tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748000038252928452024-03-28T10:12:41.939+00:00the blackberry gardenA blog about my garden, my inspiration to garden and things about gardening that make me happy. UK No: 1 Garden Blog 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 (Vuelio). Garden Media Guild Blog of the Year 2019Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.comBlogger1882125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-4854439280721925372024-03-28T10:12:00.000+00:002024-03-28T10:12:00.656+00:00Letter to the Garden - March 2024<p>Dear Garden</p><p>Well this year is turning out to be a doozy and a half isn't it? So much going on and frankly not much of it so far is good. 'Things can only get better' as the song tells us, well the only direction is forwards and so that is what has to happen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsYHv_iolZcmstA2IaYGMvR2_4wKGg49-O8c-zDEWQOgc7LcsQQbyX60X-WJAvLhJWeZOO_y78Sc5CA2w-z5r4yb9bhuXyw1WI-tWOFruSr4o8vs9noGXGJVg9kaojDLndQ5GlonHNoDdmnvZnBTpSBUwJE8ao01dFuzAuvg4rVIcyBKcDLNwyG0QN7o/s4032/IMG_5174.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsYHv_iolZcmstA2IaYGMvR2_4wKGg49-O8c-zDEWQOgc7LcsQQbyX60X-WJAvLhJWeZOO_y78Sc5CA2w-z5r4yb9bhuXyw1WI-tWOFruSr4o8vs9noGXGJVg9kaojDLndQ5GlonHNoDdmnvZnBTpSBUwJE8ao01dFuzAuvg4rVIcyBKcDLNwyG0QN7o/w300-h400/IMG_5174.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">My dear garden, you have been a bit distant in recent weeks, its not your fault, this is not a blaming moment but the sheer amount and regular occurance of rain over this Winter has made getting good gardening days really quite difficult. We are now in Spring and I am being hopeful that the weather might give us both a bit of a break soon. Of course I am certain I will soon be writing to you about the drought and why isn't it raining, but for now we have sufficient rain.</span></div><div>I have had a couple of good gardening days recently and they were very (very) much appreciated. I have started to catch up on the weeding and whilst I know that weeding is a job that is never completed. By the time I have finished all the garden the weeds are already popping up again where I started. Getting a really good weeding sesssion in makes me feel, and I hope you dear garden too, a lot better. I feel that weeding in Springtime is often like saying hello to old friends. As I remove a dandelion here and pull up the sticky weed there, there popping its head above the ground will be a much loved plant that makes my heart sing a little louder at the sight of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have often said how weeding helps me connect to the garden. It allows my mind to relax and I can just be in the moment, something that is always precious to me; and I start to think and plan about what I might to do next in the garden. I have work to do on the remaining Prairie Border, what was once three is now just one and I need to ensure I do not let this one get beyond me. It needs more Stipa tenuissima planting into it so there will be some sowing soon. I have also identified a gap: that precious thing in any mature garden, a real shrub sized gap in the Conservatory Border. I have a couple of ideas what might fit there but I am not rushing. I want to take my time until I am certain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh and there is the fence and shed situation. The shed situation has been a situation for so long that I barely feel the need to mention it anymore, but hopefully this year will be the year I finally get the two partially collapsed sheds removed. The fence situation is new, the fence by the side of the house has partly blown down and this is a good opportunity to replace it with something better and, better still, something with a gate in it. A gate would be a significant improvement. I already have plans about what will be grown up the fence so I really need to get this in progress. </div><div><p>So my dear garden, watch this (and that) space. We have some time to focus together on each other so let's make sure we do.</p><p>With all best wishes</p><p>Your loving gardener xx</p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-90263699250033269302024-03-24T10:30:00.003+00:002024-03-24T10:30:44.430+00:00A return to RHS Bridgewater<p>I have been wanting to revisit <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17599895682&utm_adgroup=136955026286&utm_term=rhs%20bridgewater&utm_content=606881667011&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAS0BOcRd_LB6HvleRtudsObif2NKOgqWEsmNsRNX6XrkpS1xIQZ5_BoCbsQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RHS Bridgewater</a> for some time. I took advantage of the guided tours they ran before the garden actually fully opened to the public, the last one of which was my last day out before the lockdown in <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2020/03/the-last-day-out.html">March 2020</a>; and whilst I have been very keen to go and see it now it is properly open to the public the opportunity just had not arisen...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYuNwblYhqz0tisgfeeZmWY38mCx_GBd_Ib0sjx5L5HqPQTDv3RVxyMlFVrXuNlzLBWC9KVdQ5z2tzAkHA9mktTnC1Y0Ehz9dAqdSvI5wD8O4XjP_TYVmZUazYlUKvr5Ost-u0Gc8mrqLZdzXsev1aiCAKY3J7J8PinZawdWuwYuJjIwQndysHoEnlqY/s4032/IMG_5070.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYuNwblYhqz0tisgfeeZmWY38mCx_GBd_Ib0sjx5L5HqPQTDv3RVxyMlFVrXuNlzLBWC9KVdQ5z2tzAkHA9mktTnC1Y0Ehz9dAqdSvI5wD8O4XjP_TYVmZUazYlUKvr5Ost-u0Gc8mrqLZdzXsev1aiCAKY3J7J8PinZawdWuwYuJjIwQndysHoEnlqY/w400-h300/IMG_5070.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>and then the opportunity arose. I was going up to Manchester to see a show with my daughter; we planned to visit Bridgewater on the way up and stop off at the pottery factory shops in Stoke on the way back. This seemed a very good plan.<div><br /></div><div>Both days rain was forecast but the first day was a little less rainy and we decided we would take our chances. We were lucky, apart from a very light shower it held off rain until we were leaving to go to our hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHNcclKJA9lqEjOvc_fW7WiYwPPLvd__M6DriMY51ujC8lbRR8iFbaf0THCMCBH06G4nwj9YA3NXOhhb1IUnizWMAJoDbsPvc-4ElSZrwAAoEcb9NdfjxptcMF2vGsFs-ddOd-Ai4_ndKZRyTD6kj_vCxBWy4itr0h2_9vwnp86W91U4tRp7vv91YxVg/s4032/IMG_5067.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHNcclKJA9lqEjOvc_fW7WiYwPPLvd__M6DriMY51ujC8lbRR8iFbaf0THCMCBH06G4nwj9YA3NXOhhb1IUnizWMAJoDbsPvc-4ElSZrwAAoEcb9NdfjxptcMF2vGsFs-ddOd-Ai4_ndKZRyTD6kj_vCxBWy4itr0h2_9vwnp86W91U4tRp7vv91YxVg/w400-h300/IMG_5067.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We wandered around, remembering bits from when we had visited before but now seeing them as ready for public viewing. It is still though a work in progress, and I like that, it makes me want to keep revisiting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqLCY-cqo4mpqMpOowdrEz9up3WSMl6eWlNwhUQIC4KvUuvhS42-yExaTdyjIwU5kvgm2QgjtQjtIF9CI0sXxktoDzgNvyzGRQ6rlE39bLj6Mw3p_kA1_Q6MblZeW6TdbxLd_gfV1cRN-5NYKobQmqgbAGi7c7Vzfaj_IFNq01iPsM2vFg647p70pGbA/s4032/IMG_5087.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqLCY-cqo4mpqMpOowdrEz9up3WSMl6eWlNwhUQIC4KvUuvhS42-yExaTdyjIwU5kvgm2QgjtQjtIF9CI0sXxktoDzgNvyzGRQ6rlE39bLj6Mw3p_kA1_Q6MblZeW6TdbxLd_gfV1cRN-5NYKobQmqgbAGi7c7Vzfaj_IFNq01iPsM2vFg647p70pGbA/w300-h400/IMG_5087.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>We remembered things we wanted to find, such as the circule of yew trees that had once been a short ornmental hedge in a long-gone rose garden.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_AXntklhXcgmDZGSmD8wrK2qz1FAfS2GuS95bx9glWN1O6kJFVpMfHCLM8L-qrUf1tMMbXd8XxWrgTWXdCkr5S4XboJAuQSz-C5tZdPuImiFwFhWMzKZoW-02_6X1Z35XYolHdL66yYgEqqtexxmg4Ny9hqy6XVNv4M_XvG-jDdiPgSqMDOG1jp_idk/s4032/IMG_5090.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_AXntklhXcgmDZGSmD8wrK2qz1FAfS2GuS95bx9glWN1O6kJFVpMfHCLM8L-qrUf1tMMbXd8XxWrgTWXdCkr5S4XboJAuQSz-C5tZdPuImiFwFhWMzKZoW-02_6X1Z35XYolHdL66yYgEqqtexxmg4Ny9hqy6XVNv4M_XvG-jDdiPgSqMDOG1jp_idk/w400-h300/IMG_5090.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We walked all the way around the lake, which previously we could only walk part-way along of.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJB75SED9rDbt46E-L_xpCdxWbF36zsGy9005RyIPDBfCWshDUvwY5Y6tYmt4LT-zl4Orn7YGWqoVm_3F6ybunJYz8QC9SNszHdbT458sy0ALJgfrq_5mrjYVM66X1_GJml71FvR7mTNlmVtfE_3hh_4q9_CqvEbL1geiE9_xqbp3uFnxLctQXbWZ3kg/s4032/IMG_5093.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJB75SED9rDbt46E-L_xpCdxWbF36zsGy9005RyIPDBfCWshDUvwY5Y6tYmt4LT-zl4Orn7YGWqoVm_3F6ybunJYz8QC9SNszHdbT458sy0ALJgfrq_5mrjYVM66X1_GJml71FvR7mTNlmVtfE_3hh_4q9_CqvEbL1geiE9_xqbp3uFnxLctQXbWZ3kg/w400-h300/IMG_5093.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>There are the ghosts of structures past along the way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDJFyn2bBpnT7Xz0-ZS3vhkMrABDL0EwcNA3bA8KBT9w4sn3_PyUmVYCAcaroJO27kqTsEMaxhHa9CUaO6lYebcpG6ZtcDCtUWjjBIyhkDwWf1x9qPwBYcG0YwNxQ5i1EZ4IqVf6MoNXDCKlXJvzkhqcKFoOT_eEpp10VwyR5KpTaJPtw_WZOfJg3SMY/s4032/IMG_5094.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDJFyn2bBpnT7Xz0-ZS3vhkMrABDL0EwcNA3bA8KBT9w4sn3_PyUmVYCAcaroJO27kqTsEMaxhHa9CUaO6lYebcpG6ZtcDCtUWjjBIyhkDwWf1x9qPwBYcG0YwNxQ5i1EZ4IqVf6MoNXDCKlXJvzkhqcKFoOT_eEpp10VwyR5KpTaJPtw_WZOfJg3SMY/w300-h400/IMG_5094.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>There are hints of a great landscape now being reclaimed. This might have been a folly and might have been on its own small island at one point. This end of the lake is still being worked on and there is much to do.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGVWZ8n_yoYTdJ2KehlEbIi2p6NJDfgV2OfMdze7nvsZRvRVc1UPUckgQtduLhwMgauEIoin_vrYQ_OS53nRM2S7TfTvrIGUFT9yH9v8lfrUEfdKYu2OMrMYYBc1FPS8NFQNtDBCguW6NtIezEwt-8ojuYuup8xwcw310mXA7jimqrw6_ZCZOur2CTQA/s3607/IMG_5097.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="3607" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGVWZ8n_yoYTdJ2KehlEbIi2p6NJDfgV2OfMdze7nvsZRvRVc1UPUckgQtduLhwMgauEIoin_vrYQ_OS53nRM2S7TfTvrIGUFT9yH9v8lfrUEfdKYu2OMrMYYBc1FPS8NFQNtDBCguW6NtIezEwt-8ojuYuup8xwcw310mXA7jimqrw6_ZCZOur2CTQA/w400-h300/IMG_5097.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>You can now see more clearly the remains of the grotto on the large island in the lake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUoRUaWiuqkZHpvQM4Be_ytitNWwiLX_gkXCppYjyZwBF3Vx5DIxywngUAmfcx9ufHPrVhOHeFCohE-YXFve_0hbrzWoqpf5lKoWwpzXW7UE57q7BjA5ooEbGbqFlSjyKT5KXeYE2UpUr341wcxUrXl8KBsVwgMWKq055wzPeQfuIw9pjhDmpa8bJnn0/s3687/IMG_5098.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2765" data-original-width="3687" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUoRUaWiuqkZHpvQM4Be_ytitNWwiLX_gkXCppYjyZwBF3Vx5DIxywngUAmfcx9ufHPrVhOHeFCohE-YXFve_0hbrzWoqpf5lKoWwpzXW7UE57q7BjA5ooEbGbqFlSjyKT5KXeYE2UpUr341wcxUrXl8KBsVwgMWKq055wzPeQfuIw9pjhDmpa8bJnn0/w400-h300/IMG_5098.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>This is currently not accessible but I would love to be able to get closer one day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMyEwk5WdqTTSbHguFDY6Q_zreJzBG0q-bXN3nLYAKcTJFC67YPIS56jxtVPOY-fDkzhCu1zIqmgGjyW8rvibkaIoriipc_3BuNpjHhSyNm3cW1FUYXPdD1l_KCwaRHP8bkHvmenL-shqJvRScM-_sNXYRVL7EcJR2CqkGwnMEyajZ-6UiOpSNZu-G8A/s4032/IMG_5101.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMyEwk5WdqTTSbHguFDY6Q_zreJzBG0q-bXN3nLYAKcTJFC67YPIS56jxtVPOY-fDkzhCu1zIqmgGjyW8rvibkaIoriipc_3BuNpjHhSyNm3cW1FUYXPdD1l_KCwaRHP8bkHvmenL-shqJvRScM-_sNXYRVL7EcJR2CqkGwnMEyajZ-6UiOpSNZu-G8A/w400-h300/IMG_5101.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We wandered along to the Chinese Streamside Garden, which was a muddy path when we were last here. Now it is planted up with the RHS collaborting with the Chinese community in Greater Manchester. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZAYIZVOTQ7Edd8LNwqdfGNn6neQuO4Tg0ofq4833F92NTOAeHPA34Dp1iZrRYIeMjiJX3mfcZyCWWPT_nUhV2_CtojPfD2zFqN9ThqHigJE9mWw0cqXkExH8E0F0F2qsXJFb7PO38_r9jH8fzqVH4Kvh-Bf6rOISEitEI422GTMqjQiSsI8q_kK8EeY/s4032/IMG_5108.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZAYIZVOTQ7Edd8LNwqdfGNn6neQuO4Tg0ofq4833F92NTOAeHPA34Dp1iZrRYIeMjiJX3mfcZyCWWPT_nUhV2_CtojPfD2zFqN9ThqHigJE9mWw0cqXkExH8E0F0F2qsXJFb7PO38_r9jH8fzqVH4Kvh-Bf6rOISEitEI422GTMqjQiSsI8q_kK8EeY/w400-h300/IMG_5108.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>There are huge plans for this area of the garden where they intend to create a Scholar's Garden.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzocGjnfmVOs_xr8by_H-9L-ePmhgNIzENfpM35u5LPKOO1HWZ6MKoR9VEJ_TiDCFdV_77N1qjaYOLTWhF-bCTPV-bQ8JjFt8ADk8k6j4vMpD-Kd758g3Vy4t8ojC8cm415Kpjyvcc6j6ZMXvDxhbAi_VSrg7sDYLSg-f16cx31TM2h_yPo4G-IJaoLE/s4032/IMG_5111.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzocGjnfmVOs_xr8by_H-9L-ePmhgNIzENfpM35u5LPKOO1HWZ6MKoR9VEJ_TiDCFdV_77N1qjaYOLTWhF-bCTPV-bQ8JjFt8ADk8k6j4vMpD-Kd758g3Vy4t8ojC8cm415Kpjyvcc6j6ZMXvDxhbAi_VSrg7sDYLSg-f16cx31TM2h_yPo4G-IJaoLE/w400-h300/IMG_5111.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I got over-excited at the Edgeworthia Red Dragon shrubs. So beautiful to see them growing so well here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLUwJ40P7Bkav_3Q1PMC2Thyphenhyphend-aIcacPRZnr8vh7lq3wrNhEXactl6-ybeL20i9PdFM8xGHaJA7cXh0DfyYHa0wBYJeZ7a9O1R-sbylxCpAfMx9Zvdh2nheZeK_-EE5l2Lxz_fQvJbg4H-qBF-G4IrmDF33Tb0QRF-cIut45tQb8XQNR_IutzEYoFOFg/s4032/IMG_5112.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLUwJ40P7Bkav_3Q1PMC2Thyphenhyphend-aIcacPRZnr8vh7lq3wrNhEXactl6-ybeL20i9PdFM8xGHaJA7cXh0DfyYHa0wBYJeZ7a9O1R-sbylxCpAfMx9Zvdh2nheZeK_-EE5l2Lxz_fQvJbg4H-qBF-G4IrmDF33Tb0QRF-cIut45tQb8XQNR_IutzEYoFOFg/w400-h300/IMG_5112.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I want to return when the huge 'Victoria Meadow' is at its peak, probably summer would be good.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPsEa-Jr9QyqmPaGyJTedbLDBFUYwN-vej3t-vaOL7hF2McCXKXkb0FatWlA8yGR58I7CqYNnrSpq9i8L7L2ezgaIYNFpQELKSm_yawc2EqEpRGQmqPvp288ND3SE2dDcAen-5BCY0xq3WEepZl297ZwY020mmIexQp1BXxDRS_kB4HluWjbdZklq_EY/s4032/IMG_5065.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPsEa-Jr9QyqmPaGyJTedbLDBFUYwN-vej3t-vaOL7hF2McCXKXkb0FatWlA8yGR58I7CqYNnrSpq9i8L7L2ezgaIYNFpQELKSm_yawc2EqEpRGQmqPvp288ND3SE2dDcAen-5BCY0xq3WEepZl297ZwY020mmIexQp1BXxDRS_kB4HluWjbdZklq_EY/w400-h300/IMG_5065.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>We ooed and aahed at this wonderful magnolia tree that was looking stunning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54YwRrYYIw9Obd0RM6toTb_CS4l60SMwd1MPK_UBJR5uAwwAKlICeQnafCQhBIXT_54zdnfXjo4XtHC4_KTaacdjPS-ZNQRQMz_AfKNsphckHXdIPO_5JYACq7WhwEFzSaQiujJWiFfWUam6KSdBFqMaQcgFTCVczWns4E80a1jyaBTDf1XummdxQuGc/s4032/IMG_5069.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54YwRrYYIw9Obd0RM6toTb_CS4l60SMwd1MPK_UBJR5uAwwAKlICeQnafCQhBIXT_54zdnfXjo4XtHC4_KTaacdjPS-ZNQRQMz_AfKNsphckHXdIPO_5JYACq7WhwEFzSaQiujJWiFfWUam6KSdBFqMaQcgFTCVczWns4E80a1jyaBTDf1XummdxQuGc/w400-h300/IMG_5069.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The Walled Gardens are just magnificent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEbveg-Z6zJm8aEiT2jEF0f3wlg1KoXhJFVqBFmbKMtgmJX9shXl3Y3QGaaTfU4TiLxAFYnLZoYb1dEmhfIb7c8hNtX7DoJlxDrZvlixxCeHV8hIRVV7PYpz9AbQYAohDwln5mZ83Rb7HwXc0JatwmxXelq85vT0ewUbaykC8SNdNIcJVDTKFiIhjnHA/s4032/IMG_5062.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEbveg-Z6zJm8aEiT2jEF0f3wlg1KoXhJFVqBFmbKMtgmJX9shXl3Y3QGaaTfU4TiLxAFYnLZoYb1dEmhfIb7c8hNtX7DoJlxDrZvlixxCeHV8hIRVV7PYpz9AbQYAohDwln5mZ83Rb7HwXc0JatwmxXelq85vT0ewUbaykC8SNdNIcJVDTKFiIhjnHA/w400-h300/IMG_5062.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>and the message of being sustainable and working with local communities was loud and clear. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PK7CkyulkXgg1crscy4DupTVVByDqiiYC7BTOV4t4eGOG9eme3fZDWZHfFfe6pQP0MpQFeGrcOHbK3DVptexVAjbB1GASfwAo8oZwS-3pfkmcOYT3-2NIgvkL72fvTOv60AvfIPt2HetnUwWUqxBiDif20DxpsZwM2wEfj0eA7gAa7A52bpHP86vA7k/s4032/IMG_5079.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PK7CkyulkXgg1crscy4DupTVVByDqiiYC7BTOV4t4eGOG9eme3fZDWZHfFfe6pQP0MpQFeGrcOHbK3DVptexVAjbB1GASfwAo8oZwS-3pfkmcOYT3-2NIgvkL72fvTOv60AvfIPt2HetnUwWUqxBiDif20DxpsZwM2wEfj0eA7gAa7A52bpHP86vA7k/w400-h300/IMG_5079.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We nodded to the hydrangea trials that are being carried out here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rBhi12wOY0I3IWC0o4akoxLzjJ4wVHyMMxyn5Zwg0Q_yJtHXgMvDa__1OZLrEAI1U1Feh1b0tQRxQJbajXVtMPDHauhvlOlYNbO3Wu3pFdpMKywI6i_VTtvcoX0-z2y_xwQh_YPkN69f5Ff81K4kfZOUUGQ7snd2qUDp-cq949QUuoNnet9AS0ZLlRw/s4032/IMG_5081.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rBhi12wOY0I3IWC0o4akoxLzjJ4wVHyMMxyn5Zwg0Q_yJtHXgMvDa__1OZLrEAI1U1Feh1b0tQRxQJbajXVtMPDHauhvlOlYNbO3Wu3pFdpMKywI6i_VTtvcoX0-z2y_xwQh_YPkN69f5Ff81K4kfZOUUGQ7snd2qUDp-cq949QUuoNnet9AS0ZLlRw/w400-h300/IMG_5081.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>and peered into the tunnel of doom. Well, that what I think it is, my daughter was keen to go and explore. It is not accessible at the moment but if it ever is I will wait outside whilst she explores. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C6ErARcskK-ZyJflpYe76Pt3UcKoktADG7ZiPr5nBW6vULGXqZBZ3h86l5rbWOXrJPZAIS5pvWgAittRhVeT9l1KQXfITxAFDMZ6JEG6BP0zb13NSwXdsRGmHfpr9Vp22QNyRnkS1g0kvlGUlzJHhW0GNSVNbA4xgTbhp8Lcv17Ri_Ze41I1hrTwDN0/s4032/IMG_5082.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C6ErARcskK-ZyJflpYe76Pt3UcKoktADG7ZiPr5nBW6vULGXqZBZ3h86l5rbWOXrJPZAIS5pvWgAittRhVeT9l1KQXfITxAFDMZ6JEG6BP0zb13NSwXdsRGmHfpr9Vp22QNyRnkS1g0kvlGUlzJHhW0GNSVNbA4xgTbhp8Lcv17Ri_Ze41I1hrTwDN0/w400-h300/IMG_5082.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We said hello to the cockeral and the chickens.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mWawjf8mk5wkyfED-atAGeYT-8Ig3Z6ebsccbiN_Cu1Xe9O3sulPSo9fWMFy0jOEdVvU-J5-rTF-YjxbMcJccpUa9yJGbj3ytqJhqQFZYdvTcmSuxqWduwQoojOIooVXtn0RkBOvnNu24BbrnD0qNj9iB7nDNNT5RoGwrg8IVs0GpErELiH2wOTANy0/s4032/IMG_5071.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mWawjf8mk5wkyfED-atAGeYT-8Ig3Z6ebsccbiN_Cu1Xe9O3sulPSo9fWMFy0jOEdVvU-J5-rTF-YjxbMcJccpUa9yJGbj3ytqJhqQFZYdvTcmSuxqWduwQoojOIooVXtn0RkBOvnNu24BbrnD0qNj9iB7nDNNT5RoGwrg8IVs0GpErELiH2wOTANy0/w400-h300/IMG_5071.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>In the glasshouses we enjoyed the beautifully trained vines and inhaled the scent of the hyacinths. Usually I find the scent too strong indoors but this was clearly a large enough space to make it pleasant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJrm6PcKWWVKvUylpuZgE5D1O5ozwwJSeEyWAJ6QqJVCwaQa_-Y2vxDMoRFuAHMuSb98fdstAW97pu1C8tAvLAYY2g1q9GZmJyCN4wHSqVE1j1NgXHHKMO1xmv4wyQB2yFajd-IkwkXATiAn9-mWMtC_xPH5XZih5OxvpruoExpyasvcDdiwoZC67Mas/s4032/IMG_5075.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJrm6PcKWWVKvUylpuZgE5D1O5ozwwJSeEyWAJ6QqJVCwaQa_-Y2vxDMoRFuAHMuSb98fdstAW97pu1C8tAvLAYY2g1q9GZmJyCN4wHSqVE1j1NgXHHKMO1xmv4wyQB2yFajd-IkwkXATiAn9-mWMtC_xPH5XZih5OxvpruoExpyasvcDdiwoZC67Mas/w300-h400/IMG_5075.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and I want this pelagonium cordifolim var rubrocinctum though I googled the name on the label and came up with nothing! I shall persist.