Now that I've decided on gardening glasnost (see 'To Make A Gardener Anxious'), I can tell you all about one of my less resounding successes. (Plenty more of these to come). A large garden, with expanses of water, The Priory was just screaming out for Gunnera manicata - giant rhubarb. Growing two to three metres … Continue reading Gunnera manicata
English Country Garden
Let’s Build A Compost Bin!
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the compost bins at the Priory (see "Composting the Priory") and was inundated with one request for more information on how I built them. So, for what my carpentry skills might be worth, here we go. A couple of years ago, I picked up a copy of … Continue reading Let’s Build A Compost Bin!
The Chelsea Chop
There is only one plant that I always administer the Chelsea chop to. Come rain or shine, without fail, and that's sedums. Except this particular one which, come rain or shine, I didn't. Looks nice though, doesn't it? Beautiful, dark coloured flowers on a plant in my own garden (unchopped and overlooked due to all … Continue reading The Chelsea Chop
Priory Picture Post # 15
Mahonia isn't the prettiest shrub in the land. Indeed, when I've speared my fingers for the umpteenth time on it's dead leaves, I tend to be even more dismissive of it's charms.An easy and effective way to prettify it, is to do as I do and nick an idea from someone else.At Great Dixter they … Continue reading Priory Picture Post # 15
Summer’s Almost Over …
... and there is a nip in the air. The trees, for the most part, are still green and holding onto their leaves. Swallows and martins show off and delight overhead; they haven't started queuing up on power lines yet, anxious to be away. But you can sniff something in the air. And it's not … Continue reading Summer’s Almost Over …
A Security Breach
Have you ever gone into a garden centre and asked for advice on 'rabbit proof plants?' Well, don't bother because here's the answer: there is no such thing. Behind the counter at the garden centre where I worked, we kept a folder. In the folder were information sheets: plants for shade, plants for sun, … Continue reading A Security Breach
Priory Picture Post # 14
Tired, bedraggled, wet and past it's prime. But hey - that's enough about me. Here's Gaura lindheimeri.
The Anxious Gardener 