With the good must come the bad, the cloud before the silver lining arrives, the doughnut that missed the jam nozzle. A month off, but a million photos to catalogue. Here is a photo taken this time last year. It is a blossoming Parrotia persica or Persian Ironwood, taken at RHS Rosemoor. The flowers have no petalsContinue reading “Parrotia persica”
Author Archives: offtheedgegardening
Straggler
Winter is traditionally horticultural ordering season; seed, plants, bulbs. Take your pick. Catalogues have arrived with their evil photos and delicious descriptions, emails regularly pop into your inbox tempting you to (with one click) enter their wicked world. Combined with opportunity aplenty to peruse at pleasure, this adds up to a very slippery slope. IContinue reading “Straggler”
Guilt
Reader, I planted him.
Happy New Six on Saturday
Happy New Six on Saturday to you all. What is Six on Saturday you ask? Can I believe my ears? Where have you been for the last century, Mars? I suggest you take your rocket ship over to Mr P’s planet, our commandant’s home, and it will all become clear. Let us proceed. Earlier in theContinue reading “Happy New Six on Saturday”
New Year’s Pelly
Happy New Year! To those of you who are here intentionally, to the glam rockers who just happened by after googling “gold platform boots” and to the poor souls who thought that Offtheedge was a place in North Wales and are now terribly disappointed, come on in, you are all welcome. Although a little lateContinue reading “New Year’s Pelly”
Check List
Christmas disco – who doesn’t? Champagne and salmon – every time Thoughtful gifts – so lucky Skype with family – worth waiting for More indulgence – why not? Pub with neighbours – fun and laughter Baubles full of gin – afraid so Twiglets – it’s the law Breakfast with friends – perfect Walk in theContinue reading “Check List”
The Christmas Zebra – A Cautionary Tale
One Christmas, whilst attending St Saviour’s School for Troubled Children, we were tasked with creating a festive scene in a biscuit tin. No wonder we were troubled. I approached this project very seriously, devising a detailed schedule which if adhered to would ensure success. It was as follows: My mother had to be persuaded toContinue reading “The Christmas Zebra – A Cautionary Tale”
Six on Saturday – Santa’s Selection
Welcome to my festive Six on Saturday, a meme nurtured by our own horticultural elf, Mr P. Actually, using the word “festive” is about as seasonal as this blog is going to get. There will be no mistletoe or holly, carols or mince pies, in fact it is singularly unfestive. Don’t get me wrong, I loveContinue reading “Six on Saturday – Santa’s Selection”
The Crypt
Today (the last day of work before my sabbatical don’t you know) was a “don’t venture into the crypt to investigate that strange noise” kind of day. The drive to the Mantle Estate was thick with what would be romantically described as lilting mist but was in reality fiendish fog. The House of Hammer wouldContinue reading “The Crypt”
Octopus Lichen
Today I was pruning out the demon canker from an old apple tree. This fungal disease is systematically munching through its aged branches. Although disfigured by this nibbling, it is blessed by a natty outfit comprising an assortment of lichen, including this one. North Devon has a lot of lichen. I am definitely not anContinue reading “Octopus Lichen”