<div><div><br /></div><div>We had a fabulous day and vowed to return to see the garden pass through different seasons. </div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-39301033223997990232024-03-21T10:15:00.003+00:002024-03-25T12:13:35.710+00:00Review: the Create Academy Cut and Come Again Masterclass by Sarah Raven<p>When the nice people at <a href="https://www.createacademy.com/courses/sarah-raven" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Create Academy</a> recently contacted me about reviewing their new course led by <a href="https://www.createacademy.com/courses/sarah-raven" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sarah Raven</a> I was not going to say no. I have reviewed a few of their courses now and the quality and value that they offer is impressive. Knowing that the course was by Sarah Raven made it totally irresistable too, it had to happen.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQWgHLb-0ER0vYwQ_eh5ipiZVvt4r_nWpTJ3NDuzF61SIB35dvxBD4sJ1nLTwiMTYSJFpfnEFWDLTy_MmvwBXCYSgBSuw34esJRLQH1lHdwWvE8DiWyTm3tObod8ZH4S8WzkyERVZi5GHahoPlYdEbSBpI0DIrgCNUtpmZmdV8F5jwil8AQhXCwHrdTQ/s1464/Screenshot%202024-03-19%20102827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="998" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQWgHLb-0ER0vYwQ_eh5ipiZVvt4r_nWpTJ3NDuzF61SIB35dvxBD4sJ1nLTwiMTYSJFpfnEFWDLTy_MmvwBXCYSgBSuw34esJRLQH1lHdwWvE8DiWyTm3tObod8ZH4S8WzkyERVZi5GHahoPlYdEbSBpI0DIrgCNUtpmZmdV8F5jwil8AQhXCwHrdTQ/w273-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-19%20102827.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo c/o Create Academy<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table>I have not paid for this course and I have not been paid to write this review. My words and opinions are, as always, my own.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I have been a fan of Sarah Raven for quite some time now. I remember going to listen her give a workshop at the Chelsea Physic Garden way back in the day. I remember liking how Sarah explained things simply, carefully and very practical and pragmatic. Fast forward a decade or two and when I was growing flowers for my daughter's wedding I went to see Sarah give a talk about growing cut flowers and how to create bouquets. Again Sarah was practical and pragmatic and explained things in a way even I could understand. Cut flowers and bouquet making were completely out of my experience at that point. So I had no concerns that this online course would be good, Sarah is a natural when it comes to teaching.<div><br /></div><div>Lets cover some basics first. There are 46 lessons and the course costs £147 at the time of writing. You can also <a href="https://www.createacademy.com/membership/checkout" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe to the Create Academy </a>at £17 a month. The subscription deal impressed me. You get access to all the courses during your period of subscription, in your first year you get 15% discount so you only pay £204 a year instead of £240. If you wanted to take more than one course it would seem to me the subscription deal is a no brainer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The course itself is broken into workshops that you can pick up, pause, start again whenever you like. There is no time pressure, you have bought it, it is yours. Each workshop comes with downloadable notes so that you do not have to write everything down. This is very useful. None of the workshops are over 30 minutes in length, with most being around 5-15 minutes. This means it is really easy to watch a workshop and then go and do what else you should have been doing; except you won't as one workshop pulls you into the next and the next.</div><div><br /></div><div>The workshops cover everything you need to know about planning, designing, sowing and growing your own productive cut flower patch. Sarah introduces herself and how she started growing her own flowers. Sarah did not invent the cutting garden, but I think it is very fair to say that she has popularised it and brought it back into the modern eye. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are sessions on why to have a cutting patch and how to grow flowers in abundance. This latter part is not quite as easy as you might imagine and Sarah talks us through different varieties and now much value you get from them. There is a wonderful chart that Sarah draws up scoring whether to grow peonies, cosmos or dahlias. She looks at the cost per plant, the amount of stems you get, how long the harvest period is, what is the vase life etc. This is a very grounded, practical course. I am going to get hooked into any workshop where someone starts drawing a chart...... </div><div><br /></div><div>We are told how to design your patch for your chosen colour palette and how to work with colour. Then we learn how to create a sowing calendar to grow through the seasons of the cutting patch. Sarah then talks us through her favourite sowing methods. Sarah also explains how to be as sustainable as possible: including how to choose and plant bulbs such as tulips that will encourage them to flower for more than one year. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed this course and learned a lot. I like Sarah's style and the amount of information she almost incidentally passes on is immense. You can always tell when someone is confident in their own knowledge as they are generous with their knowledge: they cannot help but drop titbits of extra information in as they talk to you. Sarah is generous with her knowledge.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can happily recommend this course.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sarah Raven's Cut and Come Masterclass is available through the <a href="https://www.createacademy.com/courses/sarah-raven/lessons/meet-sarah" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Create Academy</a>.</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-78551422908612846722024-03-17T21:35:00.000+00:002024-03-17T21:35:30.786+00:00A pilgrimage to Shibden Hall<p>I have wanted to visit <a href="https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/visit/shibden-hall" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shibden Hall </a>for some time, I have known of Anne Lister and her coded diaries for quite a while. When the TV series 'Gentleman Jack' was announced I knew I had to watch it and hoped I would not be disappointed. As a great fan of the actor Suranne Jones and the writer Sally Wainwright I knew this was unlikely and of course I was not.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZb0oFnSQqEO9YoxhzfvLTIBu4u5eojhu-HsxZD8aCiTKEBNsTXQisijVExPQ4AsVKJbYveRdm-ERh3-UIEVulNknKs3GBhKizlz-geGWzil386ukVK-Br_FYydM5c-_9DxS9tJuMIWCr8U-3oL_M6xAxETkLqylRj9k8dlG1qCTL1F0ug3pcfoudVx9E/s3561/IMG_4986.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="3561" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZb0oFnSQqEO9YoxhzfvLTIBu4u5eojhu-HsxZD8aCiTKEBNsTXQisijVExPQ4AsVKJbYveRdm-ERh3-UIEVulNknKs3GBhKizlz-geGWzil386ukVK-Br_FYydM5c-_9DxS9tJuMIWCr8U-3oL_M6xAxETkLqylRj9k8dlG1qCTL1F0ug3pcfoudVx9E/w400-h318/IMG_4986.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p>Fast forward a year or three and I was going to Halifax for a sewing retreat. Why I had forgotten Shibden was near Halifax is unclear, but as we drove past Shibden myself and my daughter shouted words to the effect 'bloody hell we didn't know we were going to be this close, we must visit!'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">A few weeks later my daughter says 'how about we go to Shibden for Mothers' Day?, well I am not going to say no to that am I? The day arrives, my sat nav become possessed by some sort of demon by trying to send us down closed roads and along narrow oubliettes that were frankly, just uncalled for. It should be a very straightforward journey from where we live. Anyhoo, some stressful moments and many expletives later we arrive in time for lunch at the cafe. I can recommend the steak pie and chips. I may have foolishly uttered the words "do you think it will come with gravy?". I was in Yorkshire, of course it did. Whilst sitting in the cafe by our table was an information board that showed a picture of the wildness garden. I was immediately obsessed, we had to find that garden.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzgVYZNYPRO9gqvi0xUvs_Dx3uodQAPM0RdgyHpsE8B5vjO-o9SJhhUoiq1icDrQIbtmV9VOILNWat8HUrMTEkWm4K-elK-uj-q76r5IfcbczDemEi8DokyMzfxmymf36CX6MzSOIbrg_uxI1oxwgTVYTVG1inU_1Sro5H5zb-NC2-q74eFh3_WVsJlU/s3690/IMG_5003.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="3690" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzgVYZNYPRO9gqvi0xUvs_Dx3uodQAPM0RdgyHpsE8B5vjO-o9SJhhUoiq1icDrQIbtmV9VOILNWat8HUrMTEkWm4K-elK-uj-q76r5IfcbczDemEi8DokyMzfxmymf36CX6MzSOIbrg_uxI1oxwgTVYTVG1inU_1Sro5H5zb-NC2-q74eFh3_WVsJlU/w400-h281/IMG_5003.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo of information board </i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Lunch over we started to wander the park before making our way to the Hall itself, where a lot of the filming of the series had taken place. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsb8AH8F5tZr9eNYJqp2xLQUmLGZZggq_N1VqNAkCpJaWUU7c7UOyW1hed6SlENhADH1IDUfcB1xcVVfp1Rp_j5J1TKD-Tcso_EbYVdP1_Hz5NiaA7Nop3hbwuKBZ4vWecfnhJKIT1O3ArPt0Dl0Zl9Md9neF3r5au4HZ3UFRDuzRd2UMymnzoEiHZbw/s3703/IMG_4976.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2777" data-original-width="3703" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsb8AH8F5tZr9eNYJqp2xLQUmLGZZggq_N1VqNAkCpJaWUU7c7UOyW1hed6SlENhADH1IDUfcB1xcVVfp1Rp_j5J1TKD-Tcso_EbYVdP1_Hz5NiaA7Nop3hbwuKBZ4vWecfnhJKIT1O3ArPt0Dl0Zl9Md9neF3r5au4HZ3UFRDuzRd2UMymnzoEiHZbw/w400-h300/IMG_4976.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The park has a large boating lake, a children's adventure playground and a miniture railway. Sadly the railway was not running as I might have been tempted to go on it. There was this rather lovely cascade at one end of the lake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2RxdjgZ5N9MWGsesnG8mdr6Gx7D13SVfQ0BKfNvWOG1KF8jLcqJ-a_iS7yy8kWt8znMcCj7x5WkaW5G5gaLNZ6TZQTPlz9r2B-XthSbGbNt_OPqp2QXKOMvIfPFtEGb3WfW9d0XB7sichdje553tCreza9B470DTgj1IQnxJEQfYRKKWq962W5rDKdM/s4032/IMG_4979.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2RxdjgZ5N9MWGsesnG8mdr6Gx7D13SVfQ0BKfNvWOG1KF8jLcqJ-a_iS7yy8kWt8znMcCj7x5WkaW5G5gaLNZ6TZQTPlz9r2B-XthSbGbNt_OPqp2QXKOMvIfPFtEGb3WfW9d0XB7sichdje553tCreza9B470DTgj1IQnxJEQfYRKKWq962W5rDKdM/w400-h300/IMG_4979.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I loved the sweep of the rill taking the water back down to the river.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17cLdSwhWy0jHfy9eGgiP712mM0np-PegMz77sUSlsC0LMMRwwfdqVMWSPXHQ1Rcz-PngXRcrNednekL1Nz2USnt71t_MJ-NsguiL1X1lywsoMCgL10LEBYFSqXnz-KWHEirDKCOaOp0EqTJ-ej9nx3FQJtmO0s3WygN5WOL_5gulSeSjLSuzc69nAtY/s4032/IMG_4989.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17cLdSwhWy0jHfy9eGgiP712mM0np-PegMz77sUSlsC0LMMRwwfdqVMWSPXHQ1Rcz-PngXRcrNednekL1Nz2USnt71t_MJ-NsguiL1X1lywsoMCgL10LEBYFSqXnz-KWHEirDKCOaOp0EqTJ-ej9nx3FQJtmO0s3WygN5WOL_5gulSeSjLSuzc69nAtY/w300-h400/IMG_4989.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div><p>The Hall itself dates from the 1500s and has been through several iterations since. Much remains of the time that Anne lived (1791-1840) and she made many alterations to the Hall. On arrival at the Hall itself we were greeted by the Shibden Lion.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgOzaJ24YSTzFnEUZRzTAf17-3yWd3SDa8cJS8DUHoz-M1N_YGftHCjFQOVOTAAVdWosd-8zmvaYjYQMpFQU84e-N6IP7NXZzdlkynvxzUmaVZvurflfTbJ5hDzGbkWmPOwYryHeqmrViy3oxVKDD-_1NclWKGSDML2_kLsWSyKR9xsRZb5PIcyE5ctk/s4032/IMG_5004.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgOzaJ24YSTzFnEUZRzTAf17-3yWd3SDa8cJS8DUHoz-M1N_YGftHCjFQOVOTAAVdWosd-8zmvaYjYQMpFQU84e-N6IP7NXZzdlkynvxzUmaVZvurflfTbJ5hDzGbkWmPOwYryHeqmrViy3oxVKDD-_1NclWKGSDML2_kLsWSyKR9xsRZb5PIcyE5ctk/w400-h300/IMG_5004.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The Hall is grand and yet not that grand if that makes sense? The information boards tell you how floors were raised and lowered, how rooms were used for one thing and then another. It is a home that has evolved through the centuries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSDa9BFx6bDKxZNEQ0OrgCrzaZfKkXmoPE7fpzReKNFTTVmP6po5P7HQV71Gk9Y4-GLXZlRe93kiR0liwK8toHnNxnuIq6V9eMWl22D14JTDSTWTwHr96qJmjV0VkQGYZP3kvDJNO7yZQgcnhqehH3ZM58AQy4OHxYABi5q1-XUTWXyht_NiTx6Eo16E/s3181/IMG_4995.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3181" data-original-width="2886" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSDa9BFx6bDKxZNEQ0OrgCrzaZfKkXmoPE7fpzReKNFTTVmP6po5P7HQV71Gk9Y4-GLXZlRe93kiR0liwK8toHnNxnuIq6V9eMWl22D14JTDSTWTwHr96qJmjV0VkQGYZP3kvDJNO7yZQgcnhqehH3ZM58AQy4OHxYABi5q1-XUTWXyht_NiTx6Eo16E/w363-h400/IMG_4995.HEIC" width="363" /></a></div>They are rightly proud of Anne's legacy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH3gi85B2AinPdOTn_D3ZK1KFRKdbb47ggXdIXiclylJHSGDoDOhG0mFUYXJaHjKyNhXEWZNLjXdzFvA7Q1YA4ALxLch4KX3sS9XORF-woFpxpfOCsPMbdUGGw9JcK7k_swS5zCQcS95pIKG73JqF42p4z3V9RMInqPKNGJ918pEMkK-sWSnnv110UnQ/s3666/IMG_4997.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2749" data-original-width="3666" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH3gi85B2AinPdOTn_D3ZK1KFRKdbb47ggXdIXiclylJHSGDoDOhG0mFUYXJaHjKyNhXEWZNLjXdzFvA7Q1YA4ALxLch4KX3sS9XORF-woFpxpfOCsPMbdUGGw9JcK7k_swS5zCQcS95pIKG73JqF42p4z3V9RMInqPKNGJ918pEMkK-sWSnnv110UnQ/w400-h300/IMG_4997.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>With some of the elements from the TV series on display. Not everything could be filmed at the Hall as many of the rooms are really quite small, not big enough for a film crew.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWbrTaXZRyfUbShuHkDcp9Lm8gFOCSgZnGeh0KxfcUe0tRPTAZfp5kmpVmCSLibA7-W46aVINsW2nmoneldABbb064Y05_7qVioIl5x67WpCsBndoICnIwJSN09RHp-eCJZ64l_2ZcMUYLmQA5634squu0nG_eSYQC4l14nT7U9zPcTxKjEKLT6vhTfI/s4032/IMG_4999.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWbrTaXZRyfUbShuHkDcp9Lm8gFOCSgZnGeh0KxfcUe0tRPTAZfp5kmpVmCSLibA7-W46aVINsW2nmoneldABbb064Y05_7qVioIl5x67WpCsBndoICnIwJSN09RHp-eCJZ64l_2ZcMUYLmQA5634squu0nG_eSYQC4l14nT7U9zPcTxKjEKLT6vhTfI/w300-h400/IMG_4999.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The floors and ceilings are not quite aligned in many rooms. I had a real moment of vertigo when walking along the short passageway to Anne's bedroom.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOgIcTLLO8ito1GzaIQcL7RsN7LdazVXsyh2F6YBAWSgMmDDtCI4BUoj9zh4H9o0MNUGpsBvBU3NfBdV5je3XcBhYsau8WHPaXjUNCUk343T26DtRPwxpvJb8qbEu0gDcbSYF7jDgbQ04S1PrWD2ICjyvV6N9vzLtFitluLdWgyk2gdnMZwLI9omoD8M/s4032/IMG_5001.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOgIcTLLO8ito1GzaIQcL7RsN7LdazVXsyh2F6YBAWSgMmDDtCI4BUoj9zh4H9o0MNUGpsBvBU3NfBdV5je3XcBhYsau8WHPaXjUNCUk343T26DtRPwxpvJb8qbEu0gDcbSYF7jDgbQ04S1PrWD2ICjyvV6N9vzLtFitluLdWgyk2gdnMZwLI9omoD8M/w300-h400/IMG_5001.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">When looking out of her bedroom window we could see lines made into the formal lawn. It was clear that something would be planted into these lines at some point. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8Uo5LsvovstbgpZWVCcTLYdGQnPAoCf_9o_-6to7gjcOo-RgwFmqSKFAvQeCapJ-K0gM-ulvnnh_ZL6vhaeTR7uXk-DEPrT-fPlPYh8VSgmowvXd0Grhq5pFBloxrBB0aW3BRc8tIVHGw9TVPXN-5cJCi38LusCflGUf64SYdWHAmpusiFJt6CmEu8/s4032/IMG_5002.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8Uo5LsvovstbgpZWVCcTLYdGQnPAoCf_9o_-6to7gjcOo-RgwFmqSKFAvQeCapJ-K0gM-ulvnnh_ZL6vhaeTR7uXk-DEPrT-fPlPYh8VSgmowvXd0Grhq5pFBloxrBB0aW3BRc8tIVHGw9TVPXN-5cJCi38LusCflGUf64SYdWHAmpusiFJt6CmEu8/w400-h300/IMG_5002.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The incredibly useful information boards gave some clue as to how the lawn had looked in the past so I imagine this is what it looks like in the summer. We are back in Halifax in June, now we know the way we may pop in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq00HNn5PP7g2HUNSnvsJkLa5NxJQqUnyN4iCVku28w1dm_M_ME1RHkbNbmpMTdaCwFD9jEKtY7S4Vi3EqSqi1dRwZHj1gWzLVDY6Y0Jn2jw7AzAApO12cvKTmL-qgCQz41hTcxsfxFeWOvzVDbCSQrHvSPVFwSZWLT38NwvIt8jX4naOdN15HczSLqo/s4032/IMG_4990.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq00HNn5PP7g2HUNSnvsJkLa5NxJQqUnyN4iCVku28w1dm_M_ME1RHkbNbmpMTdaCwFD9jEKtY7S4Vi3EqSqi1dRwZHj1gWzLVDY6Y0Jn2jw7AzAApO12cvKTmL-qgCQz41hTcxsfxFeWOvzVDbCSQrHvSPVFwSZWLT38NwvIt8jX4naOdN15HczSLqo/w400-h300/IMG_4990.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Outside of the Hall there is fascinating stuff. This looks like it must have a purpose. There might have been glass possibly on the rail you can see to the right of the photo?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4JFIpqz6QZm4WeDYlu6kx1geDr233S8dtLGcjrucDV7Amk_UR-toW44HwYbJrrg6IYOrC9qBsXy3zhHrz58LDpyCtxQEuvJUW9UjRazRG6vkzzEcPmppJ9X7qk6NuGlDABkofli_L9QIUPu3RlB_18EY3ljOsOxAjBqC7Xu3ZkOYr1a0eL1m2TbLBbE/s3763/IMG_4992.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="3763" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4JFIpqz6QZm4WeDYlu6kx1geDr233S8dtLGcjrucDV7Amk_UR-toW44HwYbJrrg6IYOrC9qBsXy3zhHrz58LDpyCtxQEuvJUW9UjRazRG6vkzzEcPmppJ9X7qk6NuGlDABkofli_L9QIUPu3RlB_18EY3ljOsOxAjBqC7Xu3ZkOYr1a0eL1m2TbLBbE/w400-h201/IMG_4992.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>It has fascinating stonework and we wondered if it could have been heated?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5SJMJzT8QZJKg8Nrz82kaIollny8eBkPKYD8jk6t4UgFIfmhs-TPb8_nF_r-WO-tOTK3_Rl7YgEsrTv8bl8-Kf-wDRliHowO8838MidlbZi5IYV8blrAH3oezJnOjFO6eS2x4bS6Q55CqPENAoo9ZbP2c7vUXIlvkmddfhFwcOCG8uclho9G9UYWsOQ/s4032/IMG_5006.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5SJMJzT8QZJKg8Nrz82kaIollny8eBkPKYD8jk6t4UgFIfmhs-TPb8_nF_r-WO-tOTK3_Rl7YgEsrTv8bl8-Kf-wDRliHowO8838MidlbZi5IYV8blrAH3oezJnOjFO6eS2x4bS6Q55CqPENAoo9ZbP2c7vUXIlvkmddfhFwcOCG8uclho9G9UYWsOQ/w400-h300/IMG_5006.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Continuing to the rear of the Hall there is a Rural Museum and a display of stonework presumably from the Hall.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyN-v_9E2_vOFyarWNfrZFN_oGhnsT_Fv6Ovq34aEjRfOCw4HzGVvmaf8LoJj0cE0quj-xwl5PcNfYDcjVjPp3JLZoCSC78pQ6U7knjlZW32TXCRD-5FDQ13XWTuC3Y0d81Zv2Cwrj0ztILmaH-EDpGerZrQ-96IOR-tDHloU-xIhteAOFFQ2QlsnKfE/s4032/IMG_5007.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyN-v_9E2_vOFyarWNfrZFN_oGhnsT_Fv6Ovq34aEjRfOCw4HzGVvmaf8LoJj0cE0quj-xwl5PcNfYDcjVjPp3JLZoCSC78pQ6U7knjlZW32TXCRD-5FDQ13XWTuC3Y0d81Zv2Cwrj0ztILmaH-EDpGerZrQ-96IOR-tDHloU-xIhteAOFFQ2QlsnKfE/w300-h400/IMG_5007.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>This one is very interesting - what wentt through the hole? Was is a pipe/gutter?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z2G2Ux4xYvgCKufjfIFJt8DJ08QMXrD7HRJsnOYMwIM4sGfi0pfOlbZCeJ8QEzgNXi4-zhx3kyRRTZ8s-fPRM9EQkA0w57QJYbrFfo5j_BG-DpX6f7Gu4ovxS0dPYDT-kNiv2gQBzFtkJ8rKEzislQSNLpWHW1LdWAIZuz_IYINbvTY9lhhlLhSYoOQ/s4032/IMG_5011.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z2G2Ux4xYvgCKufjfIFJt8DJ08QMXrD7HRJsnOYMwIM4sGfi0pfOlbZCeJ8QEzgNXi4-zhx3kyRRTZ8s-fPRM9EQkA0w57QJYbrFfo5j_BG-DpX6f7Gu4ovxS0dPYDT-kNiv2gQBzFtkJ8rKEzislQSNLpWHW1LdWAIZuz_IYINbvTY9lhhlLhSYoOQ/w400-h300/IMG_5011.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>And this one, where had it been fitted at some point?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKvz-55I1KUwOYos99xsM0ikxZSs0_95lHNgx9R44mWpEw8q1ZQW7NWqoFHsLn_l7-8mUunEb48uTpbp0t4VnrHM9oO2TEM83Jo9_asd_acw5762N9rTySxZwd6DiDsv8LUrXO4Wh_vxGxTLPzbQgZowRTOB34rozwxiZqLysEFtsf1w44KtdlbTQ4Ow/s4032/IMG_5009.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKvz-55I1KUwOYos99xsM0ikxZSs0_95lHNgx9R44mWpEw8q1ZQW7NWqoFHsLn_l7-8mUunEb48uTpbp0t4VnrHM9oO2TEM83Jo9_asd_acw5762N9rTySxZwd6DiDsv8LUrXO4Wh_vxGxTLPzbQgZowRTOB34rozwxiZqLysEFtsf1w44KtdlbTQ4Ow/w400-h300/IMG_5009.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>There are carts,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk6zDfR6iwxbBDrUz4zAPciDmk4wLFP6D6C1UXMCFlZi4QqqtzJBO5yui8E1wmsiO48CBs9Y09FOcTDCRJjxSELV85MjdbXKwN_gNJQDG73KB7Cd08_HgK0v5rhD1VXLJjkzoAaTOKcHviBbBTWfFKShZN6J4P19xmtWiNY_vCHwFiYYbZl0Nig9Sdx8/s4032/IMG_5018.