Garden And Album Arrangements

While Jackie continued working in the Rose Garden, I trimmed half of Karen and Barry’s wedding photographs and laid them loosely in the first of the albums.

I keep imagining that the Head Gardener will have completed the clearing and tidying of the Rose Garden, but there is always something more to admire.

Today she unclogged the water fountain and set it going again, and refreshed and planted up one of the stone urns;

cleaned Scooby’s stone and refreshed the lettering;

and cut back the roses in the bed beside the orange shed, leaving sweet pea bunting in place.

Dillon has now joined Flo in watering containers like the hanging basket above – a task of life-giving irrigation. What is very surprising is that this lace-cap hydrangea has survived on no water for a month.

We have numerous varieties of lily, still including hemerocallis.

Blue agapanthus blooms in the Pond Bed, have popped out of their casings, while others in the Palm Bed are still to emerge.

The Puerto Rico Dahlias share a bed with clematis and phlox; the deep red ones are in the West Bed.

Jackie has successfully grown a number of zinnias from seed.

This the most plentiful hibiscus.

This peach climber is producing its third flush of the year.

There are more benefits of watering seen in these views looking west.

This evening we dined on Mr Pink’s fish, chips, and mushy peas, with Garner’s pickled onions, with which Jackie drank Trentin Pino Grigio 2021, Dillon drank Hoegaarden, Flo drank elderflower cordial, and I finished the Rasteau.

84 comments

    1. Personally I don’t think the peas taste better than they sound but, soaked dried versions that they are, they are very popular. Thanks very much, Pat

  1. Water is so necessary to keep a garden going. During this long drought I have resorted to planting seeds / seedlings in pots grouped together for easy watering. Jackie has done a fine job here!

  2. The diligent care is evident. I can’t pick a favorite photo of your beautiful garden.
    (For some reason, I was confused about your photo trimming at first and thought you were placing flowers in albums. I think I’m tired . . .🤣)

  3. Oh, your garden still looks lush and beautiful despite the drought. You are all doing a wonderful job giving it all it needs. LOVE the zinnias! Jackie did a great job starting them from seeds.

  4. All of the flowers are gorgeous! I especially love the dahlias and zinnias!
    How nice of Dillon to join in and care for the garden! I’m so glad he’s finally with Flo!
    YAY on your wedding photo work!
    I got a little teary-eyed to see Scooby’s stone. So I went back in your older posts so I could see his sweet face again. My Cooper is getting up there in age (especially for his breeds) and I was thinking recently of where he might rest is peace someday.
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS…When my hubby was a little kid, he and his siblings called canned peas “mushy peas” and they didn’t like them. They preferred fresh or frozen peas. 🙂 Me…I’ll eat any kind of peas any ways. 🙂

  5. There really is always something new to admire! The lace-cap hydrangea is both tough and beautiful. I love the sweet pea arrangement.

  6. I always like seeing your flowers. We only have one type of flowering bush going on this summer – a line of 4-o’clocks. They’re very pretty – do you know those?

  7. For a better part of today I was looking for a way to find some peace. And here when the day is nearly over, I found these photos of your garden, which brought the feeling I had been looking for. What a paradise oasis. I, too, am surprised about the hydrangeas, which I understand are thirsty plants. It’s good to check in with you both and find you in your respective elements: you at photographs, and Jackie in the garden. <3

    1. He awaits his permanent visa – so just has six months until he receives it. It is the intention for them to stay here permanently. Thanks for reading and asking, Andy

  8. This is a watering special post. There is a change in perspective in the way flowers have been recorded today. They look beautiful as ever.

  9. Such beautiful and well tended gardens, Derrick and Jackie! We are busy just trying to keep up with spot watering here. The temperature has been in his mid to high 90s. The next 3 days are going to me miserable, but then the forecast shows a cooling off.

  10. I am sure there is something new to admire in every area of your beautiful garden from one day to the next. Even in our little yard, which is barren in comparison, there are always surprises to be found.

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