Journal. From Bake Off to Tulips.

August 25th Bake Off. Three generations of my family have entered various classes of the village show over the years. From the website “The Village Show has been running since  August 1862, when the first Hanley Castle Horticultural and Flower Show was organised by the gentry of Hanley Castle Parish.  The aim was  “to encourage … Continue reading Journal. From Bake Off to Tulips.

Capturing Autumn: A Garden Photo Collection

This year has been challenging for the garden open days, both due to personal reasons and unpredictable weather. Family and friends have been very supportive, resulting in a record amount raised for the National Garden Scheme charity. Building on this success, the open dates for next year are booked, with the local British Legion charity … Continue reading Capturing Autumn: A Garden Photo Collection

Journal.A Week in Cornwall: Cottages, Gardens, and Coastline.

Saturday 12th July. Tregrill farm cottages. Tregrill Farm Cottages are owned by some friends of ours who moved from Worcestershire to Cornwall in 2011. This is the fourth time we have stayed there being a good destination for exploring this area of Cornwall. I was fortunate that my daughter Mary and her dog Buddy could … Continue reading Journal.A Week in Cornwall: Cottages, Gardens, and Coastline.

Journal. Preparing Our Garden@19 for an NGS Open Day.

Summer house and greenhouse tidy up. April 19th. The summer house had it’s spring clean today ready for all the open garden dates when it becomes a ticket office. Also tidied up the Pelargonium Greenhouse Going potty. April 23rd Potted up the tall Cephalaria gigantea ( Giant Scabious ), Tagetes cinnabar, Bronze fennel, Dill and … Continue reading Journal. Preparing Our Garden@19 for an NGS Open Day.

Gardening Journal: Life of Brian in Our Garden

I have decided to try and keep a journal about the Life of Brian in Our Garden@19. Depending on how busy I am will dictate how often it is published, when I do, I hope you enjoy reading my ramblings about life in the garden. Thyme walk. 25th March. I have thought for sometime about … Continue reading Gardening Journal: Life of Brian in Our Garden

A Garden Photography Tour: Spring Blooms

With such lovely weather and Spring flowers I decided to take the Canon out for a garden photography tour. In the Spring Bed. Ficaria verna ‘Brazen Hussy’ Vinca diffopmis ‘Jenny Pym’ Mahonia aquifolium ' Apollo ' Anemone nemorosa Robinsoniana The Oriental Garden. Magnolia  stellata Chaenomeles japonica The White and Green Garden. Pulmonaria Sissinghurst White Spirea 'Arguta'  Bridal … Continue reading A Garden Photography Tour: Spring Blooms

Winter Garden Maintenance: Essential Tasks for Our Garden@19

Winter is a time when I try to carry out as many of what I call ‘estate maintenance ‘ in the garden. There always are posts that rot off, trellis or fencing falling apart. New fence This year the fence panels in the White and Green garden needed replacing. I can not complain they have … Continue reading Winter Garden Maintenance: Essential Tasks for Our Garden@19

Traditional UK Planting: Tulips and Wallflowers

We have two raised beds that edge the patio. I have removed the dahlias to their winter quarters ready to plant the tulips, wallflower and for-get-me-nots I recognize it is an old-fashioned traditional planting Scheme here in the UK, but it works. The raised beds are not much to look at just now. Hopefully they … Continue reading Traditional UK Planting: Tulips and Wallflowers

Exploring Autumn’s Garden Beauty.

Many words have been spoken and written regarding the beauty of nature in autumn. Someone once said a picture paints a thousand words so here are some photos from the garden with a few words. Looking through the Blue Border. The pots have been emptied ready for the tulip bulbs. Some of the plants in … Continue reading Exploring Autumn’s Garden Beauty.

Preparing Our Greenhouses for Winter Plant Care.

The two small greenhouses we have in the garden are now almost full to the brim with tender plants in readiness for the onset of winter. It was a wet windy day when I took these pictures hence all the leaves on the green house roofs. The smallest one contains succulents with cuttings and seeds. … Continue reading Preparing Our Greenhouses for Winter Plant Care.

