Apologies for the radio silence, I’ve had major internet problems! My computer is in my sewing room on a desk that is about as far away from where the internet comes in as it could be, it’s been getting ridiculously slow and despite a booster thing nearby it got to the point where I just couldn’t get on the internet. Very frustrating! Last night I suddenly had the idea to move the desk to the other side of the sewing room, when I suggested it to my OH he suggested moving onto the landing where the booster is.,,well it’s a game changer!! So now I can catch up on all those posts I haven’t read as well as tell you what I’ve been up to.
The sun has finally started shining here in the UK and I’ve managed to do several good sessions in the garden. I’ve tried to be a bit more methodical rather than my usual trick of flitting here and there.
I started clearing the autumn bed at he top of the garden, it’s where the chickens and the compost heap used to be and I still get an awful lot of weeds here though it is getting better. I still need to sort the path out at the end as I’m pretty sure there’s crazy paving under the weedy bit.

Yesterday I tackled the other side of this bed, the Amber and Amethyst garden. I only managed half of it but I filled a large garden sack with weeds, there was a new to me weed which was rather prolific in the corner, so I’m hoping it’s one that is easy to control. This photo was taken on a wider setting, so it’s a bit distorted but it gives a better idea of the space.

Down by the patio the choisya is in full bloom, that’s the shrub with lots of white flowers on. I don’t think I’ve seen it quite so floriferous before! The pale pink blossom you can see behind by the lawn is a deutzia, that’s also looking rather splendid. The purple acer in the pottery has come into leaf and is looking very graceful. There’s a few pots need sorting out but they will wait a while.

Up by the pond the Solomons seal is still trying to take over despite a heavy thinning last year, so I think it’s going to have to be moved to somewhere where it can spread to it’s heart’s content. The hostas have all unfurled their leaves over the past couple of weeks so the bed has really filled out. The pond is disappearing behind all the foliage! I have a contact for someone from the local wildlife group who will come and look at garden ponds to advise on how to make them more wildlife friendly, I’m hoping they will be able to suggest something to sort out the duckweed which is safe for the newts.

I’m taking stock of the garden a bit at the moment, seeing which beds need an overhaul and which just need a tidy up, there’s a fair bit of work to do as usual!





I do love the contrasts in this garden, and actually have a recommendation, if you have space: Forest Pansy (Cersis canadensis) in the burgundy variant. It’s a small tree, suitable for courtyards, deciduous, tolerates frost and light snow, and has pink flowers. It’s very popular here, and the leaves are beautiful.
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Thanks Kate, I’ll have a look at that one.
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Well done on sorting out the internet, and with a simple solution. I always love looking at your garden, Margaret. I know you see what needs to be done, but to me it always looks like a grand garden.
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Beautiful, Margaret! 🙂
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Such a wonderful garden!
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Your garden is beautiful. Thanks for the totter.
Such a clever computer solution .
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