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Late yesterday afternoon, Jackie created a new bed alongside the Head Gardener’s Walk on a piece of barren ground around the bases of holly and bay trees.
She earned her period in the Gardener’s Rest where she slaked her thirst with sparkling water
Having been held in a snarl up on the M27 for over an hour, Elizabeth’s friends Pauline and Jo were forced to abandon their visit to the garden. I therefore stepped out on their behalf.
I wandered along the Gazebo Path,
glancing to the left across to the Dragon Bed and the new wooden arch.
These, of course, are dahlia days. A white break has appeared among the petals of the single red one, and a hoverfly homes in on Puerto Rico.
Fuchsias like Mrs Popple continue to thrive.
These potted pansies have bloomed continuously since early spring.
Polish Spirit is just one example of the clematises that continue flowering.
Sculpture Florence stands proud on Fiveways.
Japanese anemones proliferate.
While I was at it, I picked some runner beans for tonight’s dinner.
A number of gladioli are pleased to be alive;
as are numerous petunias gracing hanging baskets.
Bees, like these milking bright blue heliotrope and blushing sedum, toil away, taking advantage of our Indian summer.
Love Knot and Margaret Merrill are just two of the roses basking in
the Rose Garden, where Absolutely Fabulous and Lady Emma Hamilton, in their maturity, are plumply alluring.
As I came to the end of my tour, Jackie arrived home with a garden centre trophy in the form of an ailing hydrangea. We have often seen how these bargains respond to her nurturing.
Jo sent Elizabeth a text showing her mother bearing the flowers that had been meant for us.
The timing was perfect, because we were sitting in the patio while we ate their cake.
This evening the three of us dined on Jackie’s delicious sausage casserole; swede mash, crunchy carrots, and the tender aforementioned runner beans. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden while Elizabeth and I finished the Malbec.
Everything looks very nice, and I am glad you got to eat cake although without your friends. Traffic and tourist congestion is not pleasant here this weekend, so we are home resting and enjoying peace and quiet and food.
The only arch we were able to buy around here is metal, and I expect it’ll act as a lightning rod, so we still have no idea where to put it far enough from the house but not touching any plumbing or anything tricky–so it is still in the box, a month or few after we bought it for a site that is now inappropriate, once we remember about the lightning we get too often–
Thanks very much, Donnalee. I’m sorry about the arch problem. Especially as ours is a top tourist area, we tend to stay in at weekends
Well, I enjoyed that garden tour anyway, thank you Derrick <3
🙂 Many thanks, Pauline X
Elizabeth’s friends missed a treat… but then so did you… and you all got the other’s treats. The garden looks wonderful and there are some very alluring pictures – the fuchsia, the anemones and the beans and I loved the one of Jackie, happy with her rescue plant.
Very many thanks, Susan
It looks like a beautiful day in your beautiful garden. It’s a shame Elizabeth’s friends couldn’t make it due to traffic, but I’m glad the cake did not go to waste. 😉
Jackie looks very pleased with her purchase. I’m sure she will work her magic with the hydrangea.
She will, indeed, Merril. The friends will rearrange – hopefully it will still be blooming. Thanks very much
I love that little nook, so peaceful and your flowers are simply amazing. Hi Jackie, I think in a few days that hydrangea pot would be as lovely as your other plants.
Thanks very much, Arlene
I do hope the hydrangea will flourish, I will cut away the dying bits and repot it for now. My little nook is tucked away behind the greenhouse near the shed, so very convenient for the gardener to hide away! So glad you like the flowers.
I am sure with your caring hands, they will Jackie!
The garden looks fantastic, Derrick! What a wonderful photo of Jackie…she’s beaming!
Thanks very much, Jill. She is so pleased when she finds one of those that she knows she can revive. (The only problem now will be where to find space for it 🙂 )
Ahhhh Eden yet lives and thrives and my lovely friend Derrick and Jackie keep it alive! Thank you Lord for such wonderful stewards of Your Garden. Love, N 🙂 <3 xoxo
Very many thanks, Natalie X
My pleasure dear Derrick❣️😘🌹
A lovely tour, the simple pansy is one of my favourites!
Thanks very much, Andrew. Jackie will like that
I do like that, as I am so proud of it, it has weathered dry weather, and should have gone over months ago, I love this cheeky orange and purple chap, and have fed him and dead headed and watered with fungicide(for powdery mildew).
The result is a healthy planter that has never had it’s summer bedding put in. Result!
I am amazed how well the pansies have survived this year. They are fading now but I remain reluctant to dispose of them. The compost heap doesn’t seem to be fair reward for all of their effort!
Such beauty! I especially love the fuchsias, pansies, and Jackie’s smile! 🙂 She will nurse that plant to full health and splendor! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
OH…and yay for cake! 😀
So glad you like my surviving pansies, I am so proud of them.
You’re welcome!
I’ve always loved the little pansy faces!
Your garden is amazing and the photos bring me joy! Keep using your green thumbs and your loving heart with all of the plants in your care!
HUGS,
Carolyn 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn 🙂
Beautiful flowers.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Beautiful flowers, Derrick.
Thanks very much Rabirius
The Garden Queen sits and strolls among her subjects.
Many thanks, GP
Thank you for the tour Derrick! It really looks terrific right now 💛
Thanks very much, Val X
Jackie is an exceptional gardener. What lovely flowers.
Very many thanks, Sherry
We have a number of hydrangeas that we’re priced low and needed TLC which my wife provided. Now they are champions, at least in our eyes. 👍
That’s good, Steve. Thanks a lot
Such happy flowers!
Thank you very much, Cathi
I may be in the minority here, as I realise flowers and friends are quite popular, but what a stroke of luck you ended up with extra cake! 🙂
🙂 Thanks for that, Quercus
I enjoyed ambling through your remarkable garden with you! Cheers to Jackie and her sparkling water and new potted project. 🥂
Very many thanks, Rose
Can’t believe we missed the cake because of the traffic. Your garden looks amazing and can’t wait to finally see it.
Hi, Pauline and Jo. We’ll get cake in next time. 🙂 Thanks very much for commenting.
Looking forward to it.
Your beautiful garden is so colourful and the plants look so healthy! I know how much work it entails keeping it looking wonderful; ours is looking very dull in comparison!
Thanks very much, Clare. Retirement makes it all possible