Evenley Wood Snowdrops

February 19, 2011

I have been on my first visit to a ‘snowdrop garden’ today, to Evenley Wood Gardens near Brackley, Northants. Although I’m not a ‘galanthophile’, ie someone who appreciates all the different varieties (and there were 80), I now realise why visiting a garden this time of year is attractive. The quiet – visually as well […]

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Choosing next season’s seeds

January 4, 2011

While I’ve been holed up by the snow I’ve been looking at seed lists and catalogues.  My first choice is always from the Cottage Garden Society seed swap, as I am a member and donator of seeds and as such get 20 packets for £4.  There’s a huge choice and it’s a great opportunity to […]

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Frost effects and feeding wildlife

December 7, 2010

I meant to update this in November with a vibrant photo of a miscanthus lit up by the sun, when it was deep yellowy orange.  Then the sun disappeared from that area of the garden – however now the grasses have taken centre stage again with the frost.  A very useful pair of plants!  This […]

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Plants for wet dull autumn days

October 1, 2010

It’s grey and rainy here, yet I notice there are many plants which can brighten up this kind of weather, and some which even improve in the wet. Here are some specific plants and some general ideas for your wet autumn garden. I first noticed my perennial sunflower, which is in full bloom now.  I […]

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August harvest, and what worked and what didn’t

September 5, 2010

I notice I haven’t put anything in about August in my garden.  Well, it rained!  I harvested many, many courgettes (Black Beauty Dark Fog from Chiltern Seeds) and quite a few French beans, (I always grow climbing ones ‘Mr Fearns’ and save the seed year on year) and a lot of greenhouse cherry tomatoes.  I […]

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Flowers for late summer and wildlife

July 22, 2010

July can be a difficult month for flowers.  The autumn asters are not ready yet, and the June flowers are over; even the repeat-flowering climbing roses and the geraniums are taking a breather before flowering again.  But I am gradually introducing more flowers for this time of year. In the meadow the campion has finally […]

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June fly the flag flowers

July 13, 2010

It’s June, so of course the roses are out, including the first flush of the climbing roses, to be repeated up until December, and the much briefer wild dogroses.  Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ is gloriously out, and so in a Great-Dixter-like contrast/clash is the scarlet-orange oriental poppy.  Geranium ‘Brookside’ has started flowering near the pond, and […]

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More on the Meadow

June 5, 2010

Last night I was captivated for 10 minutes watching bullfinches eat dandelion seeds in the long grass, clinging onto cow parsley and dandelion stalks while they ate – rather wobbily if the latter! There is also vetch – spreading, somehow – didn’t know it could – and a cornflower, and some wild garlic or ransoms, […]

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How to grow a meadow

June 1, 2010

I have been developing my ‘meadow’ strip for a few years now.  It consists of spring bulbs, grass and various things I have put in as plug plants after mowing in the autumn.  My soil is loamy clay, so plants that survive on sandy ‘starved’ soil such as cornfield annuals won’t flourish here.  I do, […]

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The short-lived wonder

May 5, 2010

One thing not to have for a low-maintenance garden, which is yet such a joy, is something that only flowers for a couple of weeks. But if the plant concerned is a bulb, flowering in spring, then perhaps you might be tempted. I was – I have an ‘Erythronium Pagoda’. It’s a relative of the […]

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