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk6zDfR6iwxbBDrUz4zAPciDmk4wLFP6D6C1UXMCFlZi4QqqtzJBO5yui8E1wmsiO48CBs9Y09FOcTDCRJjxSELV85MjdbXKwN_gNJQDG73KB7Cd08_HgK0v5rhD1VXLJjkzoAaTOKcHviBbBTWfFKShZN6J4P19xmtWiNY_vCHwFiYYbZl0Nig9Sdx8/w400-h300/IMG_5018.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>recreated rooms,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHYI1mlAPZib1_3OFcij0wFeWxJxV5Ky8gnwRgGy62pV1WuDz41KC_hW4VKlwL0w3IxNlqFDGC-j3GAsSNLD9K8CHDr4AyRGdhQd-VPpdW0MzUO8Nou4_uID2FzdHZ7z6CKDnxuwGml3dr2vRo4um09iiNgPUrn55E8aAQzywpMJyv4ZiOrcWX3Lro1s/s4032/IMG_5016.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHYI1mlAPZib1_3OFcij0wFeWxJxV5Ky8gnwRgGy62pV1WuDz41KC_hW4VKlwL0w3IxNlqFDGC-j3GAsSNLD9K8CHDr4AyRGdhQd-VPpdW0MzUO8Nou4_uID2FzdHZ7z6CKDnxuwGml3dr2vRo4um09iiNgPUrn55E8aAQzywpMJyv4ZiOrcWX3Lro1s/w300-h400/IMG_5016.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>horse wheels for turning machinery,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvdER5VAsajWOe9p8HMUF8lRJjUvRY-vxF_mKa0gjukQue0eW_eIf0m48NhKVeT6tWU7cRbgq4WHQ5j-fMZrXj_jH7hFtndBqRPK_4KkRDwjaC6CbxTI6SRKfWufxguDQ0lLITRLPXCBaFvwtaykXube1BaY1cRVyM7hkb8Wg_YI2o0iJbClgjJD6Pxs/s4032/IMG_5013.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvdER5VAsajWOe9p8HMUF8lRJjUvRY-vxF_mKa0gjukQue0eW_eIf0m48NhKVeT6tWU7cRbgq4WHQ5j-fMZrXj_jH7hFtndBqRPK_4KkRDwjaC6CbxTI6SRKfWufxguDQ0lLITRLPXCBaFvwtaykXube1BaY1cRVyM7hkb8Wg_YI2o0iJbClgjJD6Pxs/w400-h300/IMG_5013.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We spent far longer in outside the Hall wandering these areas than we expected to. <div><p>Did we find the Wilderness Garden? Of course we did.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvyrCZM0yVRT1o7bTCfqJ3jMwcNxMJ20UdZmu-w7oy-GkgVdAXerWhRcVW3Vko6_VN53prt8PuLri_nxOjW6AVdJZBrfEwaiJAMH3CeDI-ScaliXGoiiI-svpoCJqx9KqE8zW4AxuAamaglqNT8Tufgoowue0PWfYAcjIU30Ejcx6Tq3Lo3hNg-MHrtE/s4032/IMG_4987.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvyrCZM0yVRT1o7bTCfqJ3jMwcNxMJ20UdZmu-w7oy-GkgVdAXerWhRcVW3Vko6_VN53prt8PuLri_nxOjW6AVdJZBrfEwaiJAMH3CeDI-ScaliXGoiiI-svpoCJqx9KqE8zW4AxuAamaglqNT8Tufgoowue0PWfYAcjIU30Ejcx6Tq3Lo3hNg-MHrtE/w400-h300/IMG_4987.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p>It is not the same as when first created by the look of things, but you get the idea of it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3lLRGp1jsURM-qQ7U3OKNFRwfdsURF0V_AZGUwKYPrtYcG7zOanaNEr0NJGszG2DeDm7xoerq9ojv4CJGdMRUh58Q7FygBvB4MwCPNoELwBX0U6Vkw3st-ycxnnPjumWzcSB09j-XQ0EZ_qWRLOY30B8-j32NSyQf3qwkgVPcCvNmNv6jqIOpfQi_kk/s4032/IMG_4984.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3lLRGp1jsURM-qQ7U3OKNFRwfdsURF0V_AZGUwKYPrtYcG7zOanaNEr0NJGszG2DeDm7xoerq9ojv4CJGdMRUh58Q7FygBvB4MwCPNoELwBX0U6Vkw3st-ycxnnPjumWzcSB09j-XQ0EZ_qWRLOY30B8-j32NSyQf3qwkgVPcCvNmNv6jqIOpfQi_kk/w400-h300/IMG_4984.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p>When looking at the pond in front of it we noticed steps. We wondered if it had been a dipping pond maybe?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTyXxzi3miv6dPYavJAvCXf689vHg0aZcpxhnwVqsS4y7Kd_Tkc9Wh6NeZ1g1iPYUUOft8BYm9RLP9fRDM37sT-dDBfM6dj5jpTuLIiHICodYILLL8JB2ok_fcPeLwPuOX4KTzZGD1ZG9Whe8Lo-Kq0RkpeoF_2x3xKZb78JaIxR4PsdWUjQK_eFIyBc/s2833/IMG_5005.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2792" data-original-width="2833" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTyXxzi3miv6dPYavJAvCXf689vHg0aZcpxhnwVqsS4y7Kd_Tkc9Wh6NeZ1g1iPYUUOft8BYm9RLP9fRDM37sT-dDBfM6dj5jpTuLIiHICodYILLL8JB2ok_fcPeLwPuOX4KTzZGD1ZG9Whe8Lo-Kq0RkpeoF_2x3xKZb78JaIxR4PsdWUjQK_eFIyBc/w400-h394/IMG_5005.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p>We had the most fabulous day. We paid homage to Anne Lister and her memory and to the role model that she has become. She is a very important person in lesbian history and her story matters.</p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-17874693126862743202024-03-13T19:59:00.002+00:002024-03-13T19:59:56.731+00:00Book Review: Apples and Orchards since the Eighteenth Century by Joanna Crosby and Finding the Fox by Andreas Tjernshaugen<p>I do like to keep an eye out for books that I think will be really interesting and when I saw a post on Facebook by Joanna Crosby about her new book 'Apples and Orchards since the Eighteenth Century' I thought it sounded like just the sort of book I like.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROaz9j9aZ9ycEGUCJPC87r2vXb1z6HGHt2nwLCKMMnYLjcOgNRfArXmhVZxsH7pGu68VBolIF96qteFVe-gDIu0ssEb1BrMBRGd4O9LibcaLJTmiB2WyHIj0dSSesDLKPeNuSBpLIEf4SLb0HMinxE3f4g5lY0yJ3uU5Wats2LE8Qex3N33CdXT3dYAA/s540/9781350378483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROaz9j9aZ9ycEGUCJPC87r2vXb1z6HGHt2nwLCKMMnYLjcOgNRfArXmhVZxsH7pGu68VBolIF96qteFVe-gDIu0ssEb1BrMBRGd4O9LibcaLJTmiB2WyHIj0dSSesDLKPeNuSBpLIEf4SLb0HMinxE3f4g5lY0yJ3uU5Wats2LE8Qex3N33CdXT3dYAA/w266-h400/9781350378483.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>This is an academic book and therefore priced accordingly, it is not cheap retailing at around £76. Here is where I have to say I have not paid for this book nor have I been paid to write this review. My words and opinions are my own. I have a strong interest in social history and my subject area is sociology so this book was something I would want to read.<div><br /></div><div>Joanna writes clearly and accessibly with talking us through why the apple matters in British history and culture before taking us into the discussion about what is an apple; which is not quite as easy as I had imagined. I also have to hold up my hands to admit that I did not know that apples are not native to the UK which is in itself why this book is so important. We see apples as something distinctively British and (I really want to say core) central to British identity. Joanna talks us through all this, the how and the whys this has come to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>The discussion on what makes an orchard and the orchard's influence on our gardens, both grand and not so grand is also very enlightening. Joanna then moves on to the development of the apple across the world, the identification of varieties and the protection of those varieties through national societies and networks. Joanna tells that that apples do not grow true from seed, to keep a variety it has to be grafted.</div><div><br /></div><div>The more apples were grown commercially the more the politics around them grew. The discussions around importing food and the cost thereof are not dissimilar to the discussions we have today about buying local. Joanna tells us that our supermarkets sell us imported apples alongside British varieties and that we can only buy what is offered to us through selling outlets. Of course we can grow our own but orchards are declining in the UK and domestic gardens are getting smaller/being paved over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Joanna talks the impact of Brexit and apples and the development of community orchards as the ability to have fresh fruit in a cost of living crisis gets more and more difficult. This books bring the history of the apple up to the present day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know it is not cheap, but it is really interesting and an important contribution to the knowledge of the history of apples.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apples and Orchards since the Eighteenth Century by Joanna Crosby is published by <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/apples-and-orchards-since-the-eighteenth-century-9781350378483/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bloomsbury Academic</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Finding the Fox by Andreas Tjernshaugen</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi1LUtsqCg050-JxY-8COH_h8gM5M3LF-5ILVhegio20y6GGDC2J-9sCcpNdBCt49qgn2KkQRJqoMe-aFCMDZ7UobUQXvnTQ02Bd_dfahbQ34QvwU4GV52EoqMbcsIBXDXQq1wp2RYj_-zscORAyOJz9Q1CqCl_eupGsp01kj5CLnlSn1SkkeeWj2kWc/s936/Screenshot%202024-03-11%20112429.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="645" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi1LUtsqCg050-JxY-8COH_h8gM5M3LF-5ILVhegio20y6GGDC2J-9sCcpNdBCt49qgn2KkQRJqoMe-aFCMDZ7UobUQXvnTQ02Bd_dfahbQ34QvwU4GV52EoqMbcsIBXDXQq1wp2RYj_-zscORAyOJz9Q1CqCl_eupGsp01kj5CLnlSn1SkkeeWj2kWc/w276-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-11%20112429.png" width="276" /></a></div>I was sent this book to review so I have not paid for it, I have not been paid to write this review and my words and opinions are my own.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a delight of a book. Andreas, as his name might suggest, is Norwegian and this book is translated by Lucy Moffat into English. It is a very easy read, it flows well and I like Andreas's style of writing. The book is part his own observations of foxes, with some charming black and white photographs and part research. So there is good solid information about foxes about there nature and their impact on our culture and well as the joy that Andreas obviously has for them. The book is based in Norway but when Andreas is talking about urban foxes there is much that is similar - including the knowledge that it is hard to shoot urban foxes. I felt a sense of relief at this; I am one of those wimpy townies who enjoys seeing foxes in my garden, even though they do dig up my plants, leave stinky poo and bury odd things like gloves and <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2013/10/the-blackberry-tales-7-bread.html" target="_blank">loaves of bread</a> where I least expect it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed this book, it is the right mix of charm and knowledge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finding the Fox is published by <a href="https://greystonebooks.com/products/finding-the-fox?_pos=1&_sid=0ed4791f3&_ss=r#!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Greystone Books</a> and can be found on internet booksellers.</div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-30028087390033016052024-03-10T10:02:00.000+00:002024-03-10T10:02:36.972+00:00A learning day at the Task Academy<p>"Would you like to spend a day in the Worcestershire countryside learning new skills such as dry stone walling, bricklaying and willow-weaving?" read the invite "Count me in!" was the swift reply.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxldcz95TyLyfsJdXW68EYIRxRorLQyamme6y-eM4N-Ez7DHNKuNMtuZSG3cZfVyep12q4EXfY9owb0CtgjuI1ybyO-HoOKkqNToXJgJutCbUG5_ZBMFqJPXeFYYkz4ud1F_9TY5fNImimoPvQ8fC7kdWLtxKuv96eBLwMzGU61BcHWcSfh-OiZ0S6L7I/s3744/IMG_4919.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2808" data-original-width="3744" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxldcz95TyLyfsJdXW68EYIRxRorLQyamme6y-eM4N-Ez7DHNKuNMtuZSG3cZfVyep12q4EXfY9owb0CtgjuI1ybyO-HoOKkqNToXJgJutCbUG5_ZBMFqJPXeFYYkz4ud1F_9TY5fNImimoPvQ8fC7kdWLtxKuv96eBLwMzGU61BcHWcSfh-OiZ0S6L7I/w400-h300/IMG_4919.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I already knew of the <a href="https://www.taskacademy.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Task Academy </a>as its founder Rupert Keys took part in my<a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2023/07/the-questions-rupert-keys.html" target="_blank"> 'The Questions' </a>series last year. It was lovely to meet Rupert in real life. Rupert has an impressive career history of over 30 years in landscaping. He works with his wife: the garden designer Ruth Gwynn on projects and he also has built award winning show gardens, inclu<span style="font-family: inherit;">ding the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Newson Health Menopause Garden designed by Ruth at Gardeners World Live last year. This garden won the Platinum and Best in Show Award. It is fair to say that he knows his stuff.</span></span><div><br /></div><div>The Task Academy was set up in 2022 and aims to provide courses for industry and for the public for a range of hard landscaping skills. The industry courses are Lantra accredited and cover a wide range of subjects from hard paving, to garden lighting and water feature system training. The 1 day workshops for the public include willow-weaving, bricklaying, block paving and dry stone walling and the basics of garden design. You receive a certificate to show your successful completion. All the courses are taught by a team of 12 industry professionals, which means that their skills are kept up to date as they are also working professionally outside of the Academy. The <a href="https://www.taskacademy.co.uk/public" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">public courses </a>are priced c: £110 - 150 at the time of writing. If you know someone who you think one of these courses would make a great gift for, then you can buy gift cards from Task Academy. Such a good idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>What better test could there be for these courses than to invite a group of gardening writers come along for some taster sessions? I did not pay for the day and I have not been paid to write this. My words and opinions are my own. The day arrived and despite a bit of rain on the drive there, the rain held off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1fcskDQ093JtaJudHyDj2UoIVogNZ9cLbKtNDxdL1wqhjY9y96DYrMFL44IIvuzYdwqzxu6nN0Jd9zsFWEohzpUtyyHa7DFdialGfjskDmI2uyem6lxgVofllVdVTmDqmYvmyeDnTcRdHRc0f5yDgnwUp0h7VnDGwdR9EqoCSjMW4YVPVEM1D0Ks1jw/s4032/IMG_4894.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1fcskDQ093JtaJudHyDj2UoIVogNZ9cLbKtNDxdL1wqhjY9y96DYrMFL44IIvuzYdwqzxu6nN0Jd9zsFWEohzpUtyyHa7DFdialGfjskDmI2uyem6lxgVofllVdVTmDqmYvmyeDnTcRdHRc0f5yDgnwUp0h7VnDGwdR9EqoCSjMW4YVPVEM1D0Ks1jw/w300-h400/IMG_4894.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>First session for me was led by Nick Leitch and was the dry stone walling. This turned out to be more fun than I expected, and I had expected it to be fun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfar0s99JFUmk0bH8D1OpslSnQXNLj3Dj2YwwldrJYlqo_td9DWPa9H-hT2T7_z9oIb1fq4pS37hhmQn-AaZueAaXREUcvYYHO86l82l-UxqcbDkb-Gl5Vz6vwqVqfAcOJxF_T7NeeLD4Ut9bdB0SkNeUPs3VGOh8c5DOdeYLNSLuj2CVeldgZlXspDs/s1600/97cb3951-bf2b-4e9b-a01c-ecdffc08ed3a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfar0s99JFUmk0bH8D1OpslSnQXNLj3Dj2YwwldrJYlqo_td9DWPa9H-hT2T7_z9oIb1fq4pS37hhmQn-AaZueAaXREUcvYYHO86l82l-UxqcbDkb-Gl5Vz6vwqVqfAcOJxF_T7NeeLD4Ut9bdB0SkNeUPs3VGOh8c5DOdeYLNSLuj2CVeldgZlXspDs/w300-h400/97cb3951-bf2b-4e9b-a01c-ecdffc08ed3a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Here I am hitting some stone with a hammer to remove lumps and corners to 'dress' the stone to fit more neatly. We were told the basics of what we were doing and the best techniques to choose and dress the stones.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxHGc4v4Q2s4aGUZ13_UZPT-Im9h-vfnn_2XKetJ7uHX4EDsubXIaO5HD21t3C4GJ7N1EXG3cCqKQaZU05KjKOqUf9UcagFTiN7_vbaYfLAxFmrJf5YU1NbUVQSDzRQPgKsGpEBIcY13xy9I6UUMrZoXt-Nxbrn-9PUvyee-1R3uyJLWHTdLMj7uAsNQ/s4032/IMG_4892.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxHGc4v4Q2s4aGUZ13_UZPT-Im9h-vfnn_2XKetJ7uHX4EDsubXIaO5HD21t3C4GJ7N1EXG3cCqKQaZU05KjKOqUf9UcagFTiN7_vbaYfLAxFmrJf5YU1NbUVQSDzRQPgKsGpEBIcY13xy9I6UUMrZoXt-Nxbrn-9PUvyee-1R3uyJLWHTdLMj7uAsNQ/w400-h300/IMG_4892.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Don't get too excited, we didn't make this whole section of wall, we only placed the top layer on this demonstration wall, but even so I was impressed at how well we did. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIpXzAVclMGe-PFucoCcmWRSQ1RRBknYVo-dNlXjdUj-ikrW8Kt7DiSL_3A8Tr1YUhKP-t94JKmxYChwf_pmheuL34iL70kIQzTXtIr0B-KKMLIaIe4BsLw-HOH_A0TsLA4VN_Fh7vN-Jimz7jD-JZM6lc5erhrsr7QVB1UVfWfxJqPWV96tK-XyBBvs/s4032/IMG_4900.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIpXzAVclMGe-PFucoCcmWRSQ1RRBknYVo-dNlXjdUj-ikrW8Kt7DiSL_3A8Tr1YUhKP-t94JKmxYChwf_pmheuL34iL70kIQzTXtIr0B-KKMLIaIe4BsLw-HOH_A0TsLA4VN_Fh7vN-Jimz7jD-JZM6lc5erhrsr7QVB1UVfWfxJqPWV96tK-XyBBvs/w300-h400/IMG_4900.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Next session was brick laying, led by Rupert himself and David Sewell. We had a quick briefing about different types of bricks and why they differ and for what purpose. We were also told that the Academy aims to work as sustainably as possible; the lime mortar would be reused and the bricks would be washed and resued for future courses.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxutVItyvoRB88jntBrbJQXe4QZjLwZ1qILyKGmgS-Giq99lJNMxxQ7mKWkofwYnknxYqv-OBhjKwu-8pDmjQZLi3WaBLl_A9bpasVNxdo0YNHKOYCRjSVO831YKxVyQqr8FKGt_ZvdK81qTB_lqcE-pl-Nei2HTmUPdxQ1SaRys_DvWqzPBlQwUi6oQ/s3550/IMG_4911.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2662" data-original-width="3550" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxutVItyvoRB88jntBrbJQXe4QZjLwZ1qILyKGmgS-Giq99lJNMxxQ7mKWkofwYnknxYqv-OBhjKwu-8pDmjQZLi3WaBLl_A9bpasVNxdo0YNHKOYCRjSVO831YKxVyQqr8FKGt_ZvdK81qTB_lqcE-pl-Nei2HTmUPdxQ1SaRys_DvWqzPBlQwUi6oQ/w400-h300/IMG_4911.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Then it was time to get laying.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpaX0ccVj-bm21Un-GXev5fUi_0VKT_Lf9SgYHxJLkojUx06PwnUMt41ibuPtgWaIAO7qkjquxzElPBIFnLmAdNUp2KB5hmIM4D5ypZgUOZ8zXgi4nbtqUDqjW3KD2RyJ2xtho0O-1G6BM-mM1h9Q021POlbdEKH_KvitLzBQz6Yy5WtewVE7xePErBA/s3785/IMG_4915.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="3785" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpaX0ccVj-bm21Un-GXev5fUi_0VKT_Lf9SgYHxJLkojUx06PwnUMt41ibuPtgWaIAO7qkjquxzElPBIFnLmAdNUp2KB5hmIM4D5ypZgUOZ8zXgi4nbtqUDqjW3KD2RyJ2xtho0O-1G6BM-mM1h9Q021POlbdEKH_KvitLzBQz6Yy5WtewVE7xePErBA/w400-h300/IMG_4915.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I measured, I checked levels and didn't keep my work area very clean. That aside I was actually quite pleased with the outcome. I think if I was making a small wall at the speed I was working I might make a small one in a month. I was not fast.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2O51SaaROBzqJjy8Z6p8GTh1GGg6qtStqzRpoL6w1FIkpWWoGSdAscfWNQcnJhLeN36UMoJ_W9WvNVEdxsrZKab0Yyk4oepplrYGnpKKcgaYeNwDHB16m5U31HD_D4Xh9F6ZSiZvSYe3dKz41sNo4PPYHEpQ50FlcH1RlbDQ9rvAazvMvw7qL4dqbfQ/s3710/IMG_4918.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2373" data-original-width="3710" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2O51SaaROBzqJjy8Z6p8GTh1GGg6qtStqzRpoL6w1FIkpWWoGSdAscfWNQcnJhLeN36UMoJ_W9WvNVEdxsrZKab0Yyk4oepplrYGnpKKcgaYeNwDHB16m5U31HD_D4Xh9F6ZSiZvSYe3dKz41sNo4PPYHEpQ50FlcH1RlbDQ9rvAazvMvw7qL4dqbfQ/w400-h256/IMG_4918.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Last session was willow-weaving taught by Mel Bastier; which was a nice indoor seated session to finish the day. We learned about the types of willow and how to prepare it ready to be woven.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVRyDAJGAGIL_RxGlg_dgHH_qw_o4SC-sfKtI6wCpMoNTInuYikyxTZgsCYaClNuE3lnAN1qkCeeWtTsi8aiGLWsBgGjt3xv84QisthXHxSAemdSx439Yn34HWqTZ-atA06o-R9TQuslGSgiTADDoJpWH3c4j0uz8ptrbbYInn9yUKaGE5LTTwUqSoMY/s4032/IMG_5031.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVRyDAJGAGIL_RxGlg_dgHH_qw_o4SC-sfKtI6wCpMoNTInuYikyxTZgsCYaClNuE3lnAN1qkCeeWtTsi8aiGLWsBgGjt3xv84QisthXHxSAemdSx439Yn34HWqTZ-atA06o-R9TQuslGSgiTADDoJpWH3c4j0uz8ptrbbYInn9yUKaGE5LTTwUqSoMY/w300-h400/IMG_5031.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We made these bird feeders and I think they would also make rather good plant pot holders too. I do love multi-functionality!