A selection of writings, speeches, photographs and events as well as some of my favourite literary passages.
Friday, 29 June 2018
Wednesday, 13 June 2018
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
Old Swan House Garden in June 2018
That garden is now almost at its peak in early June. The euphorbia no longer dominate as they have suffered the 'Chelsea Chop' but the roses have suddenly all come out and Mme Alfred Carriere is scrambling up the neighbour's yew, the roses having been properly pruned and tied back for the first time this winter.
The wildflower meadow - probably the smallest in the country to be enclosed with estate fencing - is brimming with plants and has had had an additional supply of oxeye daisy and - hopefully - some teazle added to the mix, which now surrounds an old staddle stone.
The horse surveys the top of the garden and the addition box balls and pyramids
Only the lawns are a disappointment this year, but should soon be brought back to lush greeness.
For more photos, click here
For a video walk-through, click here
See also Blithe Moment
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Monday, 4 June 2018
Blithe Moment
There is a blithe moment in the gardening year when the frosts are past and all is in a state of becoming.
Nothing is dying or fallen, and little pruning is needed except to control exuberant growth.
Sweeping or tiding up is at its least insistent. And even the lawn seems not yet to grow so strongly.
That moment is sometime in early June when the breeze is gentle, and the garden seems suspended in
light.