A day of dodging showers at The Farm. No matter, most of the time I was in easy reach of a waterproof or a shelter. There were plenty of indoor jobs to be done. In the greenhouse the tomato vines, which had been allowed to express themselves freely over the last few weeks, were trimmedContinue reading “Osteospermum ‘Double Berry White’”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’
Do not compare persicaria with its delinquent relative, the black stetsoned Japanese Knotweed. Although often vigorous, they are not concrete breakers, and their beautiful flowers are long lived and buzzing with insect life. This Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ is looking spectacular at the moment, both to myself and the hover flies that are crowding its slim pearlyContinue reading “Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’”
Octopus roses and cauliflower ears
It is not often that I have a mono-job day. I am by nature a flitter, and prefer to have a variety of tasks to fill the hours. Today however myself and Mrs Bun undertook to tame the great tangle of rose that divides the vegetable garden with the rest of the garden. ItContinue reading “Octopus roses and cauliflower ears”
Confused
Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed some horticultural anomalies, events seemingly out of kilter. There have been second, albeit fleeting, flushes of rhododendrons and wisteria, forget-me-nots are coming into bloom and crocus leaves emerging. Today at the Mantle Estate, my most favouritist magnolia was having another attempt. Confused? Perhaps a little. MindContinue reading “Confused”
Salvia forskaohlei – Indigo Woodland Sage
A low whitewashed wall forms one end of the play area at The Farm. In front of this wall (on the football free side) there is a narrow border, about 60cm wide, running the length, about 3m. It is a sunny bed with shallow soil. Last year we grew dahlias (which on reflection did surprisinglyContinue reading “Salvia forskaohlei – Indigo Woodland Sage”
Just Looking
Today I did a lot of looking. Sometimes it happens that way. Things catch your eye and demand closer inspection. Like the raindrop on the ‘Lobelia Hadspen’ Purple flower above. If you are in the pay of CSI or Miss Marple you will have noticed my reflection within the little drop. Then it was anContinue reading “Just Looking”
Clog Popping
It is that time of year again. The time when, for those so inclined, pockets become full of seed of all sizes and persausions. Sometimes these collections are carefully placed in paper bags to be safely sorted and stored later, often they are wrapped in a corner of tissue only to be recovered after aContinue reading “Clog Popping”
Landing Pad
Buddlejas often get a bad press. They seed themselves everywhere, specialising in the most inaccessible places. Perversely this is one of things I like about them. It is the “when all us stupid humans are gone it won’t take long before there will be no trace left” that makes me smile. They are also magnetsContinue reading “Landing Pad”
Just because …..
…. it is beautiful and the sight of it warms my soul.
Rooted
Anyone who has ever rooted cuttings will know how happy this has made me. But more so. And also somewhat surprised. I was a little slow off the mark to propagate Bidens aurea ‘Hannay’s Lemon Drop’. This 1m high beauty has had a tough year. Out of necessity it had to be moved mid season. A newContinue reading “Rooted”
Off The Edge Gardening 