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>We had such a good day, we were looked after well and taught very (very) patiently. The Academy is in the most beautiful countryside and yet also very easily accessible. I came away from the day genuinely surprised in what I had achieved through these short taster sessions. Just imagine how much I would have learned in one of the full day courses!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3CFAT1PchPaNa_JHfidQnJWihokAwdAX7jrBt06kDuk7l1eBiCJiKProwiyEbs-GgzdthrR4mkSpDVv7b6Op-FPiEy0H1zK7vSZfBthLLcjJle_4uh_ZVl4cheDdRIJAdtxRoivn6EG1lffXcJpuG52ZI36uY34mJYFI5qt3j2_2RrEDJCB5zPQmzWc/s3994/IMG_5032.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3994" data-original-width="2859" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3CFAT1PchPaNa_JHfidQnJWihokAwdAX7jrBt06kDuk7l1eBiCJiKProwiyEbs-GgzdthrR4mkSpDVv7b6Op-FPiEy0H1zK7vSZfBthLLcjJle_4uh_ZVl4cheDdRIJAdtxRoivn6EG1lffXcJpuG52ZI36uY34mJYFI5qt3j2_2RrEDJCB5zPQmzWc/w286-h400/IMG_5032.HEIC" width="286" /></a></div><div>A huge thank you to Rupert and the team for being such lovely hosts and to Jane Southcott and Emma Mason for co-ordinating the day.</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-23858776573478080052024-03-07T10:47:00.001+00:002024-03-07T10:47:44.908+00:00Tree following March 2024 - Hope<p> It is the time of year when it really does become all about hope.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETxVFBMoiGmkSUsacSwa_c2McUS0_li5iWBddhi4CTjbRzK8A0BYfSBtts2VioE_av6kkoSQD86bguTM-rdaV61XfWdGO2whTVKvMUv6VfsD9ZGCDsg3AnPUz4m2xm0TcqBGzPhNlBgUFW02hfUneLaybBBQnwJ-XSiOLGsYUI3SON_Ps044ERHyLl0o/s4032/IMG_4958.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETxVFBMoiGmkSUsacSwa_c2McUS0_li5iWBddhi4CTjbRzK8A0BYfSBtts2VioE_av6kkoSQD86bguTM-rdaV61XfWdGO2whTVKvMUv6VfsD9ZGCDsg3AnPUz4m2xm0TcqBGzPhNlBgUFW02hfUneLaybBBQnwJ-XSiOLGsYUI3SON_Ps044ERHyLl0o/w300-h400/IMG_4958.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>I stand in front of the Quince Brothers and gaze at the smooching blossom buds. I see how much they love each other and try to protect each other. The acid-lime green of the foliage peels slowly away from the white-dusted sepals that keep the developing blossoms safe from the frost, keeping them wrapped and cosy until it is their time to open.<div><br /></div><div>It is not yet time for the blossoms to emerge, but the Quince Brothers are often one of the earliest of my fruit trees to start to flower. I start to watch them anxiously as we move into April as we can have frost until mid-April. The longer the Quince Brothers can wait before flowering the better their chances are of not being damaged and maybe - just maybe - achieving a quince or three.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here I am waiting, almost patiently, to see what the next month will bring. Both brothers are covered in goodly amounts of potential blossom and I see this as a good sign. Regular readers will recall I did prune both trees whilst they had their Winter snooze which has made me wonder if this year it would limit their chances of success.</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Time will tell.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">More followed trees can be found here under the stewardship of <a href="https://squirrelbasket.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Squirrelbasket</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-89580289456721448802024-03-03T20:19:00.002+00:002024-03-03T20:19:33.962+00:00A time of division for the snowdrops<p>I might have mentioned a few times that I am quite fond of snowdrops. When I moved to this house there was one tiny clump in the front garden but other than that there was ne'er a bulb, not even daffodils. It has been my mission ever since to spread snowdrops far and wide in the garden and particularly in the Wild Garden. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth1vt3C1BFv8rTdyo-lV-J74K4JYOmb79otRNd-AtrUxgg1wLMiYacNRxXNZaoyMpOBYNtoiCbwvuaK8q0K1EGPxueUuBOjBrCWMgEpVNQVV9KKVhbyBlgMTVOcaxgYUeS9g4_6Pudf-m_W4mug5ykC1opaiJMgtp6V9Ev-2NKhijK5TyQ_SB-RDJT_Q/s4032/IMG_4830.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth1vt3C1BFv8rTdyo-lV-J74K4JYOmb79otRNd-AtrUxgg1wLMiYacNRxXNZaoyMpOBYNtoiCbwvuaK8q0K1EGPxueUuBOjBrCWMgEpVNQVV9KKVhbyBlgMTVOcaxgYUeS9g4_6Pudf-m_W4mug5ykC1opaiJMgtp6V9Ev-2NKhijK5TyQ_SB-RDJT_Q/w300-h400/IMG_4830.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><p>I usually buy around 200 snowdrops in the green, usually from a nursery called '<a href="https://www.naturescape.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Naturescape</a>' which is not far from where I live and also, quite frankly, the most reliable source of reasonably priced snowdrops I have found.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuEK3mHgBNVnm95hrsfgTPE23rwRp_clwFv8GLpleYSMZ7voheH2HmVzZYxRS3GWIj9KgaF75Ag_XgHbqGhMLwbuxdstDVbvK28GHlCvf1T7JKdCZpB4DnLc4mTUtWstBl2MT5yqtfn93n91qW7fSP3d2m5Egd-dEIPKZ4pWvFj-e0TyTsVCTR7Q8Tl8/s4032/IMG_4827.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuEK3mHgBNVnm95hrsfgTPE23rwRp_clwFv8GLpleYSMZ7voheH2HmVzZYxRS3GWIj9KgaF75Ag_XgHbqGhMLwbuxdstDVbvK28GHlCvf1T7JKdCZpB4DnLc4mTUtWstBl2MT5yqtfn93n91qW7fSP3d2m5Egd-dEIPKZ4pWvFj-e0TyTsVCTR7Q8Tl8/w300-h400/IMG_4827.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><p>I might still be a 'not quite snowdrop garden', but this year I felt like I took a big step closer to that boast as this year I have not bought any snowdrops in the green. I have enough clumps to divide without further purchase. The majority of the snowdrops in the Wild Garden are Galanthus nivalis and there are also clumps of Galanthus flore pleno. That both types now need serious dividing really does feel like a turning point for the garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMhDfmeYIAQ3tbdVmv5pVZIL2996soW-LxJDMcWcniZWfCysMPn8siaVEQRXXc1J8IpVPaZC1kQrMjmnzEQ6w2obZCrx5B3xNWi1md-hdRQ7Q8UITdOSH3u9a4n1jQb81ExOs0wXg5g4gekoyC9GKycxZGz4bUGXjhfBy-cYR5A0V1p2G1Z2b713dZD8/s4032/IMG_4510.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMhDfmeYIAQ3tbdVmv5pVZIL2996soW-LxJDMcWcniZWfCysMPn8siaVEQRXXc1J8IpVPaZC1kQrMjmnzEQ6w2obZCrx5B3xNWi1md-hdRQ7Q8UITdOSH3u9a4n1jQb81ExOs0wXg5g4gekoyC9GKycxZGz4bUGXjhfBy-cYR5A0V1p2G1Z2b713dZD8/w400-h300/IMG_4510.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div>Dont't get me wrong, I have not got swathes and swathes, I still have a long way to go; but the clumps in the Wild Garden are really getting quite big and a bit congested in places. So they need dividing for their own good (I tell them, after saying 'this won't hurt' as I dig them up and rip them asunder.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Feu-eSckXu1_w6yEo-qEJFYV53r86CV1zTt2d1eqJ6o2cMciraPbA-20KfEmYYmInQl0GzewYIL2pLFC1QBF-Ie0dSfo9535MK20rlBfURbIj-lnTpG6ruwvAZ8xsbo5kTPTBjbmlsAvMvSKHZg_1L1gh7HM_tFD-CyIJKr76xutY2OFO2SPVTcCWW8/s4032/IMG_4829.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Feu-eSckXu1_w6yEo-qEJFYV53r86CV1zTt2d1eqJ6o2cMciraPbA-20KfEmYYmInQl0GzewYIL2pLFC1QBF-Ie0dSfo9535MK20rlBfURbIj-lnTpG6ruwvAZ8xsbo5kTPTBjbmlsAvMvSKHZg_1L1gh7HM_tFD-CyIJKr76xutY2OFO2SPVTcCWW8/w300-h400/IMG_4829.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I still have many (many) clumps to divide and now is the time to be doing as as they are just finishing flowering and starting to go over. It really is a pleasant gardening task, when the rain stops long enough to make it doable (sigh). At least the ground is not too hard.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't wait for next year already!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-64930529427313113602024-02-29T07:04:00.000+00:002024-02-29T07:04:22.401+00:00End of Month Review February 2024<p>We have an extra day this leap-year February, it feels like it might just be the opportunity for an extra day of rain! The garden is muddy mcmuddy, but we have had a couple of almost dry days recently so it feels like it might be more workable soon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDR-xlhInWukaJVauc2UJLqfYB3nOlwe4PvxxqV_X5n_RDCxS82LRIxBfv-V6HPxqUxonNIvz9NgJ6gTwFxoukVo8-aOYhzxPp9i6lMHAfdyy2ZIjvgRMGj0Z4tBs_iyD27IDNsKFVckFo9TOfJID2j_CdH7RSThufCZ9A4lRkLZ1vK133_eC8Y5vlQU/s1620/DSC_0169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDR-xlhInWukaJVauc2UJLqfYB3nOlwe4PvxxqV_X5n_RDCxS82LRIxBfv-V6HPxqUxonNIvz9NgJ6gTwFxoukVo8-aOYhzxPp9i6lMHAfdyy2ZIjvgRMGj0Z4tBs_iyD27IDNsKFVckFo9TOfJID2j_CdH7RSThufCZ9A4lRkLZ1vK133_eC8Y5vlQU/w400-h266/DSC_0169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the driveway the Mahonia is flowering nicely. This shrub was planted in 2015 after I went on a<a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2015/11/the-coronation-street-gardens.html" target="_blank"> tour of Coronation Street </a>and admired the one in Sally Webster's garden. It was definitely a good choice of plant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-50_eU-3ey_SZPQM44Y7Vsz9bVeZPeKDtnjep_NDB08vhHhqpXj2T-df5Sh0We4zmGHsU_u81tIygtbVVoAUGRaVcr2tPZfFo92B56Is1xwgvtUgO1BBWC2VtjCDg7UPANhSTPcIbycpCzpcNWC3ENd067z0YfEAB4otrv4_s10dwehShRbn8J8ZAqmg/s1620/DSC_0170.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-50_eU-3ey_SZPQM44Y7Vsz9bVeZPeKDtnjep_NDB08vhHhqpXj2T-df5Sh0We4zmGHsU_u81tIygtbVVoAUGRaVcr2tPZfFo92B56Is1xwgvtUgO1BBWC2VtjCDg7UPANhSTPcIbycpCzpcNWC3ENd067z0YfEAB4otrv4_s10dwehShRbn8J8ZAqmg/w266-h400/DSC_0170.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>The tree peony by the front gate seems to be quite light on buds this year, this is a shame and I hope that they develop soon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJM60o20dw77HJedv3XsasP0-yLSRNY-X9G8Oi6AU1icBbP9PjEP-TwZHBC6mVi2eXyY2k7gKgG_1qGIaQLcM5OS7ZWPhcvnNGhslSiU1R6PCL58t5fDaaUDzVnNZ38S-KvqNJ00QlTVKeHNUFYS_cCpplMa4leog2XQbfEiNjT-GbSdIkxoxN_u3iSA/s1620/DSC_0167.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJM60o20dw77HJedv3XsasP0-yLSRNY-X9G8Oi6AU1icBbP9PjEP-TwZHBC6mVi2eXyY2k7gKgG_1qGIaQLcM5OS7ZWPhcvnNGhslSiU1R6PCL58t5fDaaUDzVnNZ38S-KvqNJ00QlTVKeHNUFYS_cCpplMa4leog2XQbfEiNjT-GbSdIkxoxN_u3iSA/w266-h400/DSC_0167.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>The magnolia buds are keeping their hats on for the moment as more frost is due.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJAH2CkyYuAkCTpQ4e_f0wifHBxdrgXuTTSxizpcaCyjjejZwgFNlw5i0p6fiHqpey2n7WRDRGl1YFu3QmBhRsUCE-ccuszoBgwfINaROISV-yLwT9FEVkKvUoWUGGhtB5ALlri9qn1ZD5U9k7yJfLv0ejD9UHEpJbMtvoY6NunewwV3RZ3JjroqQRz4/s1620/DSC_0172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJAH2CkyYuAkCTpQ4e_f0wifHBxdrgXuTTSxizpcaCyjjejZwgFNlw5i0p6fiHqpey2n7WRDRGl1YFu3QmBhRsUCE-ccuszoBgwfINaROISV-yLwT9FEVkKvUoWUGGhtB5ALlri9qn1ZD5U9k7yJfLv0ejD9UHEpJbMtvoY6NunewwV3RZ3JjroqQRz4/w266-h400/DSC_0172.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>The lilac by the front door is sprouting into life. The question is, have I pruned it at the wrong time again so that I get virtually no flowers? Time will tell....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoOFtgXBDCC1JoMO-X0_VXB2iSayw4XTjFTuu32TN8aMtMBnio-fWZrx1Sgotyse-ViU-xXeFc8790GuvZdW7_G0HW3nIsFEXyasyK1jw-9qbaYsv82aiAObEKV94zlFv39NydE69YDIObjA056r_kUyfG4HGQaVTuDNjHdWfegpU7xsF6AdYd680b60/s1620/DSC_0174_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoOFtgXBDCC1JoMO-X0_VXB2iSayw4XTjFTuu32TN8aMtMBnio-fWZrx1Sgotyse-ViU-xXeFc8790GuvZdW7_G0HW3nIsFEXyasyK1jw-9qbaYsv82aiAObEKV94zlFv39NydE69YDIObjA056r_kUyfG4HGQaVTuDNjHdWfegpU7xsF6AdYd680b60/w400-h266/DSC_0174_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the Smell me and Dye garden the madder is starting to re-emerge. This is a huge relief as I was not sure if it would make it through the winter. It needs to grow for at least another two years before the roots will be big enough to make dye with, so it is a project of patience.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKP1YCN6IR3WkrFgCUzD9hV6row8DCm3p1p6QiLEwqLCvkvPt1jJv7dbLp-CmRpYv397DtNFeIsddc2nyhRpcTdwdKbZk7b_w_G3agWIklydwiUHm9JZ0pepmPzuN6sHLhKOtzBbU628HM_DCgagaf42SbGsUFs9H4VCXuJUAB6xdRlOHiHXAOSHMhWA/s1620/DSC_0176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKP1YCN6IR3WkrFgCUzD9hV6row8DCm3p1p6QiLEwqLCvkvPt1jJv7dbLp-CmRpYv397DtNFeIsddc2nyhRpcTdwdKbZk7b_w_G3agWIklydwiUHm9JZ0pepmPzuN6sHLhKOtzBbU628HM_DCgagaf42SbGsUFs9H4VCXuJUAB6xdRlOHiHXAOSHMhWA/w400-h266/DSC_0176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>One of the Rheum (ornamental rhubarb) plants is emerging well, they always spark into life early and always emerge very beautifully. I say 'they' the other one is a little behind, it is struggling and I was surprised to see it start to emerge this year as I thought it too weak to get through another winter. I think I will divide it and see if that perks it up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCwIAj3wz3MXsjbxsU8HtvVk4CBXUst5g_IaUejlUhHIOX_FbZRgrxSz7XDoo1lJlzwLAwpZI_8cumhAfwIglBB61nQNbVDflv3erG7TbVo-uDgN8zL-FQYnWi3qT00M_NsTXKfs0pGlMa7U6TOZtNZF0ujw1dGcjYTInpnb0ncer4O1J0aSe8kHajfY/s1620/DSC_0178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCwIAj3wz3MXsjbxsU8HtvVk4CBXUst5g_IaUejlUhHIOX_FbZRgrxSz7XDoo1lJlzwLAwpZI_8cumhAfwIglBB61nQNbVDflv3erG7TbVo-uDgN8zL-FQYnWi3qT00M_NsTXKfs0pGlMa7U6TOZtNZF0ujw1dGcjYTInpnb0ncer4O1J0aSe8kHajfY/w400-h266/DSC_0178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the Courtyard Garden the bonsai trees are generally starting to show signs of life. A couple seem a bit quiet yet, but there is still time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7QHlD6a3BuFsf_gNgiuVnq2WPHIy-vIOO8V4co-vzEktoPK3BFcx4ccs9dC_4NAvgBssCxNlWgvnytPmUNbuIuNlAhTz2OuzY_YY_69zrr-dgE1CZPOVBL_YfWXPoVQS7NRwZKcIvfXFqXjJvqmbVK3X9-B2Fua7F9m1S0vtO8EiCZCdRchi_nFn-Nc/s1620/DSC_0179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7QHlD6a3BuFsf_gNgiuVnq2WPHIy-vIOO8V4co-vzEktoPK3BFcx4ccs9dC_4NAvgBssCxNlWgvnytPmUNbuIuNlAhTz2OuzY_YY_69zrr-dgE1CZPOVBL_YfWXPoVQS7NRwZKcIvfXFqXjJvqmbVK3X9-B2Fua7F9m1S0vtO8EiCZCdRchi_nFn-Nc/w400-h266/DSC_0179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The baby tree ferns that come indoors for the winter have been booted outside to get some rain and to start to think about growing. I will rush them back undercover if we have a serious frost. There are tiny knuckles forming, I think they will soon be on the move.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoLO4eN_271KTG_j4VPaL4uGTyS9zgZ_UDGirzqVqpAAt7WsRGCS4No36jui693tBTYIW_gJDqw-0_d5cwr_sMpG2fbJS9CxQLkNF7XI6ssKul5gYQ9sjl3OGbDCu0KYLbcdETUeehwA8j9PmX7Jmlelgm6QAEgYHvyUPXIz3aIqWVQIibEB7h9EBA_8/s1620/DSC_0181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoLO4eN_271KTG_j4VPaL4uGTyS9zgZ_UDGirzqVqpAAt7WsRGCS4No36jui693tBTYIW_gJDqw-0_d5cwr_sMpG2fbJS9CxQLkNF7XI6ssKul5gYQ9sjl3OGbDCu0KYLbcdETUeehwA8j9PmX7Jmlelgm6QAEgYHvyUPXIz3aIqWVQIibEB7h9EBA_8/w266-h400/DSC_0181.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Camellia Debbie, who sulked for a year after being transplanted from her pot she had grown in for several years, is covered in buds. I am very excited about this.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XVYcwTnF5IeFjuR1zBeMEdT4f4EU2Y332uEMXnb8oCHpAVWbAY4Jb-g5QiVKOe-CUJ3PIAgCTIUhNTzKHWHXoiO75VdyqWqJcNrOrWiJT1vw-9Dbzy0_msnmfFYr8xqTg2bI21S2HLIThLG1nIUqNkLxxjFBqUH2-dG8QDHoIo4LHQf1iHlGO2ZC3Co/s1620/DSC_0182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XVYcwTnF5IeFjuR1zBeMEdT4f4EU2Y332uEMXnb8oCHpAVWbAY4Jb-g5QiVKOe-CUJ3PIAgCTIUhNTzKHWHXoiO75VdyqWqJcNrOrWiJT1vw-9Dbzy0_msnmfFYr8xqTg2bI21S2HLIThLG1nIUqNkLxxjFBqUH2-dG8QDHoIo4LHQf1iHlGO2ZC3Co/w266-h400/DSC_0182.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>and there is an injection of blue into the garden from the pulmonarias.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzjyK-y8o_yBGCksP148HwoK9TSEoN6yv2nC4QaAhCVkTzVGKT1m6QcxWoL2JO7L9_KjFmA_TfznnVxx_KCHD9MLnGtEKKrDXESJJ7xyX5NwUF-KstKaPZG-DF_dfgPBl123cIhmIEKf4drIWrko7io1lPpcAUZphl6zNBskFoZgjhphBCHe1sU7dWEU/s1620/DSC_0183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzjyK-y8o_yBGCksP148HwoK9TSEoN6yv2nC4QaAhCVkTzVGKT1m6QcxWoL2JO7L9_KjFmA_TfznnVxx_KCHD9MLnGtEKKrDXESJJ7xyX5NwUF-KstKaPZG-DF_dfgPBl123cIhmIEKf4drIWrko7io1lPpcAUZphl6zNBskFoZgjhphBCHe1sU7dWEU/w266-h400/DSC_0183.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>The Salix Mount Aso is moving from its pink stage to its pollen stage, always popular with bees.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhW_5miY3OtH07kLPbfCxiiH2ZvmY0K-EaoMRIpuKAN-gsETBattVjHv3_tahkSwBrsrIkQbUcJS4-rOejkcf8z5nJI5ucfef_QbIude9919QLaxjv9E3MlJ8EgN6SpmwLxlN2EVBJTeH9JdK3-zHWo-8rcQXTLn_pFCO6oMGPoqPFPHWygFlgpxVzO9U/s1620/DSC_0184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhW_5miY3OtH07kLPbfCxiiH2ZvmY0K-EaoMRIpuKAN-gsETBattVjHv3_tahkSwBrsrIkQbUcJS4-rOejkcf8z5nJI5ucfef_QbIude9919QLaxjv9E3MlJ8EgN6SpmwLxlN2EVBJTeH9JdK3-zHWo-8rcQXTLn_pFCO6oMGPoqPFPHWygFlgpxVzO9U/w400-h266/DSC_0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Cercis siliquastrum 'Lavender Twist' is budding up, this is very exciting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aAfyIlrT_XX-AvVPtKY4md16_1QXCAA6RK1a5iEKemU4Fwi2pVE7appmI6ckYHGLPGZ98xlzG7vxv9I1yELD3p1KhwJYz2zPVoZelN7ZBD_6_f9JGZaCnrYmO5_T1mI2Z-klOO7f8TMNAfObNDw-OUwRgaNfn6Ud-dSCG0c2HJ00GkgdYCbjt4zw_6M/s1620/DSC_0190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aAfyIlrT_XX-AvVPtKY4md16_1QXCAA6RK1a5iEKemU4Fwi2pVE7appmI6ckYHGLPGZ98xlzG7vxv9I1yELD3p1KhwJYz2zPVoZelN7ZBD_6_f9JGZaCnrYmO5_T1mI2Z-klOO7f8TMNAfObNDw-OUwRgaNfn6Ud-dSCG0c2HJ00GkgdYCbjt4zw_6M/w266-h400/DSC_0190.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Daphne Jacqueline Postill is perfuming the garden and adding a dash of pink.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiHKe03J_yKSMJCRAR6NQhqqnrFfL8W41AU-74wPYc_VdhboPGdeDUzvCZUJKQqEt81_rI-o13IP19GVK6hMBUSNRVS0eKHqx56x2rFwjKq_a_NRBTbSCxgYrmG_eYF4J7R1HYJNrNby3n9gYOYEjyJAzDaT0QUq3qnVWziPz0HrJk39cTg-8rlhSrP8/s1620/DSC_0192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiHKe03J_yKSMJCRAR6NQhqqnrFfL8W41AU-74wPYc_VdhboPGdeDUzvCZUJKQqEt81_rI-o13IP19GVK6hMBUSNRVS0eKHqx56x2rFwjKq_a_NRBTbSCxgYrmG_eYF4J7R1HYJNrNby3n9gYOYEjyJAzDaT0QUq3qnVWziPz0HrJk39cTg-8rlhSrP8/w400-h266/DSC_0192.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Iford Cherry is moments, just moments, from blossoming.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApVPvBlXxLCqgbInbrMcgtlCaHeTMMZ1t5YZFxmmTElTi0R5gFkiXxQvv-wFx-SnzxA3l9nj3vuhhfCSKgOo7tcz_hqu6l5tMfOBOeOf2Z_M_Bq7SCIyRRhxhZciOAh19mR2xyrONbfm0zoU-XLQ2hIh95Pd7Vu_5MkybhIOPlPhgZ_KsAKOJouSHaiI/s1620/DSC_0194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApVPvBlXxLCqgbInbrMcgtlCaHeTMMZ1t5YZFxmmTElTi0R5gFkiXxQvv-wFx-SnzxA3l9nj3vuhhfCSKgOo7tcz_hqu6l5tMfOBOeOf2Z_M_Bq7SCIyRRhxhZciOAh19mR2xyrONbfm0zoU-XLQ2hIh95Pd7Vu_5MkybhIOPlPhgZ_KsAKOJouSHaiI/w400-h266/DSC_0194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and I always love the moment the red sparks of flower appear on the contorted hazel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-uAhs_GDVb_rO2u6i6OqRkmJo2dH7KHC98gRJoLkbNIbKGmxg00N02q5oo3Awt4HuvE8NK6zeNVsoAzGvR8217oR0dQ-XVHQn2B2IOQzwlmrmAN-JBnq8yALAzRlofGevYJhwThoodWrBxDO9buKtAayEv01KvrnBS3XY8HYKyo2DOykWmc8NVFZbd4/s1620/DSC_0191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-uAhs_GDVb_rO2u6i6OqRkmJo2dH7KHC98gRJoLkbNIbKGmxg00N02q5oo3Awt4HuvE8NK6zeNVsoAzGvR8217oR0dQ-XVHQn2B2IOQzwlmrmAN-JBnq8yALAzRlofGevYJhwThoodWrBxDO9buKtAayEv01KvrnBS3XY8HYKyo2DOykWmc8NVFZbd4/w400-h266/DSC_0191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis in the Wild Garden are developing their seed heads. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphzlwZibF-yoURgz4-kPKNEu_YOZTdkT9dscsjsimIfCjZPQzL-muSK_a-rK5T8LSTDgEQUjCZgcmzp5Cxpfp7n7-5Vm6z9kf1JxPyRBFL4lrNw557kjUP1QVe4OxYOLCcKuvyJ-rTajGp-lt_-DnMgbpuDmwqVj583NxEDwPTIcwGuyCvPy5Aad6sIg/s1620/DSC_0193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphzlwZibF-yoURgz4-kPKNEu_YOZTdkT9dscsjsimIfCjZPQzL-muSK_a-rK5T8LSTDgEQUjCZgcmzp5Cxpfp7n7-5Vm6z9kf1JxPyRBFL4lrNw557kjUP1QVe4OxYOLCcKuvyJ-rTajGp-lt_-DnMgbpuDmwqVj583NxEDwPTIcwGuyCvPy5Aad6sIg/w400-h266/DSC_0193.