Jackie spent much of the day tending to her hanging baskets and other containers, while I wandered about dead-heading and picking up debris for the compost bin.
I did, of course, have my camera handy. We have two new poppy varieties on display.
One is Californian;
the other I cannot name because it is a self-seeded volunteer which didn’t introduce itself.
For the first time this year geum Mrs Bradshaw has found a happy place in Margery’s Bed.
Another new bloom is clematis Warsaw Nike.
The Dr Ruppel I have been picturing recently scales the right hand side of the nearest arch spanning the brick path;
another is announcing its presence against the weeping birch trunk.
Jackie worked in the shade beyond these rhododendrons.
Here are some views of the Rose Garden.
In this one, “Where’s Jackie?”
After lunch Jackie worked
beneath a copper beech canopy
casting cool shadows.
Russel Crow, patrolling the roof of the house, panted like a dog to combat the heat.
Nugget did periodically investigate pickings from the pots, eventually taking off in search of fresh meat.
From this perch on the west side of the garden his food came in the form of flying insects at which he darted far too fast for my trigger finger – and for the wings of his prey.
The last two of these images show, on our right of Nugget’s plumage a little black mark which definitely identifies him.
This evening, on the patio before dinner, we noticed a nest of baby spiders, mostly clustered together.
Later, we dined on Jackie’s succulent sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potato; crunchy carrots; tender runner and green beans with cabbage; and firm Brussels sprouts. with which I drank The Second Fleet Limestone Coast Shiraz 2018.
So, does Russell just admire Jackie from afar these days? Nugget’s black spot is on the lower part of his red breast feathers? It’s a tiny identifying mark for sure – you will be honing your spotting skills! And that’s a delightful shot of Jackie peeping at us from the shadows. Visiting your garden is providing a lot of fun as well as horticultural beauty. A lovely way to start my chilly Saturday <3
That is very pleasing, Pauline. Yes. Russell keeps his distance; and you’ve found the black spot. Thank you very much.
I have been noticing how advanced things are here this year, Derrick, but you are light yeras ahead of us! We still have a while to wait before buds begin to blossom.
We think the Isle of Wight and the Solent contribute to our rather mild microclimate. Thanks very much, Sandra,
Oh, that shot of the arches and the brick path could be in a magazine. How magical your garden is!
And I love that picture of “where’s Jackie”. (Her shirt gave her away.) She looks like she is saying “I see you over there taking my picture.” So fun.
🙂 Well spotted, Jodie. Thank you very much.
Yes, to magazine-worthy!
Thanks to you both.
You’re welcome!
: )
The California Poppy — the State flower of California. Last year the hillsides were blanketed with a “super-bloom” of California Poppies, and I understand our March and April rains created a similar effect this spring as well. I am happy to see that they grow in your garden!
Me, too, slmret. Thank you very much.
That must have been lovely!
In a good year, it can be pretty spectacular!
I’d love to have seen those poppies! I nurse mine and have just planted more seedlings to hopefully spread around the garden.
Here’s a link to photos taken by NASA (US space agency), showing the poppy fields. I’ve not seen them this year, of course, but I saw some smaller fields last year — they really are spectacular! https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/weathertopstories/superbloom-is-out-of-this-world-nasa-satellite-images-show-a-sea-of-orange-poppies-in-southern-california-despite-fears-historic-droughts-would-stop-flowers-sprouting/ss-BB13Jna5
Thanks very much. Amazing – like a saffron carpet
Your garden so amazing! 🥰🇬🇧
Thank you very much, John
I love the garden, kudos to you and Jackie.
Thank you very much, Kavitha.
Thank you !
Yes jackie, i feel so happy mentally walking through it. Youd love mine. Your hands would itch to take cuttings and baby them.
Ps, Jackie i have a knife, bucket, paper and a trowel in the boot of my car… For plants shared and given.
I also plant fruit trees in vacant spots. One day, someone will eat of it and think that the seeds were dropped by a bird!
🙂 That’s lovely Kavitha
And from me, Kavitha.
So many beautiful photos! I like the Where’s Jackie shot–she’s like a ghostly image in the shadows. I don’t think think I’ve ever seen a nest of baby spiders–I’m between ewwww and cool!
I’ve never seen such a nest before, either, Merril. I’m only thankful they were not in the house 🙂 I’m pleased your eye could penetrate the shadows. Thanks very much.
I didn’t even think of them in the house. Thanks for that nightmare thought, Derrick. 😏
🙂
I agree with Jodie about the arch and brick path shots, Derrick. So beautiful! Little Nugget was sure working the camera today.
Thanks very much, Jill
Again, many congratulations to the Head Gardener (and her trusty assistant), the garden is looking splendid. It’s testament to her hard work, passion and undoubted skill.
Thank you so much, Sheree
My pleasure Derrick
Wow, Thank you .
My pleasure Jackie
Russel Crow, eh? Chortle.
All is explained in this post: https://derrickjknight.com/2018/06/27/russell-is-definitely-imprinted-on-jackie/
Ever since Jackie rejected him he has remained alone on the rooftops. Thanks very much, Liz.
Thanks for refreshing my memory, Derrick! Poor Russell, alone on the rooftops.
🙂 It is sad.
My flowers are just starting to bloom. Gives me hope for a new life.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Beautiful photos of course.
I haven’t seen a nest of baby spiders before and even though it’s a photo I am still frightened. 😃.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Thanks very much, More. At least it was in the garden. 🙂
So true, Derrick
We are so far behind you. It’s the frozen north.
