“What, now!? It’s only just summer,” I hear you cry. But yes, indeed, this is the ideal time to consider how you would like your garden to look next spring. All of the spring bulbs I planted in autumn have now bloomed, and I can see where they worked well, where I had gaps, and what I’d like to change… Read more →
Tag: spring
My Garden :: Video Tour
I’ve done a video tour of my back garden to share with you while we’re all stuck at home due to Covid 19. As you’ll see, my garden is far from perfect and in need of lots of tlc. The weather is set to be lovely tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to getting it in better shape in the sunshine.… Read more →
Embracing This False Spring
I am coming out of hibernation, like the frogs that have been hopping around my garden this week. False spring or not, my brain and body are convinced that it’s time to face the world again. This winter, I experienced the worst anxiety I have ever had to endure. So bad, in fact, that I resorted to drugs (the good… Read more →
The Garden Awakes :: A (Mostly) Walled Garden In Norwich
Today was a glorious day to be a professional gardener. I was working in the (mostly) walled garden of a stunning, mid-19th century terraced house in Norwich. The garden backs on to the original coach house, which is shaded by an unusual white mulberry tree. This back area is where I had my tea break this morning, and where I watched the frogs getting busy in the… Read more →
Floral Perfection :: How To Make An Auricula Theatre
As soon as I saw the little auricula theatre at Sissinghurst Castle Garden last month, I just knew I had to have one. Auricula flowers are exquisite perfection. Their patterned, multicoloured petals are dusted with powdery farina, and held high, on long, straight stalks. And they are sweetly scented, especially en masse. The leaves are a silvery green, smooth and surprisingly tough and fleshy. Auriculas were… Read more →
A Visit To Sissinghurst Castle Garden
This Easter, I finally visited Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, somewhere I’ve been longing to visit. All in all, the garden is wonderful, a pleasure to walk around, with beautifully planted borders, and lots of unusual, well-labelled plants to interest plant geeks like me. It’s broken up into a series of garden rooms, surrounding a stunning, turreted, Tudor tower. Closely-clipped yew hedges form long corridors that… Read more →
G is for Gladioli :: A to Z of Gardening
Every year, I like to try a new plant in my garden. It’s a good way to learn, and stops me feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of different shrubs and perennials that are out there! This year, I’ve chosen gladioli. Why Grow Gladioli? Some of you reading this might be thinking, “Ugh, no, not gladioli. My granny used to… Read more →
It Lives!!! (My Garden Has Woken Up)
Before the epic rain showers and hail that descended on us this afternoon, I managed a cup of coffee outside, and a pootle around the garden to take a few photos. There have been brief moments this week, when the sun was out, and the birds were busy and singing loudly, when it’s really felt like spring. We’re not quite there yet. When… Read more →
Who Am I Kidding?
Ever have one of those days where all your self-confidence seems to have been sucked out of you? You suddenly feel like a total fraud, and wonder how you ever managed to kid yourself that you were capable of doing anything worthwhile. These days are the bane of any person prone to depression or anxiety. On these days, the depression lies… Read more →
Beginning The Cut Back
I couldn’t hold myself back any longer today. With the sun pouring in through the windows near my desk, I had to put down my pen and pick up my secateurs. It was blissfully mild and bright in the garden, and the temperature was in double figures. It felt like time to claim back my garden after its winter break. At the start of the… Read more →