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Struggles with erratic internet connection means that this post has taken some considerable time today. But let’s not go into that. Suffice it to say that I didn’t lose my cool and kept going off to do something else, sometimes involving a little garden clearance.
No way, however, can I match Aaron who today dug out and removed a mature ficus, pruned and reshaped the winter flowering cherry, cut the grass, laid some stepping stone paths, and
nailed beams across old tree stumps to support rambling roses. He had already built the fence behind him some time ago.
Here is this morning’s view from the patio along the Dead End Path; the fresh bud low down to the left of the picture
is on the same bush as this rich peach one.
A large poppy will soon bloom behind the stone frog in this scene.
Purple campanulas in the triangular bed outside the wisteria arbour link the startling red Sweet Williams and the two clematises above.
Here is one of those.
Others can be found on one of the arches spanning the Brick Path,
in the New Bed, and in many other locations.
Penstemons and foxgloves also compare hues in the Palm Bed.
Flamboyant Gertrude Jekyll parades in the Rose Garden,
and this pale pink patio rose thrives in the Kitchen Bed alongside the Brick Path.
Jackie continues to make excellent progress with planting up tubs, urns, and hanging baskets such as
this stone urn filled with cosmos, geraniums and petunias flanked by filigreed ferns in the bed beneath;
cosmos and calibrachoas in a terra cotta pot;
calibrachoas and diascias in a hanging basket;
petunias and geraniums in a faux terra cotta container;
petunias and marigolds in the leaden hat;
diascias and petunias in the iron urn;
and marigolds and black eyed Susans perched on a Victorian chimney pot. The black eyed Susans should, in time, climb to the top of their obelisk.
Aaron’s truck contains the tools of his trade and garden refuse he takes away when he has created it. This shot was taken before he loaded up the ficus root and branches.
Country roads often contain road kill, or small animals and birds that have been struck by motor vehicles. Our friend is building up his own collection of little creatures.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s excellent lamb korai, peas and rice, and sag ponir. We both drank Kingfisher.
Your photos have given me a brilliant idea! I’m going to print large pictures of your lovely gardens and glue them to the front of the house where my flower beds should be blooming! So much simper than doing all the work! lol
Great idea, Elizabeth
I should try this, too!!
You really should! I think it would save us a lot of time and work and we’d have gorgeous (albeit paper) gardens!
Thank you both
🙂
Lovely photos! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot, Contessa
I thought the badger peering out of the bumper was very funny. Julia, on the other hand, thinks it is sad. 🙂
Lol- equal parts funny and sad for me. It makes me like Aaron – gotta love a sense of humor, but I have hit a couple small animals over the years and have felt terrible every time.
Yes, I know what you mean. I don’t like hitting animals.
They get their own back sometimes – a woodpigeon once flew into me while I was travelling at high speed and ripped my wing mirror off. Sadly, it didn’t survive to what it had done.
Agreed, Quercus
As an aside – I was at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens yesterdays and saw “Quercus” all over the place. I thought of you but still don’e know why. Looked it up – is it the name of an oak?
Yes – generic (Latin). Don’t know if you follow Quercus Community, but I recommend him. I know his name, but we both prefer Quercus. Quirky, innit?
Fully understood, Jodie. I did hesitate before doing this, but I thought the badger would save the day.
Ambivalent, I think. Many thanks, Quercus
Yes, ambivalent is the word.
Derrick, the badger DID save the day. Stuffed animals and a sense of humor – how is that not a winning combo? And with such a recommendation, I will follow Quercus. I am a fan of quirky.
OK then. Notwithstanding the roadkill, this is a delightful post. Every photo makes me smile. What a great shape the garden is in!
Very many thanks, Cynthia
All that industry has inspired me … to take a rest. Exhausting just to read about!
Many thanks, Leslie
I like Aaron’s sense of humour and his toys may scare away real potential road kill victims …… I’m glad you mentioned the Victorian chimney pot as I was looking at the photo of your garden that hangs in my art room yesterday, featuring that very subject (or the other one, as I know you have two) and wondering what Jackie had planted in them now. I suspect ‘my’ view of your garden is very different this year.
Thanks a lot, Pauline.’Your’ pot hasn’t been planted up yet. The one featured here can be seen in the Dead End Path photo. Actually, there are three. I’ll feature the other two when they are done. Aaron is a remarkable man.
