My contribution to Jackie’s general garden maintenance this morning was
making a start on weeding the gravelled Gazebo path. I will need to consult with the Head Gardener about these forget-me-nots spilling under the iron wheels.
Brick Paths will need to wait their turn;
I am not looking forward to the Back Drive which I may resort to spraying with something unpleasant – the gravel, not the borders.
In the front garden the crab apple blossom is chasing the last of the remaining cherry flowers.
Accompanied by the magnolia Vulcan, several camellias continue to bloom,
as do numerous tulips.
Daffodils and honesty are keeping pace.
Bluebells are becoming prolific.
The rescued red maple in the Pond Bed is again brightening the views.
After lunch, Jackie cut my hair.
While we enjoyed our pre-dinner drinks on the patio, Jackie photographed a pair of rooks on the copper beech, wondering whether Russell had found a mate; the now lonely preening collared dove who has lost hers to a predator; and the starling bringing food to his family in the eaves.
We then toasted Laurie and Clif, our blogging friends in Maine.
Jackie’s drink was Hoegaarden, mine more of the Malbec, continued with our dinner of fried chicken, mushrooms, onions and potatoes, served with boiled carrots, cabbage, runner beans, and tasty gravy.
What an absolutely delightful garden! Cheers!
Thank you very much, Nick
This sure put a smile on my face. What an honor! Cheers, cheers, cheers!
You did it for us a few years back 🙂 Thanks a lot, Laurie
I remember! How time flies.
But memory hopefully remains
Yes!
Yes, that was sweet.
What a beautiful and loving post, Derrick. Made us smile. Thank you both!
Cheers, Maj and Sher
Your garden is very beautiful, Derrick! The flowers are so lovely. ?????
Thank you very much, John
A post full of color and cheer!
(Your garden is such a lovely place to have your drinks.)
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re very welcome, Derrick.
Glad to hear that you or any husband is making himself useful. Keep up the good work. ???️?
Thanks very much, Pat
Given the size of your garden, it must be quite a job keeping up with the weeding. As always, your flowering plants are a delight to behold 🙂
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
Your garden is the epitome of springtime! And the birds are also in mid-spring! My neighborhood has a confused bird that sings loudly all night — I think a mockingbird, as it sings everybody else’s songs!
Thanks very much, Janet
I’d put good money on your bird being a mockingbird. They do love to sing at night. He’s not confused — just really, really eager to attract a mate. “Look at me! I’m not lazy! It’s 4 a.m. and I’m singing!”
I think you’re absolutely right! It is mating season, after all — I just hope he finds a mate soon, so I can get some sleep!
🙂
You capture Jackie’s garden perfectly. It’s gorgeous!
Thank you very much, Crystal
I don’t suppose you ever saw Nugget again, eh? We were all so attached to him. He would have loved how well your garden has grown, prettier every year!
Thanks very much, GP. No Nugget, but we do have one or two of his less attached offspring.
Aw, that’s good to know his kids still visit.
I’ve also been thinking about Nugget today, GP!
Thank you, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
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I think about Nugget a lot.
And whenever I see a robin here, I say, “You aren’t related to Nugget…are you?!” 🙂
🙂
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Your garden is a riot of colour. Congratulations to the Head Gardener, it’s fabulous.
Thank you so much from us both, Sheree
Pleasure
I am a little bit jealous. We had snow this week, temperatures went beyond freezing and it’s supposed to be in the 80’s on Wednesday the coming week. It’s officially crazy April weather.
It is indeed. Despite our sunshine the wind is cold. Thanks very much, Bridget
I was very much taken by the pink flowers and the tulips! (The weeding, not so much. 😉 )
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I have a few bulbs coming up that have lost their tags, or faded. I love tulips; purple in particular.
Great garden photos they really do show off Jackie’s creativity.
mmm… I have been wondering about Nugget too.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. Nugget’s genes live on – not yet as friendly as he was – he became attached as a young fledgling
Cheers! and may more years of happy gardening.
And cheers to you, Sherry. May you find your new garden soon.
Wow, your garden is definitely a show piece.
Thanks very much, Peggy
Have you tried or thought of a gas powered flame wand for the path weeding?
No. Will check it out. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
I was using ours on the drive today.
How lovely to see your beautiful garden on this rainy day in Charlotte, North Carolina. Love the photo of Jackie toasting. Cheers!
And cheers to you, Jill
I love the tulip collage with it’s beautiful, complimentary colors. And I love your garden pathways. I create paths in my backyard urban forest. It’s always hard to decide about the pretty spillovers. Sometimes they can be relocated.