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and the daffs are coming up (hurrah).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1l2N2tlxAA3X-NEPH9FAINxcjPa7DbmNUZla23WnJat0lFZD0hgG1KQ77h_4Oe6wHkzl8S-Jbe0nfm6Nve29TuIAzlb8TJwlIJVla_SSklAF5Fcy3RUIP6SAnAPQ9wqI231s8E_0E5alBDl1XcSAVBQfzJHhOjYILLracPHrJEbJRnChMr-hpXoaHQo/s1620/DSC_0204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1l2N2tlxAA3X-NEPH9FAINxcjPa7DbmNUZla23WnJat0lFZD0hgG1KQ77h_4Oe6wHkzl8S-Jbe0nfm6Nve29TuIAzlb8TJwlIJVla_SSklAF5Fcy3RUIP6SAnAPQ9wqI231s8E_0E5alBDl1XcSAVBQfzJHhOjYILLracPHrJEbJRnChMr-hpXoaHQo/w266-h400/DSC_0204.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>A few daffs had got broken off, which I assume was by the cats charging through them. So the Birdy Vase was happy to oblige keeping them alive a bit longer.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuA9rPgb0kli5HshcqUsO0-ZZ5R-XpP_0SbVP9AgzDjkK2Oya_gt2Ii1NVQVZ0LRLPTgolGwA7VkD3toCi7y3FrqXKWkQd-YAaHpkAvY8VK9ayP4ksR_Rd9TqAIB6SiVPCodv4XzwmQj9rGr2mM_k6n1GGnMO0vF5p2zmsMxltbdHfglfMymKywHWsKQ/s1620/DSC_0196.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuA9rPgb0kli5HshcqUsO0-ZZ5R-XpP_0SbVP9AgzDjkK2Oya_gt2Ii1NVQVZ0LRLPTgolGwA7VkD3toCi7y3FrqXKWkQd-YAaHpkAvY8VK9ayP4ksR_Rd9TqAIB6SiVPCodv4XzwmQj9rGr2mM_k6n1GGnMO0vF5p2zmsMxltbdHfglfMymKywHWsKQ/w400-h266/DSC_0196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Esme keeps me company and helps me inspect the garden.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHhiz0kZ6ffvcZ0LPB4HrnCnvt-me7cl4kLf2dSmmm7pTN_nXnjzDSA4FHcCRcDp9_7ltbB42LBnLCecca_x6Bp5DUs3-uIctmjKFPDRKc8Vzm-f-zNzQlDOL2LrrMDnanSJRprX4bMWpP5WvqOQYGBZZsbNEMOGfCi9P1LOgQpTOAWwHi-wFJQ8VRCg/s1620/DSC_0202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHhiz0kZ6ffvcZ0LPB4HrnCnvt-me7cl4kLf2dSmmm7pTN_nXnjzDSA4FHcCRcDp9_7ltbB42LBnLCecca_x6Bp5DUs3-uIctmjKFPDRKc8Vzm-f-zNzQlDOL2LrrMDnanSJRprX4bMWpP5WvqOQYGBZZsbNEMOGfCi9P1LOgQpTOAWwHi-wFJQ8VRCg/w400-h266/DSC_0202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The sedums create a rhythm of colour along the long Pond Border.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvYpfc2nEzzOb2nDXRQ-Tq4IKcGSJNBYGgtw4mIaMbKk4t2tXwoWGK6Mq4wZD_EqIn1_On-90jSuLChl8qOkHNOOdzI-iDx_lt35tkPhilDdFGMWNE26AmeFlBXaOi1VOcKpSglJgfpzs7DbElfyYUkbSIOAvyNxS0V27UlNtLo7u0nBZTQUDyeYPNQw/s1620/DSC_0187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvYpfc2nEzzOb2nDXRQ-Tq4IKcGSJNBYGgtw4mIaMbKk4t2tXwoWGK6Mq4wZD_EqIn1_On-90jSuLChl8qOkHNOOdzI-iDx_lt35tkPhilDdFGMWNE26AmeFlBXaOi1VOcKpSglJgfpzs7DbElfyYUkbSIOAvyNxS0V27UlNtLo7u0nBZTQUDyeYPNQw/w400-h266/DSC_0187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is not surprising that the pond is very full, very full. We have had so much rain this winter it has not been low at all, yet I know in the summer I will be worrying about the level going down. At this moment the pond is waiting for the frogs to arrive, hopefully it will not be long before the frogspawn appears which is always a very exciting time.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-30027028988912255732024-02-25T17:06:00.002+00:002024-02-25T17:06:49.599+00:00The Edgeworthia<p>Oh how I love my Edgeworthia chrysantha, one of the best, the very very best, late winter scented shrubs in my garden and in my experience.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE9wTImZwQvE2t8jm5PlXfoC11sovWx1uO24TewRru0k0XF1zxSdxenRSYNpjDZZ2cWihOtIxRV1jObT-5tM0Bp2aYd7xk4Luzn_roGyTEzx90Ol3dRdc_BiUVG5BEHoi4LjfJUEu1jAz-18qT7quJWMN7VWUaFFdceXHPii0qJNHJbpR0parpSJfNRM/s4032/IMG_4704.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE9wTImZwQvE2t8jm5PlXfoC11sovWx1uO24TewRru0k0XF1zxSdxenRSYNpjDZZ2cWihOtIxRV1jObT-5tM0Bp2aYd7xk4Luzn_roGyTEzx90Ol3dRdc_BiUVG5BEHoi4LjfJUEu1jAz-18qT7quJWMN7VWUaFFdceXHPii0qJNHJbpR0parpSJfNRM/w300-h400/IMG_4704.heic" width="300" /></a></div>The shrub in my garden is now flowering well and the scent wafts across the garden with the most delicious vanilla sweetness. I know its flowers are opening before I get close to it as suddenly I get a waft and then go and inspect her.<div><br /></div><div>Her delights begin well before the flowers open. The buds start to form early and are kept close until they suddenly, early autumn, start to make their shy entrance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6rmTIK-5Xbppif30LguI3xpYOr9BJdDW-ODcn6cU3Kvb3Lq_jYmreqD4pH5X7vL5x_ghFeH7CrcQT8BGCNVDI2xpXXhbmtTVFCY6Qk7xjW-gV3PYCCTwCQ5RnduG9xWAnml7eBEkoANk_X7PVf7j1okX-zJW7AbqM89KSvO-hylGhofA5Gl7Mf4OXkg/s4032/IMG_3806.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6rmTIK-5Xbppif30LguI3xpYOr9BJdDW-ODcn6cU3Kvb3Lq_jYmreqD4pH5X7vL5x_ghFeH7CrcQT8BGCNVDI2xpXXhbmtTVFCY6Qk7xjW-gV3PYCCTwCQ5RnduG9xWAnml7eBEkoANk_X7PVf7j1okX-zJW7AbqM89KSvO-hylGhofA5Gl7Mf4OXkg/w300-h400/IMG_3806.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Head bowed they shyly appear and then I start to observe them routinely hoping they will get through to flower.<div><br /></div><div>Edgeworthia's are quite picky, they are a bit of a diva. It took me several attempts to find where one would grow happily in my garden. This one is in a semi-shady corner that is sheltered from the winds. The soil in my garden is quite acidy and this particular corner of the garden is moist and well drained. That magical almost mythical combination. Most of my garden is thick heavy clay so this is a very special corner.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are allegedly hardy to -10 C but this is probably the thing that gives me the most angst. They can be seriously affected by frost and particularly when younger, a sharp frost can kill them. Last year an early sharp frost killed almost every developing bud on mine and this was very annoying. It is the first time this has happened and if it is threated again I will cover her with fleece. When I first bought her she was quite small. I kept her in a pot so I could overwinter her in the greenhouse until I felt she was big enough to cope outside. This worked where my other attempts had failed. Summer 2022 I nearly lost her in the drought, suddenly I realised that she had wilted so emergency buckets of water were applied until the rain returned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgDzezuWUQNlppOWHDPGzZLlrOIKmslU3U6q82WlHLxca3RpraiEUnIHS3PBf6sITYisIv5cs_FMiaOUPjlXN_Lv1e1LMwcTtZFsl-SHZlKGSwqtmi1rI8V2ysjUPYl7QgHHgfrv8TQxoAAgQdDl9kd8Fgy-uw0jc7EN38XDU67STCaN6uVjTnLE7m58/s4032/IMG_4411.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgDzezuWUQNlppOWHDPGzZLlrOIKmslU3U6q82WlHLxca3RpraiEUnIHS3PBf6sITYisIv5cs_FMiaOUPjlXN_Lv1e1LMwcTtZFsl-SHZlKGSwqtmi1rI8V2ysjUPYl7QgHHgfrv8TQxoAAgQdDl9kd8Fgy-uw0jc7EN38XDU67STCaN6uVjTnLE7m58/w300-h400/IMG_4411.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Once the buds have emerged they start to plump up nicely. They catch the dew and the raindrops beautifully. The foliage dies off in the autumn and the buds stand out against the bare stems.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzVxNqObsUeZI55IEnLNozvMs2v-HNuxWS3DKOdJm1j3hITT6wL4U9RLyHpvu1k70iLvVx_bjeZGgH1a6Y4lqeAftPbxVVIvJCb0KwqEaJvfgBW4UHlDqZ-aLxLq_Skuequ1GF0YTVq4jNlfH_He0ooAYR100z8pNz1q0rlrgOJtdWk-IELfsdpeIfK8/s4032/IMG_4420.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzVxNqObsUeZI55IEnLNozvMs2v-HNuxWS3DKOdJm1j3hITT6wL4U9RLyHpvu1k70iLvVx_bjeZGgH1a6Y4lqeAftPbxVVIvJCb0KwqEaJvfgBW4UHlDqZ-aLxLq_Skuequ1GF0YTVq4jNlfH_He0ooAYR100z8pNz1q0rlrgOJtdWk-IELfsdpeIfK8/w300-h400/IMG_4420.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and then there is that moment where the florets start to get ready to flower, one or two will start to thicken and elongate, almost looking toe-like. I hold my breath as I know the flowering moment will now be soon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIPIyFBltnIzjk16FNLxaMJX3oskU6b2vokaPxXS6BlcqHhzDh7uG8Eoo8NqTYrasVEf6T-B3F2OLhs6GM8faYCsoVmFdPhVzAw5UdJCFb-deHvO-5FifQW6pgC0vr_43lSIbcc5EbJucwTcW4TbxplKBpvqIlP9c1mysioBkvPkoPbO-h8Shn4yX2i8/s4032/IMG_4456.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIPIyFBltnIzjk16FNLxaMJX3oskU6b2vokaPxXS6BlcqHhzDh7uG8Eoo8NqTYrasVEf6T-B3F2OLhs6GM8faYCsoVmFdPhVzAw5UdJCFb-deHvO-5FifQW6pgC0vr_43lSIbcc5EbJucwTcW4TbxplKBpvqIlP9c1mysioBkvPkoPbO-h8Shn4yX2i8/w300-h400/IMG_4456.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Then with an almost silent 'plink' they start to open. You might not have heard them go plink, but I am sure they do. At this point the scent is released, only to get stronger with each floret that joins them in their song of scent.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RDP3DXFfyafqlStXg-QU_G6ttoY42PrKz7YYBTlKJoR6kX6kTUb2e3t2zPIkWR-yVwqfcW1Zb5Ub9bLtkFlBliGNp3gXghBaxQkp7aDA2NcS21pC59RbLaDkccXyXgycfDtRZX3p1ibU9C5KaukVpKi5Y3CXx3j3cIAyuu6pRbPSYj4s2tHj63dWlp8/s4032/IMG_4790.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RDP3DXFfyafqlStXg-QU_G6ttoY42PrKz7YYBTlKJoR6kX6kTUb2e3t2zPIkWR-yVwqfcW1Zb5Ub9bLtkFlBliGNp3gXghBaxQkp7aDA2NcS21pC59RbLaDkccXyXgycfDtRZX3p1ibU9C5KaukVpKi5Y3CXx3j3cIAyuu6pRbPSYj4s2tHj63dWlp8/w400-h300/IMG_4790.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The shrub itself might not look much from a distance, but it begs to be walked up to and its scent enjoyed in its full glory. On the sunnier days bees adore it, it is a fabulous early food for pollinators.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJVxOCgFSU25wX8Z1MQnigckbfPq-Jm-8nuYqQMD5GRPC-b2k6eVCkiNwkcIe__99HdBqY9OTjnw5jQMmvA2JreJT_wwI9S1fiQUrhJkL2_5qyZ448HvdcfJc1ALRZD6e_B7w_KiHICL-G8YrzUcc5N2JcOAYsPRZIkYdBN3KKLLwZO5UswpFchRvdn8/s4032/IMG_6428.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJVxOCgFSU25wX8Z1MQnigckbfPq-Jm-8nuYqQMD5GRPC-b2k6eVCkiNwkcIe__99HdBqY9OTjnw5jQMmvA2JreJT_wwI9S1fiQUrhJkL2_5qyZ448HvdcfJc1ALRZD6e_B7w_KiHICL-G8YrzUcc5N2JcOAYsPRZIkYdBN3KKLLwZO5UswpFchRvdn8/w300-h400/IMG_6428.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">and the balls of flowers open and radiate colour and scent (have I mentioned the scent enough yet?).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7IyCBYoPkJ087YRUTlDCfWUnUsT0tlhPOoMSJE_-DR-2W4Vj1eDxiKvc3o8EucBcytHHM0JfcKmsle2SaPdOPdjNh7QNGI-s5FJePZ73Dn93iIE1u51S9CpZp2dZAZ89gMZXASdRi6GqEn46QE9pL_tqY829lqmGGpMCXUw1lmimphWL8DdWLeNDP4I/s4032/IMG_0764.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7IyCBYoPkJ087YRUTlDCfWUnUsT0tlhPOoMSJE_-DR-2W4Vj1eDxiKvc3o8EucBcytHHM0JfcKmsle2SaPdOPdjNh7QNGI-s5FJePZ73Dn93iIE1u51S9CpZp2dZAZ89gMZXASdRi6GqEn46QE9pL_tqY829lqmGGpMCXUw1lmimphWL8DdWLeNDP4I/w400-h300/IMG_0764.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The Edgeworthia gnome serenades as he protects her. It is an important task and he does not desert his post.<div><br /></div><div>Edgeworthias are also known as the Paper Bush as the bark is used to make paper in Japan. It is a superb shrub to have in your Winter garden, even if it is a bit of diva...</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-76219894979558911112024-02-22T20:38:00.003+00:002024-02-22T20:38:53.621+00:00Snowdrops 2024 - Lamport Hall<p><a href="https://www.lamporthall.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lamport Hall</a> is about 40 minutes from home and seems to be on a road that leads to places I am often visiting. I see the signs for Lamport and think 'one day....'. When I saw they were having snowdrop walks I knew the day had arrived. Off I went not knowing much about the Hall and gardens which meant I was in for a real treat.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRBaIcr4WaEbInUkQVsGo3C6qxIzlMowUAW-iY5CQN5inNYQ5yC_99mW07CzGPy3Pm6mbgUEffFGTjQlcs7HJJ75rG93-T2si6EL-XMsgFm9QkVvBH5jin_N2l7u9RlCd0nchvITjozJT08afoKLmVxos6Aastn_CYZA4d2g0pRqzH4nXaCO2q7MffLo/s992/DSC_0293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="992" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRBaIcr4WaEbInUkQVsGo3C6qxIzlMowUAW-iY5CQN5inNYQ5yC_99mW07CzGPy3Pm6mbgUEffFGTjQlcs7HJJ75rG93-T2si6EL-XMsgFm9QkVvBH5jin_N2l7u9RlCd0nchvITjozJT08afoKLmVxos6Aastn_CYZA4d2g0pRqzH4nXaCO2q7MffLo/w400-h325/DSC_0293.JPG" width="400" /></a></p>I began to realise how much of a treat the moment I arrived. The family motto is writ large on the building, such a loud proclamation I knew this would mean it was going to be a fascinating visit.<div><br /></div><div>Lamport Hall's origins go back to Elizabethan Times and it was owned by the Isham family up until 1976. The house was amended and refashioned over the centuries until reached its current state in 1862. In 1974 it was first opened to the public and when Sir Gyles Isham, who included acting in his many talents, died the Hall was given over to the Lamport Manor Trust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8lwS7EhmwUdWG2uG-5JsIsq1fiUOuKsbNPHFNt-WL91JzyLD-28TubqowjMW2qrPgGuzn-6ytvKGwl8xz-m9o0B9kirTLlouJJlWm-0-T_yY4e_4NmFzFdoeBi1FfALKIOzt62vx6EKx1wBuLxlbHSQJZjWfya797iL5hzd1nog5JT-ITNxfZeq1NxY/s1620/DSC_0292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8lwS7EhmwUdWG2uG-5JsIsq1fiUOuKsbNPHFNt-WL91JzyLD-28TubqowjMW2qrPgGuzn-6ytvKGwl8xz-m9o0B9kirTLlouJJlWm-0-T_yY4e_4NmFzFdoeBi1FfALKIOzt62vx6EKx1wBuLxlbHSQJZjWfya797iL5hzd1nog5JT-ITNxfZeq1NxY/w400-h266/DSC_0292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Hall itself is beautifully proportioned.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45XmLgJN8LR4LZ-4mmBhCxusDOujehyLYgd7ltfDMS8CJbFIUPCioac3cdAyjd7TdqftW96QeWDDTcZnHJvfR0VwGadhnZNV5Q30EYC0oXekCpWQR5MQxON6FYasRIDzIJ3_G7sFgoGzGVFMZEOyueIe62wbeRxgl5ZcGoMirz1r5JpbHqG1mK_JCXtY/s1620/DSC_0296.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45XmLgJN8LR4LZ-4mmBhCxusDOujehyLYgd7ltfDMS8CJbFIUPCioac3cdAyjd7TdqftW96QeWDDTcZnHJvfR0VwGadhnZNV5Q30EYC0oXekCpWQR5MQxON6FYasRIDzIJ3_G7sFgoGzGVFMZEOyueIe62wbeRxgl5ZcGoMirz1r5JpbHqG1mK_JCXtY/w400-h266/DSC_0296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and it has several mottos carved upon it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEpU3YJyLCqh-KqJzWGCQAgYVTzeri2RtyK1fPut7_bgH-7UhVbqOEv3rTQPiWpb2pCe5T0Xu0o9Y_bPMO8Kh2rfXNywTD3FM_NLq3gpMPlQuGoqBTsE75jcGnt-ywJM2qgWhPBy5DrBfXrwzWb9Axc6EOcxIOBfUH3DcXDzcCgIukPnSjeier2Eqm-c/s1620/DSC_0297.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEpU3YJyLCqh-KqJzWGCQAgYVTzeri2RtyK1fPut7_bgH-7UhVbqOEv3rTQPiWpb2pCe5T0Xu0o9Y_bPMO8Kh2rfXNywTD3FM_NLq3gpMPlQuGoqBTsE75jcGnt-ywJM2qgWhPBy5DrBfXrwzWb9Axc6EOcxIOBfUH3DcXDzcCgIukPnSjeier2Eqm-c/w400-h266/DSC_0297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>They really wanted their message to be seen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYVeo0uVbj7hQBusJR_wh61AuTb0c9TRCWaSriSLaN1F3081IxBrnE9LLo7ldlBe80eEABOkjzPoL2Uh0ncQUNm_-ze6re2pK7Ko2ada9Ctoilzx18ZpbwjlnZND7zgXVILksTf4KO1_iCi5pwO1uYoBmmg070YQVLpt_-BI2BRaXPNDhBtWS-8GDl7c/s1620/DSC_0299.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYVeo0uVbj7hQBusJR_wh61AuTb0c9TRCWaSriSLaN1F3081IxBrnE9LLo7ldlBe80eEABOkjzPoL2Uh0ncQUNm_-ze6re2pK7Ko2ada9Ctoilzx18ZpbwjlnZND7zgXVILksTf4KO1_iCi5pwO1uYoBmmg070YQVLpt_-BI2BRaXPNDhBtWS-8GDl7c/w400-h266/DSC_0299.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is rather a lovely building and whilst large, not ridiculously large if that makes sense.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8xYKR1Sz-FNBRA6k079Xk-0vbO7l_9jJaJVmuKNGXi1HFMKDgHiICpRTDejfusA5pOf7Wps81526hE2hS3z1c0bZkdhmJh9gqVgMjaLSvpqJby9Rxzs-2vmTO1I0RDPsNNXLYuAlIKxGlRiox-0riCb-197rnRTymqMvT4jfiB88mkNQw_KDjI42X8Y/s1620/DSC_0300.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8xYKR1Sz-FNBRA6k079Xk-0vbO7l_9jJaJVmuKNGXi1HFMKDgHiICpRTDejfusA5pOf7Wps81526hE2hS3z1c0bZkdhmJh9gqVgMjaLSvpqJby9Rxzs-2vmTO1I0RDPsNNXLYuAlIKxGlRiox-0riCb-197rnRTymqMvT4jfiB88mkNQw_KDjI42X8Y/w400-h266/DSC_0300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I got a bit fascinated by this wall. I thought it must be the ruin of something.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDNUaQOQH9F9xEV6qq13gRqtVjUjHILZtHChTuUe-8LIBsLK4KG4ZUrzUvQ4HO9r9_QVMMFs47Bi5_tVEr3CFxacoXN3tIiLCTZNF6EIzwZ0ySztEvnD5ZA1ljLW7OFMvT_pi29rA0ZRuOrSARrsGlx2oM5dEJYxp3fpsvYQ8zZR3RIMDJ3caHJZj724/s1620/DSC_0331.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDNUaQOQH9F9xEV6qq13gRqtVjUjHILZtHChTuUe-8LIBsLK4KG4ZUrzUvQ4HO9r9_QVMMFs47Bi5_tVEr3CFxacoXN3tIiLCTZNF6EIzwZ0ySztEvnD5ZA1ljLW7OFMvT_pi29rA0ZRuOrSARrsGlx2oM5dEJYxp3fpsvYQ8zZR3RIMDJ3caHJZj724/w400-h266/DSC_0331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I really wished I could see the other side. When I got home and googled the history of the Hall I realised this was the rockery, 'the' rockery where Sir Charles Isham displayed his 'fairy miners'. Yes dear readers, this is the site of the first UK garden gnomery. I realised I had been on a pilgrimage without knowing it. Oh how I would love to see the other side!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunHER2BKa3ER6G_rSByuvQ0v0HxUxwqf_TEq_OGCiN9VJERes4KSc-4gzmbx2SUnTsuNREtyQrJKcnYPE1591JP7jhkPQZPHAR-d46oTx1DuWLDW5hs4Nus7qq1X8jatXWZGbgNgsHr-4gtUKSqinVx0nbttMJQjHtcPvHTVg2AY7YfLloF2Zo1iJUq4/s1620/DSC_0304.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunHER2BKa3ER6G_rSByuvQ0v0HxUxwqf_TEq_OGCiN9VJERes4KSc-4gzmbx2SUnTsuNREtyQrJKcnYPE1591JP7jhkPQZPHAR-d46oTx1DuWLDW5hs4Nus7qq1X8jatXWZGbgNgsHr-4gtUKSqinVx0nbttMJQjHtcPvHTVg2AY7YfLloF2Zo1iJUq4/w400-h266/DSC_0304.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and there is this round thing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBTM7xlCGiAItJMDCQPwWluiUycjEaUCEPkZT4dcWmzGP0JzEfKUL_0Y4p4-spubutADp_wqngT3hRPOjLPYACq7-unN0Km66lOTWrn5CVnvRYXB1-VVpXmvnqdBgpjPx1ADXoSufBTDts-9wXhkSh-52B_UZztzd4gTC5V01xESCmODFxo-ALtERHug/s1620/DSC_0305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBTM7xlCGiAItJMDCQPwWluiUycjEaUCEPkZT4dcWmzGP0JzEfKUL_0Y4p4-spubutADp_wqngT3hRPOjLPYACq7-unN0Km66lOTWrn5CVnvRYXB1-VVpXmvnqdBgpjPx1ADXoSufBTDts-9wXhkSh-52B_UZztzd4gTC5V01xESCmODFxo-ALtERHug/w400-h266/DSC_0305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I don't know what it is/was, but its interesting isn't it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs2PfmAINCw1seSMiAP_Jfz7PQKFc9jH92_lq7v7BS2K6ndb4FvfcSZ39kViMDoXqiAWqwaymOaRu708p9GgswUlnNvHv_HxQcg_n8rtJ7HZhtLpzCAzQwPAcZevkRrivnnXu2L70cAyXrXwyNypGQ1H7TFCL17kORI8sN8xK3KsiKAidqrMLPJ5v6S4/s1620/DSC_0338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs2PfmAINCw1seSMiAP_Jfz7PQKFc9jH92_lq7v7BS2K6ndb4FvfcSZ39kViMDoXqiAWqwaymOaRu708p9GgswUlnNvHv_HxQcg_n8rtJ7HZhtLpzCAzQwPAcZevkRrivnnXu2L70cAyXrXwyNypGQ1H7TFCL17kORI8sN8xK3KsiKAidqrMLPJ5v6S4/w400-h266/DSC_0338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is the Bog House, which when I saw the sign I wondered to myself whether it had a bog in it. Well it is the site of the midden, so yes, it did.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUUT4WztDte0_bbVeY__Cg5eWa0uhv8ouWFGltWZCrAFYUuhlFn-wDmi_HAzd1Ie1HvP-7D19SrdzobufcJzke9Y84nhsVZ97Hn8Up2a8NHsbKOxtWRmA5lKhpTnTiBXfEo6BRH1kXNlE_B3ctxojmdCufPnu4A3nHTUYdVD1CshJ_r9Gga47w5LWliU/s1620/DSC_0325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUUT4WztDte0_bbVeY__Cg5eWa0uhv8ouWFGltWZCrAFYUuhlFn-wDmi_HAzd1Ie1HvP-7D19SrdzobufcJzke9Y84nhsVZ97Hn8Up2a8NHsbKOxtWRmA5lKhpTnTiBXfEo6BRH1kXNlE_B3ctxojmdCufPnu4A3nHTUYdVD1CshJ_r9Gga47w5LWliU/w400-h266/DSC_0325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I spent a moment admiring the bones of this magnificent wisteria and promised I would try and revisit when it was in flower.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi4vJWGCyGOJPBoWmzdsmqIiNVzanvk9HqfCp4N4D8FNxgAqmYSGzR7_RPQ6WJgIF6V9gnNiM67GemS9y5iy4mtuVioxF7UEaUn12jdSX0VDZsKiQEiMAgeTZH_TDk5yNUgjynxh4vdDan8nY2bhyphenhyphenmkf6tcA4BO2VRFsDL94npIl6K7lkKwCokWT0iKs/s1620/DSC_0324.