Like Chocolate

Akebia

Should I take on a new garden?

Pros:

  1. Two lovely owners, eager and accommodating,
  2. An overgrown garden full of delights, some yet to be discovered,
  3. Cheese sandwiches,
  4. Great coffee,
  5. Human friendly cat from next door who likes to hang out with gardeners*,
  6. It is just down the road from Nancy Nightingale’s house,
  7. Easy parking and they don’t laugh at my reversing **
  8. They are planning to employ a SYM***,
  9. Akebia quinata the chocolate vine.

Cons:

  1. I don’t have any time.
  2. It is a sanctuary for ground elder, couch grass, brambles, bamboo, montbretia, ivy and other such monsters.

So what do you think?

Of course I could always do a little bit of client shuffling and the SYM would be useful for the heaviest of the digging and I love a challenge and I think that just possibly I have made my mind up …..

*But not dog friendly.  Full on running attack on any canine that unfortunately comes within 100m.  Quite disturbing, possibly quite disturbed.
** They may do when I am not there, this is fine as I would laugh too if it wasn’t me.
***Strong Young Man

Faith

Euryops

The euryops is euryoping very nicely at the moment, reflecting the mood of the moment.  It has been the most glorious day.  All that gentle sun and soft breezes and incessant bird song stuff.  I am beginning to believe it might actually happen.  How could I ever have lost faith?

Wonder

Today I am going to reflect on the wonder of this world.

On the beauty, the resilience, the joy of this planet.  On the good hearts, the kindness, the strength of our fellows.  On the forgiveness, empathy and tolerance of which we are all capable.

Tonight I am sending love to the victims of the terrorist attack in London.

And I am hoping that this act of hate does not incite the same in others.

And I am going to remember that however long the winter, the flower will bloom again.

Three Trugs and a Poem

Today was Nancy Nightingale day, unfortunately no singing, just gardening.  Actually Nance did do a bit of singing but I couldn’t join in as I didn’t know the song.  On reflection this may have been intentional on NN’s part.  We did a little bit of shopping, dug more of the mega-border then created some veggies planters out of various plastic containers.  Some are new, bought specifically for this purpose, some were emptied of smelly socks in order to fulfil their true potential.  All had holes stabbed in the bottom (very satisfying) before the compost was added. The plan is to have at least eight, if not ten, of these trugs lining the wall, varying in size and colour.  It goes without saying that none will be black.  These pretty maids all in a row are now cradling the seed of a spicy leaf mix, radishes, spring onions, rainbow chard, beetroot and carrots.   Others will hold rocket, courgette, cucumber and tomatoes.   A couple will be saved for cerise sweet peas and bright orange pelargoniums. Bring it on and don’t forget your sunglasses!

It is World Poetry Day today.  As I like to join in with these things whenever I can, since yesterday anyway, here is a poem.  It is by William Blake.  It would appear that they spelt “lily” differently in the olden days.  Who am I to argue with WB?

Lilly

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat’ning horn:
While the Lilly white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

 

Magnolia ‘Marwood Spring’

Magnolia Marwood Spring

Not only is today the Spring Equinox it is also the International Day of Happiness. Doubly good. Spring is my favourite season, striving for happiness my favourite occupation.  Of course IDH is really about creating happiness, not indulging in it.  This ‘spreading of the happy’ has fringe benefits.  As gardeners we do our best to nurture both the utilitarian and the beautiful.  By doing this we make others happy as well as ourselves.  It warms the soul.  Appreciation, being able to inspire and educate, enlightening others to the joys of the garden, all make the hard work worthwhile. Springtime is when it all starts to become visible, when the shoots show, the seeds germinate, the plans become a little clearer.  It is a time of optimism and, yes, happiness.

Now it just has to stop raining.

This is a picture of probably the best magnolia in the world, ‘Marwood Spring’.  Taken by categorically not the best photographer in the world.  It is far more beautiful in real life.