Autumn Garden Jewels: A Tour of Late Blooming Plants.

A tour around the garden enjoying the autumn sunshine and some late flowering plants. One of my favourite plants at this time of year is the Michaelmas Daisy/Aster or Symphyotrichum as many of them have been renamed. I think it partly stems from the huge beautiful clumps we had in our garden where I grew … Continue reading Autumn Garden Jewels: A Tour of Late Blooming Plants.

A Historical Journey Through Wells’ Bishop’s Palace Gardens

Wells Somerset August 2017. These pictures and text are from the slide show I produced following Irene and I visiting in 2017. Hidden within the ancient ramparts and protected by the moat, there is 14 acres of tranquil gardens in the heart of the City of Wells, Somerset. There is evidence that these gardens existed … Continue reading A Historical Journey Through Wells’ Bishop’s Palace Gardens

June Garden Stars: Dierama pulcherrimum, Dahlias, and More

Following our National Garden Scheme open weekend now is an opportunity to relax and enjoy what are our June garden stars. In the sunny front garden is Dierama pulcherrimum. I am pleased to see this flowering I grew it from seeds I chose from the HPS member's seed scheme. https://hardy-plant.org.uk Dierama thrives in sunny positions … Continue reading June Garden Stars: Dierama pulcherrimum, Dahlias, and More

Creating a Desert Oasis in East Ruston | Garden Design

The Old Vicarage East Ruston. This garden was for a long time high on my wish list to visit. We toured gardens of East Anglia in August 2012 When Alan Gray and Graham Robeson first came to the old vicarage there was no garden whatsoever, it was a blank canvas. Every garden was designed entirely … Continue reading Creating a Desert Oasis in East Ruston | Garden Design

April Tour of Our Garden@19.

Spring here in the UK has been very wet and cold although the Met Office tells us the average temperature has been slightly above normal . Enjoy a tour of the garden with me to see what is adding light to the gloomy weather. The Crab apple tree has been spectacular this spring much visited … Continue reading April Tour of Our Garden@19.

A good spring day in the garden.

The self-sown cherry tree at the rear of the garden was in full flower. I could hear the bees working on it from the potting shed. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day to carry out some spring work in the garden. A new rope swag for clematis and roses to clamber over. A small area … Continue reading A good spring day in the garden.

John Brookes MBE and the Blue Border in Our Garden@19.

John Brookes MBE has designed and built well over 1000 gardens, here and overseas, during a career spanning 50 years. Based at Denmans, his acclaimed world-famous garden in West Sussex, he is best known for his ability to create gardens that relate to their environment, designing gardens that fit into the wider landscape; that best … Continue reading John Brookes MBE and the Blue Border in Our Garden@19.

January Blues Away.

January has been a wet dull period for most of the month here in the UK with some areas suffering from severe flooding. Fortunately, a tour of the garden can bring some cheer with signs of spring not just flower colour but beautifully patterned leaves. Cyclamen hederifolium Cyclamen Arum italicum subsp. italicum ‘Marmoratum’ Winter aconite … Continue reading January Blues Away.

GARDEN MANAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE IN OUR GARDEN@19

I think we should continuously review and question the way we manage our garden. With increasing environmental pressures including changing weather patterns, reduced use of peat and a concern for the loss of wildlife especially I think the insect population which is often an essential part of the food chain, we gardeners have to be … Continue reading GARDEN MANAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE IN OUR GARDEN@19

Autumn Colour in Our Garden@19

This time of year the colours of autumn are a joy whether viewed in the countryside as you drive or walk around or with the more up close views in the garden. I mentioned in my previous post during wet days the bird feeders have been popular this year especially with the Blue Tit family, … Continue reading Autumn Colour in Our Garden@19

Young birds in Our Garden@19.

July this year has been one of the wettest on record here in some areas of the united kingdom. Last year we were experiencing 40°C heat at this time of year. Learning how to garden with these changing conditions, is going to prove very difficult It must be even more so for the wildlife around … Continue reading Young birds in Our Garden@19.

Redesigning the White and Green garden.

