Listening to the tinkle-trickle of the water fountain and the tuneful trilling of a red-breasted robin’s deceptively sweet-sounding war cry delivered from our southern neighbours’ garden, Jackie and I worked together in the Rose Garden this morning dead-heading, weeding, and sweeping in the warmth of the summer-sunshine. With an eye to next spring the Head Gardener also continued planting the vast array of tulips and daffodils she has been collecting from garden centres in recent weeks.
By a now sweltering mid-afternoon, the direct sun having moved around a bit, I photographed some of our results and the
bustling bees still working over the Japanese anemones.
Later I read more of ‘The Berlin Diaries, then watched the next episode of ‘Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams’.
This evening we dined on baked gammon; piquant cauliflower cheese; boiled new potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, with which I drank Reserva Privada Chilean Malbec 2023.
Jackie certainly keeps busy – Head Gardner and Head Chef all rolled into one beautiful person!
You’ve got that right, GP! 😊
Thank you very much, GP
Beautiful flowers and busy bees, a lovely combination! ❤️😊
Love the photo of the bee sipping on the Japanese anemone and noting that you’ve enjoyed a glass of wine 🙂
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
Lovely images.
Thank you very much, Rupali
We know why your garden is so beautiful–it’s the constant work.
I really like the gallery of bee on Japanese anemone photos, especially the first. I also really like the word anemone. 🙂
Thank you very much, Merril
So pleased to see Bees Derrick… Especially after reading the Butterfly count this year is way down officially…
Thank you very much, Sue. Our butterflies have been mostly Small Whites.
Likewise Derrick, no peacocks or red admiral this year, I did see one common brown that’s all. It’s very sad. Xx ❤️
Beautiful.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Busy bees — literally and figuratively! <3
Thank you very much, Donna X
As always, hats off to Jackie, both chef and gardener extraordinaire. My admiration for her knows no bounds.
Thank you so much, Laurie
We were listening to challenging robins today too. I like your Japanese anemones.
Thank you very much, Tootlepedal
The Japanese anemones hold particular appeal for me today.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
There is a delicacy and appreciation for it at this time of year. Thank you for capturing a piece of it Derrick.
Much appreciated, Val
You were a pair of busy bees in the garden …
Thank you very much, Ivor 🙂
The bees with the Japanese anemones are exquisite! 3 and 4 are my favorites.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Listening to the water fountain and the robin while surrounded by beautiful flowers sounds like a lovely way to work! I am looking forward to seeing the results of all that bulb planting come spring! Much love to you and Jackie.
Thank you so much, Lavinia, from each of us XX
A sonorous account of labouring under the sun. The fruits of the enterprise will be sweet.
Thank you so much, Uma
You paint such a delightful scene Derrick
Thank you very much, Sheree
A beautifully described and illustrated piece. Glad to see you had wine with your dinner – in your last few posts you have not even had water to drink!
Thanks very much, Anne. Just finished second round of antibiotics – which haven’t really helped
I love the anemones and their attendant bumble bees.
Thank you very much, John
Bee-ooh-tiful photos! So glad the buzzy bees are helping you and Jackie keep busy gardening! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn XX
I’m amazed at how warm it is down there, we managed to get to 17°C yesterday. i finished the final episode of Field of Dreams a couple of nights ago.
Thanks very much, Sue
Love the Japanese anemones. The color is so pretty. The photographs are stunning. Enjoy the weekend!
Thank you very much, Kritika
Those anemones are a lovely colour – Jackie (I assume it was her) has chosen well. Bees are a bonus. Always a delight to get into your garden. I just discovered that I’ve been spelling, and pronouncing, anemones wrong all my life. I do the same with apothecary too. Just goes to show this is the first time I’ve ever typed anemone.
“Anniemoans” has always helped me, Quercus. The coloured ones were here already and proliferate well. Jackie added he white ones. Thanks very much.
WE have them at the new garden. I look forward to them.
Roses! Beautiful to find this morning as I go off to work, thank you
Much appreciated, Rose
Gorgeous photos and nice to see buzzing bees. It must be lovely and relaxing to hear the tinkle-tinkle of the water fountain.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Every one of your delightful posts on your garden makes me think that I have to hide your blog from my wife, since she is the head gardener indeed, and might fancy putting me to work in our garden. (God forbid. Ain’t got no green thumbs).
Take care. (Oh yes, American sense)
Thank you so much, Brian
Impressive day’s worth of activities, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Pat
It is neverending work and I applaud you both for getting out there! I did a little dead-heading (and to be honest some serious winter chopping) of my roses out front. It takes time but as you showed us, the results are satisfying. I wish this perfect weather would last for a month, because I like to sit down on the ground while I work, but I fear the rains will come soon.
Thank you very much, Crystal. If I sat down I’d never get up 🙂
Your garden is beautiful and it must be lovely to be there, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Aletta
Your glorious roses are stunning.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
What a beautiful place to work in 🙂
Thank you very much, Riba
The bee photos are among my favorites.
Thank you very much, Alys