Jackie spent this, the hottest afternoon of the week, continuing her work of tidying and planting the garden,
I spent some time collecting up debris for the compost bin and sweeping paths like those named Brick
and Gazebo.
The strong sweet scent of the swinging wisteria penetrates
the closed stable door during the evenings.
A pair of Orange Tip butterflies seeming to savour honesty flittered about.
The clematis Montana Mayteen planted to mount the
now limbless cypress overlooking the Dragon Bed.
The light magenta blooms of Magnolia Vulcan beside the tree have benefited from the light revealed by the amputations;
while this red climbing rose we inherited, no longer having the arboreal arms to reach for, may follow the Head Gardener’s directions.
The velvet petals of these deep mauve tulips Queen of the Night
were intended by Mrs Knight to blend with the potted varieties planted in the Rose Garden at the same time.
Unfortunately the recent winds stripped the earlier blooms until, almost overnight the late risers yawned, stretched, and opened their eyes a couple of days ago.
These red wallflowers complement various locations;
similarly hued rhododendrons,
like these in the Palm Bed, are beginning to burgeon –
bench, box, and bluebells indulge me by continuing the alliteration.
This evening, as we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks on the patio, we witnessed an avian courtship.
On the far side of the garden a wood pigeon who didn’t fancy his chances, turned his back on the proceedings on the eaves where
another, attempting to look suave, winked
at his prospective mate – for life – prostrated himself
and gradually nudged towards her. She feigned enough interest for him to repeat the movement until he became close enough for her to fly off teasingly. Naturally he played his part and followed in pursuit.
We dined on tender roast lamb; crisp roast potatoes and Yorkshire; crunchy carrots; tangy red cabbage; and meaty gravy, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Mezquiriz.
Your flowers and home are really beautiful Derrick! The dinner sounds wonderful. Be safe and well!
You, too, John. Thanks very much
What lovely photos. Stay safe.
Thank you very much, Alex. You too.
Those Queen of the Night tulips are wonderful! And I loved your telling of the “avian courtship.” it’s amazing what we witness when we take the time to watch.
My cockatiels are at it as we speak…
Five minutes more and they will be snapping at each other… Married life personified in a cage! 🙈😀
🙂
Ha! – That’s awesome!
Exactly my thoughts too Jodie <3
<3
It is amazing. Thank you very much, Jodie.
<3
The entry and walkway are beautiful. Very serene.
Thank you very much, Drew
Sounds like my idea of a perfect day Derrick. 👌
Thanks very much, Kavitha
Despite the wind’s best efforts the garden looks lovely. And the sky is wonderfully blue too. Well done nature!!
Thanks very much, Pauline
Love the avian courtship photos, Derrick. The deep purple tulips are stunning. 😍
Thank you very much, Sylvia
Your garden is ablaze with colour. My compliments to the Head Gardener and her trusty sidekick.
Thank you very much, Sheree.
You’ve really had a good stretch of nice weather. We’ve had a lot of Mourning dove courting in our yard. Great photos, Derrick!
Very many thanks, Jill
I am once again envious of the garden and I really do love those deep mauve tulips.
Thank you very much, Sue.
The flowers are stunning. Many weeks ahead of us.
Thank you very much, Gary.
A beautiful sunny day, colorful flowers and courting wood pigeons followed by a good dinner! We have yet to see any color on our rhododendrons. Your plantings are far ahead of ours.
We are fortunate, Lavinia. Thank you very much.
What a pretty day for you. You captured it all. The courtship prostration is adorable. So was your meal. A tip of the hat to the Culinary Queen. 🙂
Very many thanks, Cindy 🙂
It sounds an idyllic day, and the first I’ve heard you mention drinks on the patio this spring? Jackie’s beautiful garden has sprung forth the wordsmith in you.
Thanks very much, Gwen. I don’t think I have mentioned it, but we have done it a couple of times before – still a bit cold though.
We’re having some delightful balcony days. Breakfast and lunch out there most of them. In fact in summer I find the prevailing winds too strong for my liking.
I enjoyed the nice clean bricks. They give a garden an air of class.
You’re so right!
You have things abloom that we do not, yet! Love the butterflies and the pigeons’ courtship. 🙂
Thanks very much, Cynthia
It almost looks like summer in a few pictures. Regardless of season, it’s lovely.
Thanks very much, Lisa.
And where are your little robin friends? It’s been so long I’ve forgotten his name.
Nugget has been very skittish and has been seen with another robin lately so romance and nesting and hopefully eggs have been happening. He has recently spent time by me as I have turned the soil or moved a pot to reveal lots of lovely insects, but I have not ever had my camera to hand. I must be better prepared next time I go digging.
