On an even hotter day than yesterday I took my camera on a walk around the garden this morning.
We are not always sure how some of our plants arrive. This poppy is certainly a self seeded volunteer, but we don’t know about the red hollyhock. It could have been from a seed scattering exercise by either Flo or Jackie last year.
The colourful little lysimachia Firecracker is a plant bought by Jackie after she had seen one in Elizabeth’s garden given by Frances.
Pollies Day Lilies, very nearby, is the home of the National hemerocallis Collection. Some of ours have been bought there.
Delta’s Sarah and Mrs Popple are two of the many fuchsias planted by Jackie that have proved to be hardy in our garden.
This small white hydrangea will grow bigger. It is a cutting from a larger plant Jackie bought from Lidl some time ago.
Years ago our Head Gardener bought phlox plants from pity benches in centres like Everton. They all now thrive under her nurture, as do
various clematis, some of which we inherited,
as we did numerous moon daisies and several hostas.
When we converted a heap of rubble and rubbish including a buried bath complete with taps into the Rose Garden we had a free run to select roses like Roserie de l’Hay, For Your Eyes Only, and Créme de la créme largely for their scent;
low lying lavender, rambling bee-attracting sweet peas, and tall lilies provide variety in that plot.
Some dahlias we have planted, other flowers were in situ when we arrived ten years ago; examples of these are
red and yellow Bottle Brush plants.
Crocosmias red Lucifer and golden George Davison and their neighbouring penstemon are all part of our replanting of the Palm Bed.
This evening we dined at Rokali’s where I chose Jaipur special prawn; and Jackie, Poneer Shashlik. We shared a plain paratha, special fried rice, and Tarka Dhal. I drank Kingfisher and Jackie drank Diet Cola. A truly serendipitous event gave us rather more than we bargained for. As the waiter served us he tipped the rice bowl over so that much of it ended up on the table cloth and my serviette. He took a clean cloth and began scooping it up to dispose of it. The table and everything else was unsoiled. I encouraged him to sweep it onto my plate, saying I was more than happy to eat it rather than have it wasted. It seemed to me quite a result in that any mess I made of the cloth could be blamed on this event. Even better – he did this and gave us a new bowl of rice. Ultimately we couldn’t eat it all and were given a doggy bag to take home. Another good outcome. Also, great fun was enjoyed by all, including other customers.
Needless to say the food was all very well prepared and otherwise efficiently served. The waiter, a family member we had not met before, finished by helping me to my feet.
A good time was had by all. I am jealous of both your gorgeous flowers and your knowledge of what they all are.
I adore your lovely collection of fuchsias, they are my favourites Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
Thank you very much, Pat. Aided by the Head Gardener
Beautiful flowers gallery!
Thanks very much, Alexander
I love volunteer flowers. And a seed scattering exercise sounds very fun!
Thank you very much, Donna
I am glad that you are getting some better weather at last so that you can enjoy your well stocked and well tended garden.
Thank you very much, Tootlepedal
You have such variety in your garden! I particularly like the hydrangea; it’s dainty and pretty. That’s some eating out story!
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Beauty galore to get carried away! Now you’ve got me craving for Indian cuisine 🙂
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
I’m glad you didn’t let them throw the rice away. Now you can make the leftovers into fried rice 🙂
The sun sure makes those colors pop, doesn’t it?
Thanks very much, Rose. Guess what we are having for lunch
🙂 I had a hunch
Thanks for sharing your beautiful flowers with us. I especially love the moon daisies. 🙂
Much appreciated, JoAnna
I have garden envy – yours is so beautiful. I once tried seed scattering but I think the birds got them.
Another lovely meal out; The accident with the rice made me smile, waste not want not! 🙂
Thank you so much, Sue
I have always admired the bounty of beautiful flowers in your garden and was not disappointed today. The pictures make me look forward to the arrival of warmer weather, when I might bestir myself and become more active in our garden. The tipping of the rice reminds me of some food or drink related accidents I have witnessed on aeroplanes – always amusing for the other passengers, not so for the victims 🙂
Thank you very much, Anne
Ha! Quite a restaurant experience! And on the bright side, you got a good filling meal there AND had leftovers to take home for a lunch! 🙂
Bee-ooh-tiful flowers! Looks like The Head Gardener and her busy buzzy bee helpers have been working! 🙂
I can’t pick a favorite…you’ve shared so many of the flowers I enjoy in this post! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
PS…love your post title!
Thank you very much, Carolyn XX
First time I’ve seen a white hydrangea. So many lovely flowers.
Thank you very much, Arlene
So many stunning flowers in your garden!
Your restaurant story was funny and with a delicious outcome. I’m sure you’re enjoying the leftovers. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril
What a lovely garden to wake up to!!
Thank you very much, GP
Gorgeous assortment of flowers.
Thank you very much, Sherry
It is such a pleasure, these virtual tours through your colorful gardens, Derrick and Jackie! It has been hot and dry, in the 90s here. Everything is drying up and we are doing a lot of spot watering.
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia
What a glorious display of flowers, Derrick. Your dinner outing sounds quite eventful.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your garden on a sad grey day down under.
Much appreciated, Sylvie
Delightful closeups.
Thank you very much, Val
It is, of course, nice to see the Bottle Brush but I was quite taken by the lysimachia – the tiny yellow flowers certainly sit well with the dark leaves.
Thanks very much, John
It’s fun to reveiw the origins of a garden, and to see what comes and goes or simply evolves over time. You must have enjoyed converting an unsightly area into a rose garden.
I enjoyed your story about the rice and the rescue.. You are a good soul.
Thank you so much, Alys
From the lovely flowers (especially the colourful little lysimachia Firecracker) to the spilled rice episode, this was a delightful post!
Thank you very much, Jan
Your marvelous garden is flourishing; it is delightful to see.
Thank you so much, Dolly
Isn’t it fun when you see volunteers pop up? I love how many variety of flowers there are, every color of the rainbow.
Thank you so much, Diane – especially for your mammoth reading and commenting session.
That’s a restaurant worth visiting regularly
A favourite already. Thanks very much, Sheree
Wholly understandable Derrick