The other day, I was enjoying a mug of Earl Grey in the greenhouse, doing a spot of watering and listening to some tip-top pop tunes on my headphones. Singing away to myself I didn't hear that I had company. It was only some movement, caught out of the corner of my eye, that made … Continue reading Margaret’s Cows
English Country Garden
The Beech Hedging
Much of the west lawn is surrounded by an old, high beech hedge. Whoever planted it should really have planted hornbeam* as, like beech, a clipped hornbeam hedge holds its leaves over winter (this is called marcescense, which is a fine word by any standard) - though the dead leaves are muddier in colour than … Continue reading The Beech Hedging
The Shape
On one of the Priory outbuildings is an ivy. May 2011 I've been thinking about shaping it into something. But I'm not sure what. A hand, a heart, a butterfly? A leaping, snarling Bengal Tiger? I'd hoped that as it grew it would become obvious what it ought to be. For awhile, last year … Continue reading The Shape
Greenhouse Update
I don't grow a great deal of veg at the Priory (given the size of the place) and I don't post much about it either. Courgette plants with sweetcorn behind There are so many really good veg blogs out there such as Karen's and Trevor's - that I tend to leave to them, and others, … Continue reading Greenhouse Update
Help Needed. Apply Within.
A couple of years ago, I visited the garden at Clinton Lodge. Clinton Lodge It is a beautiful garden and if you are able, I would recommend that you pay it a visit, Clinton Lodge especially as there is also a brilliant pub, The Griffin, in the same village. (I ought to be on commission). … Continue reading Help Needed. Apply Within.
Priory Picture Post # 10
The only marigold that I grow. Because she's worth it.
The Mixed Hedging
Snaking up from the house to the road, the Priory drive is about three hundred yards long and for much of that distance is bordered by a beautiful, old, mixed hedge. The predominant species is hawthorn but with a mix of various other species including ash and blackthorn, dog rose, field maple, oak and hazel. … Continue reading The Mixed Hedging
The Anxious Gardener 