Especially beautiful photos this post, Derrick. I was so involved in the garden that halfway through I forgot about the unusual title & what it could possibly mean. LOL – Funny resolution to that mystery.
Many thanks, Jodie. I’m glad you liked it.
At the risk of self-promotion… your picture reminded me of my 157th story!
https://weaveaweb.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/157-toad-goes-for-a-drive/
Sorry you had computer difficulties, Derrick. Thank you for going the extra mile for us. The photos are magnificent! Are the Penstemons the flowers that look like bells? They’re beautiful!
Yes, they are, Jill. Connection comes and goes – a bit frustrating, but I now know it will settle down eventually.
I really like the leaden hat, it is especially nice looking. The flowers are looking beautiful Derrick. 🙂
Many thanks, Terry
Thank you for the wonderful views of your garden and the beautiful flowers. The baskets are charming. It would be good to see those long shots from the same spot in different seasons, arranged together 🙂
Very many thanks, Mary. I’ll see what I can do
The garden is lovely, and Aaron has done a lot of work! I like the “hat” plant container. Nice idea!
Many thanks, Lavinia
At the risk of sounding like our language-challenged president, let me say that your garden is AMAZING! Absolutely UNBELIEVABLE! This is how late spring looks in a well-tended English garden.
Very very many thanks, Nicki
Many thanks, Mary
That Aaron is worth more, increase his wage to half a crown a week!
If I didn’t do it periodically, he never would. As you can see, he is invaluable. Incidentally he has picked up at least one new customer from this blog.
Then you should receive a commission from him!
🙂
Derrick, your garden is glorious! and while all of the images are beautiful, the peach rose is just incredible.
Very many thanks, Laurie – especially from such a good photographer.
I love the badger, which looks as though it has escaped damage and is merely hitching a ride. The other poor animal, however, is doomed and unrecognizable. Your garden is beautiful.
Many thanks, Lisa. I could have labelled this one ‘Animal Refuge’.:)
Hope the Internet problems are all sorted out, Derrick. Beautiful photos of your beautiful garden.
Many thanks, Merril. Connection comes and goes. I have to be philosophical or I’d be screaming at someone in India (again) 🙂
Connection comes and goes sounds very philosophical. 🙂
The road kills are a fascinating twist to the story. Suddenly, Aaron has turned into an interesting gent.
Many thanks, Uma. You are right. Aaron is a remarkable man. In fact it was his idea that his ‘road kill’ should be photographed for the blog.
That peach coloured rose is a really nice one.
Thanks a lot, John
I simply love your garden. Kudos to Jackie and you for having taken so much trouble in making it so beautiful and for your lovely sharing of its beauty which I am sure helps so many of us out there in relishing this beauty and helping us build a greater sense of inner peace 🙂
Such a happy garden – it oozes contentment.
Aaron must have a great sense of humour, as well as a lot of talent!
Thank you for sharing the glories of your garden at this time of year Derrick 💛
Very many thanks, Val. Aaron is a remarkable man. He also does things like taking our logs to an elderly woman who has no other form of heating.
Alas, we have plenty of roadkill in Maine. On a happier note, your gardens are magnificent, and that Aaron is a gem.
Many thanks, Laurie. He is, indeed.
What a splendid workman Aaron is…………Jackie too, for that matter. 🙂 Gorgeous roses.
Many thanks, Sylvia. True on both counts.
Beautiful Derrick…
Many thanks, Julie
I envy your lovely garden…
Dazzling photographs! A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing…Especially excellent photographs this post, Derrick…
Many thanks, Sariska
In my hometown there was this small Presbyterian Chapel where each Sunday we used to go for Sunday School. It had a similar look to its beautifully overgrown garden. With all its sweet smelling roses and Petunias and Marigolds. Your post makes those memories come back.
That is pleasing. Many thanks, Alexius.
What a gorgeous peach rose!
Many thanks, Lynn
The flowering hat is a favorite and the picture with the stuffed toy creatures made me laugh. Jackie sure has a fine, imaginative eye for what looks/ grows so well together! A pleasure to read and view.
Very many thanks, Cynthia
The roses 😍. My favourite.
Many thanks, Persia