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi4vJWGCyGOJPBoWmzdsmqIiNVzanvk9HqfCp4N4D8FNxgAqmYSGzR7_RPQ6WJgIF6V9gnNiM67GemS9y5iy4mtuVioxF7UEaUn12jdSX0VDZsKiQEiMAgeTZH_TDk5yNUgjynxh4vdDan8nY2bhyphenhyphenmkf6tcA4BO2VRFsDL94npIl6K7lkKwCokWT0iKs/w400-h266/DSC_0324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and I enjoyed the topiary mounds. A simple construction and yet such an impactful feature. I pondered where I could place some mounds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuNCCSXpuz4qAQf4uzEa62CktetSt65eIYTpN5GLu9mQjPqIYTFyF5TJzJ1n9EyC4FytWpi8nJMANo94HqpZ-mbm6tlthpQs4P2LVR4RqMP6lBhxHdg__90prNKCtIThL1a64ypYjV8-SbtPxTVlTy7MhyeEp5IoE0zmUPQo0PlAQ6pHXe9Zr85vJA8Y/s1620/DSC_0344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuNCCSXpuz4qAQf4uzEa62CktetSt65eIYTpN5GLu9mQjPqIYTFyF5TJzJ1n9EyC4FytWpi8nJMANo94HqpZ-mbm6tlthpQs4P2LVR4RqMP6lBhxHdg__90prNKCtIThL1a64ypYjV8-SbtPxTVlTy7MhyeEp5IoE0zmUPQo0PlAQ6pHXe9Zr85vJA8Y/w400-h266/DSC_0344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>But I was there primarily for snowdrops, and I was not disappointed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGBsm0IXBIyYygYipwwmG8K4DgCqy4gsELYcvLLCSXVKL7mIHjCibpb-Ilh-_pZ8WCcP8e7_zY-AyQRx8ObbQt-sv9HnSKL3URss62zgXkhuvUNl5U5nxZwwuY_pjZuO0DUTcb8qDuYf_GhYdMvJuaVXRYInTCt2Ars7CMjzv6kvUZvb2hJohrbfGdR4/s1620/DSC_0348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGBsm0IXBIyYygYipwwmG8K4DgCqy4gsELYcvLLCSXVKL7mIHjCibpb-Ilh-_pZ8WCcP8e7_zY-AyQRx8ObbQt-sv9HnSKL3URss62zgXkhuvUNl5U5nxZwwuY_pjZuO0DUTcb8qDuYf_GhYdMvJuaVXRYInTCt2Ars7CMjzv6kvUZvb2hJohrbfGdR4/w400-h266/DSC_0348.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The woodland walk is superb.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIqlmtoxe78ez7CXgaBKIQpaigEQUA0SAWKGf0PllNHbNoVdB_k3AHb6qdhazbwg2Yy800gF2dTyoc8_B4Xbu_gK60CA-XvDoCAqK7SOgTzFwvb1UfDPvVC1DA0moxCAisHHPdKy5tTXocvmzZGGTToztB8tLtIXkA31dEQKsgOwvBIwrrvtqMp5olHo/s1620/DSC_0360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIqlmtoxe78ez7CXgaBKIQpaigEQUA0SAWKGf0PllNHbNoVdB_k3AHb6qdhazbwg2Yy800gF2dTyoc8_B4Xbu_gK60CA-XvDoCAqK7SOgTzFwvb1UfDPvVC1DA0moxCAisHHPdKy5tTXocvmzZGGTToztB8tLtIXkA31dEQKsgOwvBIwrrvtqMp5olHo/w400-h266/DSC_0360.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is quite simple, yet with nice touches such as this small stumpery. I like simple, simple works well for me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iH16ZDi_iJyhvFxIVhkr9pSupOly3Pvql_crFJxMuYrncEbmhiXPolUysVH10hqXtIPjWYuHny2HbnSk-X5deliaukR7pLJkO89HcYD5KVfb5Z2W4GVL6mATd3Fe6VmFyD5sD-uCEKvWLZUcG9HTznUa24aFeDAVSf9T6vl1qZL91ECV5zpKPPuB5T8/s1620/DSC_0367.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iH16ZDi_iJyhvFxIVhkr9pSupOly3Pvql_crFJxMuYrncEbmhiXPolUysVH10hqXtIPjWYuHny2HbnSk-X5deliaukR7pLJkO89HcYD5KVfb5Z2W4GVL6mATd3Fe6VmFyD5sD-uCEKvWLZUcG9HTznUa24aFeDAVSf9T6vl1qZL91ECV5zpKPPuB5T8/w400-h266/DSC_0367.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There are features such as this summer house (snowdrop house?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdRfz7t9DKI3bP__Nt00NclfV_DyyFcEJ2V0rlcPH1Jf6YkwV1_UvNDjItdmqiyA0PRxxaTzbyqWsvqIPRrH0JY7-9uRh-0RJHfjC9xiQkZEQ4W-p1MYrcQ16FuPLd9805V03nxUvtnu9NPLrsmjcYxQWZFKCJQDVtvzTfSbZs3_sM1XzS2jJlcaXWo0/s1620/DSC_0355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdRfz7t9DKI3bP__Nt00NclfV_DyyFcEJ2V0rlcPH1Jf6YkwV1_UvNDjItdmqiyA0PRxxaTzbyqWsvqIPRrH0JY7-9uRh-0RJHfjC9xiQkZEQ4W-p1MYrcQ16FuPLd9805V03nxUvtnu9NPLrsmjcYxQWZFKCJQDVtvzTfSbZs3_sM1XzS2jJlcaXWo0/w400-h266/DSC_0355.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The paths lead you on,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a_n0-vWV7eAOwdPWP-24SauwhNYdNebwsmxDvK2oIlsrPXH_E7QvnFmzT4gd2HUEqzBsdKjHM0TL-SLCEkOj4jRldheNVAgd3HIA1eALcEqrQf4DGNP5t4s8eWSHepcq9fjw00-GS-jDBDWXCNmTMl9C3Rh4ZXaiIPhBoYWYhegflxXo4_TgND8PKEI/s1620/DSC_0366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a_n0-vWV7eAOwdPWP-24SauwhNYdNebwsmxDvK2oIlsrPXH_E7QvnFmzT4gd2HUEqzBsdKjHM0TL-SLCEkOj4jRldheNVAgd3HIA1eALcEqrQf4DGNP5t4s8eWSHepcq9fjw00-GS-jDBDWXCNmTMl9C3Rh4ZXaiIPhBoYWYhegflxXo4_TgND8PKEI/w400-h266/DSC_0366.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and I looked across the sweeps of snowdrops and thought how much I want my Wild Garden to look like this. I decided I need to get dividing my snowdrops and maybe buy some more 'in the green' to help mine bulk up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXekkLEpLExOl9PYgH6d1Ocl3JhdY-hj7n5fH4KdgADApdxJQfaPAIL35kCXm9CxkeEbD8a3JMw5bAf3WgRdRGA_yr-Wiq9aw5Qc-FRSDT2PQUSuqh6c8Gcj0VXzIi8jmw1V3Opywc8R0ZKPrQuXWkQABDrnAY4jePrkS_X12bdZ0Y1CD5zKmBMS-OBw/s1620/DSC_0357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXekkLEpLExOl9PYgH6d1Ocl3JhdY-hj7n5fH4KdgADApdxJQfaPAIL35kCXm9CxkeEbD8a3JMw5bAf3WgRdRGA_yr-Wiq9aw5Qc-FRSDT2PQUSuqh6c8Gcj0VXzIi8jmw1V3Opywc8R0ZKPrQuXWkQABDrnAY4jePrkS_X12bdZ0Y1CD5zKmBMS-OBw/w400-h266/DSC_0357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As I walked through I wondered if this was a grave hidden in the undergrowth?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7391LaVdE3JM3FRaVUjqKihLYNKVLgWTbuICmYJEPDp0cfy9237pIFaKdvTgcswYKJIwfDlMYB-jwQnPoenvr7VFppbaaw9tY44ae5Rpy-poqxryeH1GGTk8cIwrbTdyHibbSJv5kfpqcnHIhra3jB6p4q7REOcb0Vq4KLsauW8eBM1TR__Zlgm5JKw/s1620/DSC_0369_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7391LaVdE3JM3FRaVUjqKihLYNKVLgWTbuICmYJEPDp0cfy9237pIFaKdvTgcswYKJIwfDlMYB-jwQnPoenvr7VFppbaaw9tY44ae5Rpy-poqxryeH1GGTk8cIwrbTdyHibbSJv5kfpqcnHIhra3jB6p4q7REOcb0Vq4KLsauW8eBM1TR__Zlgm5JKw/w400-h266/DSC_0369_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Can you see the Polar Bear? It is a Polar Bear isn't it? Do you think that the gardener has a secret love of glacier mints? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWNaUaqoqa3sLV65zEnZeOf0e9evpkEzAiVJb0aQWgkeJzicu3Z1sZsJ2yW-L9WfK-Qtwr5K_2__xishdQ5261xaAkgCANn17CSVMYgkKEjHVgyre8lq6o57Q5V_lWlIN55Mmw7BqVkZ9Q4AhNU3lJCvVVYsL4OR4ODrLrtHDHgJGP-XoZLbnDTmPDng/s1620/DSC_0376.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWNaUaqoqa3sLV65zEnZeOf0e9evpkEzAiVJb0aQWgkeJzicu3Z1sZsJ2yW-L9WfK-Qtwr5K_2__xishdQ5261xaAkgCANn17CSVMYgkKEjHVgyre8lq6o57Q5V_lWlIN55Mmw7BqVkZ9Q4AhNU3lJCvVVYsL4OR4ODrLrtHDHgJGP-XoZLbnDTmPDng/w400-h266/DSC_0376.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I went into the stable yard as they had an art display and I saw this on the wall. It was painted by Italian prisoners of war who were housed (imprisoned?) here in WW2.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoqlvB_RReqeav8u70DgLT-nUAM4YDp09k0b2NRmrXAFvP1zxdBLaalk25fyE_A2CsA23-hYt9CbfJY5Zkw4LGvcizV4iOqWu1dDos6_VJ0pBK6joRVgqZjrteGWUUwO1TUlumdluaAd2VJ50P_TvPcc1cMy6E75cXCdPkvbLcPYA26E-kt6CB41VQpI/s1620/DSC_0341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoqlvB_RReqeav8u70DgLT-nUAM4YDp09k0b2NRmrXAFvP1zxdBLaalk25fyE_A2CsA23-hYt9CbfJY5Zkw4LGvcizV4iOqWu1dDos6_VJ0pBK6joRVgqZjrteGWUUwO1TUlumdluaAd2VJ50P_TvPcc1cMy6E75cXCdPkvbLcPYA26E-kt6CB41VQpI/w400-h266/DSC_0341.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I admired the church, which sadly was not open so I could not wander inside. There was a note on the door saying where the key is kept, but I had not really the time on this visit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg5TPvrTWsItYQ6n1kgf1vfvicx37U1PdeshLYgfM6aFFN7LGZYwND5-kloJ6SXBGWWp1b6Xy7Uow7C864c8h5K6q8hOCjAkCGdQFX0zASasfI4Uk8o56mzPUL6yoEuAChhNyVlAOezUr7I9JmwW_WeCikZ-FXgRl4HaDB6ZBiyqknl2lTMAEl9OU-Is/s1620/DSC_0343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg5TPvrTWsItYQ6n1kgf1vfvicx37U1PdeshLYgfM6aFFN7LGZYwND5-kloJ6SXBGWWp1b6Xy7Uow7C864c8h5K6q8hOCjAkCGdQFX0zASasfI4Uk8o56mzPUL6yoEuAChhNyVlAOezUr7I9JmwW_WeCikZ-FXgRl4HaDB6ZBiyqknl2lTMAEl9OU-Is/w400-h266/DSC_0343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I nodded hello to the horse made of horse shoes,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWP2GGkbMa5hy6Sukcm7vHmC96BuCKF2DgnNj4vG8Zkh2EBSjpeJjQ8Gb21S_8WKCVsjysWuA92RDqSf-0o9nlvZgCeyaMpiyZ9t6Ck398SWKlBVfHujNIfTHsly_EWRGpNSgZPMxG31-bKFxIBIGAEIHVYlAJ7AakX6xSaMkxcQ6zqE5Qqwe7UcxcDc/s1620/DSC_0379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWP2GGkbMa5hy6Sukcm7vHmC96BuCKF2DgnNj4vG8Zkh2EBSjpeJjQ8Gb21S_8WKCVsjysWuA92RDqSf-0o9nlvZgCeyaMpiyZ9t6Ck398SWKlBVfHujNIfTHsly_EWRGpNSgZPMxG31-bKFxIBIGAEIHVYlAJ7AakX6xSaMkxcQ6zqE5Qqwe7UcxcDc/w400-h266/DSC_0379.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and I stopped and pondered a house across the road and wondered what its history is. I wonder if it has links to the Hall and thought just how beautiful it is.<div><br /></div><div>Lamport Hall is an absolute gem of a place. I was so glad I visited and I will definitely visited again.</div><div><br /></div><div>a<span style="font-family: inherit;">nd I might buy another gnome too, it feels like I should....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Snowdrops 2024 - <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2024/02/snowdrops-2024-attingham-park.html" target="_blank">Attingham Park</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Snowdrops 2024 - <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2024/02/snowdrops-2024-thenford-return.html" target="_blank">A Thenford Return</a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-29298074341930105252024-02-18T10:13:00.000+00:002024-02-18T10:13:34.734+00:00The Questions - Anya Lautenbach author of The Money Saving Gardener<p>You may well be aware of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anya_thegarden_fairy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anya the Garden Fairy</a> on Instagram where Anya has been sharing her gardening money saving tips. I was delighted to see that Anya has recently written a book called The Money Saving Gardener and this felt like too good an opporunity to miss to ask Anya to answer The Questions and review the book.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWSvLxOuZb5XBnPlfJgAXuCWmWhABHimlp6xGPurFzbObgRVvgl1bvjG4K3hiTX0z3Fb1PHoTWI0Mf2PZCRjdYgf-5jAvtGbbNe4SlT_YFr7HYGHlUr60MIXjN8g2Y8OFJzLqqg6YagBL0C2SJi5Ol0FdKx57zaHrGexN7BLWnTQiUe6ZCnUwkSwog6Y/s3255/IMG_4690.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3255" data-original-width="2408" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWSvLxOuZb5XBnPlfJgAXuCWmWhABHimlp6xGPurFzbObgRVvgl1bvjG4K3hiTX0z3Fb1PHoTWI0Mf2PZCRjdYgf-5jAvtGbbNe4SlT_YFr7HYGHlUr60MIXjN8g2Y8OFJzLqqg6YagBL0C2SJi5Ol0FdKx57zaHrGexN7BLWnTQiUe6ZCnUwkSwog6Y/w296-h400/IMG_4690.HEIC" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo c/o The Moneysaving Gardener</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The Moneysaving Gardener is my kind of book. Gardening can be an expensive hobby both in monetary terms and in its impact on the planet. I have not paid for this book nor have I been paid to write this review. My words and opinions are my own.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLtQuVl_fxWeJe0HHioetyzb-BlZoZ0gfiyIlbE0DDQvF7DCg3L3k6mUMZ4FFxvG7YgPZGzU6mlBQZ0PVf8J78lNa3OJ-flEzpGG4VZVfG5m_qOzy_tFuB7nCd647x5hDzNcqNaEaoeWNtCxWkM-jJUOCVdIj9zrbYkfSH142-z8f11n6e8xK2DGsm70/s4032/IMG_4689.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLtQuVl_fxWeJe0HHioetyzb-BlZoZ0gfiyIlbE0DDQvF7DCg3L3k6mUMZ4FFxvG7YgPZGzU6mlBQZ0PVf8J78lNa3OJ-flEzpGG4VZVfG5m_qOzy_tFuB7nCd647x5hDzNcqNaEaoeWNtCxWkM-jJUOCVdIj9zrbYkfSH142-z8f11n6e8xK2DGsm70/w300-h400/IMG_4689.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><p>We all know about the cost of peat-removal, and the carbon footprint of a plant transported from here to there, the compost and the plant pots etc all mounts up. We also know that plants can be very costly in monetary terms too and for good reason. When you buy a plant you are buying the skill, time and care that someone has put into it. I have a relatively large garden for an urban area and seed sowing and propagating has been a key method behind my plantings. It is economically necessary, good for the plant and propagting is fun.</p><p>Anya came to this country from Poland where she began gardening at an early age helping her mother grow food to feed the family. Whilst this is what I call a 'how to' book, it is also a personable book, you do get a sense of Anya as a person. She talks to you, not at you. Central to the book is about thinking ahead, planning and observing. Anya shares her 'top tips' that often are based on these themes such as making a list of bulbs you want to buy and then keeping an eye out for if they appear in sales or bargain bins. Another fabulous tip when thinking of tree/shrub planting Anya shares with us is to visit gardens in the locality and see what is growing well (and not so well). If they thrive locally they are likely to thrive for you.</p><p>Anya also talks about patience particularly when if you move to a garden new to you. Anya says you should wait and see what comes up, what you might decide you like after all and what you might improve such as a tree that will benefit from having a rose grown up it. </p><p>As you would expect Anya believes in not using chemicals and growing in harmony with nature. This saves you money and helps save the planet.</p><p>The book has well structured clear instructions for the different propagation methods Anya explains. There are lots of good clear photographs too to demonstrate and encourage. I think the ethos of the book is explained by Anya's chapter heading 'Buy less, waste less'; a rule for more than just our gardening lives. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241680452-the-money-saving-gardener/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Money Saving Gardener</a> is published by DK and retails for around £16.99 at the time of writing.</p><p><b>The Questions</b><b> </b></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal">In which garden do you feel happiest?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My own garden and Waterperry Gardens<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">2.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If you could only have five garden-related tools, which
would they be?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Edging tool, lawn shears, a wheelbarrow, a spade, a trowel<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">3.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If you could only have five garden-related books, which
would they be?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.75pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span style="color: #444444; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1. RHS A-Z Encyclopaedia of Garden Plants</span></b><span style="color: #444444; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.75pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="color: #444444; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This book is my bible. Whether you are a gardener or just need to
identify a plant and learn something. A must have for everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.75pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span style="color: #444444; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2. RHS Propagating Plants: How to Create New Plants For Free</span></b><span style="color: #444444; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
There is no better book about propagation than this. Even after 35 years of
propagating plants I keep looking for information in this clear and
informative book.<br />
<b>3.RHS Pruning and Training</b><br />
Everyone needs to prune something at some point in their life and this is
another must have book for everyone. Packed with clear and easy instructions
accessible to everyone.<br />
<b>4.Grow Herbs: Essential Know-how and Expert Advice for Gardening
Success (DK)<br />
</b>I have learned so much from this book and got inspired with every page
about the most popular herbs and also discovered the less well known ones.
Such a brilliant book.<br />
<b>5. The Secret Life of Plants by Peter Tompkins</b> A must read or
listen to book for any plant lover. A book that gave me goosebumps. A truly
fascinating way of looking at plants and describing the connection between us
and plants in the most intriguing way. A confirmation of what so many of us
feel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">4.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">What was the most defining moment in your life so far?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">Having my boys, writing a book<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">5.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">What are you most proud of?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">My sons<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">6.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If you won the lottery, what would you do?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">A big greenhouse<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">7.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Who are your garden heroes (no more than three)?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My Mum, My Mother-in-law, Claus Dalby<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">8.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">What skill would you like to learn and why? (does not have
to be garden related).<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">Sailing. I like the idea of sailing.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">9.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">If you could visit any garden right this minute, which one
would it be?<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RHS Wisely<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">10.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">What is your current plant obsession?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya ovata)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">11.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">Which garden tool is never far from your hand?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">A trowel<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">12.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">What is your favourite gardening/plant related word?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">Propagation <span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😉</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 21.05pt;" valign="top" width="28">
<p class="MsoNormal">13.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you wish you could do better?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">Be better organised <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">14.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">What is the most important lesson you have learned so far?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">To accept things<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">15.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">What makes a perfect day for you?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">A nice country walk with my boys<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal">16<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">If you had one piece of advice to offer to someone what
would it be?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal">Never give up. Take a break, rest, but never give up.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 21.05pt;" valign="top" width="28">
<p class="MsoNormal">17.<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 205.5pt;" valign="top" width="274">
<p class="MsoNormal">Gnome or no gnome?<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 224.25pt;" valign="top" width="299">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No gnome. My brother-in-law has a gnome factory.
