National Garden Scheme – Hard Stuff

Although I am loathe to admit it, however many fabulous plants we introduce to a garden, what often makes it work, sets it off to be its best self, is the hard landscaping. The unyielding to my yielding. The frame for my painting. What is fortuitous is that my clients at Blaen Cwmdu love a bit of fancy brickwork, stone wall building, necessary structure. The yin to my yang, or perhaps the other way round. I must have been very good in a former life.

Earlier this year I planted out a new border, a twin and sunny idyll where exotics such Beschorneria yuccoides ‘Flamingo Glow’ will hopefully thrive. Echium candicans, ginger lilies and astelia are bulked out by calendula, dahlia and species salvia whilst the borderline tenders establish themselves.

Today Gareth sent me photos of the completion of the path that lead through this new tropical bed. It made me very happy. As a dyed-in-the-wool plantswoman this has joy slightly disturbed me. And this in itself has given me much pleasure.