I have been reviewing Our garden@19 with an emphasis on reducing the need for watering which I wrote about here: Drought tolerant planting and secondly looking to reduce the work in maintaining the garden without losing its appeal. With this second aim in mind, I decided last winter to redesign the White and Green garden … Continue reading Redesigning the White and Green garden.

An inspirational garden visit.

Garden visit to The Old Rectory. On a beautiful sunny September day, we joined the members of the West & Midlands Iris Group visiting the garden of The Old Rectory, Eastnor, Herefordshire. In 1848 Sir George Gilbert Scott surveyed the Church at Eastnor and made plans to build a new rectory between 1849 and 1850 … Continue reading An inspirational garden visit.

Open Gardens & The Four Seasons Video of Our Garden@19.

The open garden season is now getting into its stride here in the Uk. We are opening again this year along with other gardens within the village for the Church on April 29th, 30th and May 1st and for The National Garden Scheme on the 10th and 11th of June. This movie will take you … Continue reading Open Gardens & The Four Seasons Video of Our Garden@19.

Drought Tolerant Planting in Our Garden@19.

During the heat wave in July, I wrote about drought-tolerant gardens: Here I have for two years been working towards a more drought-tolerant planting scheme for both the south-facing front border and the Blue Border the priority here was to remove the requirement to water during the summer.The front border is south facing, in full … Continue reading Drought Tolerant Planting in Our Garden@19.

‘Feed The Birds’

With a second period of cold weather here in sunny Worcester I thought it was a good time to repost this article. 'Feed the birds tuppence a bag' goes the song from the film Mary Poppins.   I feed the birds in the garden all year round, it costs a little more these days. Observing … Continue reading ‘Feed The Birds’

Autumn planting, Spring colour.

This year there is a new planting plan for the raised beds bordering the patio. This will be the first year I have not planted tulips here instead there are Wallflowers Persian Carpet, Digitalis Suttons Apricot and Forget-me-nots’. These have all been grown from seed a considerable saving on plants along with not buying tulip … Continue reading Autumn planting, Spring colour.

Drought Busters in Our Garden@19.

Very few plants in our gardens can survive these temperatures let alone flower. These are the few exceptions here. Inula magnifica Hollyhock Apple Blossom Echinops ritro is loved by the bees. I was once told I would regret planting this in my garden because it can be invasive. In our free draining soil, I am … Continue reading Drought Busters in Our Garden@19.

Drought Tolerant Gardens 2

RHS Hyde Hall. In 1955 when Dr and Mrs Robinson came to Hyde Hall in 1955 there were only six trees on the top of a windswept hill and no garden. They donated the 42-acre garden, Hyde Hall, to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993. We visited there in August 2012 during our garden tour … Continue reading Drought Tolerant Gardens 2

Drought Tolerant Gardens.

With the heat wave currently restricting me to the shade of my office and cooling fan, I thought it provided an ideal opportunity to write about drought-tolerant gardens. We spent a week in August 2012 visiting gardens in Essex and East Anglia, one of the driest areas of the UK. The first one we visited … Continue reading Drought Tolerant Gardens.

July in Our Garden@19

July can be an anticlimax in the garden following the excitement of June with its roses, peonies and Iris.These are some of the plants trying to fill the void here in our garden. The sunny front border is always home to some self-seeded Eryngium Giganteum (Miss Willmotts Ghost) as popular with the pollinators as the … Continue reading July in Our Garden@19

Bonsai in Worcester.

We recently visited a group of gardens in Worcester who were opening for the National Garden Scheme, I don't think many of the visitors would have expected to find such a wonderful Bonsai collection in Worcester. From the NGS website, "The garden has been 14 years in the making. It was designed around a collection … Continue reading Bonsai in Worcester.

Thank you.

On June the 4th and 5th six gardens in the village of Hanley Swan opened in aid of the National Garden scheme. Thank you to all the supporters who baked cakes, helped with serving the teas and selling plants in support of Saint Richards Hospice, especially the garden owners who put a lot of work … Continue reading Thank you.

Open Gardens and Flower Festival.

