I've had a macro lens for my birthday, tested it out on a few blooms - quickly learned that wind free conditions and a tripod are essential tools! So, first attempts a bit blurred and lacking in technique - hopefully practice will help me improve, watch this space
First day of national gardening week saw us visiting the gardens at Highgrove, Prince Charle's house in Gloucestershire, where his first Garden Festival was taking place. Despite having my fingers crossed for good weather all weekend, it was a very wet day, absolutely pouring down on arrival. Thankfully, after parking at Westbirton Arboretum and travelling the … Continue reading a right royal visit
What was a small rotund, clipped yew in the riverbank had become a huge ungainly obstruction of the pathway, difficult to circumvent with the mower. I'm not sure why whoever planted it chose that particular spot for it, but I wish they hadn't! Taking plants out is always a difficult decision for me, but on … Continue reading Yew no more
I lost the label or these gorgeous tulips, but a quick google search jogged the memory - 'Lambada'. What a perfect name this is for such fiery dancing blooms, big hitters amongst the equally striking foliage of cotinus, acanthus and oriental poppy. Easily the winner of this week's current favourite badge!
Disappointed this morning to wake up to rain, but by 10am, it was easing off, or so I thought. Fine drizzle, not too uncomfortable to work in until you realise that it has soaked through your clothes and you're soaking wet! - and guess what - the rain stopped and the sun came out! Still, we … Continue reading There’s something about Welsh rain!
Tulipa 'Angelique', going over now, but its beauty isn't diminished - just different. I'm wondering if these bulbs will produce flowers next year if I leave them in the pot - decided it's worth a try, I'll plant bedding on top of them this summer and see what happens. It's been a gorgeous day - … Continue reading Angelique & Ollie
After the many bright days in January, it's now cold and dismal outside - not particularly inviting when there is the alternative of a cosy seat in front of the fire! However, wrapped up well, a stroll around the garden revealed a few highlights at Aberglasne, notably this faithful hellebore with its long and plentiful … Continue reading A couple of highlights on a dismal day
After all the rain, the garden is like a quagmire, but it didn't stop us getting out there this morning - it was glorious! We had intended to start sowing seeds today, but were overcome by the temptation of pottering about in the sunshine. So... the start of border clearance commenced in earnest, trouble … Continue reading January blues – not today!
A welcome respite from rain, today was sunny and in fact quite.., well warm isn't the right word, but it certainly wasn't cold. In the garden at Scott Road, flowers are still both full of colour and plentiful and it's been a joy to be out and pottering. This afternoon, tulip planting was order of the moment … Continue reading It’s stopped raining!
Appearances can be deceptive - these lovely grapes are actually very small, in reality they haven't fully ripened. The vine growing over the oil tank in the garden in Wales has not produced anything more than tiny pea size fruits in previous years, but this years hot dry summer has encouraged a decent crop of … Continue reading What to do with grapes?
Minding my mind, one thought at a time.
Places in Korea and Financial Education to Filipinos
Creativity & Chronic Illness
There's always room for one more plant.
The Occasional Gardener
Teaching the art of composition for photography.
Cultivating the art of patience while gardening in a small space
Moving forward carrying grief
Flora in Focus Journal 