Why do holidays speed past ... so ... darn ... fast? Is it a plot? Evil magic? A little time spent strolling about Bath, Stroud, Gloucester and Nailsworth and most of the week was gone. Three days gallivanting through the Forest of Dean and along the Wye Valley and it had been gobbled up altogether. … Continue reading Retired to the Greenhouse
Trees
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 …
"I’m So Excited ….
and I just can't hide it, I'm about to lose control and I think I like it" So now I know what the Pointer Sisters were so excited about. Like me, they'd obviously realised that their Crambe cordifolia was about to flower for the first time. I planted mine out last year, hoping against … Continue reading "I’m So Excited ….
It Blooms and It Blooms
Years ago, my partner Jim (his real name) and I went to Northumberland and stayed in a very, very remote cottage for a week. We took with us our young weimaraner, Hobbes. She was in doggy heaven; tremendously long walks over the hills, snoozes by the aga and haring around the large garden flushing out … Continue reading It Blooms and It Blooms
Blooming Priory 2
At this time of year the light is a hindrance. Whilst trying to work, I'm constantly having to stop and admire a particular plant, Osmanthus x burkwoodii. Fantastic shrub, tough as old boots and superb strong scent combination of plants, Queen of Night tulips with cherry and pear blossom or a certain scene. How can … Continue reading Blooming Priory 2
Suckerin’ Succotash
I spent yesterday taking the suckers off of alders and willow. It's a job that takes up a great deal of time, but I finally tackled the last of this sucker-fest over in the north-east corner of the garden. It's an area of the grounds that is relatively untouched. The flower meadow ends here where … Continue reading Suckerin’ Succotash
Oak Killer
Despite banging on about how much I love oaks, I plan to kill one. The Priory oaks add real structure, permanence and sheer weight to the beauty of the estate. (Rather like shrubs can do in an herbaceous border, I suppose). As well as oaks, we have other big trees here: enormous ash trees (including … Continue reading Oak Killer
The Anxious Gardener 