This bank holiday we joined in with 16 others in the village for the Open Gardens and Flower Festival. Some of the tulips had gone over however the Camassia leichtlinii ‘Blue Heaven’ were just beginning to open. Their true beauty can be really appreciated when photographed up close. I created a short video of the … Continue reading Open Gardens and Flower Festival.

In The beginning, Seed Sowing.

I guess, if you asked any gardener how to sow seeds, you would receive a different answer from each one.  I recently gave a zoom presentation to the Worcestershire Careers Association gardening group on seed sowing. These are my thoughts. Containers. There is a wide range of pots and containers for seed sowing, generally, I … Continue reading In The beginning, Seed Sowing.

Mind the Gap!

I have been thinking for some time that the wooden bridge crossing the dry river in the Japanese garden would soon need replacing. It had developed a certain amount of spring when crossing! It gave way the other day as I was crossing to the shelter, so the decision was made for me as to … Continue reading Mind the Gap!

Japanese Gardens.

Following my post 'Peace and Tranquility' I thought it would be interesting to post some pictures, as slide shows, of Japanese gardens we have visited here in the UK. Tatton Park. From their website: "The Japanese Garden was almost certainly the result of Alan de Tatton’s visit to the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition at the White City … Continue reading Japanese Gardens.

Becky’s Baking Adventures,

Ever since we have opened our garden for the National Garden Scheme our family has been part of the team. You can read about them and the part they play by clicking on 'The Garden' heading and then the 'Garden Team'. Our two granddaughters have always helped with the refreshments, when they were younger clearing … Continue reading Becky’s Baking Adventures,

Peace and Tranquility in the Garden.

It has been said many times during the pandemic how important gardens and outdoor spaces have become to people from all walks of life.Whether walking in the city parks or exploring the countryside everyone feels a benefit.Those of us with gardens have also found them sanctuaries either to sit in enjoying a beverage of your … Continue reading Peace and Tranquility in the Garden.

Winter Stems, Leaves and Flowers.

Cornus sanguinea Midwinter Fire  Hydrangea quercifolia Burgundy Vinca diffopmis ‘Jenny Pym’ Three plants bringing colour and joy into our garden this January. What is bringing colour and joy into your garden?

Christmas Tree Festival.

I have written about the village of Pirton in Worcestershire before, every two years they hold a Christmas Tree Festival to help raise money for the church maintenance. The village of Pirton was originally part of the Croome Estate and is located one mile north of  Croome Park (now owned by the National Trust). This year … Continue reading Christmas Tree Festival.

Christmas Crackers.

In the greenhouse. In the garden by day, and by night. In the house. Thank you for reading brimfields.com during the year and leaving your comments. I enjoy reading your blogs they provide a touch of sanity during these mad times. Merry Christmas. I leave you with this Christmas Cracker joke. Why did no-one bid … Continue reading Christmas Crackers.

St Wulstan’s Nature Reserve.

I have previously written about St Wulstan's Nature Reserve being a favourite walk. These pictures are from our visit yesterday. Even a wet December day can provided some photo opportunities. Photographs taken with a Canon EOS1100D with a Canon 18-200mm lens.

Trees for the small garden.

With encouragement from the Government and countryside organisations such as the RHS and NT there is an increasing interest in planting trees and the benefits to the environment of doing so. While most of these reported on are on a large scale, if chosen correctly there are some wonderful ornamental and fruitful trees for even … Continue reading Trees for the small garden.

Autumn Up Close.

Trees and Leaves. Acer griseum Malus Golden HornetHydrangea quercifolia BurgundyVitis ' Spetchley red ' Cotoneaster horizontalisRhus hirta Staghorn sumac.Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga'Ricinus communis var. gibsonii SeedRicinus communis var. gibsoniiLiquidamber slyraciflua 'Stella' seed.Liquidamber slyraciflua 'Stella'Cherry Tree from an upstairs window.Cherry Tree upclose. Betula utilis Jacquemontii (syn Dorrenbos) Seed Heads. Echinops ritroEryngium planumEryngium Giganteum (Miss Willmotts Ghost) Flowers. Fuchsia … Continue reading Autumn Up Close.

Broughton Grange.

