May 2015 | Enthusiastic Gardener

Tubs in the side patio

May 31, 2015May 31, 2015City Garden, HomeLeave a Comment

I have a small space at the side of the house which is protected and where one can sit on warm mornings and evenings. I have planted tubs with ferns but would like to plants some small shrubs for height and yet more colour. I have had all of the following before, but they had outgrown the tubs and I need to start again.

Hebe ‘Marjorie’

Fuchsia ‘Brutus’

Cistus x Argenteus ‘Silver Pink’

As the area is mainly about ferns I wondered if a Fatsia Japonica would be a good idea for a large tub.

I would love to grow a Ceanothus, but I believe this would not thrive in a tub/container. Instead I could try Hydrangea Macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ which can be pruned and flowers on new wood.

Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Endless Summer' (www.the potted garden.co.uk) — Hydrangea Macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ (www.the potted garden.co.uk)

So many decisions!

Counterpoint in Weather

May 29, 2015Counterpoint, HomeLeave a Comment

Over there the snow has finally stopped and spring has arrived.

Here it is early summer.

Suffolk Garden Year 5

May 28, 2015June 1, 2015Fortnight Garden, HomeLeave a Comment

The garden in Suffolk is in the middle of a village and so it needed to be appropriate for the village. I started with nothing in 2011 and this year the hedge along the pavement is finally filled in – good progress in four and a bit growing seasons.

And behind the hedge is a secret garden.

The garden in 2011 — Behind the hedge – the front garden in 2011

The garden today — The front garden today

Geranium Macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’

Allium ‘Purple Sensation’

Viburnum Sargentii ‘Onondaga’

Prostrate Ceanothus

Geranium Phaeum ‘Samobor’

Late evening in Suffolk

May 23, 2015May 23, 2015Fortnight Garden, Home2 Comments

The garden in Suffolk is growing fast, despite the generally chilly and windy weather. Yesterday evening I wondered if the small camera, Canon SX240HS, would cope with the twilight – for all its limitations it really does produce amazing closeup results with a 4.5-90mm lens.

Libertia Grandiflora

Alchemilla Mollis

Libertia Grandiflora

Paeonies in Greenwich Park

May 22, 2015October 13, 2016Home, Parks & Gardens in the UK, PlantsLeave a Comment

Greenwich Park is beautiful – calm, peaceful – and I love wandering there in the evenings.

Changes!

May 19, 2015May 20, 2015HomeLeave a Comment

I am changing my blogs! As time has passed my focus has narrowed and I think the blogs would be more interesting if they were focussed. So one will be about gardens, gardening, and plants (Enthusiastic Gardener); my main site will continue to explore London and abroad (currently Londondiaryblog but a new name to be decided); I will be baking and creating at Cakes; the camera and photography will develop at Pixeltalk; and Walks in Suffolk will grow at a leisurely pace.