offtheedgegardening

Smitten

It was good. I sang tra la la quite a lot and it was heavenly (the experience not the sound). I attempted inappropriate songs. I sang as loud as I could. My teacher didn’t scream (out loud anyway). I am smitten. I just wondered, has the moniker “The Singing Gardener” been taken?

All or Nothing

My Dad was not a gardener. Valiantly he went through the motions, mowing the scrappy lawn, growing a few tomatoes, hacking back every now and then. His favourite job was leaning on his spade whilst laughing and joking with the passers-by. On one occasion he thought he would try to grow mushrooms. After getting an appropriate book out of the libraryContinue reading “All or Nothing”

Leonotis nepetifolia

Leonurus nepetifolia can speak very nicely for itself, it needs no help from me. Of course it can’t actually hold an intelligent conversation, that would be asking a little too much. However, through the understated discipline of mime it eloquently communicates its awesome exotic beauty.

Enhance

Although it was a beautifully warm day, with an advantageous breeze which greatly assisted the workers in their toils, it somehow felt different. The light has become softer, kinder. Instead of sucking the soul out of colours it is enhancing them, embracing them. I like it.

Inventory

This morning Lady Mantle greeted me with “Today we are going to be drawing pictures and making notes”. The horror on my face prompted a rapid “Don’t worry, I will be doing the drawing”. This is just as well, I once came second in art-off with a 4 year old. Luckily Her Ladyship made the notes asContinue reading “Inventory”

Fuchsia ‘Thalia’

Did I read somewhere that fuchsias are now socially acceptable? Someone may have even mentioned that harbinger of market-flooding “on trend”. Fuchsia ‘Thalia’ doesn’t care if it is à la mode or passé and quite frankly, nor do I. Elegant, floriferous and self sufficient, I don’t need anyone to point out its obvious worth. You can, however,Continue reading “Fuchsia ‘Thalia’”

Teenage Angst

The quince at The Farm has hit puberty. Some have prematurely left home, a scattering of immature fruit tragically circle the tree, to become snacks for the badgers no doubt. But I have high hopes for this persistent beauty in particular. It is now beginning to shed its adolescent fluff, revealing the adult beneath, and elongatingContinue reading “Teenage Angst”

Mr Bun’s Lucky Escape

Tomorrow is a big day in the Bun household. Madeleine will be wedding Gary Baldy. The traumatised scarlet flax have rallied, managing to produce a glorious red flower just in time. One is enough. There are plenty of others to fill the jam jars. Wishing you all a wonderful day and the happy couple an amazing lifeContinue reading “Mr Bun’s Lucky Escape”

Greener

“The grass is greener”, is not a valid excuse!

Fallen

Albitzia julibrissin f. rosea, the pink silk tree, has been jettisoning its flowers for the past few weeks. Most have fallen on the tarmac drive or are resting atop ferns and foliage. One dropped into the black bin now serving as a water reservoir, floating above the darkness, the end of each tassel glowing like a fibre optic light.