NGS Visit. Broughton Grange featured on the BBC Gardeners World this week, if you have not seen the programme I would recommend watching on catchup for an up to date view of this outstanding garden. We visited in July 2016 when it was open for the National Garden Scheme. It was on my must see … Continue reading Broughton Grange.

Wildlife in Our Garden and Autumn Colour.

Goldfinches feeding on sunflower hearts. Vitis ' Spetchley red '  Fuchia 'Mrs Popple’ Malus Golden Hornet and Tithonia ‘Torch’ The Alpine Boxes and pots. Nerine Bowdenii Please select Watch on YouTube then full screen for video. https://youtu.be/ShCKEqdnLeQ What is giving you Autumn Joy in the garden or countryside?

Our Garden@19 in September.

September is one of my favourite months in the garden, it could be nostalgia because we always had a wonderful show of Michaelmas Daises (Asters/Symphyotrichum) in our cottage garden at home. Many other plants also provide interest at this time of year, the annuals such as dahlias, late flowering perennials, trees and shrubs with changing … Continue reading Our Garden@19 in September.

Ravelin.

We visited Ravelin on Sunday, one of their National Garden Scheme open days. It is situated in the next village to us, Hanley castle. The description is from their NGS page. "A ½ acre mature yet ever changing garden with a wide range of unusual plants full of colour and texture. Of interest to plant … Continue reading Ravelin.

Thank You.

Along with many garden owners, we originally decided not to open our garden this year due to the pandemic. However, with the improving situation, we have now held popup openings in June and September supporting the charity National garden Scheme. ngs.org.uk During these days we have also sold plants for St Richards Hospice and at … Continue reading Thank You.

Exotics in September.

We have decided to hold another pop-up opening for the National Garden Scheme charity. The exotics are looking good, I am hoping the Michaelmas Daisies will soon start to join them. And in the greenhouse. We hope for a sunny day so that visitors can enjoy the garden with tea and cake!

Double value.

Three plants in the garden offering attractive foliage as well as flowers. Galtonia candicans has white bell flowers with lance like blue green striped leaves. The Pholx are just starting to flower here, this is Phlox paniculate ‘Harlequin', variegated leaves with a touch of pink. This is the first time Colocasia ‘Black Dragon’ has flowered … Continue reading Double value.

A colourful garden visitor.

This is the first time this colourful garden visitor has been seen this year. These markings are of a juvenile, thankfully it stayed feeding long enough for me to fetch my camera.

Some July Specials.

Thalictrum flavum subsp.glaucum and Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' Clematis 'Perle d'Azur and Dianthus carthusianorum Geranium Johnson's Blue and Lychnis chalcedonica Who would have thought a runner bean flower could be so beautiful? In the raised beds edging the patio Runner Bean White Emergo With Sweet pea Air Warden. And Self-seeded Poppy. On the Patio. Do … Continue reading Some July Specials.

Pellies on Parade.

UnKown.Pelargonium ‘Red Gables’P. Contrast.Pelargonium Attar of RosesPelargonium Frank Hedley AGMPelargonium Frank Hedley AGMP. Merlot. I think my favourite is 'Merlot', I love the colour and the wine! Do you grow Pellies and do you have a favourite?

Wisteria, Iris, Cornus kousa, Clematis, Alliums and Alliums in early June.

A video tour of Our Garden@19 in early June. Please select Watch on YouTube and select full screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKDYjP67AfQ We are opening our garden for the National Garden Scheme on the 28th June, whilst some of these will be over the climbing roses among others should be in full swing.

Spetchley Park Gardens in May.

With the tentative easing of lock down restrictions our first garden visits have been to Spetchley Park Gardens with 30 acres to roam there is space for everyone. Spetchley Park, Worcester has been privately owned for over 400 years, with a good garden history due to its connection with Miss Willmott. It also has tea … Continue reading Spetchley Park Gardens in May.

Under The Veranda in May.

The plants in the new planter I built in April have settled in well and are starting to grow. As this is on the North side of the house I selected shade loving plants. These are plants I already had in pots except for a new Trachelospermum jasminoides which I hope will eventually provide an … Continue reading Under The Veranda in May.

