offtheedgegardening

St Clements

Mundane montbretia? I don’t think so, not today anyway. Today they were a refreshing, floral St Clements. Delicious.

This photo, taken in my garden a few days ago, is of a watsonia hybrid enjoying the sunshine. The brick red of the flowers is enhanced by the whitewashed wall behind. Colour, shadow, definition, contrast, darkness and light, all disappeared with the sun. Now all is faded and subtle hues of grey. This blip is givingContinue reading “Rest”

Happy August

As expected it rained. Contrary to popular belief I don’t mind when it rains. Not always anyway. Once in a while it is a welcome relief to have a day to catch up on stuff. This is the day you dream about “if only I had a spare day I could alphabetise my collection ofContinue reading “Happy August”

Timing

Today I was stuck in all day, tapping away at the keyboard, chasing words and losing out to that harsh master Time. The weather was glorious, thing were happening, exciting things, things that involved food and fun, my garden wept. Tomorrow when I am due to garden all day it is set for heavy rain.Continue reading “Timing”

Pampered

After the unfortunate demise of the champion baby watermelon last week, I was determined to give at least one of its siblings the best chance of reaching maturity. As watermelon novices at The Farm we decided to increase the odds of success by putting our plants in several metaphorical baskets. Three were planted outside in a large containerContinue reading “Pampered”

Tortoise

It is difficult when, as much as you want to, you can’t do anything to help a fond friend. So instead you do something that is unlikely to do any good at all, but the performing of this meagre action makes you feel a little less impotent. It might be to bake a cake, or do a bit ofContinue reading “Tortoise”

Kind

Over the past couple of weeks I have depended greatly on the kindness of friends. In my exhausting and tedious attempts to keep this horticultural ship on the high seas they have ferried me to mechanics, picked me up from mechanics, tailed me at a safe distance to mechanics, worried about me as I kangerooed into the distance, listenedContinue reading “Kind”

Hands

Did I ever mentioned that Lady Mantle has freakishly large hands?

Covet

Let me take you back to early spring and I will tell you a tragic tale with a happy ending. It was lecture day for the North Devon Plant Heritage group, always popular not only for the informative speakers but also for fiendish quizzes, delicious fruit crumble & custard and eclectic raffles. As soon as I walked intoContinue reading “Covet”

Trollius chinensis “Golden Queen”

As I wended my way up the garden the sun kindly illuminated this trollius for me. It was the first glimpse of light on a murky day, highlighting its rich petals, more buttercup yellow than a buttercup would dare to be. The many hands of the inner petals reaching to the sky, supported by the solid domestiques below. It wasContinue reading “Trollius chinensis “Golden Queen””