offtheedgegardening

Blazing

It would be hard not to mention the weather today. Advertised as the hottest day of the year and so it was. Wonderful for going to the beach running into the sea when it all gets a little too much, or perhaps a meander through the woods where the sun is filtered to gentle by the hungry trees,Continue reading “Blazing”

Early

I was early, so I went for a stroll.

If you can’t take the heat

The heater in my car is jammed on. I have had it fixed but it has broken again. This makes any journey over 5 miles long challenging, especially throughout the summer months. The experience of driving from South Wales to North Devon today was interesting. It was like being in a Native American sweat lodge without the benefit ofContinue reading “If you can’t take the heat”

Common as Muck

Purple Toadflax, Linaria purpurea, self-seeder extraordinaire, purple menace, scourge of gardens, elegant foil, beautiful perennial. Take your pick!

Stillness

I cannot be certain but I think that the craziness of spring and early summer may be subsiding. Today there was time to consider and enjoy instead of ticking off an arm long list of chores. It was perfect working weather and I was surrounded by chilled out people, the ideal combination for pain free achievement. I was reintroduced toContinue reading “Stillness”

Words for Lunch

Last week myself and Max’s Dad were talking about alstroemeria. We were standing in front of a pathetic specimen poking its weedy head through the wisteria skirts. Although I can’t remember the conversation in full it went something like this: Me: Don’t really get alstroemeria, I’ve never really warmed to them. Him: Nor me. Me: IContinue reading “Words for Lunch”

Confused

A rather bizarre day; part equatorial monsoon, part temperate autumn chill, with just a smidgen of summertime shine. My waterproofs didn’t know if they were coming or going. Goodness knows what the plants were thinking?

Androsace lanuginosa – Wooly Rock Jasmine

I was entranced by the diminutive Androsace lanuginosa recently discovered in Phlomis Flo’s wonderful garden. Actually it wasn’t lost, just new one to me. And what an impression it made! It sucked me in but didn’t spit me out and still it haunts me. The charming white flowers, variously red and yellow centred, are held high aboveContinue reading “Androsace lanuginosa – Wooly Rock Jasmine”

Municipal

Yet again there are some splendid floral displays in the our little seaside town. This bed was particularly striking with its marigolds, verbena, cordyline and kale. Yes kale. And why the devil not?

Velour

The quince tree at The Farm is the first time I have come across this ancient fruit. This is not the flowering quince, Chaenomeles japonica, widely grown as a wall shrub for its decorative spring flowers. We are talking about Cydonia oblonga grown for its fragrant fruit, which like medlars must be bletted, or left to almost rot,Continue reading “Velour”