Greenhouses and Raised Beds in May.

A tour of the greenhouses in May, the cold winds and frosty nights dictate that tender plants have to remain inside. This time of year is always over crowded greenhouse time! The tomato, Amateur, new to me this year, Amelia from https://afrenchgarden.wordpress.com mentioned it as a favourite of her fathers. I was attracted to it … Continue reading Greenhouses and Raised Beds in May.

Tulips and Blossom.

I have begun an experiment with tulips this year, following an article I read by Fergus Garrett from Great Dixter regarding which tulips they found to be perennial. The most reliable ones being the Darwin Hybrids, I planted three varieties in November, two in pots and one in the borders.The real test will be next … Continue reading Tulips and Blossom.

Spring (ing) into action!

This winter in Our Garden@19 has been busy with 'Estate Maintenance'. I previously posted about replacing the trellis and fence in the white and green garden, then as now my brother Derek has been my right hand man. Replacing the entrance to the propagation area was the simplest of our recent efforts. We gave it … Continue reading Spring (ing) into action!

Garden visiting…..remember that?

Aston Pottery Garden. Having read some impressive reviews about the garden at Aston Pottery, Aston, Oxfordshire, we visited in August 2016. On this occasion, they were open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme charity. Created by the owners since 2009 and set around Aston Pottery's Gift Shop and Cafe, borders flower from June until … Continue reading Garden visiting…..remember that?

A seasonal delight – in winter.

Guest Publisher Leonie Creighton. Leonie is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic gardener she is the minutes secretary to the Black Pear Gardening Club. I have invited her as guest publisher for this seasonally appropriate article she wrote for the club newsletter. IRIS UNGUICULARIS. One of my favourite plants at this time of year is IRIS UNGUICULARIS … Continue reading A seasonal delight – in winter.

Happy New Year.

Winter visited Our Garden@19 towards the end of 2020. Flowering in the house and keeping warm is the Christmas Cactus. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) From the bathroom window we can see the snow-capped Malvern Hills. Snow boot painted by the Grandchildren as a Christmas present. A snowy video tour of the garden wishing you a Happy … Continue reading Happy New Year.

December 2020

This December has so far been very mild here in Our Garden@19 with only one frost. The cannas and dahlias are all lifted..... ....safely stored in the garden shed with fleece covering for the cold nights. The tender plants are divided between the two greenhouses... Two small areas have been planted with Tulips also Foxgloves, … Continue reading December 2020

Autumn Colours, Music and Poetry.

A video of the changing autumn colours in Our Garden@19 and some borrowed landscape. I filmed this over a two week period to record the changing colours. Please watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/Sm6GP9IrGng What is providing you with Autumn colour? With the requirement in most countries to wear a face mask due to the Covid19 pandemic … Continue reading Autumn Colours, Music and Poetry.

Ivy and the Bees.

Why you should allow some ivy to grow in your garden. https://youtu.be/Ct2GOuKMFlI I do grow some cultivated variegated forms, ivy does not produce any flowers until their adult growth stage when the leaf shape changes, usually at around 10years. They can be kept pruned to their juvenile stage and leaf shape when they will at … Continue reading Ivy and the Bees.

St Wulstan’s Nature Reserve.

A favourite walk of ours even before lockdown was St. Wulstan’s Nature Reserve. Before it became a nature reserve, it had a fascinating history as a US army hospital, a TB hospital and a psychiatric hospital, it is managed by Worcestershire county council. These pictures are from a visit in early July, the open areas … Continue reading St Wulstan’s Nature Reserve.

Virtual meetings, the Garden in July and Plant Sales.

The Covid-19 restrictions have inevitably prevented any meetings of our club, The Black Pear Gardening Club..blackpeargc.org.uk Our family has been using Skype for keeping in touch so I decided to try and hold a trial meeting for the club with the opportunity for members to say hello, I then presented pictures from our garden with … Continue reading Virtual meetings, the Garden in July and Plant Sales.

The Six NGS Gardens of Hanley Swan.

