What a lovely day it was yesterday. We had a long walk at Tittesworth Reservoir near Leek in the morning it was so quiet and peaceful - the lull before the storm. After seeing the weather forecast for today I dashed out into the garden about 8.30p.m. last night to photograph some of the plants and flowers just in case they were battered by the rain today. I'm glad I did because already we've had two downpours of thunderous rain accompanied by great flashes of lightening and it's not even 10a.m. yet. My plans for this morning are scuppered but never mind. Below are a few of the photos I took yesterday evening.
The first Clematis flower, I don't know the name of it as we inherited it when we first moved here. If any one recognises the variety I'd love to know.
The first rose to bloom in the garden is always this yellow one, again it is inherited so I've no idea of the variety. Like the purple clematis above it has been moved several times until we finally found the ideal spot for it. The rose bush used to be too close to the back gate and I was always catching skirts on it as I passed by.
Also inherited is the blue hardy geranium. there was one clump of this when we first came here now it has spread along the top of the garden.
Another inherited plant is the climbing hydrangea above which is just coming into flower. This had to be saved and moved when we had the new conservatory fitted a couple of years ago. The brick wall it was attached to didn't have a damp course and so the old conservatory was sometimes damp - the new one has glass to the floor so no wall for the hydrangea to cling to - it seems to be coping well in its pot until we find a suitable place for it.
One plant we have put into the garden is the one above, but I still have no idea what it is because the label is long lost and I can't remember what its name was. We bought it from the National Trust plant sales at Clumber Park quite a few years ago now when we took my Dad on a visit - we lived not far away when I was a child and we would have family picnics there most Sundays. Dad has been gone since 2005 and he was in a home for two years before that so the plant must be over 10 year old.
Last night as I took the photographs it was covered in bees I counted at least a dozen. If anyone knows the name of the plant I be grateful to know.*
The lupins are doing well in their pot. I removed about ten snails last night. I just carry them right to the top of the garden behind the shed and put them into the hedge bottom. I know they will come back but I can't hurt them. My neighbour gave us the lupin plants quite a few years ago now and I try and place the pot where she can see them from her bedroom window. She has multiple sclerosis so doesn't get out and about very much but she does love her garden flowers and birds and feeds the foxes that visit in the late evenings.
In the raised beds the gooseberries are nearly ready
The strawberries, however, need at lot more sunshine.
Do you think we will see some sun this weekend? Whatever the weather I hope you enjoy yourselves.
* since I wrote this post this morning I have been 'googling' such things as 'white plants that attract bees' and think I've found my plant. It seems to be a Deutzia magnifica - here is a -link- what do you think?
* since I wrote this post this morning I have been 'googling' such things as 'white plants that attract bees' and think I've found my plant. It seems to be a Deutzia magnifica - here is a -link- what do you think?
Such a beautiful garden!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you:)
DeleteI know what you mean about battered flowers, mine are like that as we speak. Massive downpours this morning and thunder as well, but sunshine right now - for how long I can't say. Your garden is very pretty. I'm not very good at names for plants so can't help I'm afraid. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
We had a stupendous downpour last night and now the garden is sodden and the pond overflowing - the yellow rose is still intact though:)
DeleteYour garden's looking beautiful Rosie and yes I'm pretty sure that's a Deutzia. I intended to go and pick a few peonies yesterday evening but got distracted and today the poor things are so bedraggled. Still this weather is good for the ducks! Jane x
ReplyDeleteWhat a downpour we had last evening the water was running like a stream around our house and patio - our pond has overflowed as well. All our peony flowers are gone now:)
DeleteGorgeous clematis. It looks like velvet! I like your blue hardy geranium. I have a deep pink veined one that is really invasive around the garden. I think you are right with your white plant idenification. It is really beautiful and a bonus that it attracts the bees. x
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a velvety looking flower in a majestic purple. The blue geraniums are so pretty but don't last as long as the pink ones:)
DeleteIt's looking good :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louise:)
DeleteMagnific garden , Rosie, Superb!!!
ReplyDeleteI love flowers, specially the Clematis, I've never seen this plant.
The Deutzia magnifica is like its name, magnific, very cute with the bees.
Thanks, Dolores - I always love the colour of the clematis:)
DeleteHi Rosie,
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking lovely. I've been out in the garden today planting our vegetable patch and some herbs, but it has been so cold.
I had a beautiful rose 'Winchester Cathedral' with gorgeous scented blooms, which we planted two years ago. Sadly, it did not survive our cold winter. As this is the second rose that I've lost in two years, I don't think that I will be planting any more in this garden.
Hope the sun shines for you tomorrow.
Marie x
Thanks, Marie. What a shame about your roses being lost over the winter. It seems a shame that you can't grow your favourite flowers but far better not to have them than lose them:)
DeleteYour garden looks lovely. Hope it stays dry today!
ReplyDeleteust one little 'sprottle' and now sun again - the garden is wet through from last night's deluge - we have puddles forming all over, I think the water table is high:)
DeleteI hope you enjoyed some sunshine today. The rain really made quite an appearance yesterday didn't it! I love the inherited plants you have. I also have the climbing hydrangea and this is around our front entrance. It's so lovely and bright against the brickwork. Have a great week x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chel - it certainly did rain here too. I loved that hydrangea against the brick wall and it is hard to know where to put it now. I don't want to lose it though:)
DeleteIt looks to me as though you have identified the plant correctly, your pictures look almost identical in fact! I cannot help with the varieties of the other plants, but they all look as though they are doing well and in good health so you must be caring for them well! That is the main thing. It is horrible when there is a downpour and your precious flowers get battered isn't it. I am glad that you got to photograph them first! xx
ReplyDeleteI do veery little to the plants, Amy but they seem to survive and come back each year which amazes me. some of them do try to take over though so have to be restrained at times. That yellow rose is still standing after all the rain:)
DeleteI saw the storms coming so went out and tied as many plants as I could before they were battered down, I think the garden enjoyed the rain even though we didn't really. However, the sun has shone this weekend and it's been blue sky and glorious so won't complain. Just 3/4 way through 'A Common place Killing' so thanks for the tip. The sun is peeping out down here now so must go and do something constructive with my time. Have a lovely day and happy Monday.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying reading A Common Place Killing - it is a very vividly written book isn't it? The newly identified Deutzia was down yesterday and had to be tied back onto its stick - at least it didn't snap off thank goodness:)
DeleteYour photos are lovely. It's a shame about the changeable weather and heavy periods of rain when the shrubs are heavy with flowers and many plants are getting battered. Your gooseberries are looking good!
ReplyDeleteGosh it did rain this morning! I'm looking forward to the first gooseberries and strawberries too. We also ahve a very small courgette and a couple of little tomatoes - so it looks as if they are on their way too:)
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