Tonight, due to severe depletion of my energy cells, there will be no chitty chat. To make up for this shortcoming I have chosen, just for you, the prettiest picture of the day. Geum ‘Tequila Sunrise’, simply stunning. Normal service will resume once I’ve had a good kip. Probably.
Author Archives: offtheedgegardening
Iochroma australe
Is it really true? I think it might be! This Iochroma australe has a long way to go before it fulfils its destiny. If all goes well, if its benefactor is vigilant, it is fated to become a stunning shrub covered in pendulous lavender bells. Everyone has to start somewhere. And this is an excellent start.
Sometimes Look Back
About an hour’s drive from where we live is Hartland Quay. If you sailed westward from our house, close following the coastline, you would pass Morte Point and Grunta Beach on the way to Woolacombe and Putsborough, then round Baggy Point to Croyde and Saunton, skimming the estuary where Appledore and Insow nestle and the rivers TorridgeContinue reading “Sometimes Look Back”
Things I never thought I’d say – Part Seven
“Don’t punch the plants Nancy!” A couple of weeks ago we reached the heady stage of planting out Nancy Nightingale’s new border. We laid the specimens in position, carefully considering potential clashes of colour or foliage before we commenced. As NN is a complete novice I gave her a quick planting tutorial before retreating to aContinue reading “Things I never thought I’d say – Part Seven”
A Rose in the Desert
On the whole builders and gardeners don’t go. Far be it for me to generalise, but in my experience they are counter- rather than productive partnerships. They are not “cheese and pickle”, “strawberries and cream” or, let me wrack my brain for another, oh yes “gin and tonic”. They are more “the black death and 14th centuryContinue reading “A Rose in the Desert”
Rhody Time
It’s rhody time again hip hip horray! In bud they are compressed sweetmeats, an intense whisper of what is to come. In bloom they are brash and brazen, shameless in their frippery. The rhododendrons are back in bloom and they are shouting loud. I, for one, am pleased to see them again.
Lavendula stoechas – French Lavender
Our Grand Plan for the Mantle Estate last year was very simple. It was do what you can, consolidate and hide the rest. A particularly troublesome area was dominated by a huge tree peony. The monster was relocated. If my memory serves me correctly, in my capacity of official photographer and heckler, it involved huffing andContinue reading “Lavendula stoechas – French Lavender”
Laughing
We were laughing. I was attempting to photograph the newly emerged poppy. The wind gusted the ephemeral flower in a haphazard dance, impossible to capture unless you were acquainted with the moves. Which I wasn’t, although I did my best to keep up. This was all I could manage. When I saw the picture I laughed again.
Fudge
There is a shop in the harbour that sells fudge, particularly excellent fudge. I may have partaken on the odd occasion. They concoct this ambrosial sweetmeat in front of your drooling lips, large copper vats are stirred over an open flame emitting devilish aromas which drift into the street, enticing the hardest hearts down into their lair. For those notContinue reading “Fudge”
Arctotis
Nice hat.
Off The Edge Gardening 