In the Garden

 The Tulip Tree has been having an early Autumn.  

There are leaves everywhere.

We are gradually taking out some of the old, unproductive raised beds to create a new space.  We'll think about what to replace them with through the rest of this year.  New higher, raised beds that badgers can't get into? A flat seating area?  A new shed in which to keep the garden furniture over Winter?  A summer house or gazebo?  We'll see.

The Holly hedge along the back of the garden has lots of red berries.  I think Autumn has arrived early this year.

There are lots of apples on the tree.  Many were removed a few weeks ago but there are still lots of fruit weighing the branches down.  We've had to prop them up with canes to stop them snapping off.

I'm not sure when they will be ready but I think they will be much smaller this year.  I miss the plum tree we had to take down a few years ago as I'm fond of Victoria plums at this time of year.  I'd love to have a Damson or Greengage tree.  Fruit trees seem to grow well in this garden.

 I think the apples and the holly berries are the most colourful things in the garden at the moment.  All is very dull and dreary after the hot weather.  We've lost Hydrangeas, Japanese Anemones and peonies, all brown with crumbling papery leaves.  I'm hoping some of them may revive next year.

What we do have now is rain.  At last!  

Much needed of course to fill up the pond and the water butts.

Of course it is a holiday weekend here.  I don't think we'll be going very far, so it's a good job I've got three library books to read.  Oops, Wilfred sneaked into the photo.  He came as a free gift when I ordered a jacket on line about three years ago.

Have a lovely, peaceful weekend everyone, wherever you are.

Just a Smidgen Cooler

It feels slightly cooler today, cool enough to lift me out of my stupor of the last few days and inspire us to get out for a short walk whilst it was overcast with a softly cool breeze.  Trentham as usual I'm afraid as we didn't want to travel far and it's just down the road.  

After the wildflowers shown in my last post I was looking at the more formal flowers in the small show gardens this time. 

First the Reedmace or bulrush by the lake

Lots of lovely colours and shapes

Now back home, I have laundry drying outside and Paul is mowing some of the grass which had grown quite high in places.  

Yesterday, early morning we did manage to make a Summer Pudding. Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries and Blackberries.

We ate a portion this evening with a scoop of ice cream.  It was cool and delicious.

It's probably going to get hot again this week but I've really enjoyed the cooler air today and the short respite from the heat.  We really do need some rain.

In the Garden

 It's been far too hot to work or even sit in the garden this last few days.  The pop up gazebo was put up last Saturday but was only used until Monday when it became far too hot even in the shade to be outside until about eight o'clock in the evening. 

The warmer weather has encouraged everything to flower.  We are inundated with foxgloves.

Bees love them.

The yellow rose bush we inherited when we first moved here has had more flowers on it than I have ever seen before.  I'm not sure what type it is but the flowers have a lovely scent and progress from dark yellow to almost white as they mature.

Yellow Flag Iris in the pond.  They have taken over again this May.  Each year they get thinned out.  These too were inherited from the previous owners.

They and the other plants are draining the pond so we have had to top it up from the rainwater butts.

Also in the pond we've had Damselflies flitting around.  Two pairs.  

I think these are the more common Large Red Damselflies.

It was interesting to see them using the pond over several days.

There are loads of little apples forming on the apple tree.  I guess a lot of these will drop but it's good to see them after all the lovely blossom.

Strawberries, gooseberries, elder flower and sweet peas are on the way.  

Last but not least my very favourite plant the Philadelphus  Belle Etoile or 'Mock Orange'.  I'd wanted one for ages and we bought this last year.  Many years ago I worked in a 15th century hall and behind our museum office was a herb garden bordered by a mock orange hedge. The scent in the air as we made our way across the courtyard to the museum stores was wonderful.  I looked forward to it flowering each year.

There is so much to enjoy and  look forward to in the garden.  Much needed to calm the mind and lift the spirits in this very uncertain world.

All for now.

Mostly Pink and Blue

 Around the garden the colours are mostly pink and blue.  

The Tamarisk tree will fade to the palest, softest pink.

Whilst the Rhododendron will fade from dark pink, to pale pink then white.

Clematis Montana

and Bistort carry on the colour theme.

Blue is represented by the perennial Cornflower

and Forget-me-Not which has spread all over the garden as well as the paths.  Bluebells have faded now but they too shone blue in parts of the garden.

Long sticky stems of Cleavers or goosegrass are winding their way up into the shrubs and hedges.  Wood avens has also taken hold in some areas.  Dandelions are all over adding bright yellow to the mix until their soft downy clocks appear.

 

There is much to do.

 All for now. Take care.

Blossom

Glorious pink Blossom and blue skies, you'd be forgiven for thinking all is well with the world.  It's so wonderful to see.  I look forward to this display each year along the bank the River Trent by the Trentham Garden Centre.

The Magnolias across the river in the gardens are looking lovely too.

Although still chilly in the mornings the days have been glorious.  Walks have been taken.  Gardening done, washing has dried outside.  Days are filled with ordinary things and routine tasks, I'm trying to savour these days as they pass by so quickly.  

All for now.