Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

Today we had a Prunefest at  Lionel and Lavinia’s.  Camelias and azalias, forsythia and flowering currant were all under the knife, secateurs, pruners and saw.  A parade of green bins were filled, begged and borrowed from neighbours, and Lionel did his famous stomp to ensure not even one more leaf would fit in to theContinue reading “Added Bonus”

A Play in One Scene Me:  Hello Slasher would you please strim this area, the shrubs are obvious, the only things you have to avoid are these three plants (points to healthy Rudbeckia fulgida specimens that have  previously shrugged off attempts by the Easter bunny, Clara Cluck, a JCB and tree surgeon to do themContinue reading “Slasher Sid”

Warm, a gentle breeze and a truck load of wonderful plants to set out and plant.  Definitely the best bit.

It was not a great day to be a gardener.  It was definitely not a gloating day, a day when I have to resist calling friends at their offices desks and hold my phone to the air, shouting “hear the birds, hear the breeze, hear the sea!”.  On the contrary, it was a day whenContinue reading “Hiding”

A dismal day, weather-wise anyway. The wind blew, the rain hammered and it was chilly. Welcome to flaming June!  Rain did not, however, stop play. Myself and Mrs Beast sowed some seeds, stratified others and took cuttings of hydrangea, viburnum, rhododendron and several mystery shrubs. The new plants were allocated spots around the garden, toContinue reading “Meadow Magic”

Dear Supermarket, Last week I was in one of your store car parks and my other half said “what is that red flower over there?” pointing to something in the hazy distance.  Even without my specs on I knew what it was “I think it is an escallonia and I don’t like it very much”. Continue reading “Dear Supermarket”

One way to limit weeds in the border is to cover every square inch with plants, strangling any intruders before they can get a hold.  Lavinia and Lionel are masters of this method.  So what do I say when the lovely Lav presents me with a new purchase and says “Now where shall we putContinue reading “Undercover”

The Rules.  Mostly I dismiss them with a quasi-rebellious flick of the hand.  “In your face, conformer!” I shout, on a daily basis.  Orange next to pink – you just watch me!  Sowing in July when the packet says no later than June, yes that is me, forever a wild thing.  I don’t even washContinue reading “The Rules”

Ephemeral is one of my favourite words. It could be used to describe the brief but beautiful life span of love-in-the-mist.  It also accurately sums up this evening’s internet connection.  Better post this now while I’ve got the chance!

As promised here is a picture of one of yesterday’s dragonflies in all its newly emerged glory.  It is yet to make its maiden flight, holding tightly on to all that remains of its subaqua life.  I believe this beauty it is a Southern Hawker, an inquisitive creature and common to much of southern andContinue reading “Holiday Scrapbook Revisited”