sheree
As usual your garden blooms are a few days ahead of mine and provide a hint of what is to come.
Today the tulip border gave up and dropped its petals but the bluebells that take their place are compensation. The vegetable plot is growing with vigour!
I’m pleased yours is coming on too, Andrew. Thank you very much.
Beautiful!
I can’t find Nugget today. Clearly he looks so much like a pelargonium I can’t separate him from the plant. Sounds like he is providing food for his family though. That’s exciting.
Thanks very much, Pauline. By the yellow hosepipe. Sorry it was so difficult
Ok, I biggified again, got out my magnifying glass and wonder if that is him sitting atop the watering cans/containers in the shadows. If it is – well played Nugget!!
And apologies, I forgot to send my best wishes for your mums continued good health – I hope they can keep her safe.
Thanks again – for perseverance and for good wishes, Pauline.
All looks so beautiful, especially that wisteria! I cannot find Nugget either, even on biggification. 🙁
Sorry about the puzzle, Lavinia. He’s by the yellow hosepipe. Thanks very much.
Now I see him! 🙂
🙂
I loved seeing Jackie enjoying that sunshine! Those flowers! Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us
And thank you very much, Lisa
There’s always plenty to do in a garden isn’t there, but then we do get to enjoy the fruits of your labours! Not certain, but I think that may be Nugget hiding near the hosepipe to the left of the stable door 🙂
Very well spotted, Peggy. Thanks very much
😀 … biggification was definitely required today!
So nice to see your lovely gardens in bloom. It’s still too cold here, not a lot to see. Hope you & Jackie are well. 🙂
Thanks very much, Dorinda. We are fine, and I trust you are.
Yes, we are you 🙂
that;s supposed to say “too” lol
Your garden is incredible Derrick and Jackie! Wonderful pictures. You already have warm weather there? We are only warming up and the last few days it was only 11C and I thought quite cold. Today was nice and I planted out some of my seedlings. Right now I am going slug hunting 🙂
Thanks very much from us both Agnes. Happy hunting
🙂 but I am not going to murder them this season, will go and put them in the field a few hundred meters away, even though I should not get out of the house strictly speaking.
🙂
My eyes are very dry today…I couldn’t spot Nugget. 🙁 I’m surprised to read that your Mum’s nursing home hadn’t already confined the residents to their rooms. I’m glad to know your Mum usually stays secluded. In this environment, that’s a good thing. Beautiful photos today!
Thank you very much, Jill. Nugget is lurking beside the yellow hosepipe.
Best to your mother and all the other residents. Keep us posted.
Will do, Laurie. Thank you very much.
Once again, I am seeing flowers which won’t appear here for ages. You must have a benign climate.
We do live in what is considered a benign microclimate. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
Fingers crossed for mum. The flowers are beautiful
Thank you very much, Gary.
What a beautiful oasis to enjoy during this chaotic period. I always love seeing Nugget.
Thank you very much, Leslie
I’m very excited about your wisteria! I hope your mum fares all right.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I can see something that looks like nugget below the trellis, but it is probably a red leaf. I photographed one of our robins today, and his expression is priceless! I hope I can upload it to my other blog, one day. Lovely photos. Is that a nightshade in one of your pics, or something else?
Perhaps you mean the blue solanum, Val. Nugget is by the yellow hosepipe below the feeder. Thanks very much.
Oh yes! I can see him now. How funny! 🙂
You have an awesome flower garden. Hopefully when we get home we will have some flowers blooming.
I hope so, Mrs W. Thanks very much.
Your welcome.
God bless your mom and family.
Lovely garden,
Thank you very much, More.
You’re welcome
Stay well, Derrick–you and yours. If that garden has anything to do with it, you’ll all come through just fine.
Much appreciated, Lisa. You, too, I’m sure.
My prayers for your Mum and her good health and safety.
I can’t find Mr. Nugget! He is probably proud of himself for fooling us all! 😉 😀 Tell him I said, “Well played, Mr. Nugget, well played!” 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. Beside the yellow hosepipe X
It took me 3 hours 46 minutes but I finally found Nugget. I’m too tired to look for Wally today though.
Commendable perseverance, John. 🙂 Thanks very much.
Looking blooming wonderful!
I found the yellow hosepipe… eventually, but couldn’t find Nugget!
I have been wondering about your mum, best wishes to her. I would be the same as her, I don’t mind my own company either.
Thanks a lot, Sue. Sorry Nugget was so difficult.
🙂
Jackie seems to be enjoying herself during this hot gardening session. I like the wisteria, and I accidentally found Nugget once I bigified. 😀
I do hope your mother stays safe and well. You know I’ll be thinking about her.
I do know you will be thinking about, Mum, Merril. Well spotted. Thank you very much.
Is it my imagination, or are things progressing faster than usual this year?
I think they are, GP. Thanks very much.
Beautiful garden and the wisteria is cherry on the top.
Take care.
Thanks very much, Rupali. You, too
Your garden is always beautiful and looks like it goes on forever. What is the actual size? I garden on about half an acre and that includes the house. Hope all goes well with your Mum and other Woodpecker residents.
We have one third of an acre including the house. Thanks very much, Cheryl.
Seems so much larger. I finally saw nugget. Thanks to your hint in another comment.
Well spotted 🙂 At this time of the year the surrounding fence at the south end away from the house is obscured, thus giving us the benefit of neighbouring trees.
I have always thought it seems MUCH larger, too.
Your wisteria is beautiful Derrick. It was one of my dad’s favourite he loved his garden. Whenever I see wisteria I am reminded of him. Sorry to hear that one of your mum’s fellow residents has got the virus. Hope they recover soon. Your mum sounds as though she is keeping herself very safe x
Thanks very much, June. Mum has never been a joiner, which may stand her in good stead.
I’m glad your Mum was able to share that she is relaxed about the isolation. I imagine she has some entertainment or hobbies and hope she stays safe. Your wisteria encourages me to try to train my unruly shoots.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Double biggification was required. 🙂
I think I see Nugget looking up in the center of the picture?
Oh, wow, just finished reading the whole thing. That’s a worry, having the virus in your mom’s home. Glad they are isolating everyone, and glad your mom is s trouper about it! Hugs to you.
Biggification and black water drums. Do you know where the nest is??????
May your mum and all the other residents stay safe … found Nugget, in a nice cool niche by the looks of it. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders. Well spotted
I see Nugget hiding there (I think) … and I love the wisteria and the yellow diurnal poppies. I would invite some hot gardening days in our neck of the woods! You and Jackie do such a great job!! <3
Thank you very much, Jan. Well spotted – I think 🙂
How worrying for you! I hope your Mum stays safe and well. She sounds a very philosophical and resourceful lady.
Thanks very much, Clare. Mum is a stoic.
Beautiful as always!
I hope your mum will be fine!
Stay safe too!
Thank you very much, Ribana.
Looking gorgeous, the garden and the gardener.
Thanks very much, Lindsey – from us both 🙂