It's Curtains for Cordelia

Cordelia

Cordelia eventually had her trellis re-erected (well after roast chicken was consumed!)  Now we need to source some caps and finials for the 4 posts.  As the smaller old posts had mostly rotted, they were replaced with larger 4" round.  Her two wing panels had also rotted and it just so happened that we had a pair by the studio doing nothing. Hopefully the ivy which does provide a sense of age, will get going again.  As it's an old repro rick stone, I'm positively encouraging the ivy to do its stuff again and, with any luck, it will cover the trellis too providing a curtain of ivy for her backdrop.

Diversion Progress

Laying out stepping stones on the other side of the tree

Cutting the turf to fit

As well as the usual maintenance, I creosoted Cordelia's trellis and also the new 8' posts.  We went over to Border Counties Reclamation for 11 more stepping stones and then ordered 9 sq mtrs of turf.  Yesterday, we lifted the ferns and levelled the soil before laying the stepping stones and then the turf.  There were only 3 roots which we were just too high to lay turf on so we left them exposed - it is after all a woodland path through the Fernery!  All this was pretty time consuming.  Laying turf round a bend wasn't the easiest task in the world and we decided to leave final edge shaping until it has taken root.  As you can see, the golden rule of laying turf is being followed: water, water again, water some more and finally, keep watering!

Another group of artists visit the garden

Another group of artists in the garden this Thursday has resulted in another gift of a little watercolour from Judy and another donation for St. Richard's Hospice.  They brought lovely sunshine and gave me another opportunity to catch up on news from WLTC - my old tennis club thanks to Chloe.

More of Judy's enthusiastic and very impressionistic work can be seen at JudyFoulsham@artweb.com

PTC By Night

It was such a warm evening, we sat outside again listening to the owls and watching the bats so I took a few shots without a tripod which aren't too bad - considering.   The trellis looks softer now the climbers have put on a bit of growth. Kays arbour and arch also look all the better for having planting growing up them. It has to be remembered that they were all dug and, having spent the winter laid in the veg patch; weren't replanted until this April.

 More can be seen at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/100788191989823327785/PTCByNight

An evening with Eve

We spent a fab evening in Eve's spectacular garden and guess who didn't take a camera.  These photos (taken in low light with a phone) definitely do not do it justice!  The reality is an absolute riot of colour with immaculately edged lawns, loads of traditional cottage perennials and masses of pots to die for.

Sitting Pretty

                                                                                                                                                 

                                            

                       

We've had a lot of action/working shots in the garden recently so, here's one of a random Hosta sitting on an old chair in a quiet shady spot!

Messing in the Myrtle

Fragrant Fuzziness

Our Myrtle (Communis) is now 3 or 4 years old and, after a couple of early savage winters had taken their toll; it looked pathetically burnt so I pruned it hard back.  Last year it greened up, looked much healthier and had  a few sparse blooms.  THIS year, it's amazing and yet it's been outside in a west facing pot for the past 2 years facing all that mother nature threw at it - which was plenty earlier this year!  It's an absolute mass of bloom and fragrant fuzziness.  No wonder all royal brides have a few springs of this in their wedding bouquets!

Love those stamens!