On another warm yet mostly dull day
Jackie continued planting, including various pots, and mending the bed into which I fell beside the Heligan Path two days ago. She had been most concerned about the foxglove which, after she had extricated it from beneath my shoulder only lost a couple of leaves. I can now see that the shrub into which I took a dive was probably the still standing euphorbia.
I made a start on reviving the footpath through the Weeping Birch Bed. This involved lifting stones in order to remove the unwanted alliums from beneath them and removing others from the edges. These beasts even attach their babies to daffodil bulbs from which they had to be extricated. My chair was not stable enough for this task, so after a while I used the long fork standing up, and bent when necessary. I was able to take respite by leaning on the implement, but could not crouch enough to replace the narcissi. Either I’ll have another go tomorrow or the Head Gardener will need to step in.
Aquilegias, such as those seen in the bottom right of the Gazebo Path, and the Rose Garden beds, are ubiquitous. Maybe my next weeding job could be along the Rose Garden paths which look a safer prospect.
Various shrubs, like viburnums, and rhododendrons, are spreading for summer at last.
Clematises such as the blue Daniel Deronda and the white Marie Boisselot are now flowering, and Dr Ruppel buds are raring to go.
Other climbers, for example, the blue solanums and rose Arthur Bell are on their way.
The rose scales the arch beside the Dragon Bed which houses these peonies.
This is the view from the Rose Garden, past Florence, and across the lawn towards North Breeze;
and these are, in turn, from the pieris overlooking the Nottingham Castle Bench facing the Brick Path diagonally opposite the West Bed.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s most flavoursome sausage casserole; creamy mashed potatoes; exceptionally tasty carrots from Tesco; firm cauliflower; and tender runner beans, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Mendoza Malbec 2019.
How large is your garden? Is Florence the lovely statue? Lovely photos.
1/3 of an acre. Yes Florence is the statue, named after our granddaughter in South Carolina. Thanks very much, Pat
Thanks, Derrick.
Your glorious roses have started coming out, Derrick; I am looking forward to more exuberant rose shots.
Thanks a lot, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
Your garden is beginning really to show the fruits of your labor and Jackie’s! Nicely designed, it will provide a lot of wonderful color during the summer!
Thank you very much, Janet
Wow – that’s what I say every time I see your beautiful garden, Derrick! You both do such beautiful work. I see that you have family over here too, Nice! In some ways, we are the same people. 🇬🇧❤️
Yes. Florence is married to a very nice American. Thanks a lot, John
That’s great, have a nice weekend Derrick. 😎
Such a beautifully ‘full’ garden requires a lot of attention – which you both are giving it. I hope that with the warmer weather having arrived at last you will both find time to sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Hopefully in the evenings now, Anne. Thanks very much
Gardening takes a lot of work, but you two seem to take it in stride ( Or should I say, head over heels, in your case?) 🙄
🙂 I’m certainly not striding much at the moment, GP. Thanks very much
Wow that is one amazing garden, I am envious.
Ours is long and narrow with a tall hedge all along one side, so the southern 1/3 never gets enough sunshine to grow a lot unfortunately. I do love working on our garden, but so far this year the weather hasn’t inspired me to spend much time out there.
The weather has kept us out of the garden, too, Tony. Thanks very much
Your garden is so beautiful! I always admire how you and Jackie have it laid out, with named sections and paths. I particularly liked the shot with Florence, and the little ducky at her feet made me laugh.
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril 🙂
😀
Always a joy to spend time in your garden, Jackie and Derrick! Thank you for inviting us all in! 🙂
I love the Daniel Derondas! Did you know the plant/flower was named after “Daniel Deronda,” a novel by George Eliot, first published in 1876??? 🙂
The duck is playing hide’n’seek with Florence! 😉 HA! 😀 😛
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn. I thought the clematis must have been named for the novel, but didn’t actually know. X
I always find the names so interesting and wonder how/why they go their names. 🙂
You’re both welcome! <3 🙂
I take issue with your opening sentence to today’s post –
Judging by the wonderful photos, today in your beautiful garden was far from ‘dull’;
Challenging, industrious, varied and hugely rewarding, I would say 🙂
It is all looking so lovely, despite still being early in the season;
Huge compliments to the Head Gardener, and her assistant!
Thank you so much from us both, Emma. 🙂
Compliments to the Head Gardener and her trusty assistant
Thanks very much from us both, Sheree
It’s a pleasure Derrick
Beautiful. Lots of work to keep them up.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Your garden should be featured in a magazine, Derrick. You and Jackie have done an amazing job. Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you so much from us both, Jill. Jackie said much the same about the fire from the Rose Garden featuring Florence. 🙂
The flora is definitely on the path to growth and beauty, thanks to Jackie and your hard work. Any more sightings of your feathered friends?
Thanks very much, Maj. Yes – robins keep putting in an appearance – usually when we haven’t got a camera with us.
As I had a friend named Arthur Bell, I was interested in finding out who your rose was named after. Disappointingly, it was not him but a drinks manufacturer.
I am impressed by your garden activities after the recent unfortunate incident.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. I took a rest from it, today. Whiskey, wasn’t it?
It was.
You have a beautiful home and garden which is well worth the effort 👍
Thank you very much, Irene 🙂
What a joy to see your garden returning to its full glory!
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
Your garden is looking beautiful and very well-nurtured.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
A wonfrous sight for my tired and sore eyes on this cool and cloudy Saturday morning in Geelong Derrick … thank you ..
Cheers, Ivor
I enjoyed these views of your lovely garden very much – especially the photo with Florence and her duck. A couple of nights ago, David and I went to get ice cream where they have a little courtyard with alliums growing in metal tubs. I still like the prolific alliums, but I suppose it’s safer to keep them in containers.
Thanks very much, JoAnna.
The Army of the Head Gardener and her Lieutenant is committed to keep the garden vibrant and gorgeous, no matter what. We are fortunate to be receiving virtual tours of the charming arbour day after day.
Thank you so much, Uma,
I admire you both, so much love and dedication has been given to your beautiful garden.
I hope you’ve recovered from the chair incident.
Thanks very much, Sue. I am OK but it will take a while to be quite where I was.
You’re determined and I know you’ll get there. 🙂
🙂
Are you going to take aquilegia out?
Not at all 🙂 Thanks a lot, Helen
Oh no, I love them, they self seed in our gravel paths and I retrieve them all and plant them in the flower beds!
They do look good mixed with other plants 😊
It must be great to have a garden and see how it changes with the seasons.
Beautiful photos.
Thanks you so much, Rabirius
It is all bright and beautiful there, Derrick and Jackie! I have those purple aquilegias, too. The first pioneer came in on a load of rabbit manure, and now, after a number of years, they are spreading rapidly and doing well. They do get out of hand. 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia.
Take care Derrick. Glad the foxglove is ok. My favourite picture here just has to be the statue.
Thanks very much, Andrew
Wonderful photo tour of the garden. There is so much planted there. You must be kept very busy with it. Love the view across the garden to the thatched roof.
Thanks very much, Amanda
Been lax keeping up. Love seeing the progress in your garden. Our houseplants are doing well.
Thanks very much, Sherry. No pressure – I know you come when you can.
Oh my – taking a dive into a shrub – ouch hope you are not injured
And love the opening photo of Jackie with her gloves and diggin in
Thanks very much, Yvette. Uninjured but knees a bit stressed.
Whew! Glad it was not worse
🙂