The shady garden in summer and autumn… beginning an A-Z

  I had been preparing for a workshop covering the possibilities for gardening in a little - or a lot - of shade and put together the gallery last year to illustrate some of the contenders that anyone tackling such a proposition might entertain. A perennial question, this, what to plant, planting combination and health…

The shady garden in summer and into autumn … beginning an A-Z

  I'm preparing for a workshop covering the possibilities for gardening in a little - or a lot - of shade and have begun to put together the gallery (above, but more to come) to illustrate some of the contenders that anyone tackling such a proposition might entertain. Damp shade and dry shade, dappled shade…

A Grand Day Out – Loseley House & Gardens – Within the Walled Garden, a Rose Garden, Flower Garden, White Garden, Herb and Edible Garden, and then a Moat, Tudor House, Parkland ….

Thank goodness for that - only having lived within striking distance of this Tudor House, Walled Garden and Parkland just down the A3 between Guildford and Godalming - for nigh on 19 years - we got there! And we were not disappointed. This is a busy estate and a very busy wedding venue - so…

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 – the show gardens, the great pavillion, the roses and … well, pretty much everything

From my walk through Chelsea, to the very last moment - a few hours in the company of the world's greatest flower show....

More from Petersham House Open Gardens …

A play with the camera first thing this morning, before the crowds, with a few at the end of the day, with the longer shadows. A cycle in along the river this morning and again on the way home, quite delightful. Hundreds of visitors for the gardens, four hundred? five hundred?, enjoying the double borders…

A Bowl of Beauty – Roses and Clematis, perfect companions at Petersham Nurseries (and anywhere else for that matter ….)

The most fragrant Old Rose - though a modern incarnation, Gertrude Jekyll, with Munstead Wood, deep dark and redolent of blackcurrant and plum, and Reine de Violettes, with Eden Rose (Pierre de Ronsard) plu some amazing Clematis - Multi Blue, Cezanne, Giselle, Abilene ... more. A delightful way to showcase beautiful blooms ...Enjoy. A regularly…

Going up in the world with Clematis (more pretty things from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show)

Plenty of glorious clematis on display last month, particularly on the Thorncroft Clematis exhibit. Really makes me want to grow more at home! I spoke to a very helpful past Secretary of the British Clematis Society - http://www.britishclematis.org.uk/ - and if my love affair with roses ever falters then I'm certain to hot foot it…

I’m singing in the rain/ Just singing in the rain/ What a glorious feelin’ I’m happy again/ I’m laughing at clouds/ So dark up above/ The sun’s in my heart/ And I’m ready for … roses, dahlias, beautiful perennials

Enough rain today to satisfy Dr Foster, on his way to Gloucester - but here at Petersham, it made some rather beautiful plants even more beautiful - roses of course, the first of the dahlias (and my apologies for not noting their names - next time I'll look at the Cutting  Garden Plan), and a…

The sun has got his hat on and – simmering in the heat – here are a just a few things that caught my eye today #floralmonday