Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Time for Santa Claus to take a little R&R, now that the night's work is over. I hope that you have all been good little boys and girls this year and that Santa has left a suitable present under the tree. A pair of Felco secateurs, a subscription to Gardens Illustrated, a new shed?! I've…
Continue reading ➞ Christmas Day Greetings
Good Night from Lady Emma Hamilton (above) and Darcey Bussell (below) - and from me.... I hope you've left out a mince-pie and a glass of sherry for Santa. Big Day tomorrow!
Bright stems of dogwood, willow and ornamental blackberry by the lake in the RHS Gardens at Wisley There was a little doubt whether these gardens would be open today after the storms over night - many gardens have been forced to close today - but hard work on the part of the garden team made…
Continue reading ➞ Christmas Eve at RHS Wisley
A vase full of rose hips from The Generous Gardener, a favourite from David Austin No flowers for the Christmas table this year, but a display of these rather fat and rosy orange hips from The Generous Gardener. A very adaptable large shrub or climber, with large soft pink, highly fragrant flowers, flaming red fresh…
Continue reading ➞ The Generous Gardener
Well, I'm almost ready for The Big Day... The wrapping of presents is required and a little housekeeping. If the rain lets up, then I can get into my garden and clear away the last of the leaves but little else is urgent. There are jobs that could be tackled but I will postpone any…
Continue reading ➞ O Christmas Tree…
Îles des Salut, off the coast of French Guiana: former penal colony and one-time home to Dreyfus Land! After nearly six days at sea, a very welcome opportunity to set foot on dry land - Tenerife is some 3500 miles back east. A tropical island - a group of three in fact including Devil's Island -…
Continue reading ➞ Iles des Salut
A walk around the whole of Virginia Water, from The Savill Garden, past ruins and totem poles, cascades and beneath glorious autumn colour. Low, slanting sun, blue skies, golden foliage... Rejuvenating! http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/gardens-and-landscape/virginia-water/
Japanese Anemone It pays to pay attention to your own garden - especially when you've been so busy or the weather has been against you, or the newly dark evenings have caught you by surprise. Perhaps, like me, you have been anxious to take in the show at Wisley or Kew (replace with your own…
Continue reading ➞ From Japanese Maples to a lone Japanese Anemone…
Cotinus coggygria Golden Spirit - an addition to the smoke bush family, adding to established favourites Cotinus coggygria Royal Purple (the darker leaves, framing the golden leaves of Golden Spirit), Flame and Grace. I have Flame in my own garden, a tall, oval leaved tower of blue-greenery which obscures the house beyond beautifully and is…
Continue reading ➞ Cotinus Golden Spirit
The Teddington Gardener 