First there was a wide pool of water with the floating heads of Hellebores, upturned to enjoy the sunshine. Garden gathered Anna's Red, White Tutu and the original, purple Tutu, Winter Moonbeam, a few hybrids... then came the big freeze - and it seems, though this was March 2018, a cold snap is on it's…
shade
A timely guide to spring-flowering bulbs – choices, tips, techniques and planting ideas for a display from January to May
More thieving from my back catalogue of articles, this one doubly so since it originally featured in September a few years ago, featuring images taken from 2014 onwards - and repeated again in April of this year. But spring-flowering bulbs are available now so this time of year is probably the most useful as bulbs can be…
Hydrangeas and nothing but Hydrangeas ….
What a lot of Hydrangeas - from a variety of destinations including RHS Wisley and the Savill Garden near Windsor. Probably a few from Golden Hill Nurseries down on the south coast who are specialists in this beautiful plant - definitely worth seeking out their expert knowledge at any future plant fair or flower show.…
Kew Gardens – a look back in anticipation of looking forward to a visit soon …
A look back to a visit in early August 2018 when the Pagoda was reopening after a refurbishment and the installation of the dragons. If you want a look inside the pagoda, or a look at the landscape from its heights, you can use tags or search functions. The gardens are open again after…
Continue reading ➞ Kew Gardens – a look back in anticipation of looking forward to a visit soon …
A few scribblings on creating a White Garden
Creating a White Garden Straight out of the block, I'm talking about green. And grey, silver, and variegation. We'll get to white but a few thoughts first. ‘Green is the backdrop to the garden but in its range of shades and textures, green has much more to offer as any foreground interest. Grey dims,…
Continue reading ➞ A few scribblings on creating a White Garden
A return to the gardens of RHS Wisley – a riot of colour and scent (well it will be and most definitely was last year)
Closed still of course, so a look back to a tour I did this time last year. These photos bring it right back into focus, and I can so clearly remember the paths and turns taken. Fresh greens, bright flowers and scent. Enjoy. Hawthorn, Bluebells, Azaleas and Rhododendrons, flowering Viburnums, a craft fair, tree-trunk…
Nymans, pure Romance …
Lockdown continues and these gardens, as are all, are closed to the public and so it is back to the archives and this collection of photographs from early May last year. I've brought it forward as the Wisteria has really taken to the warm days we have enjoyed this past few weeks and is…
A guide to spring-flowering bulbs in the garden – planting ideas from January to May in kaleidoscopic style
Bulbs in the spring garden. The text and images are timely in this piece, looking through the late winter and spring months January through to May, though it was originally written for a September story when the bulbs and corms would be available for planting. There are practical tips and hints planting of course,…
Remembrance of An East Sussex Odyssey and the jewel in the crown, Great Dixter (2018)
An impossibly bright day, just like today, but taking us back two years to 2018 and a late spring coming back after the Beast from the East chilled (froze) the country over several weeks. Too bright for really good photography but a pleasure to remember. Enjoy. Well this time I'll let the pictures do…