After lunch I recovered pictures and substituted feature images for the following posts:
His waterproof hooded jacket glistening from fairly steady light rain Martin had spent the morning cutting back last year’s dead garden material.
In order to improve the view from our kitchen window,
he began with the Pond Bed.
As will be seen from a few views I photographed on a walk round the garden, there is much more to be done.
Pearly drops slowly slid from camellias
and hellebores.
Tête-à-têtes and snowdrops happily co-existed, and
the lichen on the Nottingham Castle bench continued to celebrate the purer air of its last resting place.
This evening we dined on succulent roast chicken; sage and onion stuffing; boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots; firm broccoli and cauliflower; tender green beans; and tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank Diet Coke and I drank more of the Malbec.
Giving plants a new lease of life, with less foliage and more light. Which then the household will appreciate each plant for its beauty. Sometimes you just have to cull the excess…
Thanks very much, Catherine
A very elegant way to describe what I would have called “weeding”????
Martin made a huge difference in the garden, what a great guy, Derrick! Dinner sounds delightful. ????
Thank you very much, John
You’re welcome, sir!
I learned something new by looking up your tete a tetes since I lump all flowers that look like that as daffodils. I am awaiting my dinner more eagerly since I am now hungry after hearing what you and Jackie had. Martin continues to impress and amaze.
Thank you so much, Pat. I can’t identify many daffodils, but these are very small
You have a lovely view from your kitchen window. The photos of the camellias are beautiful–well, all the flowers are. ????
Thanks very much, Merril. I see you got the curse of ???? for emojis
Yes. I guess they don’t work on your new site.
This is a new phenomenon shared by two more readers
I have seen and experienced it on a few other sites, too.
It’s a long time since I had a large garden. But I do remember the importance of cutting back spent material and how that process rewards you with fresh, new growth. I love the new perennials shooting forth, and can recognize most of the spring plants you showcase.
Thank you so much, Diane
YAY for Martin! 🙂
OH what a beautiful view from your kitchen window! I bet all of you enjoy it…especially little Ellie! So much to see! 🙂
Woot Woo and Hoot Hoo! I see owls! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ????❤️
“A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he saw, the less he spoke
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Now, wasn’t he a wise old bird?”
I knew you’d like the owls, Carolyn. Thanks a lot X
HA! I don’t know where the ???? came from! ‘Twas supposed to be an owl emoji! 😮
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Arlene also had ???? for emojis X
Lovely lichen and your hellebores look very healthy
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. You inspired me to post the lichen
You’d hardly think that your garden had gone most of the winter, although it does seem as though there might be a little more to come!
Thanks very much, John. Cold rain today. No snow
There’s lots of work in maintaining a garden like yours. It’s great that you have Martin to lend a hand. Your camellia blooms are beautiful.
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
It starts to look less crowded. So much work, I am glad you guys have a helper.
Thank you so much, Bridget
Thank you for the photographic walk around the garden, Derrick, it’s quite a cool and windy day here in Geelong …
Thanks very much, Ivor
Love that fabulous view Derrick and the garden roses…wow????
I wonder why that appeared as question marks Derrick, was supposed to be a smiley emoje????
Oh my, it repeats itself.
Thanks very much, Arlene
You could have just posted the lichen – that was enough for me. How beautiful.
Thank you so much, John
Was glad to reread the story about your son’s rat.
Thanks very much, Laurie. You prompted me to sort it out
And I thank you for it.
I like how you can see all the layers deep into the garden from the kitchen window. It will be fun to watch the filling in. The camelias look lovely and the lichen close up is fascinating.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
The garden looks gorgeous, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Jill
The view of your garden suggests a bounteous spring and summer, which I look forward to sharing as we slide into autumn and winter.
Thank you very much, Anne
Gardens are a lot of work, we are going into leaf season now as we enter autumn.
Thanks very much, Robbie. We still have last autumn’s to finish clearing
those maps are something else.. wow! kudos on Jackie what a lot of work.. how rewarding to have…
Martin is helping you and the Head Gardener attend to every last detail. What a garden you’ll have this year!!!
There’s a lot of pruning going on in the world just now; how good it is that Martin’s available to help with yours. That lichen photo is glorious. Sometimes they can seem a little ho-hum, but this one really shines.
Thank you very much, Linda. It has taken me quite a while to get a satisfactory shot of that lichen
I love seeing your garden in all its phases. The lichen is especially pretty.
Thank you very much, Sherry
The lichen is my favourite.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Martin is doing a fabulous job, as are you with the recoveries.
I enjoyed the tale of the mudmaps and seeing Jackie’s beautifully detailed map.
Thank you so much, Sue
Your garden is shaping up beautifully, Derrick. Martin is a real gem and a rare find.
Thank you so much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
I am glad you have Martin to help you and Jackie with the garden. He does fine work!
I love seeing the camellia. We used to have a pink one here, but it was taken down when the house was rebuilt. I had asked the workmen to dig it up so I could replant it. They did not. Gone and dragged away, it was. When I asked them why they had done that, all I received were expressionless faces in reply.
Sorry about your expressionless workmen, Lavinia. Thank you very much
The garden looks fabulous to my untutored eyes
Thanks a lot, Sheree