This weekend six gardens in the village of Hanley Swan should have been opening in aid of the NGS nursing charities. Due to the Covid-19, this has been cancelled, so together with the other garden openers, we have created a video tour of the gardens. Please make yourself a cup of tea or any beverage … Continue reading The Six NGS Gardens of Hanley Swan.

The May Garden Video Tour.

"April Showers Bring May Flowers". While we did not have many April showers the May flowers have, like us, enjoyed the sunshine. Please join me on a video tour of Our Garden@19 to see our May flowers. Turn up the volume, click on the link below and select full screen, play and enjoy. https://youtu.be/_4jq9P11_CI

Worcestershire Apples and a Fruit Blossom Video Trail.

Orchards have long been a feature of the Worcestershire Countryside, apples for cider, eating and cooking and similar with pears and plums. The Vale of Evesham has a popular fruit blossom trail and because we are unable to visit it this year, I have created this blog post about the development of apple varieties in … Continue reading Worcestershire Apples and a Fruit Blossom Video Trail.

Tulip Video Tour.

Every year since 2011 our village church has held open gardens over this bank holiday weekend, we have taken part every year bar one. This year, along with all open gardens it has had to be cancelled. With the public unable to come to the garden, this weekend, I have produced a tulip video tour … Continue reading Tulip Video Tour.

Spring Video Tour 2

This tour takes us around Our Garden@19 to see what is adding colour and interest in late March-early April. Happy Easter, stay well and enjoy. Brian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns13CPfXwvo

Doddington Hall Garden Visit and Growing Bearded Iris.

In August 2019 Irene and I were invited to a family event near Lincoln, this provided the perfect opportunity to visit a garden that has long been on my wish list ever since reading about their technique for growing Bearded Iris. Sadly when we visited the iris were over, however, as with all good gardens, … Continue reading Doddington Hall Garden Visit and Growing Bearded Iris.

March Tour.

Despite the awful weather this winter, it has been a busy one here in our garden@19, see: (A Winter Project and a Wildlife-Friendly Experiment.) following on from several autumn projects. With all the depressing news from around the world, just an hour working in the garden is welcome, ending with a quick photo tour accompanied by … Continue reading March Tour.

Some Colourful Relief.

With all the terrible weather, gales and floods that the UK has recently experienced,     I hope some spring colour will help to bring some relief. (Fortunately whilst we live close to Upton upon Severn, currently Upton in Severn, we are away from the floods).   Here's wishing for a sunny, dry spring.

A Winter Project and a Wildlife Friendly Experiment.

When we purchased the house, I designed the garden and the rear of the main border, now named the blue border, was planted with climbing roses, trained to rope swags. Unfortunately, the rope soon rotted and was replaced with trellis. Now several years later the trellis along with some of the posts required replacing this … Continue reading A Winter Project and a Wildlife Friendly Experiment.

Winter Shapes and Silhouettes.

A winter tour, with the camera, around Our Garden@19 to capture some of the season's shapes and silhouettes. This is an evergreen and topiary time of year, black and white pictures add to the wintery appearance.   Do you have a favourite winter shape in your garden?

Tulips, Pots and Saucers.

The beginning of November saw the planting of pots with, crocus, iris, narcissus and species rock tulips. Old hanging baskets used to keep the squirrels away.Two large pots either side of the banana bench were planted with Tulip 'Abu Hassan', Siberian Wallflowers and Forget-me-Nots. When the rain finally eased I managed to complete planting my … Continue reading Tulips, Pots and Saucers.

Autumn Project 4, Unexpected!

Banana Bench & Boston Ivy, Autumn 2018. This year I noticed that the Parthenocissus Tri. Veitch, Boston Ivy, behind the banana bench, had been almost completely replaced with wild Ivy. Now while I like Ivy in the garden for its benefit to wildlife, here I would prefer to see a more colourful plant. I decided … Continue reading Autumn Project 4, Unexpected!

Autumn Project 3 Completed.

I have long held the view that autumn is the beginning of the gardening year, preparing the garden and the plants for their winter rest before the explosion of spring and summer glory. The main autumn project, this year, has been to move plants into their correct positions! I am sure many of you can … Continue reading Autumn Project 3 Completed.