Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Whichford Pottery - handmade terracotta pots. On my list of Lovely Things. Plus, if I ever return to pottery class, something that I might more usefully pursue (my kitchen cupboards hold testament to my artistic talents, ceramic-wise, after two evening courses... plenty of smallish bowls, useful for olives and dips, hula hoops and peanuts, but…
Continue reading ➞ Whichford Pottery
Lose no time... Once upon a time.... my sister Christine, in the kaftan, my brother Mark, my Mother and me... I'm hijacking the purely horticultural aims of this blog for personal reasons - and a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Of all the times that I have been back home, in almost four decades, I…
Continue reading ➞ A trip down memory lane… and a history lesson
Ipheion uniflorum - an onion - in the Davies Alpine House at Kew Narcissus cuatrecasesii, Muscari neglectum, Tropaeolum tricolor I make a point of calling in at the Alpine House at Kew (it is right next to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, at the top of the Rock Garden and behind the Grass Beds) as…
Continue reading ➞ February – Jewels in the Alpine House at Kew
Hellebore Anna's Red - my favourite, a statuesque crown of flowers on long richly coloured stems and more outward facing blooms (not so shy as many other nodding varieties!) Hellebore Penny's Pink Two recent introductions from the plant breeder Rodney Davey. I've said much about these plants and their rich colours. Anna is Anna Pavord,…
Continue reading ➞ Anna’s Red and Penny’s Pink
Four tough little things, these golden-yellow snowdrops - Galanthus nivalis 'Sandersii' I confess at first I thought these were just a little anaemic but closer inspection proved their yellow markings were just as they should be. Plenty of snowdrop varieties have come through in the Rock Garden at Kew and many deserve a closer look.…
Continue reading ➞ Golden Snowdrops – Galanthus nivalis ‘Sandersii’
Evergreen Clematis armandii 'Snowdrift' Pure white, almond scented, propeller shaped blossom, in the hundreds, smother this evergreen climber in early spring (March - April). Thick, waxy leaves add year round interest and excellent screening - it can grow to 20' quite comfortably. There are clematis for every month of the year and such a variety…
Continue reading ➞ Snowdrift – and other winter clematis
Low winter sunshine, strafing across the grass borders at Kew - incidentally these were being cut back to tufts of stubble by the gardeners and so I make note to do the same in my gardens soonish too - and illuminating this circle of crocus. I walked all the way around, watching the light highlight,…
Continue reading ➞ Crocus at Kew
While we are on the subject of Primroses, Polyanthus and Primlets, I saw this darling gem at the garden centre at Kew - Primula Strong Beer. Deep blue-violet flowers over deep purple flushed leaves. I also saw Polyanthus Castillion, an orange (not pictured) with dark leaves and a favourite of mine last year (Orange, as…
Continue reading ➞ Strong Beer and other primroses…
Happy Valentines Day from your Secret Admirer.... ... this is Primula Belarina® Valentine, a recent introduction (well, new to me -) with fully double flowers of deepest red, forming neat rosettes and contrasting beautifully with the collar of fresh green leaves. A very appropriate bloom for the day.
The Teddington Gardener 