Tuesday, 18 June 2013

All About the Garden

At the moment, my favourite time of the day is just about 7.05am. The house is still quiet, the kettle is on the hob and I pull on my wellies with my pyjamas and go out into the garden.


First job is to let out the hens, feed and water them and then there's a quick five minutes to say good morning to my garden. And at the moment everything is just about to come into it's prime.
The patio pots are all a little green and quiet this week. I've re-potted them, replacing the tulips and primulas with the cosmos, ammi majus and nasturtium seedlings I've nurtured through our Arctic spring. A couple more weeks and there should be a really good show and this lull means the borders get to really stand out.
Everything is pretty crammed in and will probably be a flop by the end of July but for now it looks just how I love it; abundant and fit to burst. This damp, humid weather we're having this week is just what the plants need to really hit the top of their form. There's so much colour to come.
Some things have happened by accident really, like the geranium that's made itself at home next to the bleeding heart. I couldn't have planned it better if I tried. I love this other accidental combination too of self-sown lime achimilla, lovely rosy pink astrantia and the regal purple of the alliums just going over.

The honeysuckle on my cheapo arch is looking really mature now too and there are tons of buds. Just hope I get some balmy evenings to sit by and enjoy it.
I'm not out for long but it really sets me up for my day stuck at my desk in the city.

And at the other end of the day 7.05pm looks like this sometimes from my bedroom window. Happy Valley!

18 comments:

Kim said...

Your garden looks beautiful; very full and pretty.

Lyn said...

What a lovely garden and a lovely view!
You are right, this time of year is lovely in the garden, it still looks fresh.
Xxx

Unknown said...

Gorgeous garden, just how I like it. And that view, how amazing to have such an incredibly beautiful vista from your house - so soothing. x

lilac and old roses said...

Just lovely. That me time in the morning is very special x

Rebecca said...

Your garden is so beautiful, i'm very jealous! x

Unknown said...

It looks gorgeous, and what a wonderful way to start the day. You've inspired me to try and do the same (though I have no chickens!) x

Sophia Merrill said...

I hadn't been by your blog in awhile...had some catch-up reading to do...this last one was quite the best...such a beautiful garden....what a wonderful place to start the day.

old cottage industry said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

Rose H (UK) said...

That's the sort of garden I love - full to bustin' and no room for weeds :o)
It's beautiful, and so good you are able to enjoy it in peace and quiet.
Rose H
x

Miss Holly said...

Oh my gosh.....how perfectly beautiful!!! You know I am quite convinced that some of the best garden delights are the accidents!! Something pops through and you think.....perfection!!!

Sian said...

Wow - everything looks so abundant in your garden. Really very beautiful - I can imagine how much you must enjoy those quiet moments out there in the mornings. And as for that view come the sunset...sigh.

Unknown said...

Oh you have such a lovely garden, beautiful! And I love that view you have! Have a lovely week. Sharon

Mama Macfennell said...

What a beautiful array of blooms and colours - I think if it were my garden I'd never get to work! Helen

SandyshoesCornwall said...

Oooh I've been wondering how your garden is looking this summer and it seems it is making the best show yet! Lovely flowers, wish my garden could look like this too x

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Steph,

I love these pictures of your garden!! It is absolutely charming! I live in North Carolina, in the southeastern part of the U.S. It's interesting to see which of the same flowers we have here that are growing in your garden. We have the cosmos, foxgloves, and bleeding hearts (which I just adore). But your geraniums look completely different from ours here. Honeysuckle grows wild here in the south in summer, and it smells so fragrant and sweet in the evenings.

I was fortunate to be able to visit England for a week back in 1999 when my husband was there on business. We stayed in a country house in Bedforshire, and I absolutely loved her gardens. I've been following your blog for a while, but this is the first time I've left a comment. I correspond frequently with Rose at Second Hand Rose; she is such a lovely person.

I enjoyed your post and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Denise

Curlew Country said...

Hi Denise, thanks for your lovely comment and for visiting. My geraniums are the hardy perennial variety but I also grow the usual scented varieties you get in bright reds, pinks and white in pots.
There are hundreds of hardy geraniums in beautiful colours for all situations,. The one in the pic is Johnsons Blue and came as small slippings from my mum's garden. It dies back each winter and grows up again in the spring.

Thanks again and have a lovely weekend Steph xx

Reginas Cottage said...

hello steph
your garden looking lovely.you have wonderful flowers!!!!
wish you a nice time in your garden paradies,
love regina

Judy said...

That's the kind of garden that I would love to have. It's beautiful and there are so many interesting flowers! Thanks so much for sharing. We need a photo of the chickens too.