BACK TO THE GARDEN

At last time for the garden again. I have had a busy time and so not been able to garden or blog. Two weeks away from a computer doesn't help either. Now I am home there is so much to catch up with.

At least I returned home in time to enjoy the daffodils in flower.


The trough is doing really well despite the prolonged snow we had this winter.

Delphiniums are doing alright by the front wall, they were grown from seed last year and put in late summer and then some of them had a late flowering. I must have a good weed before they get too big.

One thing about whizzing around the garden with a camera you get to see all the many jobs waiting to be done,

The Bay trees survived the snow and the new rose Sophie's rose was planted in a cardboard box in the centre. This is a useful tip when planting roses in the same place as ones that have been previously growing. I find an A4 box the perfect size.

As ever the ground elder is fighting back and I really do need to try the poison on it this year I meant to last year but where does all the time go?

Despite my absence the tomato plants are busy growing, I was lucky to have Mike then Rebecca on watering duties.

I am back to growing Moneymaker this year again, but also Chelsea Mini and Tumbling Tom.

The Passion flower on the trellis by the back door was a casualty of the snow so I decided to plant a Clematis Montana Mayleen there instead. This was a present from Rebecca and although the space is a bit limited for a Montana it is about the only space in the garden that I could consider planting it.

The primroses, primula and cow slip are fun on the stand which came from Columbia Road Market.

The sinks need a face lift but at least there are some flowers coming. The bird is sitting in front of a disastrous attempt on a hypertufa face having been inspired by Frances of Fairegarden. My attempt leads much to be desired!

The spring garden is looking nice at this time of year, last years sorting out is producing the rewards this year.

I moved the crocus to the front edge of this border and must have another dig through to remove any more bits of ground elder before planting up. The Leucojum are looking particularly nice so I won't disturb them just yet. A good excuse to put that task off.

Some of the Hostas are showing, the primroses are looking nice and again I planted a few crocus around the edge of the pond.

The daffodils in the vegetable area are looking nice. I have had a busy couple of days digging out the old Lavender and replanting with small ones grown from cuttings a couple of years earlier. The grape Hyacinth look particularly nice along the edge but they can take over. I have added Thyme grown from seed last year but struggling a bit and cuttings of pinks which I had growing in shallow pans. They should do well facing the sun especially whilst the Lavender is so small.

Mike has been very busy with the vegetables and all is coming along well including the Raspberries.

I didn't get my corner seat and it may well go elsewhere but these two old school chairs make a nice perch from which to enjoy a different aspect of the garden.

The Delphiniums are doing fine but not much space for the spare plants I grew last year.

This was the bottom bed that has been renewed like the other two and a few Alchemilla Mollis plants have also been added hopefully they should do well if I remember to water them. I like things tumbling towards the path but don't always remember to plant far enough in, with such a narrow path there isn't space to encroach onto it. Years ago I edged it with Thyme and it was lovely but I had planted too near the edge. I had hoped to do something similar but the seeds I sowed last year didn't do as well as I had hoped.

Lots going on in the greenhouse, lettuces and even a couple of rose cuttings fingers crossed though because now is a difficult time when they start to shoot but may not yet have grown proper roots.

Mainly Nerines but a few other things.

A mixture of Lillies the orange ones always do well but my favourites are the Regale Lillies. I find they do better for me in pots as the ground is a bit clay, so wet and cold in the winter.

Sweet Peas and a few Tomato plants which would not fit in the porch. This is a cold greenhouse so there is a possibility that a cold night could damage them.

Pleonies are coming and the box cuttings are ready to pot on as the roots are coming out of the bottom of the pot. Box are probably the easiest things to grow from cuttings, hence all my box hedges.

Even my potting bench is looking cheerful.

The nursery area is rather full but I just deleted the other photo by mistake. When I dig ground elder out of a bed I pot on any plants I rescue, this allows me to see if any have any unwanted weeds in and when I plant up an area I usually have lots of things to choose from.

The Rhubarb is coming along and the daffodils are doing well.

The Primroses and Primulas are looking pretty.

One of the few Camelia flowers

The Hostas are growing but so are the weeds!

Wanda deserves a photo to herself.

Hardenbergia Violecea was a plant I bought some years ago but it often struggles the flowers are delightful, I wish I could take a cutting successfully.