The sunshine always makes us somehow notice how much work needs to be done to bring the garden under control. Noticing is about as far as it goes for me; I do not do gardening. I will deadhead the odd rose but my hands never, even gloved, touch the soil. Our garden is not large, but at 66ft long, neither is it a tiny one. I would be perfectly happy if it were. Fortunately, whilst gardening is not his favourite activity, Husband is willing to take on the task. It will be the garden that will force us to move house one of these days. I do like it to look nice. By this I do not mean formal. I do like to see the formal arrangements that grace stately homes and the like, but prefer something more casual for domestic gardens.
I ventured out side to see what’s going on.
Several lily shoots. These should grow to around 5ft high.
Bare parches on the rockery need the slate rearranging. It has a tendency to slide down when it rains heavily.
Several of the rockery plants are in full bloom.
The campanula (I think) are beginning to flower. Such a beautiful colour.
Comment added later……..reader Alison says that she is no expert but thinks this is periwinkle. I think she is correct.
Grape hyacinths (muscari) in abundance. They’re everywhere. Pretty when in flower but so untidy once they’re over.
Hebe (or is it some kind of euonymus?). Here since the winter and still looks good.
The roses are sprouting dozens of little shoots, the lavender’s looking good, and the lilac tree is promising a huge flush of blooms but the California lilac, so glorious last summer, seems to have withered. I’m not sure it will recover.
And Oscar still sits patiently beside the shed, King of all he surveys. Introducing Oscar
I often think of gardening as housework outside, especially weeding! However, when we’re in France I really enjoy working in our garden. I think it’s probably because it’s such a different style of gardening. We don’t have flowerbeds in the same way we do in the UK. My husband bought a second hand sit on mower and he is in heaven every time he uses it! Toys for the boys, I guess…What I like the most is container gardening. I love trailing geraniums, in particular. I think I would miss having some outdoor space but a balcony or courtyard garden would be fine. I love Oscar, being a fan of the quirky!
LikeLike
If I had an apartment with a balcony, I would fill it with pots because I do like to see plants and flowers. I have planted up the occasional pot but only ever with fresh potting soil (sans worms and bugs) and wearing gloves. I can’t recall the last time I did it though! A little courtyard would be nice too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that’s how you retain such lovely nails!
LikeLike
Haha! Definitely a factor.
LikeLike
Love Oscar!!! But won’t he munch those tender, new plants?
Margaret P
LikeLike
He’s 25 years old, Margaret, and has been well trained!
LikeLike
Delurking to say I think that might be periwinkle (vinca) rather than campanula but I’m no expert! Lovely flowers 🙂
LikeLike
That rings a bell, Alison. I think you are right!
LikeLike
It is always so exciting to see perennials popping up. I don’t have that anymore her in Florida, but will live vicariously through photos on my favorite blogs 🙂
LikeLike
I’ll make sure that I post pictures when the garden is in full bloom. Yes, I do love to see things coming to life each year.
LikeLike
Oh yes, so nice, I recognise all those plants and I did wonder how you kept those beautiful nails so pristine – not gardening would help! I was a passionate gardener. For decades I did all the gardening and I do mean all, as Mr Frugalfashionshopper recognises that there are green things outside with coloured bits attached to the top of the green but nothing much else. He needed to be invited to visit the garden as his preferred spot was, and still is, sitting in front of his Mac. I’ve had very large gardens (over an acre) to tiny squares of land in Brighton (not the most recent) and all were redesigned and gardened by me. People were shocked when we moved to a flat without even a balcony (actually it has a Juliet balcony) . But neither of us ever liked sitting in the sun (skin). And actually gardening is a thing of the past for me. I have other interests now. I like looking at gardens. And that’s quite enough!
LikeLike
Oh I love gardens……when they are other people’s. I have never been a sunbather, and rarely sit out other than on a warm evening, and even then under an umbrella. I’d be happy in an apartment but husband doesn’t like the idea at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It feels good to get out and make the garden looks tidy again following the mess Winter left behind. I like to keep mine low maintenance and I have to overlook the mud patch underneath the swing, a happy little girl being preferable. Thankfully, the plants I do have appear to be coming back to life once more but I still need to add a few more. I love your Muscari and Oscar looks so sweet. X
LikeLike
It feels good to get out and make the garden looks tidy again following the mess Winter left behind. I like to keep mine low maintenance and I have to overlook the mud patch underneath the swing, a happy little girl being preferable. Thankfully, the plants I do have appear to be coming back to life once more but I still need to add a few more. I love your Muscari and Oscar looks so sweet. X
LikeLike
I remember the mud patch under the swing only too well, and later in the football goal.
LikeLike