We have forget-me-nots everywhere 🙂 Thanks very much, JoAnna
Spring is bountiful .. Blooming beautifulful .. Derrick.
Cheers, Ivor
I forgot to mention… The dove pair that I feared had suffered loss are back again, together. Not only that, they have a youngster in tow! While we’re toasting Laurie and Clif, I believe I’ll raise a toast to that pair, too!
Thanks again, Linda
A delightful post filled with good cheer, beautiful colours, interesting snippets about the birds. I am reading this on a dark autumn morning while I enjoy a cool breeze coming through the window. Once the sun is up we will be heading for thirty degrees plus (Centigrade that is). Your garden must be a wonderful place to wander around in!
Thanks veery much, Anne. Although we have bright sunny days the wind, from the Arctic, is still very. cool
I can already anticipate long hours of maintenance to make the garden weed free. The tulips are beautiful and holding their own in the assemblage. It’s nice how you folks keep track of the birds that have found a home in the garden.
Thank you very much, Uma.
A lovely day in the garden, Derrick and Jackie! And we join you in a toast to Laurie and Clif!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia and Rick
Your garden is full of colorful spring beauty–such lovely camellias, tulips, and cherry blossoms.
Thank you very much, Nikki
Looks AND sounds like a beautiful day!
I love seeing all the birdies!
OOH! I hope Russell found a mate! Is her name Sheryl Crow?!?! 😀 😛
I’ve seen some finches, doves, and robins here this past week!!! 🙂
YAY for your haircut! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Sheryl it is 🙂 X
I used to weed the patio on hands and knees, feeling very eco-considerate but then somebody showed me a weedkiller that lasted 4-6 hours before becoming completely harmless. Haven’t used the kneeling mat since!
I can’t kneel, John, so I crouch and find it difficult to straighten. I figure it can only get better. Thanks very much
The garden is looking so beautiful… and just about weed free.
I read how to make a weed killer spray – one part white vinegar to five parts water, though that seems a weak solution. I’ve used white vinegar for cleaning purposes but have run out, and try as we may none of our supermarkets have it.
I wanted to try it on the weeds in the gravel square outside Joss’s bedroom.
Thanks very much, Sue. I have been researching Tootlepedal’s suggestion, but the Head Gardener is not keen.
Yes, I can understand Jackie’s reluctance on that one.
Coming along nicely Derrick. Are they English or Spanish bluebells?
I’m not sure about the difference. We have both, and hybrids, which the Head Gardener says these are. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Apparently Spanish bluebells are bigger, stronger and more vigorous and are a threat to the native variety. A bit like grey squirrels and red squirrels.
Yes
Your garden is going strong I have daffodils going and lots of others are growing like weeds.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. Enjoy yours
Your welcome.
Great to be back to enjoying the hard work we put into our gardens. Great to be heading in the right direction – towards summer weather 🙂 enjoy Derrick.
Thanks very much, Agnes
It is lovely to see your splendid grden coming to its full flourishing glory, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
May I suggest on of these for those weeding jobs. I find it does the job quite well and uses no poisonous sprays. I got my last one from Wilkos.
https://tinyurl.com/tk7kseuv
Thanks a lot for the link, Quercus – and of course for reading.
Fabulous spring colours in your garden.
The magnolia is wonderful.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
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A wonderful show; I love a cottage garden. Our bluebells have propagated themselves insanely in our small front patch. I keep saying I’ll thin them out, but cannot quite bear to as they look so amazing en masse.
Thanks very much, Libre
Your garden is in full swing, bravo, Jackie and Derrick. Loved the “cheers” header photo.
Thanks very much from us both, Jodie
What a fun and cheerful post! Your spring flowers always perk me up 🙂
Thanks very much, Barbara
Superb photo of Jackie!
Cheers, Gwen
Gorgeous flowers springing to life in your garden. It sure keeps you both very busy, which is a good thing. Outside activities are the healthiest.
Thank you very much, Sylvia
My toast is only camomile tea and it’s a few days late, but I hope it still counts. Did the Head Gardener spare the forget-me-not? I had been wondering about Nugget too. I’m glad he has left some Nugget minors.
Thanks very much, Susan. The forget-me-not is spared 🙂
I hoped so!
It’s looking so beautiful and colorful already! I appreciate having you share all that beauty with us, {{{Derrick & Jackie}}} – Amazing how many flowers you have in bloom already. I have a handful of daffodils and one tulip trying its best to bloom. That’s it! Your garden fills my soul! <3
Thank you very much from us both, Jan X
Your gardens look very inviting.
Thanks very much