Mr Higgledy Garden proposed...

Centaurea 'Blue Ball'

Calendula

Larkspur

Centaurea 'Classic Romantic'

Nope. Not a clue what this is...

Centaurea - unknown variety

and I accepted...

If I am being completely honest
I caught him at a weak moment
when he was so terrified about talking
in front of the dovegreyreader audience
that he sold me twelve packets of seeds
at an outrageously cheap price.
It is a brutal lesson
not to drink gin in public.

Now I just need a walled garden...

Notes from the Lady Gardener

Lady in the Garden

Emile Claus (1849 - 1924)

How lovely to see everyone again after my holiday. I hope that you are all refreshed and ready for some hard work. I would like to congratulate the Agapanthus alba who has achieved spectacular results while we have been away, reaching a record breaking six feet. In view of this there will be no mention of the fact that you are blue rather than white. Congratulations also to the Hosta who has maintained a pristine appearance for the second year running. The prize for hard work goes to the Iceberg rose which is flowering abundantly for the second time. I am sorry that the Fuschias feel so neglected but you must shape up or ship out - there is no mollycoddling in this garden. I am afraid that the Geraniums have had a very poor attitude this year and must expect immediate remedial treament. Also in the disappointing category, the Pelargonium who was doing so well before I went away but who appears to have been slacking, there is no excuse whatsoever for that sort of attitude. On a more positive note, I am glad to see that the Scabious which had extensive surgery in June has now recovered and can leave the sick bay in the next week. I thought you might like to know that I met Mr Higgledy Gardener while I was away and he has given me some tiny packs of seeds for the nursery so you can expect new chums next year. And finally, to the slugs who ate my blue lupins I say only this 'There is no place that you can hide. I will hunt you down. Expect no mercy'.

Notes from the Lady Gardener

Welcome to the new Gardening Year!
I hope you are all going to try your hardest
and, with our support, flourish and make us proud.

Firstly, a round up of news for this week:
Well done to the Tree Paeonies
who have put on a splendid display in the last week.
A little bit disappointed with you, White Iris...
I think that you might not have been entirely frank
when you joined - we were expecting tall not small
so you will have to be moved where we can see you.
I am sorry about the cold temperatures
which are out of our control
but I hope you are all enjoying the mulch
which should keep you nice and cosy.

Right-oh, now let's look forward to next week:
We will shortly be joined by a lot of little Box plants,
I hope that you will make them feel welcome.
They are slow but work well as a team.
We are keeping our eye out for the roses
who have been a little bit shy this year.
And finally, the Paeony team - don't let us down!
I am going to be quite clear - I want garnet red flowers.
Any half hearted magenta rubbish from Karl Rosenfield
and you will be out of your place in the sun
and off to the end of the border.
Do I make myself clear?

A word of warning...
I want you all to be on the look out
for Bindweed and Ground Elder -
they are bad influences and we must be Vigilant.

And now for some exciting news from Estates!
The Wendy House has been removed
and consultations are underway to agree a replacement.
I am delighted to report that funding has been agreed
and the decisions are now at committee stage.

And finally can I remind you of our garden motto
"Videamus coalescit"
Remember it at all times.

You are dismissed.

Bank Holiday Monday

Sunshine on a Bank holiday!

Has it ever happened before?

Breakfast on the patio...
and then a stroll around the garden
to see what we can see:

clouds of apple blossom,

pink camellias,
(very, very pink.)

all of my pots are done!
I am impressed by myself...

and here is the first tree paeony
just about to burst open.

Summer is just around the corner!

white : blue : white

Was there ever such a Spring?

My cherry tree is in full bloom,
a snow storm of blossom
against a brilliant blue sky.

It hurts my heart to look at it.

new beginnings

Hellebore are undemanding.
When you are ready to step out of the door
they are there waiting quietly for you.

I fell out of love with gardening.
When? Why? I can't explain.

Now is the time to change that.
Little by little I must reclaim the space
and learn to love it again.

Sometimes we need to give ourselves
permission for a fresh start.
To step out of the garden door
as if for the first time.

Today, when I stepped out of the door
the hellebore were flowering,
dusty pink blooms catching the sunlight.

*****

disclaimer:
these are not my hellebore
but mine looked just as good.