Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

To be honest I was determined not to work for Lord and Lady Mantle, AKA Phil and Brohna.  They live a fair drive away, just on the edge of Exmoor, traditionally where the rain and wind of North Devon practice their evil ways.  To get to their home you must face fledgling roads, not grown enough to beContinue reading “Guest Blog – Esteemed Clients – Lord and Lady Mantle”

Torrential rain by 10.00, they said.  Undaunted I set off to Lord and Lady Mantle’s, optimism played a part, as did the fact I overslept and was on garden autopilot.  A cup of their finest Costa Rician brew was beckoning me across the moor.  When I was so close I could almost smell the coffee, myContinue reading “Optimism”

Flaming June, perhaps not.  Flaming marigold, definitely.

Everyone needs a hand sometimes.

A day full of artisan pottery, smokehouse fish, hand crafted willow coffins and medieval history. Still I managed to find you a flower, self seeded amongst the ruined walls of Mulcheney Abbey.

I have two brothers.  One older.  One younger.  Once they made my life a misery.  Now they make my life a joy.   Today our Guest Blog is from the younger lad.  A couple of years ago I posted some of his photos and they were very well received, so here we go again. When heContinue reading “Guest Blog – Keep it in the Family”

I think we might have a sawfly problem on the Solomon’s Seal!

Today myself and Max’s Dad staggered up the hill to The Round House.  This garden is a joy, full of wonders and, luckily for us, owned by some old friends.  We were on a hunting expedition, and our quarry was some of the special plants that live here.  But we weren’t armed with spade or trowel, weContinue reading “The Cutting Room”

Rodgersia flowers.  Thought you might need cheering up.  Midsummer has passed.  Its all downhill from here on.  What do you mean, you were quite happy until you read this?

My friend Chambercombe Bob asked if we could find a home for some hostas. I like hostas. I like their succulent leaves which are often washboard ridged; lime and chartreuse, avocado and absinthe, glaucous and steely blue, with variegations of cream and gold.  I also like their spikes of sometimes scented flowers, mauve or white orContinue reading “A Host of Hostas”