Hi Jackie..Glad for the update and can’t believe I forgot Nugget’s name. I’m capable of momentary lapses where I forget my own friends’ names lately, so no reflection on Nugget.
🙂
I can imagine a whole line of little Nuggets hopping along after you!
🙂
Jackie’s answered this one, Judy. Thanks very much.
Thanks, Derrick. Were you out planting plants while Jackie was in tending to your nugget advisory duties?
I just tidy up 🙂
I’ve never seen an orange tipped butterfly until now! Your garden is so enchanting – no wonder the birds find romance there!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Alliteration bloom like flowers and tingle all over the chronicle. The Queen of the Night stole my heart. The courting scene seems to have unfolded complete with an Iago.
The Iago touch was brilliant, Uma. Well done and thank you so much.
Drinks on the patio! Even the Coronavirus can’t spoil this great pleasure. Not quite warm enough for me and Clif to be on our patio, but soon.
Cheers, Laurie.
Chin, chin!
Lovely blog today, one that brings joy to the soul. Sending love to you both. Gay x
Thank you very much, Gay. I trust you are all OK Love from us both. XX
Hello Derrick
thank you for this beautiful walk in a very English garden and maintained wonderfully
A particular attraction for tulips at home and the Queen of the night and its superb color so special. I appreciate that they live with white tulips (my favorites), the mixture is very subtle and beautiful.
Thank you very much, indeed, Yoshimi
Your garden is beautifully tidy… a job well done Derrick..
Thanks very much, Ivor.
Your story of the pigeon love you witnessed, and photographed, makes me smile! 🙂
What a great job of gathering and sweeping, Derrick! It looks lovely! 🙂
Oh, seeing the butterflies and bees and other insects enjoying the flowers is a welcome sight! 🙂 They are all a’buzz here on the flowers and plants!
(((HUGS))) to both of you! 🙂
Thank you very much, as always, Carolyn X
Your garden still looks lush. Warm regards to Jackie.
Thank you very much from us both, Arlene
I do like most birds but I really dislike those pesky pigeons. The make a mess and a lot of noise and have got their eyes on my emerging pea plants!
And they lumber about like barrage balloons 🙂 Thanks very much, Andrew.
Nice post, gardens looking great (due to you two hard at work) and cute ending to your blog!
Thanks very much, Gary. I do hope you are improving.
Lovely post, Derrick. The first photo is beautiful, and like a metaphor–the path to the story in the enchanted cottage or some such. 😀 I liked the late risers yawning and stretching, and of course the avian courtship. I saw what I thought might be an avian courtship or war of rivals the other day.
Very many thanks, Merril
You know I love your garden as a whole, but I do find those Queen of the Night tulips are very impressive!
I live in a one bedroom condo but……
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/corona-virus-being-tped-adds-to-home-value-e1587121577652.jpg
Thanks a lot, GP
All so gorgeous! I enjoy watching bird-love. This morning we watched a full-feathered male wild turkey pursue a female turkey. They stopped their flirting to peck atthe bird seed underneath our feeder. 🙂
They have their priorities right, Pamela 🙂 Thanks very much.
Ah, such fun to see the birds at {{{play}}} – but even more fun to read your clever descriptions! Your photos are gorgeous, Derrick, and your garden gets prettier every day. I can almost smell the “strong sweet scent of the swinging wisteria.” Wonderful!! Thank you.
Thank you very much, Jan. Perhaps I will reconsider the writer identity.
I always envy your garden. It’s so beautiful.
Thank you very much, Rabirius
Oh, how fun to follow the birds’ courtship! And, your garden looks beautiful! I love the shot of the brick walk toward the house. Although it’s a thug here (and I’m still trying to remove mine fully), I envy those with enough room for a wisteria. Maybe in my next garden…
Maybe 🙂 Thanks very much, Anna
It is amusing watching the courting pigeons.
Anyway, I am going to try to remember ‘Queen if the Night’ – a beautiful tulip, which would suit the colour scheme in the front garden very well.
I hope you find some. Thanks very much, Helen.
I will look out for them later in the year.
I love the avian courtship photos! *smiling*
🙂 Thank you very much, Liz
They’re too cute 🐦
Wonderful flowers as usual! 🌸🌸
Thank you very much, Ribana
Spring is always Spring for the beasties and the flowers. 🙂
Yep. Thanks very much, Widders
A beautiful relaxing tour through your garden is very welcome in these trying times Derrick, cheers.
Cheers, Ian
‘Naturally, he played his part. ..’. Typical male 😂 and you described it perfectly.
Thanks very much, Steve.
Orange tips must be doing well this year – I haven’t seen one for decades, but the hedgerows here are filled with them this April.
I don’t think I’ve seen them before, either, Tiny. Thank you very much.
Spring surely is in the air.
Indeed. Thank you very much, Lindsey.