Sorry about that, innuit. Thanks very much.
What a lovely day to spend in the garden. The baby spiders were well spotted.
It was, of course, Jackie who spotted them 🙂 Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
Jackie is wearing Garden Camouflage! 😉 But I found her! 🙂
Tell Jackie her beautiful smile made me smile and thank you for that! 🙂
OOH! A baby spider clump! Cool photo! I’ve never seen a nest of baby spiders before. It would be impossible to try to count them. We’ll just have to believe Mrs. Spider when the birth announcement says, “We welcomed 250 babies into the world!” Ha! 😛
Love the shadows photo!
And what woman doesn’t love getting a gander at Mr. Russel Crow! 😉 😀
I googled Warsaw Nike and it said, “…from Poland and named after a memorial to Polish freedom fighters.”
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. I’m particularly pleased that you love the shadows photo. I felt it a risk converting it to B/W. The Polish specialise in clematises, but I didn’t know the dedication of that one. X
I enjoy B/W photos…I think then no-color helps the looker to focus on the details. 🙂
Yes.
I stole one of those Nugget photos for my blog today. Hope you don’t mind! Your garden is more beautiful every day!! <3 Love that clematis Warsaw Nike!
I never mind when my pics enhance your posts, Jan. Rather – I am honoured. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Derrick. You’re the best!!
🙂
I love Jackie’s joy, energy, and dedication in caring for your garden.
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
So happy to see nugget again and love those orange poppies…
Thank you very much, Judy
A regular colony of spiders for the future! Gorgeous photos, as ever…what a haven 🙂
Thank you so much, Cynthia
Jackie’s a shady character……..And maybe Derrick, you could call your self-seeded poppy – Uluru…
Thank you very much, Ivor – especially for getting me to look up Uluru. Well spotted, of course.
Yes, your flower reminded me of Uluru. a big rock in centre of our red desert
I love Jackie’s smile even more than the fantastic popping poppies and the fascinating baby spider nest. 🙂
Thanks very much, JoAnna.
I agree with Jodie and Liz, that shot is magnificent and definitely front cover material!
Thanks very much, Sue.
Jackie is too bright a star even in the shade. Perhaps if you hide Mr Russel Crowe in a similar patch my eyes would call it quits.
🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot, Uma
That first picture of Nugget is a stunner.
Another good day in prospect but need to prepare for the Arctic blast that is threatened.
Good luck with that, Andrew. Thanks very much.
So lovely. My smile of the day.
🙂 Thanks very much, Sherry
Beautiful pics – huge well done to Jackie for all that gardening 🌿
Thanks very much, Tiny. I will pass it on.
Jackie is so elusive. I have to own to my own green shoots of envy following you guys around. Keep looking beautiful. The garden too of course
🙂 Thanks very much, Geoff.
You are sure getting pretty sneaky with your “Where’s…. ?” pictures! But I spotted Jackie’s lovely smile, despite your efforts!
🙂 Thanks a lo, GP
Relaxing and enjoyable post Derrick, enjoyed my tour, alas my eyes are going as Jackie couldn’t be detected, a second visit may help.
Biggifying might help, Ian. Thanks very much
I still admire your garden. Good to see all the flowers in bloom.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
Found Jackie right off. That next of baby spiders is a fascinating picture. I have never seen them newly hatched and bunched together like that. Soon they will disperse, I suppose.
I had never seen them either, Laurie. They were already dispersing, but a finger on the web sent them huddling together. Well spotted through the shadow. Thanks very much.
You were in the right place at the right time to see the baby spiders. It’s a thrill when something like that happens.
Indeed
Such lovely poppies and yes, i see Jackie surrounded by beautiful roses. I love that you named the crow ‘Russell’. Good thinking there. You’re so welcome to the batch of baby spiders, Derrick. 😯
Thanks a lot, Sylvia 🙂 Well spotted.
I spotted Jackie there in the shade! She and Nugget look like they had a wonderful time out there in the gardens.
I love those little spiders. We are seeing hatchlings now too. I wonder if they are crab spiders?
Maybe we will see. Thanks very much, Lavinia
Lovely shots Derrick.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Stunning colours. I don’t know about anybody else, but not being able to get to the garden centre has made me more creative. Bartered some cuttings (exchanged using social distancing, of course!) and potted up some mint plants into the bare areas, plus some seeds I found.
Well done. Thanks very much, Libre.
I love Jackie, Nugget and baby spiders.
Thanks very much, Flow.
Love the cheeky ‘shhh’ gesture from the hidden-in-the-shadows Head Gardener! 😀
Well spotted, Widders. Thanks very much.
Jackie is in the shade, almost hidden by the greenery, to the left and a bit down of the center.
Well spotted, Dolly. Thank you very much
You are very welcome, Derrick.
You have a garden bursting with loveliness!!! I admire those who like gardening… it’s quite a hard job, and not one I enjoy at all. But rather selfishly I do enjoy looking at other peoples gorgeous gardens and photographing the flowers. You captured some lovely pictures here… so full of fabulous Spring!🤩
Thank you very much, Suzie. I have the best of both worlds – Jackie is the gardener 🙂
So beautiful! The Head Gardener do love the shade 😉🌸
Oh my how many spiders….I even can’t watch them 🤦♀️
It’s OK, they’ve all gone now 🙂 Thanks very much, Ribana
How cool that Nugget is easily identifiable!
Thanks a lot, Leslie