Secret Steps Project

Now you see them..

...now you don't!

Today saw completion of 'The Secret Steps Project!'  Last year we cut a gap in a Yew hedge with the idea of building steps up through to the terrace on the other side.  It means a discreet short cut from the barbecue to the pond and beyond with no need to make detours. The steps are a continuation of the stone steps by the culvert but they narrow and wind as they disappear through a door in the hedge which has a window mirror attached.  The window mirror was a present from Malc & Sue Wilkes.

It goes without saying that Chris did a fab job despite the usual lack of plans!  If only he could read minds, he'd know all PTC creations would turn out perfectly! We finished off by re-recycling some recycled bricks to build the threshold at the top! Some of which still bore traces of old lime mortar. Talking of mortar:it was dry enough for me to rub the mortar down before (a late) dinner. In time the Yew will grow new shoots and make them even more secretive. In the meantime, we can't wait to christen them!

Pond Pump Probs

Retrieving the failed pump

Locating the failed pump

The pond pump started to sound suspiciously noisy before it just stopped a few days ago.  Fearing it had silted up, Chris came to the rescue and with a ladder and plank across the pond, he retrieved the failed pump and installed a replacement. We were keen to see why a year old pump should fail and it was pleasing to see that there was no evidence of silt whatsoever.  Instead, we found that the screw securing the impeller had become detached and dropped off! A ladder over the pond was an ideal opportunity to tip toe out and get a closer than usual shot of a water lily without falling in. Even the filter was dismantled and cleaned. After lunch work commenced on the Secret Steps Project.

The first lily of the year.

'Queenhouse' Finale

Now unveiled!

Surrounded by red, white & blue!

It was lovely to have the Lyte-Masons over from Australia to open the new greenhouse. We were very honoured to have them as 11 years have elapsed since they were over for the opening of our Hartley Botanic predecessor! It was warm and sunny and we were able to have a barbecue and even eat the first course outside. We celebrated with Chris G who gave up most of his Easter to build the base and his wife: Sal and Chris P who dismantled the old greenhouse and dug out all the footings. For the occasion, Chris G managed to find the time to finish grouting all the floor tiles and also do an amazing job of tiling the threshold. We're looking forward to Hartley Botanic replacing the corrugated bases for the staging and all will be completed. In the meantime, the vine is thriving as are the tomatoes and cucumbers.

Chris's amazing threshold.

We all have our favourites!

LOST & FOUND

Two years ago my favourite shovel was lost after accidentally being left in Chris's wood. Now this was not any old shovel.  This was a special shovel given to me by my Daddy!! During this time it lay forgotten and neglected beneath a pile of wood. Having found it earlier this week, today, Chris returned it all polished, oiled and as good as new. It now hangs safely back in its place in the tool shed - never to be lost again!

A gleaming  F.M.J shovel comes home!

     

         Thanks Chris!

Wisteria History

KING OF CLIMBERS!

...can even take my weight!

The main trunk of the Witley Court Wisteria ....

An HDR shot I took of Witley Court 2016

The humungus and very ancient Wisteria still growing today at  the famous Witley Court . Yes! This very climber is the Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather of one of our Wisterias - the one which grows over the Studio. Witley Court was a forgotten ruin when I knew it and so this beast of a climber suffered many years of neglect. In 1926 a cutting was propagated and planted against the The Dog at Dunley  where it continues to thrive to this day.

The Dog at Dunley

Horse drawn timber wagons outside the Dog at Dunley in 1926

At my last house near Worcester, I bought a plant from (RHS gold medal winning) Cook's Nurseries which they had propagated from the specimen growing against the Dog at Dunley a few miles away. Some years after planting mine, I propagated a cutting (using the layering method and a rubber door mat to encourage rooting!) This is the Wisteria which now festoons the Studio!! In 2019 it celebrates its 15th birthday!

Zermatt Close Wisteria

Maybe, one day, the owners will take pity on the grandiose old specimen and allow it to roam over something more elegant than a scrubby old conifer which isn't shown! After all, Witley Court is the most palacial ruin!! Having said that, ours is on the loose in the fig tree having already romped around the corner and over its arch in 2 years! If you check out the map, you'll see that it's done a bit of a circle and is growing remarkably close to its still living ancestor!

The Studio

The Studio & Wisteria Arch

Dodging the Showers

Just a couple of blooms that caught my eye after mowing and edging between the showers this afternoon. With such high humidity, the scent of so much apple and hawthorn blossom hangs heavy in the air and is noticed as soon as one steps outside - the joy of being surrounded by apple orchards! The frequent showers gave me the perfect excuse to retreat to my new greenhouse! Calendula seedlings were pricked out, chillies, potted on and tomatoes tied in with side shoots removed.

Avian Crime Prevention

Mr Owl on guard.

No owl and no flowers!

Year after year birds have been stripping the flower buds from the Wisteria which grows up the south wall of the house. Sparrows are the biggest culprits closely followed by blue tits and great tits. Their gourmet feeding station is very close by so, last year just before the flower buds began to swell, we moved it to the north side of the house. It made no difference whatever and they completely scalped it. Now - as much as we love and care for our song birds, eating flower buds on the king of climbers is not easily tolerated!

This year we tried something new. After moving the feeding station away from the Wisteria, we installed a large plastic owl with a rotating head. Guess what! Loads of beautiful flowers near the owl and not a single flower the other side of the Jasmine from where the owl can't be seen. Moral: more plastic owls needed!!