offtheedgegardening

Coreopsis tinctoria “Quills and Thrills”

Be warned this tickweed is an unruly beggar, unable to stand up on its own, flopping about like a drunken harlequin. But forewarned is forearmed and some horticultural corsetry can easily control this inelegant lolling. Surely these singular flowers can be forgiven all but the most serious of misdemeanours? Flaring sleeves of amber, lined withContinue reading “Coreopsis tinctoria “Quills and Thrills””

Still Going Strong

Sweet peas, the scent of which takes us back to summers past and gives us hope for those to come. These fine specimens have been tended by Lady Mantle who has taken her role of guardian very seriously. She has diligently removed tendrils before they could contort and sully the blooms, tying in the nowContinue reading “Still Going Strong”

Strawberries, No Cream

Arbutus unedo is strawberry by name but definitely not strawberry by nature. Admiring the peeling cinamon bark, ivory bell flowers and luscious looking fruit will have to suffice as the Strawberry Tree is not a tasty specimen. Pliny the Elder apparently commented after tasting just one of the tempting berries “unum tantum edo” meaning “IContinue reading “Strawberries, No Cream”

Pollen

The much maligned lily stamen, replete with granules of rich ochre pollen. Often ceremoniously snipped before they can stain your best frock, drop onto the cream pile carpet or mar the Maltese terrier. This is a great pity, they are as beautiful as the exotic blooms they bless.

Weather for Ducks

Today I was digging up couch grass at The Farm. If you laid all the roots that I painstakingly removed end to end it would stretch to the moon and back. No exaggeration. On the plus side we picked the first apples of the season, the forecast doom and destruction didn’t arrive until the endContinue reading “Weather for Ducks”

Fear

It was my first day at a new job today, which is always a little scary. It is one I have talked about previously, you may remember, the one with all the exotic plants and a puppy called Max. For some reason I was more nervous than usual and couldn’t quite put my finger onContinue reading “Fear”

Municipal Magic

Municipal planting is often derided as out-dated and starchy, almost laughable, at least sniggerable. Today I would like to stick my head above the horticultural parapet and fight the provisional park’s corner. Taking a short cut through Runnymede Gardens in Ilfracombe this morning, I was taken back by the beauty and vibrancy of the bordersContinue reading “Municipal Magic”

Cheek

“When we were out today we bought some plants!” “Horror! The bloomin’ cheek of it, anyone would think it was your garden, who told you that could you go out unaccompanied and buy just anything willy nilly. I hope you got something decent, if it is forsythia or cotoneaster I will faint.” “We have plantedContinue reading “Cheek”

Not a Carrot

Today was a classic summer’s day, a cliché almost. Wall to wall sunshine, a warm but gentle breeze, a sky unsullied by clouds. Apart from quick drying washing and an evening barbecue, this unusual occurrence was not taken advantage of. It was not a working day and I had things to do that did notContinue reading “Not a Carrot”

Flying Ant and other Stories

On balance it was a very good day at Lionel and Lucinda’s. A day of many parts. It was Flying Ant Day; a curious and slightly sinister version of Formicidae relocation. It was a Day of Welcome Gifts, of cut and come again and rocket, of home-made mackerel pate and elderflower cordial. On the downsideContinue reading “Flying Ant and other Stories”