Definitely not my thing<span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>A huge thank you to Anya for taking part in The Questions - a brother in law with a gnome factory is definitely a first for this blog! </o:p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-20582321530134323582024-02-15T20:45:00.002+00:002024-02-22T20:39:53.786+00:00Snowdrops 2024 - A Thenford Return<p>I decided it was time to revisit <a href="https://thenfordarboretum.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thenford</a>, it is six years (six years!!!) since I was <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2018/03/for-few-snowdrops-more-back-to-thenford.html" target="_blank">last there</a> so a visit was long overdue.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mYQeD4VXwylM642t3IuMNJB5aEpHmdfRqdYM8UBlh0FDZbr7DJQ4MCUKJNHQtFjEcEagXdURMW5TDQiinuim-A8zPmcMIF-oIMbbL7ImyL1T9r1DF0PkCVN2XppW6fNNSAQ_tpbf8RH8p3ZH1mR0auoMB7juOH3DH-j6e77BV91bTwh55y_BEl_Sinc/s1620/DSC_0235.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mYQeD4VXwylM642t3IuMNJB5aEpHmdfRqdYM8UBlh0FDZbr7DJQ4MCUKJNHQtFjEcEagXdURMW5TDQiinuim-A8zPmcMIF-oIMbbL7ImyL1T9r1DF0PkCVN2XppW6fNNSAQ_tpbf8RH8p3ZH1mR0auoMB7juOH3DH-j6e77BV91bTwh55y_BEl_Sinc/w400-h266/DSC_0235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Despite the copious amounts of rain we have had recently and some rain on the drive down to Thenford, the day was largely rain-free with some actual sun breaking through in the afternoon. I arranged to go with a good friend, which is part of our commitment to meet up more often this year. I was looking looking forward to the day very much.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzpUe36z7RfNNBGo3i_EG4CPKMaD4IAHx_GZ8BZ3sCS-8doMR1_pu7AQbp3R82JM7fHF53roCn_ZlcwY3YmnLbOaL0Sc0ywRzkq4Mu6mL83-rUw340rHOOYH_dJzXM5P25aClj9hW1dnMYO0Y8t_Tg1UL_-o2CTl6o2qn0UNB3Him7HtBj1Z03lQ7PC0/s4032/IMG_4599.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzpUe36z7RfNNBGo3i_EG4CPKMaD4IAHx_GZ8BZ3sCS-8doMR1_pu7AQbp3R82JM7fHF53roCn_ZlcwY3YmnLbOaL0Sc0ywRzkq4Mu6mL83-rUw340rHOOYH_dJzXM5P25aClj9hW1dnMYO0Y8t_Tg1UL_-o2CTl6o2qn0UNB3Him7HtBj1Z03lQ7PC0/w300-h400/IMG_4599.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>There was, however, something important to be done before wandering the gardens, yes, something more important than tea and cake that is the fuel of such days. The snowdrop stalls had to be perused. These are serious snowdrop sellers, the prices range from the 'oh that's ok' to 'crikey'. Now of course we all have our own scale of what we are prepared to pay and I am not a collector as such. I have a few named varieties but I have never spent a lot of money on them. I had a budget for the day and a snowdrop I particularly wanted to source. Whilst wandering the stalls we bumped into some gardening pals and there was bag-furtling and showing of purchases. This has to be one of the best parts of any visit as we share our delights.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4KMlF7IYt8VIIpQp2fBU8xGsG6_GaFOHLL0d0EO6FopBOtH_7DMECPfbG2Mw4D0d5Ysf6JSgHhkPmbMtSE1fFj53bKpPOA54AccGAYm7nFREkHOzhj2Hmefqz1iqrPXqmUcpwPre5M0JJUyPKDzTEWRhJrP63Nl2eILPLaOGLFAssMhMdGoPfz-9ZmA/s1620/DSC_0261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4KMlF7IYt8VIIpQp2fBU8xGsG6_GaFOHLL0d0EO6FopBOtH_7DMECPfbG2Mw4D0d5Ysf6JSgHhkPmbMtSE1fFj53bKpPOA54AccGAYm7nFREkHOzhj2Hmefqz1iqrPXqmUcpwPre5M0JJUyPKDzTEWRhJrP63Nl2eILPLaOGLFAssMhMdGoPfz-9ZmA/w400-h266/DSC_0261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Purchases made (more of later) and cake/tea consumed and off into the gardens we went. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYNM33e0fQK8E5ZBn7cxX8mre_GkSCZrMeQW4JPeqPIwTUWQWVk1Ue3vzKhTA1mgQyRnyei2SYBA7jDu7xp6MOOF3bpsjLW9tmNTB6FKG-wkP815yWaMPUCsCCx_i3oBIvJBbQQAT8fUUjcxe0xDy8EoxTAcAgpEhIDiLH3Vg_fG2CeE5HN8Tzrfvj4M/s1620/DSC_0241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYNM33e0fQK8E5ZBn7cxX8mre_GkSCZrMeQW4JPeqPIwTUWQWVk1Ue3vzKhTA1mgQyRnyei2SYBA7jDu7xp6MOOF3bpsjLW9tmNTB6FKG-wkP815yWaMPUCsCCx_i3oBIvJBbQQAT8fUUjcxe0xDy8EoxTAcAgpEhIDiLH3Vg_fG2CeE5HN8Tzrfvj4M/w400-h266/DSC_0241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Thenford is a garden of contrasts. There are wonderfully naturalistic informal areas to enjoy,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl-FwcmB5gCte6OkhgoOAAb8ActpQzS-jvkrO3Dk8RTW8cAUaCDvkPLn5JSpm6QBIBRTAr3tnq4XUrex-_E_Ip0Ucj13bqUoQMJMpD7RUiGchC59cV1oEUjEr_s7Iv0G444tHMxsyl8_ILwLtP6NqdttZxCOnTSOTPy-Bu5pSt7GHg8PjjibamI83x_I/s1620/DSC_0237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl-FwcmB5gCte6OkhgoOAAb8ActpQzS-jvkrO3Dk8RTW8cAUaCDvkPLn5JSpm6QBIBRTAr3tnq4XUrex-_E_Ip0Ucj13bqUoQMJMpD7RUiGchC59cV1oEUjEr_s7Iv0G444tHMxsyl8_ILwLtP6NqdttZxCOnTSOTPy-Bu5pSt7GHg8PjjibamI83x_I/w400-h266/DSC_0237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This time of year the hamamelis are making a great show, and this one frames the view of the lake nicely.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z8rH5lkjBgwtJIlqFo23zyCUW39HRX_IiovvjSs3uvUbnauEip-yRHzHHb9GwCdi48R3mn3sN70MnFAp4NSD1fnq8h3rsfC9U8oL1zvImLWwRvdpplm88vreKTr7QAxPmzdBpMlRcrCLvJp4FkMRFdiDyOVDctkFTJ3H-FZJYXFfqonFXfZKo-ETUvI/s1620/DSC_0289_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z8rH5lkjBgwtJIlqFo23zyCUW39HRX_IiovvjSs3uvUbnauEip-yRHzHHb9GwCdi48R3mn3sN70MnFAp4NSD1fnq8h3rsfC9U8oL1zvImLWwRvdpplm88vreKTr7QAxPmzdBpMlRcrCLvJp4FkMRFdiDyOVDctkFTJ3H-FZJYXFfqonFXfZKo-ETUvI/w400-h266/DSC_0289_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The snowdrops refuse to do formal and naturalise any structure.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4ox6gkwlZOrdkgeiBZkEawaFcwgsraSs4_gzh9l6Kw5jS8T8E_V3988ngvmGURHnuOYcpL6lplpvgOas9WGdJsIrSYeAQwTFhzcpnep27mcDV73E8VKuDP8BlDIfNp3LWc2vu0IRjj-9q_eP4PJ_l6v1W09bih3OtpGPcOQngcktgZVS3D6UXADKH-8/s1620/DSC_0291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4ox6gkwlZOrdkgeiBZkEawaFcwgsraSs4_gzh9l6Kw5jS8T8E_V3988ngvmGURHnuOYcpL6lplpvgOas9WGdJsIrSYeAQwTFhzcpnep27mcDV73E8VKuDP8BlDIfNp3LWc2vu0IRjj-9q_eP4PJ_l6v1W09bih3OtpGPcOQngcktgZVS3D6UXADKH-8/w400-h266/DSC_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is a real joy to meander along the paths and just be.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfYmFDSolW0vHAEPcKTyG1a0IFCXguGlyXw83kRKfG6HQB2gSfy9ZhyliHIVSALtc2epzK2iJEeLKkEB1LmGk8WOVi47uY7HH3cpyzj7hQ_dvg3Oibb0t9fWI8mbU4a1yr7skywa35LZ4674sHst1E4qcS92WpkWC1ZO6g0dUVzayEb1Cm0E8fDpgRqY/s1620/DSC_0281.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfYmFDSolW0vHAEPcKTyG1a0IFCXguGlyXw83kRKfG6HQB2gSfy9ZhyliHIVSALtc2epzK2iJEeLKkEB1LmGk8WOVi47uY7HH3cpyzj7hQ_dvg3Oibb0t9fWI8mbU4a1yr7skywa35LZ4674sHst1E4qcS92WpkWC1ZO6g0dUVzayEb1Cm0E8fDpgRqY/w400-h266/DSC_0281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There is then the contrast of what I would call the semi-formal areas such as the mount. Clearly a controlled-formal structure, yet softened by the trees and more informal setting. If I had room for a mount I would have one.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8Um4Qtg_T5LvE4mXtr4cV1vYpwUV-cKe0nJlDQBOO-gFx_CZCJTehDcOn3jYpyD1O5tcym-nuXmAayrpB_njbkQvKuhTPE7FYszES27EtwOpz-cGNCTdJszsBal1Fef7jgFyWNm4oKYqsnd77dZJ3xksiXazEK5xjmxFxCp0eXfR5k-mKEB47mvPE08/s1620/DSC_0263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8Um4Qtg_T5LvE4mXtr4cV1vYpwUV-cKe0nJlDQBOO-gFx_CZCJTehDcOn3jYpyD1O5tcym-nuXmAayrpB_njbkQvKuhTPE7FYszES27EtwOpz-cGNCTdJszsBal1Fef7jgFyWNm4oKYqsnd77dZJ3xksiXazEK5xjmxFxCp0eXfR5k-mKEB47mvPE08/s320/DSC_0263.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>If had room for a gothic entrance I would also have one, or even two.... This formal entrance leads to the delightfully informal walks around lakes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9jJ-IAPvRlWIfM-KfwP-0Ui0qyrdPG-N21eibtXC7VNWTID1LBm40fcrr7vpHoMeO55z58ui76DKQY01iq-iJnuW_IHEBv9zkyVpNwGAJIwGkPlu02BcNKgvaWHTRBPMtUYTBJJLONZkY3ZsQABs25_56e6OEsvxjuMw6tUPXb-dgxvop-QwaXvd3Yc/s1620/DSC_0242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9jJ-IAPvRlWIfM-KfwP-0Ui0qyrdPG-N21eibtXC7VNWTID1LBm40fcrr7vpHoMeO55z58ui76DKQY01iq-iJnuW_IHEBv9zkyVpNwGAJIwGkPlu02BcNKgvaWHTRBPMtUYTBJJLONZkY3ZsQABs25_56e6OEsvxjuMw6tUPXb-dgxvop-QwaXvd3Yc/w400-h266/DSC_0242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>You cannot get much more formal than the Walled Garden, where everything is precise and defined and neat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43brnetg1lTjrLQgLu8nOC7a8r9q7OIJ3BefOJsU7j2yDTA9QR7TKCulfOT6YLaPtrWn1eHEfXJ5miEQLL800EcI4ZBBVrnfhMWX7jMU6jQ2OglXjP7j_WqVzcvo1y-uuL_uXjYgK-bAzKBdH-Ju9cEika-R7eGH2vpZknKjojp5wJHBoDxFHEjclGHY/s1620/DSC_0248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43brnetg1lTjrLQgLu8nOC7a8r9q7OIJ3BefOJsU7j2yDTA9QR7TKCulfOT6YLaPtrWn1eHEfXJ5miEQLL800EcI4ZBBVrnfhMWX7jMU6jQ2OglXjP7j_WqVzcvo1y-uuL_uXjYgK-bAzKBdH-Ju9cEika-R7eGH2vpZknKjojp5wJHBoDxFHEjclGHY/w400-h266/DSC_0248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Did I mention precise?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKalrSpm-qZmVazy_IvTTFkFLl1S_zp-6havAB0wIupzQQ0OAqM7p7epIWnml_5958bujp3V5PyUzqpsH-6FdZ_xu-FtW_HrdcIOcEF9QhVUaQk07-5NpCExyyAPRFU1sABYbOoN3hF7dMIu3J8mjTSt0bdqO9KTfySGDu7CbUZGBDFYnJorpcAFGlP48/s1620/DSC_0243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKalrSpm-qZmVazy_IvTTFkFLl1S_zp-6havAB0wIupzQQ0OAqM7p7epIWnml_5958bujp3V5PyUzqpsH-6FdZ_xu-FtW_HrdcIOcEF9QhVUaQk07-5NpCExyyAPRFU1sABYbOoN3hF7dMIu3J8mjTSt0bdqO9KTfySGDu7CbUZGBDFYnJorpcAFGlP48/w266-h400/DSC_0243.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Time was spent admiring the auricula theatre, whichis currently full of snowdrops and narcissus.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFIY42DkL0IGiuZfyb0XZIXSfOKFbomD8WcCa-GwVWDovLiKY6jQkXIOgTVQ5nwU7C7sZi6fquo50e2jCPc3gkLLDtC_6KylBkgjF84NeC4vwGtHacvlT7AWk0s8oVYby2SaDq94znQ8zJG3qNlzY6C2aZFu8FDvxGVL_QPTjUt-y4SuSXHOsmGi6QVA/s1620/DSC_0245.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFIY42DkL0IGiuZfyb0XZIXSfOKFbomD8WcCa-GwVWDovLiKY6jQkXIOgTVQ5nwU7C7sZi6fquo50e2jCPc3gkLLDtC_6KylBkgjF84NeC4vwGtHacvlT7AWk0s8oVYby2SaDq94znQ8zJG3qNlzY6C2aZFu8FDvxGVL_QPTjUt-y4SuSXHOsmGi6QVA/w266-h400/DSC_0245.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>This pale (dare I say even a little wan) beauty is Candlepower. I.want.this.narcissus. I really do want it and I will find it and I will have one. There - that's a promise.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRvzXW_xiXvARNwNFoKiqw2FhHfR_UFn4wvc54h6uT3S3REzAzAwxwIfkszFSDEWSSEr_VDCoOOwX6AeBNvVOEHR7BXRTA1aXgStZ4kcMEpnVxH5hXBuz0kzQ50VqbL4QdkdMc6NLjNZxOQhGl6HuxtFNEf7UTgqnWQk9O9H_VwbOjDIQUlrHDwM6ILg/s1620/DSC_0280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRvzXW_xiXvARNwNFoKiqw2FhHfR_UFn4wvc54h6uT3S3REzAzAwxwIfkszFSDEWSSEr_VDCoOOwX6AeBNvVOEHR7BXRTA1aXgStZ4kcMEpnVxH5hXBuz0kzQ50VqbL4QdkdMc6NLjNZxOQhGl6HuxtFNEf7UTgqnWQk9O9H_VwbOjDIQUlrHDwM6ILg/w400-h266/DSC_0280.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is rude to go to Thenford and not say hello to the elephant, I really like this elephant, there is something about him that speaks to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19PJl3k5HAlAkKmgBSHGVcfSwUdhoxNxij47hrQthbDnKuK3qKaB0Ik_C3zJ-Cuh06vjLbHCUKy8SqTwX5UQKD8Zk2RH2LyDvVnp11TNHbb0V_olsVtAcevgxewA-VtJbCn0T4lU0jgdPeSVf7xFdInPsjd-dUYaW1zGDeUNypQI9dcWLdEoEmCJOjB8/s1620/DSC_0277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19PJl3k5HAlAkKmgBSHGVcfSwUdhoxNxij47hrQthbDnKuK3qKaB0Ik_C3zJ-Cuh06vjLbHCUKy8SqTwX5UQKD8Zk2RH2LyDvVnp11TNHbb0V_olsVtAcevgxewA-VtJbCn0T4lU0jgdPeSVf7xFdInPsjd-dUYaW1zGDeUNypQI9dcWLdEoEmCJOjB8/w400-h266/DSC_0277.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is equally rude not to say hello to Lenin. I am not sure if he speaks to me - I think he thumps the table and demands vodka.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ2Y-gP2r2oNgEuyfJEftNb43tIceSQ0EaDCMov8Z5SL-SH5L7YAQBO_FaPHZrjN5fV36nD42JQed4lmbdPBCpoX10pPNhbpvc_uyOutYjcITTkg0CA7xplDjbulFcVgRIfuU9efNPxOeaxwGem63lfzOtOFP4Vt-hgqTLPRy3hP73M19pbgoDlgIeHA/s1620/DSC_0287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ2Y-gP2r2oNgEuyfJEftNb43tIceSQ0EaDCMov8Z5SL-SH5L7YAQBO_FaPHZrjN5fV36nD42JQed4lmbdPBCpoX10pPNhbpvc_uyOutYjcITTkg0CA7xplDjbulFcVgRIfuU9efNPxOeaxwGem63lfzOtOFP4Vt-hgqTLPRy3hP73M19pbgoDlgIeHA/w266-h400/DSC_0287.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Yet through all this there are pleasant walks, great vistas and snowdrops.<div><br /></div><div>Did I mention I bought some snowdrops?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFPIVUPiXCCVjN7CeJeFKfrqOgLU26gsL1xYJqx_8Jtumlm57PlbikANo3QclR_nAQ16TUo9UCuC4AHxwOA0QxfAXwyiITwEqqQVUTB-lgb6ArDavMfuaILudTIWSSViqx42cQhxR2tHVZrVyqW2KaaXHeFi6uZEEPh-4lIobG_ahlAcpBrA-M6GaSyQ/s4032/IMG_4606.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFPIVUPiXCCVjN7CeJeFKfrqOgLU26gsL1xYJqx_8Jtumlm57PlbikANo3QclR_nAQ16TUo9UCuC4AHxwOA0QxfAXwyiITwEqqQVUTB-lgb6ArDavMfuaILudTIWSSViqx42cQhxR2tHVZrVyqW2KaaXHeFi6uZEEPh-4lIobG_ahlAcpBrA-M6GaSyQ/s320/IMG_4606.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>This is Galanthus Trymming (which I am pronouncing Twymmings for no good reason). I like snowdrops that I can identify easily as being who they are. I am not one for having to study the minute difference between this one and that. I love the flare of the petals and the green splodges.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52ZG0DsKJWhFqW8yLQd9ykricNzqY0AY4TSNo9W_gVe3P1woMe_zwWIYc1XWpcULeElQNadcII3SJZV9aWZSGCU6a4boH298qNil1Ne7S-Q7KwvbDXHSKkjhQvi74bnSElFPMosMaJOAZ6EMEq39Xg3Y5SrbmGhM9tLYvNSjnHAqbnXM9IVosdpHbDuM/s4032/IMG_4607.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52ZG0DsKJWhFqW8yLQd9ykricNzqY0AY4TSNo9W_gVe3P1woMe_zwWIYc1XWpcULeElQNadcII3SJZV9aWZSGCU6a4boH298qNil1Ne7S-Q7KwvbDXHSKkjhQvi74bnSElFPMosMaJOAZ6EMEq39Xg3Y5SrbmGhM9tLYvNSjnHAqbnXM9IVosdpHbDuM/w300-h400/IMG_4607.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and this is Galanthus Ermine Spikey, which I think is a good name for a band. I am looking forward to her opening into her full glory. <div><br /></div><div>Satisfied that I had spent enough, walked enough, eaten enough cake and drank enough tea and put the world to rights enough; we wended our way homewards. I hope to return to Thenford again later in the year to enjoy more of its glories.</div><div><br /></div><div>Snowdrops 2024 - <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2024/02/snowdrops-2024-attingham-park.html" target="_blank">Attingham Park</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Snowdrops - 2024 <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2024/02/snowdrops-2024-lamport-hall.html" target="_blank">Lamport Hall</a></div><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-6196946875085903342024-02-11T10:46:00.000+00:002024-02-11T10:46:56.080+00:00Farewell His Gingerness<p>It has been a really hard week, a couple of days ago I said my final goodbye to my beautiful Bruce, the wonderful, the placid, the great and mighty His Gingerness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvDRP9dV0dfpuC2MwojzBEB7EG0cPqx5DdPkTc7isWFmNlGPftMv5T0JuLzs0iTZk9dcuSTR13EJUs1yznZ3RAbAB5ofoocq1Y-1IzLGJTuCfDY7an-QqCakAVABFi9-Ok3Sz3QG1aBe862VDm-LAs4KFGdav9KpKWr6_34g06dO7pxtQtp1P5MX9eIM/s1650/IMG_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvDRP9dV0dfpuC2MwojzBEB7EG0cPqx5DdPkTc7isWFmNlGPftMv5T0JuLzs0iTZk9dcuSTR13EJUs1yznZ3RAbAB5ofoocq1Y-1IzLGJTuCfDY7an-QqCakAVABFi9-Ok3Sz3QG1aBe862VDm-LAs4KFGdav9KpKWr6_34g06dO7pxtQtp1P5MX9eIM/w300-h400/IMG_3628.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Gosh, where do I start....? I know, ten years ago almost to the day Bruce was a gift from some good friends. He had been living rough around their nursery for a while; they named him Bruce and made sure he had food but he would not approach them. After a couple of years he suddenly decided he wanted to go into the house and they called me to see if I wanted him. I had told them some time previously that I wanted a ginger cat. A couple of days later he had moved in with me. I worried at first as he was a stray and I had no idea how well he would settle in. My dearest Bruce sniffed the air, found a cozy corner and decided there and then to retire. For the first few weeks he ate everything put in front of him voraciously. When he realised that food was going to be routinely provided he decided to get a bit more picky about what he actually liked. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cTpnRIdJOxrCcPyAD338nV25dYxWMtYw65S_iBfneI2G2SpXVT0jyArdCSuy1WDkmhP9PWje6s3up5kJASQAdc25nJ4iu6uPLzlGdbCsAszsvzCWGdhUs-wDv8_bae9xaGKIIaSmPtiffiqP71zbfJ5xA-aW6lEP3alWMbiJUCgBEsWa-d5FEPwR-II/s1650/IMG_0693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1386" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cTpnRIdJOxrCcPyAD338nV25dYxWMtYw65S_iBfneI2G2SpXVT0jyArdCSuy1WDkmhP9PWje6s3up5kJASQAdc25nJ4iu6uPLzlGdbCsAszsvzCWGdhUs-wDv8_bae9xaGKIIaSmPtiffiqP71zbfJ5xA-aW6lEP3alWMbiJUCgBEsWa-d5FEPwR-II/w336-h400/IMG_0693.JPG" width="336" /></a></div>Bruce quickly became an integral part of my home and garden. When I was out in the garden he usually was as well.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8qU87G8FQqSxxCSpcGHgQBjetZlgTlYFZgor4yU1w7Z9aXOmZT4RmWpSdR_BZUHspIU8K6z-0lm6EmwW5o-SJJfKifT_y399h7v9Yp_NMDUJrEktLdMQJGJ2EMA71p4Uy3p_PWupVqGA_LUV3Nwycy73ke6hl55ooQt7lzLGY2SsOG14nOHiqFOrTN0/s2200/IMG_1978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8qU87G8FQqSxxCSpcGHgQBjetZlgTlYFZgor4yU1w7Z9aXOmZT4RmWpSdR_BZUHspIU8K6z-0lm6EmwW5o-SJJfKifT_y399h7v9Yp_NMDUJrEktLdMQJGJ2EMA71p4Uy3p_PWupVqGA_LUV3Nwycy73ke6hl55ooQt7lzLGY2SsOG14nOHiqFOrTN0/w400-h300/IMG_1978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Bruce quickly realised his regal destiny: he believed all property was theft because it had been stolen from him. He knew what he liked and where he liked to be and there was no discussion possible.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSJOmNrQ-gvdyy14E4pL0ylT3GngA3iVFHRRLJ6eo4EFSj4ky6nY87Je2dXw0nymniZD2eKRditqe0ldNXSMyVK1knS1FuaaP8S5TKVb566b7N-M_cE3zZnC7n67KzPK5hX9A8OcnLAZAEJ2BB7bxuqAdww9QQsTA5th07PjYTZTGv9O7INWZsrPC_3Y/s2200/IMG_0321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSJOmNrQ-gvdyy14E4pL0ylT3GngA3iVFHRRLJ6eo4EFSj4ky6nY87Je2dXw0nymniZD2eKRditqe0ldNXSMyVK1knS1FuaaP8S5TKVb566b7N-M_cE3zZnC7n67KzPK5hX9A8OcnLAZAEJ2BB7bxuqAdww9QQsTA5th07PjYTZTGv9O7INWZsrPC_3Y/w400-h300/IMG_0321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Despite being the most placid cat ever, his face settled at grumpy and if you tried to question his choices you would get frowned at.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cx3xILqJ6VcsIAdNzVpjTxciuIemgt2pRFWc46MQ8pfYCg0H4GKBxzrcNzxzB5RVPsogmWSSPnCG6kfLtxENHYVMOesYmDUMvLAGXGBzDtbG2k5F2h_csXCFTJAdvPGO4L7RNsmKKtnGF7oCrNAXI5vvmQDTSqW0djWtmx2PU_gISl-MviKpPAeb2TU/s815/IMG_6022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="815" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cx3xILqJ6VcsIAdNzVpjTxciuIemgt2pRFWc46MQ8pfYCg0H4GKBxzrcNzxzB5RVPsogmWSSPnCG6kfLtxENHYVMOesYmDUMvLAGXGBzDtbG2k5F2h_csXCFTJAdvPGO4L7RNsmKKtnGF7oCrNAXI5vvmQDTSqW0djWtmx2PU_gISl-MviKpPAeb2TU/w400-h385/IMG_6022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>He was a seasoned poseur, he knew where to be to get the right cute photo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCA4tbdnRLV6IheZn89mub45YT2jc_mQ0l0k_ZCQry7YdtRitRDem2vgsmDG5nKRNoPvZc5lmhcd3wA95fYrFB6s_6wjvsnQizzKnWcj4z9hcRuUTWwKmsjhgXT31ULep4l4lgj3DqS5ulkrvF6vX_Z5f27lQQugDbaB3Du5Ki9seIUTI5oAcFccQBMo/s1650/IMG_3927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCA4tbdnRLV6IheZn89mub45YT2jc_mQ0l0k_ZCQry7YdtRitRDem2vgsmDG5nKRNoPvZc5lmhcd3wA95fYrFB6s_6wjvsnQizzKnWcj4z9hcRuUTWwKmsjhgXT31ULep4l4lgj3DqS5ulkrvF6vX_Z5f27lQQugDbaB3Du5Ki9seIUTI5oAcFccQBMo/w300-h400/IMG_3927.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Portmeirion bench was his favourite bench and he often could be found snoozing there. I would look out of the bathroom window and I could see him curled up on this bench, happily overseeing the garden (he could oversee the garden with his eyes closed and looking like he was asleep, he told me this.)