Summer & Autumn 2022: Reflections

Since we built the pergola walkway in November 2017,  we’ve had mixed success with the plants we’ve used to cover it. It’s pleasing that the range of plants that are there now, consisting of ivies, clematis, and evergreen jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) seem to be happy enough and are starting to cover the structure nicely. We went on a narrow boat

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September & October 2019: Late summer flowers and planting for spring 2020

In September I began studying a RHS horticultural qualification at Merrist Wood college – here’s a link to my programme. We visited Wisley and particularly enjoyed the tropical garden; I really liked the contrasting foliage textures and colour combinations. I was particularly pleased with Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen‘  which we planted into the back of the mixed border in spring- the

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March 2019: Spring in the garden

It was exciting this March to see some of the early flowering plants that we positioned last year burst into flower; these included the euphorbia, clematis, and some of the bulbs like the daffodil ‘Thalia‘; this multi-headed classic variety are pure white and really stand out against the bark mulch. We will definitely be planting more of these bulbs in

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February 2019: First flowers, snow and heatwaves

The weather has been bizarre this month – both cold and hot. February started off with a light dusting of snow and culminated with heat waves which broke meteorological records for winter temperatures in the UK. I was working from home on the 14th and so thought I might venture out at lunch time. I was taken by surprise by some

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