Life

“Gardening is not instant, or a quick fix, do not be fooled by those programmes, life isn’t like that, be prepared for the long haul” this is my rallying speech to new clients.  Looking at The Mantles’ garden this week, just over three years since I arrived, I am proud.  Not just for me, but for the Honourables.  We have all worked hard.  When I arrived spirits were low, love was absent, the garden was a thorn, a chore, an out of control abomination consisting of desperation weed suppressant and rough bark mulch.  A desert of subsoil and Spanish bluebells.

Now it is a joy.  Love has returned.  My work here is not done.  I hope it will go on forever.  But I know it won’t.  And that is fine too.  Life is like that.

Six on Saturday – Angels and Demons

Hip hip hooray, it’s another Saturday!  I’ve had a haircut and a bowl of chips with mayonnaise and now I am ready for anything.  Even a Six on Saturday.  No idea what I am talking about?  Where have you been?  Lost in the Bornean jungle, or Ikea’s soft furnishing department? Don’t worry, Sir Propalot will update you on proceedings.

First we have a splendid rose.  It was in the garden when we moved here, so I have a valid reason for not knowing which one it is.  I suppose I could do a little research, but to be honest I’m not that bothered.  All I know is that it is beautiful and fragrant.  Which is adequate.

Parahebe 'Snow Clouds'

Next we have Parahebe ‘Snow Cloud’ which has weathered the hard winter admirably. The other parahebe in the garden, although alive, has not fared so well.  It is looking decidedly ropey and is on the “pull yourself together or you are out” list.  Swotty Snow Cloud is definitely not on that list.  Straight to the top of the class you go!

pyracantha

Spikey plants are not encouraged in the gardens that I work in, let alone in my own.  OH bought this pyracantha, even though when he suggested it I said through gritted teeth “if you want it, feel free”.   I concede that it is great for the wildlife and the flowers are rather lovely.  This does not detract from the fact it is a vicious monster to the gardener.

primula

A little late to the spring party, but none the less very welcome, this primula is strutting its stuff this weekend.

Geranium nodosum

Earlier this week I said to Ms Button, whilst attacking the forest of mint that someone decided was a good idea to plant directly into the ground, “Do you ever wish you had a time machine and you could go back to the moment the offending plant was being planted and say “stop, in the name of humanity, do not put that thug in what is to become my garden!””  I would say just that to whoever planted this pink geranium in my garden.  It is a thug and pops up in, under and over everything.  I believe it to be Geranium nodosum.  Ruthless.

Rosa 'Rhapsody in Blue'

Last, but definitely not least, we have Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.   Not blue, but a rhapsody indeed.  Fragrant and floriferous.  Wonderful.

That is your lot, another week passes, another six to savour.  Some demons, some angels, some demonic angels, some …. you know where I’m going.  Thanks to The Prop, onwards and upwards!

 

Out with the old

I’ve got a new camera.  Yes another one.  I don’t mean my big posh one, that is quite safe.  I’m taking about the little Canon Ixus I take to work with me.  The abused one.

The retiring camera somehow, I can’t remember quite when or where, sustained a chipped lens.  Ever since it has been tricky finding a photo that hasn’t got a sunburst or blur in a obvious place.  This accident happened way before Christmas, but I haven’t allowed myself a replacement because I was teaching myself a lesson.  If you don’t look after your toys, you can’t have nice new ones.  Up until now.  I think I have suffered enough.  A lesson has been learned.  And I have bought insurance.

This is the final photograph by last year’s model.  Now he will join his brothers in arms in the retirement home for mistreated Ixus.  I’m sure he will have a few tales to tell.

Surplus

Whilst roughly chopping vegetables (I always take this instruction as a suggestion of attitude as well as indicator of dice size) for our tea (sausage, haricot bean and harissa stew, since you ask) I noticed that seed in one of the tomatoes had germinated (excuse the blurry photo, I was stirring the onions at the same time).

Well I never, what a world, sack all the gardeners, we are surplus to requirements.

Hookey

I played hookey today.  I skived off.  There were things that should have been done and weren’t.  There is a deadline, don’t you know.  But I defiantly chose to ignore it.  Instead I visited the garden of some friends, the wonderful Round House.  I shared a cuppa with old mates and scoffed a chocolate brownie, chitty chatting.  On the way home we visited Max and drank more coffee and chewed more cud.  Once home, instead of attending to obligations, I went into my own garden and pottered and dithered.

That is what a little bit of sunshine does.  It leads me astray.  Just as well it doesn’t happen that often.

Six on Saturday – Another One

Another Six on Saturday.  Another introduction to main man, The Prop.  Another invitation to join us.  Another attempt to take photographs that conceal the slug ravaged, garden mayhem that is my reality.  Here we go ….

Firstly we have Rhodohypoxis baurii.  With minimum (read no) effort, these little charmers come up every spring and flower their little flower socks off.  Even the ones that mysteriously “fell” out of the greenhouse when OH walked by and were stuffed back in the pot, have done their very best.  Lovely.

Geum 'Blazing Sunset'

Next we have Geum ‘Blazing Sunset’, enjoying this morning’s early sunshine.  Enormous, great gallumping flowers, but definitely not as vigorous as it was last year.  Perhaps it is dwindling.  I will try to remember to collect some seed.

Sisyrinchium 'E K Balls'

Sisyrinchium ‘E K Balls’ has decided that he is quite happy in his new planter and will therefore show his pleasure the only way he can.  By blooming.  And being blooming lovely.

allium

This lone allium, planted in the garden before we were dropped off by the mother ship, is just beginning to reveal its violet stars.

Brachyscome 'Magenta Delight'

A few days ago I succumbed to temptation of the worse kind.  Yes, I am talking about The Half Price Offer.  I was putty in their hands.  When I returned from work yesterday, a large box was waiting for me.  Balm indeed.  Along with this gorgeous little Brachyscome ‘Magenta Delight’ came pentemon, gaura and bidens.  All I can say is “welcome”, and don’t expect any special attention after the honeymoon period is over.  Which most probably will be tomorrow.

Osteospermum

Lastly we have an osteospermum.  Not just any pretty pink daisy.  This is the sole survivor of cuttings donated by the Notorious Mr K.  Not dead, just accustoming herself to a new life across the channel.

Thanks to the The Duke of Prop – shimmy over to his blog to find out what has been going on this week across the universe and beyond.   Adieu!

 

 

 

 

 

Drained

By rights I should be a waif.  I barely eat a morsel and am on first name terms with each and every personal trainer at the gym.  Admittedly this is mostly in my dreams.  OK, totally in my dreams.  Instead I am sturdy.  Which is possibly a better physique for digging out agapanthus on the most humid, treacle-wading, head-thumpingly oppressive day of the year.  If not the century.  Definitely in living memory and since records began.

It has left me feeling a little drained.