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

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2 November 2016

Tulip Tree = Pure Gold

Woodberry Hill
Liriodendron Tulipifera
PTC & a gilded lawn!

Not much one can say about this post except, if there's room, this is a tree and a half!  Our garden is not big enough for this beast and already it has been pollarded. See Rabbits Outfoxed for the full story of this particular tree
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31 October 2016

Growing Gold!

Crocus sativus - saffron crocus



 As weird as it sounds, I harvested my very first saffron stigmas! So far only 3 as only one flower has opened. However: this is the world's most expensive spice and gram for gram  more expensive than gold.

In 2014, a single gram, (that’s 0.035 of an ounce) of this sought-after spice was selling for up to £75, making saffron more expensive than gold.  The reason for this is the fact that each flower has only 3 stigmas and harvesting these precious stigmas is so laborious.  Strange that we eat this crocus when the corms, seeds and leaves of the Autumn crocus (colchicum) are deadly poisonous.

With only 6 corms, somehow I don't think I'm going to be an overnight millionaire! However, I might have enough for a very small dish of saffron potatoes!

                                                                                                 Anyone for dinner?

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More Autumn Colour

Too many colours to show in one post so, here's a collage. More photos can be seen here: And then the sun came out! I figured we need to make the best of some sunshine when autumn can be so dark and dank!

And then the mists lifted & the sun came out!

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Back to Brassicas

January King
Bold Brassicas


Whilst other trees and plants are dazzling us with their colourful leaves, things in the vegetable patch are look a tad more somber! It would be more than a little worrying if the brassicas turned orange or red. Having said that, the chard is looking pretty colourful even though the cabbages remain merely green! We have January King's, Hispi's and some Purple Sprouting. They do get full marks for clinging on to water droplets! Chris gave us a rather agricultural bird scarer which spins round. Hopefully it'll deter thieving pigeons!




Dewy droplets
Pigeon prevention!
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Glowing & Growing in the Gloom!

Euonymous europaeus - Spin

Liriodenron tulipifera - Tulip Tree


On definitely the darkest, dampest, dankest day we've had this October, the leaf colour in and around the garden is really striking. It didn't seem ever properly light today and yet despite a complete absence of sunshine the trees appeared to glow in the gloom. The Acers in pots by the chimney have few leaves left whilst elsewhere in the garden, they positively gleam with colour. I know it means lots of work clearing them all up but with colour like this - who cares? At their best now is the Tulip tree and Spindleberries with the cherries and the birches close behind.
An HDR shot of the Lower Lawn (Tulip Tree left & Spindleberry 2nd right)




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26 October 2016

Breaking News!



THE GARDENS OF WICHENFORD 2017



Despite the untimely death of our organiser: Alan Green, we're excited and pleased to announce that The Gardens of Wichenford will hold their open weekend on 24th & 25th June 2017.  We had our very first meeting last night and raised a glass to Alan. Obviously it can't be exactly the same format and it's very early days but the decision has been made and the dates decided upon! Keep an eye out here: Wichenford Open Gardens   We are also delighted to announce that Chris has  elicited an agreement from the chairman of the South Worcestershire Bonsai Society to hold another bonsai exhibition here at Pear Tree Cottage!



Last time, not only did they put on an amazingly professional exhibition but they also gave demonstrations and master classes in their fascinating discipline. It was a huge hit and everyone was stunned by the high standard of their exquisite exhibits! They warmly invite new members to join their club. For more details, contact:

               Malcolm Styles 

malcolmstyles@yahoo.com
Tel No:01905 455351
Venue:Claines British Legion,Cornmeadow Lane, Worcester
Day:second Tuesday 7.30pm

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Breaking News!



THE GARDENS OF WICHENFORD 2017



Despite the untimely death of our organiser: Alan Green, we're excited and pleased to announce that The Gardens of Wichenford will hold their open weekend on 24th & 25th June 2017.  We had our very first meeting last night and raised a glass to Alan. Obviously it can't be exactly the same format and it's very early days but the decision has been made and the dates decided upon! Keep an eye out here: Wichenford Open Gardens   We are also delighted to announce that Chris has  elicited an agreement from the chairman of the South Worcestershire Bonsai Society to hold another bonsai exhibition here at Pear Tree Cottage!



Last time, not only did they put on an amazingly professional exhibition but they also gave demonstrations and master classes in their fascinating discipline. It was a huge hit and everyone was stunned by the high standard of their exquisite exhibits! They warmly invite new members to join their club. For more details, contact:

               Malcolm Styles 

malcolmstyles@yahoo.com
Tel No:01905 455351
Venue:Claines British Legion,Cornmeadow Lane, Worcester
Day:second Tuesday 7.30pm

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