offtheedgegardening

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”

Beeping Bunnies!

This was the lucky one. The rest were chewed, mangled, dug up and stomped upon. I am haunted by the image of their cute little bunny faces laughing as they danced on my misery.

Sea Holly and Bee

Without my words today, must have mislaid them somewhere whilst I was out and about. To tide me over until the next time, here is a sea holly and a ginger bottomed bee.

Entente Cordiale

We should have been full to bursting after our trip on Sunday, but we had left just enough room for pudding. Yesterday we went to see Phlomis Flo and TT and their amazing garden on the Mortehoe cliffs. The sun had exhausted itself on Sunday and in its absence the mizzle was having its day. This didn’t matter, theContinue reading “Entente Cordiale”

All Horts – A very jolly Jolly

An All Horts day out at Marwood Hill Gardens, yipppeeee! Hosted by yours truly, gulp. This wonderful garden is located in the badlands of North Devon, with its fearful reputation, and I fretted that the turn out would be meagre. In an attempt to boost numbers and to give the illusion that I was popular, I paidContinue reading “All Horts – A very jolly Jolly”