The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

An afternoon off gardening meant a visit to Lower Court Nursery at Suckley (http://www.holloways.co.uk/plants.htm)  to meet Caroline Orgee who sells a good range of garden plants and shrubs as well as a large selection of those more suited to conservatories.  More importantly, she was full of really sensible advice!  Despite arriving home with a boot full of plants and shrubs, the majority were destined for a friend's garden 'mound' over at Clifton-on-Teme.  Hopefully all have since been planted with plenty of TLC! I wasn't completely empty handed. Another Ligularia  and 3 specimens of Primula Viallis (right) found their way to PTC so - more planting to do at the weekend! Chris arrived with an unusual Iris (which was immediately planted in front of the pond loggery and I think it could well be Iris ensata variegata) and departed with a Vibernam Opulus and a Pittisporum.