Ian from Cleansing Services Group emptied our septic tank this morning. As always, he got on with it without our interference.
This afternoon I ventured into the garden to discover what had been occurring whilst I have been holed up indoors.
Very brisk north east winds sped fluffy clouds along helping the sun to put in periodic appearances; and hurried me around my colder than expected trip.
Japanese maples and shrubs like spirea bent this way and that.
Although tulips and violas in the iron urn, and some of those potted in the Rose Garden stood firm, others remain windblown, like the covers ripped from wooden benches they were protecting.
Martin progressed with his work on the Back Drive yesterday, and
Flo has continued chopping back dead stems, opening views of such as the Pond Bed.
At the front the spring flowering cherry shares honours with its winter relative.
Cyclamens, fritillaries, bluebells, and honesty have burgeoned everywhere.
Despite the cold there is much promise of next week’s warmer weather.
A New Zealand flax has suffered a broken stem, but other beds look comfortable enough.
This evening the three of us dined on more of Jackie’s tasty cottage pie with fresh vegetables, including the fried potato topping; followed by the last of the rice pudding.
Your garden is a paradise! Dinner sounds delightful! 🪴
Thank you very much, Holly. We call that a nursery meal 🙂
That’s very interesting Derrick! 🌸
Say it again, l can only imagine them around me.
Purple is the color of the day for me in this group, starting with the tulips and violas in the iron urn.
A nice observation, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I’m glad you and the garden are doing well. 😊
Thanks very much, Merril
So good to hear that you’re on the mend!
And such a timely header image: the Fritillaires are wonderful just now – I went for a walk with a friend today, and she was delighted to see some for the first time ever; so many spring beauties in the garden just now; the portrait style image of your Honesty is Honestly Superb!
Thank you so much, Emma.
Your garden looks lovely, Derrick! And nobody imbibed?
No booze, John. I still don’t feel like it. Thanks very much
Looks beautiful to me. As always, I am drooling over the cyclemens.
Thank you very much, Laurie
I’m so glad you had a walk in the garden! The fritillaries are fabulous! Your photos show that nature does indeed carry on and continue to beautify our world! (Even when we have to be indoors.) 🙂
Sounds like you’ve got some great helpers working! 🙂
Oooh, I spotted some owls in your photos! YAY! 🙂
Continue to rest when you can! and (((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. X
Derrick good to see you’ve meandering I’m your garden which continuing to bloom. Had the NZ flax bloomed before its unfortunate “snap”? Of course the Tui wouldn’t have been sipping up the nectar but I’m sure some English bird would’ve dropped in.
Keep taking it quietly which of sure you will do…
Thank you so much, Catherine. Jackie thinks that is a bloom from last year.
I am glad you are back on you feet. Your garden will be as beautiful as every year.
Thank you so much, Bridget
You sound as if you are on the mend, Derrick. Don’t overdo it on your gardening return, though.
Thanks very much, John. I will do no work.
I love to view the organized with a tad chaos of color and form that is your early spring garden! Glad you are more on your feet again.
Thank you so much, Cynthia
As always when you show your garden, I am consumed with envy. We have hardly started spring at all here.
But you post so many colourful flowers, Tootlepedal. Thank you very much
I post the flowers one at a time. You have yours en masse.
🙂
Lovely plants. Glad you were able to get out
Thanks very much, Pat
Lovely plants. Glad you were able to get out
I especially enjoy your garden and forest walks, Derrick! Today was a great treat to read about and view in your photos.
Thank you so much, Doug.
I thank you, Derrick. News these days is so grim, your nature walks, and garden photos are a welcome upbeat relief.
The garden looks beautiful, Derrick. I’m happy you’re feeling better and were able to get out for a bit. Don’t overdo it.😉
Thank you very much, Jill. It was surprisingly testing yesterday but no after effects today.
I’m happy to hear this. xo
The garden weathered well considering. Jackie, what vegetables can you grow in your current climate?
Thanks very much, Chrissy. We don’t do vegetables, but we could grow many. Occasional runner beans up the arches; tomatoes; and Jackie says she is going to have a go at rhubarb this year.
I love rhubarb but Norm detests it. Tomatoes we use in lots of recipies so we always have tomato plants. When we harvest what’s ready in the garden on Friday, I do an online order from The Growers Market of anything else we require for the following week. It arrives Monday. I’d love to grow more variety but it we don’t have the space. 🙂
It is hardly surprising that you can’t fit anything else in 🙂
🙂 I would if I could.
I’m sure
I’m glad you’re feeling better, Derrick. Your spring garden is a feast for the eyes.
Thank you so much, Alys
A piece of heaven! Those tulips are absolutely gorgeous! Especially those purple! 🌷
Thank you very much, Ribana
Good to see you up and about Derrick … and your colourful photos from the garden are fabulous
Thank you so much, Ivor
Beautiful colors and sunlight! I’m so glad you could get outside!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I smiled to see a plant named ‘Honesty.’ I didn’t know it, so I had a little read, and discovered those wonderful ripe pods. I must say, it would be wonderful if other sorts of honesty began to burgeon everywhere.
It sure would, Linda. Thank you very much
Out here in Delhi the sun is hammering down a consistent 40 degrees Celsius and promising to unleash at least 5 notches more. Somewhat like your plants, we also carry on regardless. Those photos vouch for the ongoing maintenance activities in your garden. I hope you will be soon be back in action shooting the woodland, meandering roads dotted with ponies. And the seashore.
Thank you so much, Uma. That is hot, indeed.
Oh yes, plants carry on regardless. Think of all the effort soldiers in WWII put in to hack through the jungles of New Guinea, and within a few years of leaving, their trace had been obliterated. I imagine your garden if it did not have the constant care and attention from so many, including the latest, Flo, who is obviously keen to earn her keep. Meanwhile, the flowerings welcome you back to nature.
Thank you so much, Gwen
I’ve been meaning to ask for a long time; do you have animals lurking in the garden. Maybe lizards and hedgehogs? It’s just that the garden looks so enviting.
Voles, rats, mice, hedgehogs, a badger (deterred by leaving male pee at its chosen spot) Neighbour’s cats keep down the rodents. Thanks a lot, John
Good work, Derrick!
The purple tulips are my favorite.
Thanks very much, GP. I followed your suggestion
Nature persists no matter what the news or wonky weather. Thanks for sharing your lovely garden snaps!
Much appreciated, Marian
I just love fritillaries, they are such delicate plants. There must be a reason that they have the same name as the butterflies. Something to do with lace, I seem to remember.
A good point, John. Thank you very much
Your garden is lovely and springing with glorious colors. I hope you are feeling better now.
Yes – thanks very much, Eugi
Yes plants can take a beating from wind and hail and still thrive.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
You’re welcome.
Glad you are feeling well enough to go out and about. What a riot of color in your garden! The lavender tulips and white cyclamen are my favorites today.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. Jackie is particularly pleased with those cyclamen
Hello, yesterday I came across a beautiful painting by Doreen Barlow.
This painting is a watercolour of flowers and has an address: Holly Bank, Horseshoe Lane.
I believe a Doreen Barlow was an aunt of you wife Jackie?
Was wondering if the painting I purchased from a junk emporium in Chichester was painted by that lady.
Kind regards
Lin
This is indeed very likely one of Jackie’s aunt’s paintings./Users/derrickjknight/Desktop/IMG_9063.JPG If I’ve done this correctly comparison with this painting we have should confirm the style. If that doesn’t work have a look at the post ‘Doreen Barlow’s Cymbidium Orchids’ which I will post later this evening -https://derrickjknight.com/2022/04/11/doreen-barlows-cymbidium-orchids/