offtheedgegardening

Top Ten

It is crazy rhododendron time again in Max’s garden. The colours are vivid and varied, the forms both Laurel and Hardy, each bloom a pollinator pit stop. Truly, I would be hard pushed to choose a favourite. This candy and lemonade beauty is definitely in the top ten. Veering slightly from convention, the top tenContinue reading “Top Ten”

Perfume

I’ve always been a little ambivalent about Skype and the like. It seems like hard work. You have to change out of your polar bear onesie and comb your hair. Any face pulling or expressive gestures can be seen by the caller, in my case this is rarely advisable. Yawning cannot be masked. The crosswordContinue reading “Perfume”

Cardamine and Sea Mist

As the much of country enjoyed the sunshine, a thin swathe of cloud veiled us, exacerbated by a mist from the sea which periodically danced across the garden. Occasional lapses in concentration by said mist and cloud meant coats and jumpers were discarded as the sun elbowed through, only to be quickly retrieved as anotherContinue reading “Cardamine and Sea Mist”

Strange Blooms

Wellious rubberous in full flower today at Bill and Ben’s. Looking forward to seeing the fruit.

Six on Saturday – Still Hurrying

Crazy times are unabating, so once again I must be brief. Easier said than done. As you may have guessed I tend to go on a bit. Briefish is perhaps more accurate. I don’t want to aim too high. Here we go. Six on Saturday, horrah for the Grand Old Duke of Prop, he knowsContinue reading “Six on Saturday – Still Hurrying”

Majestic Beeches

I love other people’s birthdays. This has been mentioned before. But then I am fond of repeating myself. Embrace the inevitable. A walk with special friends, all of us basking in spring glory. Even us feeble humans could sense the ecstasy of the season, feeding off the energy in each shoot, every leaf. The woodsContinue reading “Majestic Beeches”

Ferocity

The ferocity of spring always amazes me. Only two weeks ago this fern was a dark, lifeless mass. A rock. Now the fronds are unfurling; furry toupees keeping them warm on these cool nights.

Omphalodes cappadocica – Navelwort

Tell me what is not to love about this plant? If you try I shall ignore you. I am smitten. This is why. The Latin name, Omphalodes cappadocica, is pure poetry, rolling off the tongue like golden syrup. The common name, navelwort, is always worthy of a chortle. The flower, as blue as an imaginedContinue reading “Omphalodes cappadocica – Navelwort”

Unnerving

I don’t mind working on a Bank Holiday. In this part of the world it is advisable to take time off when the rest of the country are elsewhere. It was sunny, I was at the wonderful Nancy Nightingale’s, and I finished just after lunch. An interesting day and, what is more, educational. After aContinue reading “Unnerving”

Adamant

I am in the midst of turbulent times. There have been adventures to be enjoyed, and they didn’t disappoint. Next were events that had to be full-on faced, and so they were. Some challenges are yet to come, and these will present demands anew. Today, the eye of the storm, allowed me a healing dayContinue reading “Adamant”