From a Vine to a Japanese Wisteria!

 

Big change around this week.  After much much discussion and soul searching, we decided to remove the Vitis coignetiae from the garage and in its place, plant a Japanese Wisteria.  After some research we've gone for depth of color and perfume and decided on a Brachybotrys okayama aka iko yama fuji.  An interesting fact is that Chinese Wisterias grown clockwise whilst Japanese Wisterias grow anticlockwise.  One question: I wonder WHY?  Actually, no!  Another question: will it have its first flower in the spring???

Back on Greenwich Mean Time!

Just amazing light - nuff said!

 

Fireworks in October!

 

Whilst seasonal work carries on as usual, it means more leaf clearance but more leaf colour to enjoy.  More leaves equal more colour in this garden so it makes clearing them all up totally worthwhile and, if they don't go into making leaf mould, they make perfect compost so it's a win win situation!  The Acers have been and still are utterly spectacular but we absolutely should not leaf out the Dogwoods and Cotinus!  Here's a link to MUCH more colour:

October Garden Colour

Dahlias have also produced a really colourful display and a row of chrysanths grown for cutting have done really well and provided indoor colour with a long vase life - always a bonus!

EGGCITING NEW SIGN!!

Our girls had better get busy!  We're eggspecting sales to rocket following the installation of our new sign at the end of the drive - courtesy of the talented Ollie Marshall!!

More Lovely Garden Visitors!

 Last week, we didn't think we'd have any more garden visitors until a couple from Oxford arrived. Having DEFINITELY thought we wouldn't have any more garden visitors this year - surprise!!  Four lovely people, two from near Bristol, came for a couple of hours this afternoon.  The sun tried to shine but really didn't try hard enough.  However they were very enthusiastic and enjoyed afternoon tea on the terrace before exploring the garden. 

PLANTING BONANZA

 Following a visit to the Plant Fair at Malvern and gifts from 3 friends, we have a brand newly planted up border!! All very exciting!!!  Have never planted up a herbaceous border before or ever had so many plants to play around with. Our new border enjoys a sloping sunny south west aspect and now contains the following:

Phlox:

Europa

Maculata Rosalind

Paniculata Red Flame

Rudbeckia:

Goldsturm

fulgida var. deamii 

Achillea:

Vintage Rose

Millefolium Summer fruits 

Echinacea purpurea Cheyenne Spirit

Digitalis foxlight Ruby Glow 

Aster:

novi-belgii blue

novi-begii Marie III pink

Coreopsis:

Mercury Rising

grandiflora Early Sunrise 

Tickseed Red Elf

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora Bampton

Gaura lindheimii Sparkling White 

Scabious 

Bearded Iris (6)

Crocosmia (6) 

Helenium Moerheim Beauty

What a list!!  I've named them all here for my own future reference and not to bore anyone who might be reading this!  Photos to follow.

 

 

 

 

MORE CHICKEN ANTICS!

Recycled chicken activity wheel!

With an old bicycle wheel an unused parasol base and a few bits and pieces, the girls have a new facility to enjoy!! We're just waiting for them to get used to it!!