08 June 2004 - A busy weekend

We have had a busy weekend. My brother married a lovely Jo on Saturday and made the sun shine. The garden brimmed with beauty, smelt wonderful and rewarded our hard work by attracting praise and being the perfect backdrop for such a romantic day. And we became the proud owners of Sophia; a short-legged Dexter cow that we hope will graze the wild flower bank.



We have great expectations in July when she should produce a first calf for
us and a fourth for her. She and her offspring have proved to be show
animals and she comes with an array of rosettes. But even more exciting for
us is her film star background in both 'movies' and television. She should
be so used to the limelight that she would take to our garden visitors and
even enjoy the attention.

So much is lovely at this time of year, even the hedgerows are colourful
with white and pink may blossom. In fact all the blossom has been splendid-
the chestnuts, lilac and laburnum stand out in particular. The Racemes on
our Laburnum arch have been 8/9 inches long and covered with bees. We are
moving to my favourite time when the scents fill the air. I think all
gardens should be filled with that heady smell of cloves and pinks. Ours
starts with that wonderful ribes odorarta, moves on to the lilacs and
viburnums and reaches a climax with pinks, roses and philadelphus. Bees and
butterflies are awake and so are the slugs and snails, and the white fly is
everywhere! But in my view nowhere is better than an English garden on a
sunny day.



We have a fantastic collection of oriental poppies that are at their peak
now. I have to admit that the colours are not very subtle but my goodness
what a vibrant show. Some come in colours good enough to eat Patty's
plum, Indian chief, Lilac Girl and Raspberry Queen stand out in my mind. The
secret to stopping them flopping over their neighbours is to stake and tie
as they emerge in the spring- pity I didn't get round to doing all ours.

Walking through the walled garden I realise that much that can be admired is
thanks to nature itself. She arrives in corners that I could never plant so
artistically, great armies of self-sown flowers that seem to thrive here.
Aquilegia, poppies, foxgloves and hardy geraniums join together to give the
garden the frothy, romantic feel that was so perfect last Saturday. However,
a visitor once said to me that he had much enjoyed his visit and was now
going home to look at his weeds in a completely new light! Oh well.

posted by Barbara @ Tuesday, June 08, 2004   0 comments (Post a Comment)