CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED.
Today I divided my time between wandering idly around the garden hunting down piles of weeds and clippings deposited by the Head Gardener; transferring four barrowloads of compost from the south end of the garden to the ficus hole in the Dragon Bed; and, of course, making photographs. Jackie continued with her weeding, clearing, and planting.
This view from the iron urn features two paths and the yellow bottle brush plant now coming into bloom. The chimney pot on the grass patch is still to receive its portion of the contents of the plant trays to be found in abundance.
These begonias are among those still to be given a tenancy.
This splendid rhododendron flanks the Phantom Path,
and has a happy relationship with a geranium palmatum,
one of many to be found all over the garden.
Rodgersias lurch across the older section of the Brick Path,
at the south end of which can be seen the clematises and gladioli in the window boxes and the weigela on the fence beyond.
The join with the newer section of that path can be seen in the opening between two foxgloves in the New Bed.
This garden view extends from a corner of the Rose Garden featuring pink aquilegias; the rose Summer Time at the corner of the painted shed; and, halfway up on the left-hand edge,
Ballerina, who trips merrily across her stage.
The orange theme of black-eyed Susan and marigolds atop this chimney pot was determined by the finial of this obelisk. Susan should soon wrap herself around it.
This geranium sheds a tear or two.
Now that the wisteria has finished flowering, its companion red rose has taken over floral duties;
and the white rambler has now joined clematis Star of India on the arch spanning the Brick Path at the corner of the Phantom Path.
Even before we reach the Rose Garden the scent of the prolific Festive Jewel drifts into our nostrils.
Peach Abundance,
sharing this shot of the Oval Bed with a large red sky-climber and vibrant valerian, does have a delicate scent completely snuffed out by the more powerful fragrance.
Day lilies, on the other side of the bed, are now enjoying their twenty four hours of glory.
Two clematises offering their first bloom are Hagley’s Hybrid in the Rose Garden,
and Piilu against the redundant garage door.
Félicité Perpétue along the back drive has also produced its first flower;
rather further on is the one in the front garden,
which also has an abundance of foxgloves.
Bees are now somewhat busy. Here is one exploring the larger erigerons;
another sampling the aforementioned bottle brush plant;
and finally one defying gravity while sipping from a swaying heuchera.
For our dinner this evening we supplemented Mr Pink’s exceedingly good Fish and Chips with Tesco’s gherkins and Garner’s pickled onions. We both drank Cimarosa Special Edition sauvignon blanc 2015.
It’s amazing how your garden is bursting with blooms in such a short time. We don’t have dramatic changes like that because we’re green all year round.
That’s one of the beauties of our climate, Mary. Many thanks.
I can smell those roses from here. 🙂
That’s good. 🙂 Thanks a lot, Widders
Wow! These are amazing shots, Derrick. Forgive me, but I can’t pick a favorite because I love them all. Cheers!
That’s what I like to hear, Jill. Many thanks.
Gorgeous garden!
Thanks a lot, Lynn
I love rose season, and in your garden it must be a feast for the eyes and nose!
It is indeed, Lisa. Jackie has been studying the ‘Before and after’ albums – hardly believable. Thanks very much. Lisa.
“Peace Abundance”: the perfect response to repeat after viewing your post.
Many thanks, Cynthia
Pathways, in my view, really set off a garden. The grey rectangular bricks are very inviting. Oh, for a stroll in your garden!
Very many thanks, Diane. I hope to provide a virtual stroll
It is especially green, colourful, abundant and inviting right now Derrick – the different aromas must add to the delight – we need a smell app for such posts! Or a ‘Beam me up Scottie’ thingy to just pop in and browse about……
Wouldn’t that be great, Pauline. Many thanks
Can’t believe you have so many blooms in May. Are growing season is just starting. Beautiful!
I mean ‘our’.
Many thanks, Mama. Everything is pretty early this year
I have never inhaled the scent of some of those flowers. So my eyes let my heart take over.
I wish we could send it across the net. Many thanks, Uma
One of these days science will make it happen.
Refreshing sir.
Thanks a lot Alexius
Another amazing year on display in your garden!! So beautiful…
Many thanks, Gary
Beautiful garden! Your descriptions of the flowers is so vivid that I could almost smell them.
Thanks very much, Byung
My pleasure, Derrick.
You’ve certainly got a lot of very beautiful flowers there, Derrick.
Many thanks, John
I have terrible luck with begonias. Hope you can do better.
Thanks, Peggy. They work well in the Head Gardener’s hands 🙂
I feel like I’ve been through the garden with you, Derrick. Wow–what an experience!
I would love to top it off with those “exceedingly good Fish and Chips.” 🙂
That would be good, Merril. Thank you very much
Flowers, beautiful pictures, fish and chips. Who could ask for anything more?
Very many thanks, Laurie
Lovely! I can smell the roses all the way here. Thanks for inviting us in to enjoy.
Very many thanks, Cheryl.
Your pictures have me really eager to get back to work on my flower beds. I’ve taken over an hour off but I’m inspired again!
Excellent. Many thanks, Elizabeth.
I always enjoy my forays into your world of beauty and the regular of London that of which I’m sure I’ll never see live and in person. Kudos for more fine posts Derrick, always so thought and eye inducing 🙂
Thanks very much, KIm
Love the picture of the view from the iron urn featuring two paths… I always think a path should look like it leads to some exciting and secret magical place! And so many of your paths do.
Very many thanks, Bruce
I’m looking forward to seeing the changes, especially with the chimney and the black-eyed Susans
Many thanks, Pleasant
This is a wonderful series of images. The gardener and the photographer can be equally proud of their achievements.
Very many thanks, Susan
Beautifully described on the flowers and as usual great captures.
Many thanks, Sumith
A delightful garden, Derrick. Beautiful indeed.
Many thanks, Persia
Thank you for another trip though the gardens, Derrick and Jackie!
Thanks very much, Lavinia
I have just discovered your beautiful garden. Perhaps a silly question: is it behind the old shop where you live? Plot size? So beautiful.
Thank you very much, Irene. Yes, the garden is behind the shop – 1/3 of an acre.