My garden has woken up!

My garden has woken up!

I am sorry I have been neglecting you of late. I have been very busy designing and, with all the good weather, I have been up to my elbows in compost and worse. This time of year, I always feel a sense of panic in case I have planted too early, too late, the wrong...
Loving Lavender

Loving Lavender

Picture courtesy of Cotswold Lavender. Along with making scented water with rose petals (not very successfully), I think that I have enjoyed making things from lavender all my life. When I was quite small, I used to pick lavender and put it in little muslin bags to...
At last! Time in the greenhouse

At last! Time in the greenhouse

There is no doubt that getting out into the fresh air, hearing the birds singing and seeing the bumble bees busy amongst the hellebores has bucked me up immensely and galvanised me to sort out the greenhouse ready for the beginning of seed planting.  I try hard...
My new potting corner

My new potting corner

A plant conspiracy in the un-loved corner.. I am working on the ghastly corner of the courtyard that has been bothering me for some time. Whatever I have planted there has never seemed quite right. I even tried adding a lovely feature mirror, but the plants decided to...
Heavens! Isn’t it a good year for roses?

Heavens! Isn’t it a good year for roses?

Looking up into ‘William Morris’ blooms on my front wall. I know that I am not very good at caring for my roses. This year I have tried to turn over a new leaf. We do have blackspot here and, even though I treat the roses systemically, they do still suffer...
Visiting Thyme in Southrop

Visiting Thyme in Southrop

Just one of the beautiful botanicals at the exhibition. I think this lovely estate has been one of the best kept local secrets – I visited last month for the first time, and I have lived within five miles for over 40 years! The Thyme estate has been developed over...