... hasn't flowered in my five years as gardener. Well, not properly. It does give a stutter of blue throughout the summer but the big spring show just hasn't happened; the flower buds have always been killed by the late, sharp frosts we have down in the valley. It is an impressive plant and big; … Continue reading The Priory Wisteria …
Gardening
The New Greenhouse
In the south-eastern corner of the Priory grounds, something's been going on. Slowly, during the past few weeks, we've been growing a new cedarwood greenhouse. Buying a greenhouse during the December sales secured us a 20% discount. But buying a greenhouse during the December sales meant having to build the thing during the balmy months … Continue reading The New Greenhouse
December …
has been either rain-sodden or bitterly cold down at the Priory. I much prefer the latter. The west pond has been frozen but Solo ... ... no longer ventures out onto it. A couple of years ago (when this photo was taken) she ran across the ice (chasing a snowball), broke through and had to … Continue reading December …
Cutting the Flower Meadow
Have you noticed how ubiquitous 'Wild Flower Meadows' have become? Whether it is a small garden bed, raked over and sown with a wild flower seed mix, or an acre or more of unimproved grassland, summer meadows shimmering with native flowers and buzzing with insects are now widespread; de rigueur even. And quite right too. … Continue reading Cutting the Flower Meadow
Autumn Snapshots
Here's a few photos taken over the past week or two. A forbidding portal to another, darker place? Nah, just the Priory Drive descending through the wood ... ... and down into a valley of mist and frost. Overlooking neighbouring fields. The tulip tree (right) and beech hedging on the autumnal turn. The tulip tree … Continue reading Autumn Snapshots
The Tropical Border Revisited
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
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
The Anxious Gardener 