Back in April, I told you about the new tropical or hot border I was developing (see 'Planning for the Tropical Border'). And I promised to let you know how it turned out; unless, of course, it was a humiliating disaster in which case I most certainly would not. Well, actually it hasn't been too … Continue reading The Tropical Border Revisited
English Country Garden
Greenhouse Maintenance
Over the past couple of weeks, I've been readying the greenhouse for winter. It is two and a half years old and in need of a damn good clean. Out with all the cucumber and tomato plants. They hadn't quite finished but I needed to crack on. The former produced a good crop this year … Continue reading Greenhouse Maintenance
Priory Picture Post # 22
The Priory boat (HMS Despondent) quietly mouldering on the East Pond.
September Return
September is a favourite month; in fact I'd rank it in my top twelve. The light is sharp and low and the gardens look pretty good with much still in flower. But there is a chill in the air that promises change. It will soon be time for regular bonfires and leaf raking; time for … Continue reading September Return
A Priory Pause
I'm about to toss my blogging beret (with ostrich feather) to one side; take off my blogging smoking-jacket (burgundy with faux-ermine trim), lay down my blogging cigarette-holder (fake ivory with diamante inlay) and flick-out my blogging monocle. Yep. Time for a break from the blogging treadmill. At least for a while. But before I go, … Continue reading A Priory Pause
Cows In The Asparagus
As I parked my car this morning, I saw a black and white figure lurking beneath the hornbeams and obviously up to no good. But what on Earth .... ? Ah. I see. Great. Super. As they had long-planned, Margaret's cows had broken into the garden. A frantic phone call to Margaret, "Help!" and a … Continue reading Cows In The Asparagus
Wild Places, Wild Flowers – Summer
The most noticeable scent in the Priory gardens at the moment is not the roses; neither is it lilies; nor the strong wafts from summer flowering honeysuckle. No - the pervasive nose-tease is this: Measdowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).* Because I'm leaving more and more of the garden margins unstrimmed, the number of wild flowers is increasing … Continue reading Wild Places, Wild Flowers – Summer
The Anxious Gardener 