-
A Melody of White
I have always loved magnolias but, sadly, this Magnolia stellata is the only that I have managed not to kill since I moved here. It is in a well-protected corner of the garden and as other areas mature I hope that I will have a chance to plant a few more varieties. The leaves of…
-
Sometimes I Just Play
The bad winter prevented me from doing many of the routine and necessary tasks in the garden. However, I was able to prune some willow shrubs and took the opportunity to play with the willow stems weaving some into a small fence. The colours of the branches that I used are striking. The orange-stemmed Salix…
-
After the Floods
Sadly, the recent rains mean that the copse has been like a large lake on more than one occasion in the last few weeks. Luckily the trees are not in leaf as I would be worried about their chances of staying upright in the endless gales. There has to be a respite soon. However,…
-
In the Absence of Spring
Each year I am visited by flocks of forty or more small birds who join the ‘locals’ at the bird feeders. This year it has been sparrows. I have enjoyed their noisy twittering as they waited patiently in the shrubs by the feeders. They were not deterred by storms Darragh and Eowyn – even though…
-
Renewal and Renovations
A deluded daffodil. The rest have not even broken ground yet. I have about three acres of land here but I ‘garden’ about half. The initial division of the land into garden and field is interesting (and not of my making). The shape of the garden proper resembles a leg of mutton with the long…
-
The First Anomolies of 2025
I found it hard to believe it when I saw these fuchsia blossoms on a plant that is growing in a secluded corner of the garden. Well actually it grows in my neighbour’s garden but blossoms in mine. The plant has just two leaves – so how on earth have these managed to thrive without…
-
After the Deluge – and Snow!
It is hard to believe that two of the crab apple trees are still holding on to some of their leaves this late in December. The vibrant colours give the area a festive look and I hope that they last until Christmas. The absence of much dramatic colour at this time of the year has…
-
The Last Days of the Supermoon
I am rather pleased with this dramatic effect which happened when I tried combining the last dog walk of the evening with a photograph of the moon. Who knew that a torch could be so effective. When I first read an article by Mick Kelly the founder of ‘Grow it Yourself’ about growing garlic I…
-
A Sting In The Tail
I am too busy looking after my trees, shrubs and vegetables to plant a lot of annual or perennial flowers. However, who needs them when you have tiny wildflowers thriving in the cracks of the dry stone wall. This is one of the moon jellyfish occupying my swimming place at the moment. I believe that…
-
The Storm Season Is Here
I was not at home when Storm Ashley hit this area, so was rather concerned about the garden given the damage caused by the storm last week. Luckily, there were no major issues and I was able to get to the house without using a chainsaw! The state of the garden is mixed. Many of…