IMAGES CAN BE ENLARGED BY CLICKING ON THEM – TWICE IF NECESSARY
Ronan the Boilerman fitted a new thermostat to our hot water cylinder tank this morning. That means we no longer scald our hands and have to turn on the cold tap every time we want to wash them.
Jackie spent much of the day weeding and planting.
Once The Head Gardener had prepared it, I covered Elizabeth’s bed with compost. It took eight bags.
The gradual burgeoning throughout the garden can be seen, for example, along the Brick Path – and, yes, Jackie has smuggled in another owl since this was las displayed –
and along Margery’s Bed, in the foreground of which a geranium palmatum has pushed its way into the light.
We have varieties of tulip,
including tulipa saxatilis lilac wonder;
daffodil;
and aquilegia.
elegant leaves stretch their fingers out from this Japanese maple.
Pulmonaria crops up everywhere,
attracting equally hirsute bees clutching petals as they suck the nectar.
Butterflies, like this Small White flitting from honesty to honesty, are also back,
as are poppies, one of which, like Peter Pan, has lost its shadow.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s choice Ferndene Farm Shop chilli pork sausage casserole, mashed potato, carrots and Brussels sprouts, followed by chocolate eclairs. The Cook drank Hoegaarden, whilst I consumed more of the madiran.
It looks to have been a bright sunny day. I especially like the red and white striped tulips and the pale daffodils. And I finally looked up Madiran to find out what it is. Apparently it’s a healthy and delicious choice!
Many thanks, Susan. I’m pleased about the photos and the wine. 🙂
Jackie can be a sly fox when comes to those owls, but I suppose her cooking makes it all worth while!! Have a great evening you two!
Many thanks, GP
I saw a lot of varieties of tulip, but your tulipa saxatilis lilac I never saw it, Derrick. It’s fabulous. I also liked very much your aquilegia. It is beautiful in 2 colors.
I forgot about the poppy and its shadow. I like the angle from which you captured the photo, Derrick
Thanks, Monica
😀
Many thanks, Monica
You’re very welcome, Derrick 😀
Beautiful images! Makes me want to get out into my garden!
Thanks, Lydia
I think wild poppies are by far the most beautiful flower
Thank you, Candice
It really is coming alive Derrick!!
Thanks, Val
That is a great shot of the Bumble at work Derrick. I am envious of Jackie’s ability to smuggle in such wonderfully big owls!!
Thanks, Pauline. Did you spot the little one on the log?
I didn’t but I have now 🙂
🙂
Butterflies hate me, probably because I refuse to chase after those prima donnas. I have found a few poppies around my new home, which was a pleasant surprise. But my poppies don’t look like your poppies. In fact, the flowers in your English garden look a little lazy, pampered, and spoiled. All the flowers in New Mexico work hard every day, so they’re not as pretty. 🙂
🙂 Thank you for such a full resonse, Johnna
Such glorious flowers in your garden!
Thank you, Merril
Spring has definitely sprung in Downton!
Yep! Thanks, Jenny. It must be coming to Surrey, too
Every time I see an ornamental owl I think of Jackie 🙂
Thanks, Mary
Oh it is all just so beautiful. Nothing like White Cliffs, hey! I missed commenting on an earlier post, but I wanted to send you commiserations about the show. It would have been nice to have a bigger attendance and of course to sell a couple of shots. Perhaps an open garden day, with photos available on the day might go over well later in Spring?
Thanks, Gwen. Strangely enough, a number of the Gallery visitors want to come and see the garden – and we’ll have lots of pictures! Good idea
Watch out for those Japanese maple fingers…
Thank you, Cynthia. I don’t know, they look as if they might caress quite nicely
The owl looks a bit tipsy with those wobbly eyes. Have you checked the liquor cabinet?
🙂 Thanks for that, Susanne
What a beautiful day to take garden photos. Oh my! I think the aquilegia is my new favorite flower, Derrick. I’ve never seen one before, but your photo is spectacular.
We love aquilegias. They are a very old plant. That one is a cultivated variety recently bought. I have never seen one like it before. Thanks, Jill
Wow! The extraordinary variety of plants surpasses my memories if your beautiful garden last year, Derrick! Tell Jackie any and all owls or birds are fine with me. 🙂
The one tulipa (and other large complicated additions) saxatilus lilac wonder, the poppy were so great while the Japanese maples leaves reaching skyward were stunning. 🙂
Many thanks, Robin. Some of the plants are new, and some hidden by undergrowth last year. Jackie will read your message
” I covered Elizabeth’s bed with compost.” That sounded very petty until I re-read it!
That’s on a par with Becky’s ‘seems a bit harsh to make your sister sleep in the garden’. Thanks, John
Lovely photos and flowers. I had no idea there were different versions of tulips.
Thanks, Lonely
Beautiful spring day in the garden I love tulips!
Thanks, Timi
The aquilegia is really stunning, and I love those pale daffodils. 🙂
Thanks, Sylvia
Great series. Our yard and garden are still in very early stages of winter recovery. purple crocuses bloomed, but the much else looks like someone is preparing an area for shooting a WWI movie .
Many thanks, Joseph
What a beautiful garden. Really impressive, is this something you’ve done for a while? We at Gastradamus love gardeners, we really do and we need people like you to review our stories. We are looking for everyone’s opinion, and are trying to branch out to the plant people, we love them. We love the earth, we love the great poets out there and we love this planet. Please when you have the chance, check out my blog at Gastradamus, we love the green people and the environmentalist.
” poppies, one of which, like Peter Pan, has lost its shadow. ” Such a lovely way you have with words, Derrick –
Many thanks, Jodie
What glorious pictures. I absolutely love your garden.
🙂 Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome. It’s such a delight to view. You must not only be proud but so happy to have access to it on a daily basis 🙂
Absolutely 🙂
Such amazing flowers Derrick!
Thanks, Lynn
The flowers are so different looking, gorgeous middles!
Thanks, Lynn
What a beautiful garden, Derrick! All these blooms, I envy you. 🙂 🙂
Many thanks, Amy. We are very lucky
My goodness, there it is in all its splendor. But there is more? It is fun to see that you often have the same flowers as we do in OR. Made for happy reading, Derrick.
Many thanks, Cynthia
Oh, and the lost shadow is fortunate, as well.
Yes, Cynthia. I had taken a picture earlier in the day, but abandoned it for this one
Good decision.
Lovely.
Thank you, Mostly