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFIEEuyqJ-a2iQNLH63b2QPCYm7a6mFnryQ6uCfRuV8dtoOIgs7cqRR6K717wbrtjm_LXeO7nY8RSmGNY-YSF6VuoyMbrNDco-L0WQVYxuxmvfs7rUlEJsjWw5L-Yd-BP0TsEgjJvC_x59Wzr6JUvZerNkZFLpXIuyIXjeBh6UYkDnUpIdjmUexkgR3g/s1650/IMG_2837.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFIEEuyqJ-a2iQNLH63b2QPCYm7a6mFnryQ6uCfRuV8dtoOIgs7cqRR6K717wbrtjm_LXeO7nY8RSmGNY-YSF6VuoyMbrNDco-L0WQVYxuxmvfs7rUlEJsjWw5L-Yd-BP0TsEgjJvC_x59Wzr6JUvZerNkZFLpXIuyIXjeBh6UYkDnUpIdjmUexkgR3g/w300-h400/IMG_2837.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>He also liked to laugh....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDy2f0JEecEjLs3AyINNQDqDy6OijDXpM03qDUgRJOigm-xLg3aXAf5wYmis8-9iKbop370RdS0cFb24MAVVYkuTRGpjI-zoE613uHETPAdv4ca91bbgqHeF0kIukfFjsnJEkM5-1dUWmF009oGYAh99IrbGJyz5sqQZ7D-zj-OdzvMcv5EjUvd6Sm94/s1650/IMG_4464.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDy2f0JEecEjLs3AyINNQDqDy6OijDXpM03qDUgRJOigm-xLg3aXAf5wYmis8-9iKbop370RdS0cFb24MAVVYkuTRGpjI-zoE613uHETPAdv4ca91bbgqHeF0kIukfFjsnJEkM5-1dUWmF009oGYAh99IrbGJyz5sqQZ7D-zj-OdzvMcv5EjUvd6Sm94/w300-h400/IMG_4464.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>.... a newly washed car bonnet was always just begging to be walked on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj102nFUBxPPz9SwQum0x57Kc39KkSbd2xMUCkCrvR7mruzASgUpaVVjGKd0tYqbn1zQAcjsb5XFOhbMuSUIy0pP6Y1G_DxCCksmPizJ4XB5sdhhpBgPvG8wsOyvDk-6G34oebJjV9Sc1DNrvSjRsjezrLUVzTiyYxVZ0l9IRRtMnibSX9KDXjbrgNabNY/s2200/IMG_5840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj102nFUBxPPz9SwQum0x57Kc39KkSbd2xMUCkCrvR7mruzASgUpaVVjGKd0tYqbn1zQAcjsb5XFOhbMuSUIy0pP6Y1G_DxCCksmPizJ4XB5sdhhpBgPvG8wsOyvDk-6G34oebJjV9Sc1DNrvSjRsjezrLUVzTiyYxVZ0l9IRRtMnibSX9KDXjbrgNabNY/w400-h300/IMG_5840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>His Yoda impressions were legendary<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvdagRQqRTOb0Lssh_ksjRD3rtS_L3SPyqrGT0F9-yQbPLe889XcdHFSUUdPGVNgKL9ROz4EmZXqsYfLDtbwiAZrkSY5leV08oXQSwQ84eCfFJkDj_zKaQqmK4_nGRgpMuNehcfTKkhACpRTk0ByWuKA3wL15IVRVQojSfFxUXb9X2-LttNWdhNkKZvU/s2200/IMG_5234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvdagRQqRTOb0Lssh_ksjRD3rtS_L3SPyqrGT0F9-yQbPLe889XcdHFSUUdPGVNgKL9ROz4EmZXqsYfLDtbwiAZrkSY5leV08oXQSwQ84eCfFJkDj_zKaQqmK4_nGRgpMuNehcfTKkhACpRTk0ByWuKA3wL15IVRVQojSfFxUXb9X2-LttNWdhNkKZvU/w400-h300/IMG_5234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>and he was not too hung up on dignity.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpA4H_vW0YVMWLKVOCOI44mw01rC_CA2uhvMoDXF-_GmLk7ottU3pr37nd_H_l7Ms2dNYbCsFnwoAFSJeZHt5wuq2SoA-413i0P5sFDpnRIZYDoRqPb-TBG2mNguwyt8VveRFIU2qUojspHcjSUasmBopSbN3j_6tiyLqeyJg6AGSVcwhqQZNemasAujU/s1650/IMG_9572.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpA4H_vW0YVMWLKVOCOI44mw01rC_CA2uhvMoDXF-_GmLk7ottU3pr37nd_H_l7Ms2dNYbCsFnwoAFSJeZHt5wuq2SoA-413i0P5sFDpnRIZYDoRqPb-TBG2mNguwyt8VveRFIU2qUojspHcjSUasmBopSbN3j_6tiyLqeyJg6AGSVcwhqQZNemasAujU/w300-h400/IMG_9572.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>He would help me when I was sewing by demanding fuss.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTSk_anOrpxdVo1hgmFWTs0Z3woqFQktjwWMCk7tf2wkxD09w-J4EM89EbqrASIRd_YIwnjXYj_CavPx1mDSFlUVfOI7H0mxkBrnPX3RdtztlukzzatH13hft5CJn3WtbbbTk83zDW1RQjqxp4OQsS28gmcHqiNNlfwTMa9rj0Bg0xEWWRjdphphzb3w/s2064/IMG_0471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTSk_anOrpxdVo1hgmFWTs0Z3woqFQktjwWMCk7tf2wkxD09w-J4EM89EbqrASIRd_YIwnjXYj_CavPx1mDSFlUVfOI7H0mxkBrnPX3RdtztlukzzatH13hft5CJn3WtbbbTk83zDW1RQjqxp4OQsS28gmcHqiNNlfwTMa9rj0Bg0xEWWRjdphphzb3w/w400-h320/IMG_0471.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>He developed a serious love of candlewick bedspreads,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M85-xPwmNIukhLhz-qK6IZGUw2pMb2xPH1FOY92u5J-xC1ns6zuZOv1IssK6z3Lz5pzxRsH6RgjvJjaSOgxKFPhaUWZN4Pc5fSUINSze1iLVynH4DTNyu-6Hv3uoBaXK-4OL-8ABHa4cj-vHmASeWp4aRr6y0IXpve8_eZbf6hT8HsvtTAlvuOBfaqk/s1650/IMG_3955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M85-xPwmNIukhLhz-qK6IZGUw2pMb2xPH1FOY92u5J-xC1ns6zuZOv1IssK6z3Lz5pzxRsH6RgjvJjaSOgxKFPhaUWZN4Pc5fSUINSze1iLVynH4DTNyu-6Hv3uoBaXK-4OL-8ABHa4cj-vHmASeWp4aRr6y0IXpve8_eZbf6hT8HsvtTAlvuOBfaqk/w300-h400/IMG_3955.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>and cannot resist a crochet blanket, especially one whose colours complemented his colour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig00o4Ign0PWRAm5XNb-JO35sEr5jh3teBBhQxiXbHy0_kzSYUjmqPEZgGYcsOgrWv-vTPwVezcluc4TFRncKIDDDFcEetiB-C4HQohCRNmGujEZSHqXtPcamMhseVke8zRQdQ3DvCks_OKZfpz9Jvfk-WSVzpu2DISb3raT4VPkMbYZ_PtveczPd4dBw/s2200/IMG_6347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig00o4Ign0PWRAm5XNb-JO35sEr5jh3teBBhQxiXbHy0_kzSYUjmqPEZgGYcsOgrWv-vTPwVezcluc4TFRncKIDDDFcEetiB-C4HQohCRNmGujEZSHqXtPcamMhseVke8zRQdQ3DvCks_OKZfpz9Jvfk-WSVzpu2DISb3raT4VPkMbYZ_PtveczPd4dBw/w400-h300/IMG_6347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Above all though, he was my big gorgous boy and I thought the world of him. Followers on <strike>Twitter</strike>/X will know that in the last couple of years Bruce's health has been declining. As he had been a stray I did not know how old he was when he arrived with me, I had thought he was 3 or 4 years old but I now think he was probably between 6 and 8 years old. He developed arthritis and this impacted on his mobility. Regular trips to the vets became our lives. Firstly on one medication, then on a series of monthly injections. Some months he was not in the mood to go to the vets, but most of the time he put up with it. Just before Christmas his decline was such that the vet and I started to discuss his end of life care. We talked about when it might be clear he had had enough and that medical intervention was not going to radically improve his quality of life. What felt like a gradual decline suddenly picked up pace in the last couple of weeks. On the morning of his monthly vet appointment he did not eat his breakfast and he went and hid before I had even fetched the travel basket. He had not been eating well for a while and this was not the Bruce I knew. A couple of tests at the vets and it was clear that he had multiple issues: none of them that he could recover from and the combination meant that all the medicine in the world was not going to make his better or even more comfortable. It was time.</div><div><br /></div><div>So farewell my beautiful beautiful Bruce. Your brother and sister cats are feeling the vacuum of your <span style="font-family: inherit;">loss as am I. I keep looking for you where you usually sleep and expecting you to appear for your evening cuddle. I miss you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-17123930864669186372024-02-08T10:54:00.000+00:002024-02-08T10:54:02.325+00:00Tree Following - February 2024<p>The Quince Brothers have had a bit of a snooze but now they are thinking about Spring.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflboA5Q5h-JdXynoEGr7RJ1tOWcc2gGRyOkz9QyucURJ3u345ysEiv4VNiZ39kRfD4Bu5iScmPnDk3Z8NgNhUNYgnbZUPy9bJQzKGrb5Y7qeZHRfBN4VrsZdPcNMhfdM5q_ncPM09suDOQwav_ABVeFPRZqAbAM2G4cWspxNmhZIMDLGRP0YT_IyS0oY/s4032/IMG_4511.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflboA5Q5h-JdXynoEGr7RJ1tOWcc2gGRyOkz9QyucURJ3u345ysEiv4VNiZ39kRfD4Bu5iScmPnDk3Z8NgNhUNYgnbZUPy9bJQzKGrb5Y7qeZHRfBN4VrsZdPcNMhfdM5q_ncPM09suDOQwav_ABVeFPRZqAbAM2G4cWspxNmhZIMDLGRP0YT_IyS0oY/w300-h400/IMG_4511.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The boys like to go early, they are not ones to hang about; which in some ways is great as I get lovely early blossom and foliage yet also can be a worry as we will get further frosts.<div><br /></div><div>At this stage frost is not really an issue, the new growth is only just peaking out and is still well protected. I stand in front of the trees and remind them of their main purpose. </div><div><br /></div><div>"You are quince trees," I tell them; "your name tells you this, you are the Quince Brothers, you are Quince Major and Quince Minor and you have the ability to create fruit." I am not in the habit of quince-shaming them and they are secure in the knowledge that fruit or not I still regard them as exceptionally worthy trees to have in the garden. Fruit is not their sole purpose in life but as they usually provide at least one quince a year; I feel that some encouragement is useful.</div><div><br /></div><div>"quince-up! " I hint to them whilst whispering words of love and support.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Quest for a Quince 2024 is on - and time will tell how it develops.</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">A forest of followed trees under the stewardship of Squirrelbasket can be found <a href="https://squirrelbasket.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: repeat; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-45662684237023496092024-02-04T10:38:00.002+00:002024-02-22T20:40:27.215+00:00Snowdrops 2024 - Attingham Park<p>It is no secret that I am a great fan of snowdrops. I have a few of the cheaper posh ones, but mainly I grow the simply lovely Galanthus nivalis. Snowdrop time is brief and visiting snowdrop gardens is a joy. I have favourite snowdrop places I return to, but the chance to visit a new snowdrop landscape is one I always embrace.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgVADf2WFXO7I_knz_vb4uu8HXqfpLDG9ZrrQxWvD4_wR2CqFLPe3TYWZDDnv9zG49Kf9kVHQVJCibIDgcTdY6Uli8kAF6VBY-KJzCzJPk9UIm2-kYa4FoOJw5tBpLVqgSrYWtl0fHHkV4JA5M9aDNvxufQYIl3y_CKXu6vpHdjOxASX9CClfozuAqpM/s4032/IMG_4556.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgVADf2WFXO7I_knz_vb4uu8HXqfpLDG9ZrrQxWvD4_wR2CqFLPe3TYWZDDnv9zG49Kf9kVHQVJCibIDgcTdY6Uli8kAF6VBY-KJzCzJPk9UIm2-kYa4FoOJw5tBpLVqgSrYWtl0fHHkV4JA5M9aDNvxufQYIl3y_CKXu6vpHdjOxASX9CClfozuAqpM/w400-h300/IMG_4556.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I have driven past <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/attingham-park" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Attingham Park</a> a few times but I had not stopped to visit; but knew it was 'on the list'. When the opportunity arose, I grabbed it. It happened like this:<div><br /></div><div>"We need a catch up, I haven't seen you in ages" I said to a friend who lives more westerly than I do. "It must be my turn to drive towards you, let's find somewhere nice to have lunch."</div><div>"Yes," came the reply, "let's do that'".</div><div><br /></div><div>Some googling of snowdrop gardens followed and Attingham Park popped up in the results. I made the suggestion and it was agreed. It is about 90 minutes from home so not too bad of a drive.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Attingham Park is owned by the<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> National Trust </a>after being donated to them by Lord Berwick in 1947. There has been a settlement here since Bronze Age times and the village and a Hall were listed in the Domesday Book. The current mansion was developed from 1780 onwards by the Barons of Berwick who bought the estate.<div><br /></div><div>The landscape around the house was designed by Humphrey Repton and the landscape is largely parkland with a rather nice restored walled garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp3TvBXDy1qo7dz3e4IgAufp32nvlu4Z0IukP6ThgsgTdLh_Rk8hbPt6xY6MxOWpEFFP0VeVY9xVh9FOQjGq8H5WcdPFg1fudEi7apP4fmONiodVIT9_4GCeFdphpWh4wtMlfNfcn6KXU6_Uclo-ANUQE8VCKkVdEETrEVIYd8WqIfAEwqvmVqb3PSIo/s4032/IMG_4559.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp3TvBXDy1qo7dz3e4IgAufp32nvlu4Z0IukP6ThgsgTdLh_Rk8hbPt6xY6MxOWpEFFP0VeVY9xVh9FOQjGq8H5WcdPFg1fudEi7apP4fmONiodVIT9_4GCeFdphpWh4wtMlfNfcn6KXU6_Uclo-ANUQE8VCKkVdEETrEVIYd8WqIfAEwqvmVqb3PSIo/w400-h300/IMG_4559.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The day was quite lovely, with sun and blue sky when we arrived, though hints of grey were on the horizon.</div><div><br /></div><div>We wandered and talked and talked and wandered. We had much to catch up on. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sq8rzjuptpy7OddpjrgYpt7G0jtL4EbnkohvBoikH9bxJFcZwvGyBLBa4U-kMc1bi6BhKvNWidNTxu0aJ_hVJ1Xnrh7fgpmVyIJgPvKhqfpQ18EUh2u_iNiQLYb1pSp2VggcNJ0xQaY4dAUhaUMQL9VtEcYKlx0COqMPCyd58ebHUM8yMV7Vr7qvwQA/s4032/IMG_4558.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sq8rzjuptpy7OddpjrgYpt7G0jtL4EbnkohvBoikH9bxJFcZwvGyBLBa4U-kMc1bi6BhKvNWidNTxu0aJ_hVJ1Xnrh7fgpmVyIJgPvKhqfpQ18EUh2u_iNiQLYb1pSp2VggcNJ0xQaY4dAUhaUMQL9VtEcYKlx0COqMPCyd58ebHUM8yMV7Vr7qvwQA/w400-h300/IMG_4558.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>My friend who is not a gardener indulged my gardening chat including my pausing to admire glasshouses, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIseHgz-h4VVir3gzTExXbiPw1liPLQXyzhyphenhyphenUg2G8kxbEqwYjMbmk5PeT5_axWI2Qm8jYRcnRv5IHfo7Tq3xislLolQ1qFQIhenn0U6GoC-B642NBpTZF-zsU4CqXp3dhwqpVHGR9nd81r2RqM3Q5tI_zs6U2stlCoJbvOedGZfLPN6DG5phg-JC_4Z8/s4032/IMG_4561.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIseHgz-h4VVir3gzTExXbiPw1liPLQXyzhyphenhyphenUg2G8kxbEqwYjMbmk5PeT5_axWI2Qm8jYRcnRv5IHfo7Tq3xislLolQ1qFQIhenn0U6GoC-B642NBpTZF-zsU4CqXp3dhwqpVHGR9nd81r2RqM3Q5tI_zs6U2stlCoJbvOedGZfLPN6DG5phg-JC_4Z8/w400-h300/IMG_4561.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>my musings on why this is called a Cucumber Tree and having to wait whilst I looked it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-HD2U6WRrIEB6TzJz9B_Ffz-bw_gfMJmq7wNiiwSelXKrLUpUiQSDNFJKqaryB9A8KxqQXyL_pC81X96HwLcAO_6wT7quVfs4GsP4kd3O5CnRCxaumQljvz2DXT1CEdzc3UH5IozbnI4Q0k3R7hJ07PZ7bsSRxOX4FpNRSOZvm3wHPD33_btBVzGMTE/s4032/IMG_4560.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-HD2U6WRrIEB6TzJz9B_Ffz-bw_gfMJmq7wNiiwSelXKrLUpUiQSDNFJKqaryB9A8KxqQXyL_pC81X96HwLcAO_6wT7quVfs4GsP4kd3O5CnRCxaumQljvz2DXT1CEdzc3UH5IozbnI4Q0k3R7hJ07PZ7bsSRxOX4FpNRSOZvm3wHPD33_btBVzGMTE/w400-h300/IMG_4560.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We walked around the house, but we did not go in. Maybe next time when I have more time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkLGVBgiIXSdE38urRsfWzJ_3kPK0a2DE-IRBfC3NBrUdqiGeU2JskLuCVtIEuzXiWhy2wzZ9Hn4ggTIu86mcBol-tTXAiXrIye6u3iMlrVdQ-Iv9G68aIeL_Z09oX14LkwylUdmBldkEoft-rDUhyphenhyphenJjD0kI9-cEPlt1TR616WWgxgTNYsbByBPoeesk/s4032/IMG_4555.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkLGVBgiIXSdE38urRsfWzJ_3kPK0a2DE-IRBfC3NBrUdqiGeU2JskLuCVtIEuzXiWhy2wzZ9Hn4ggTIu86mcBol-tTXAiXrIye6u3iMlrVdQ-Iv9G68aIeL_Z09oX14LkwylUdmBldkEoft-rDUhyphenhyphenJjD0kI9-cEPlt1TR616WWgxgTNYsbByBPoeesk/w400-h300/IMG_4555.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>We were talking so much that I did not take a lot of photos, not even one of the front of the house (rookie error). That aside, it was a wonderful walk around the grounds. The world was set to rights and we agreed it would not be so long before we met up again.<div><br /></div><div>We went for lunch at the rather wonderful <a href="https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/myttonandmermaid/homepage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mytton and Mermaid</a> across the road, which Portmeirion fans will know was leased by Clough Williams Ellis in 1933 as a stop-off point for guests on the way to Portmeiron.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUADQFR8m94NqoI97A5JrHx7oWPjdRN-i3E4v9q8ZAZlpIslloo7T0CmdFGQebA86bLETz7DCkUiTje9X16z6hc-cgb2PbkxsoP-DLpQBhQjNNGRhuKN7mDjYJYHn1Trz05GcOn8D44b2TL5gTOVG1OxVO34VJ5oJnsmHodCo09mBRk4x-9TdIwaG0_8/s4032/IMG_4562.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUADQFR8m94NqoI97A5JrHx7oWPjdRN-i3E4v9q8ZAZlpIslloo7T0CmdFGQebA86bLETz7DCkUiTje9X16z6hc-cgb2PbkxsoP-DLpQBhQjNNGRhuKN7mDjYJYHn1Trz05GcOn8D44b2TL5gTOVG1OxVO34VJ5oJnsmHodCo09mBRk4x-9TdIwaG0_8/w300-h400/IMG_4562.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>It has some Portmeirion touches that delight, plus excellent food - win win.<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The snowdrop season has commenced, I have more gardens already booked to visit and I am hoping to add a couple more if I can. Did I mention I love snowdrop season?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div>Snowdrops 2024 - <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2024/02/snowdrops-2024-thenford-return.html" target="_blank">A Thenford Return</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Snowdrops 2024 - <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2024/02/snowdrops-2024-lamport-hall.html" target="_blank">Lamport Hall</a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-68651186297199789352024-02-01T21:58:00.000+00:002024-02-01T21:58:34.457+00:00End of Month Review January 2024<p>January has been an odd month. It is traditionally the longest month of the year, refusing to end and just keeping on keeping on. We have had sunny crisp days, rainy rainy days and mild grey drippy days. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jyt8kPObYtW6G7XspPP5nQKuzQo1BWgGsZnXxJdGrdBRX3qxXVRi4FQxGZDwaPCScSt-9qvD0f12ujT7ladx-O9afBoomgp7c9cu37AKrxsghvNM8Rq9LJriW_7Vk0WrD8kS32wubbORFLx4DmWK8b0mGPpMIGleyjh4Q5Bd0lcDZ9Ca7SSzioJpLdA/s4032/IMG_4491.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jyt8kPObYtW6G7XspPP5nQKuzQo1BWgGsZnXxJdGrdBRX3qxXVRi4FQxGZDwaPCScSt-9qvD0f12ujT7ladx-O9afBoomgp7c9cu37AKrxsghvNM8Rq9LJriW_7Vk0WrD8kS32wubbORFLx4DmWK8b0mGPpMIGleyjh4Q5Bd0lcDZ9Ca7SSzioJpLdA/w300-h400/IMG_4491.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>It is the time of year when in particular I need hope. This year I need hope more than usual, but that is whole other story as they say (don't panic, nothing health wise). The Cornus officianalis in the front drive is starting to flower. This shrub was an impulse buy and has always rewarded me for the impulse. It flowers just a little earlier than the Cornus mas in the back garden and is a sprinkle of bright.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoWI39PMRfornUmEMIqKK784528suduRtUe6amR1US2P_7dVdMcH3Q1c4vaaEJBySptlBulmxOV5rD0N8oM129mFBRg7TmMsJfgN-q4G7kWWgK4KbST8demK8A8ppvA3osBMZAHibfNGrVXEGQLLnG1Sg6NdmFUBJmF39Ea1B_pKXRdBf3CrWcgrIPfI/s4032/IMG_4499.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoWI39PMRfornUmEMIqKK784528suduRtUe6amR1US2P_7dVdMcH3Q1c4vaaEJBySptlBulmxOV5rD0N8oM129mFBRg7TmMsJfgN-q4G7kWWgK4KbST8demK8A8ppvA3osBMZAHibfNGrVXEGQLLnG1Sg6NdmFUBJmF39Ea1B_pKXRdBf3CrWcgrIPfI/w300-h400/IMG_4499.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The Sarcococca that lives in a pot is now in its winter place on the front door step. It brings a waft of scent.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfqwcNn43p0J6ZI_ijyKGK5Ui9yJbOAVxcGzAEO6oRZebSirsATQ8uyX_-MOGysRpVnjEMMAK4tnb_fJzfCjiydoHI7eI7VdVQKzpUMQmjt42Ig9ZelleP1qUB2j-lVpw1U9JFbekAMVdKs-du2j4JKm9PBpCtLR6u8wEM5BZHvrogPIXnNTw4zmQD-M/s4032/IMG_4489.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfqwcNn43p0J6ZI_ijyKGK5Ui9yJbOAVxcGzAEO6oRZebSirsATQ8uyX_-MOGysRpVnjEMMAK4tnb_fJzfCjiydoHI7eI7VdVQKzpUMQmjt42Ig9ZelleP1qUB2j-lVpw1U9JFbekAMVdKs-du2j4JKm9PBpCtLR6u8wEM5BZHvrogPIXnNTw4zmQD-M/w400-h300/IMG_4489.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The wave of winter aconites in the side lawn is a bit feeble this year, not as good as in previous years, I hope it is just a blip. When I say 'in the front lawn' obviously I mean 'growing in the moss'.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuufbGbL4TEDa87lxlWy0gzTDcfon4PBlmOYVWGQJNkEmZNhKZ6nm3NVMbDL1QQ94nw1TR5RCvl1NZVyCERcKSBk6z1EK-rgMO-e3hyphenhyphenaTS6HEY7bHM-uG2XJc936JPleXMLUCLJgcT2pQqFkqFqX7XxYy3BJBf8c3vQRlEIRZng2aVLKFxuisbAtRzns/s4032/IMG_4490.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuufbGbL4TEDa87lxlWy0gzTDcfon4PBlmOYVWGQJNkEmZNhKZ6nm3NVMbDL1QQ94nw1TR5RCvl1NZVyCERcKSBk6z1EK-rgMO-e3hyphenhyphenaTS6HEY7bHM-uG2XJc936JPleXMLUCLJgcT2pQqFkqFqX7XxYy3BJBf8c3vQRlEIRZng2aVLKFxuisbAtRzns/w400-h300/IMG_4490.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The Winter Honeysuckle by the front gate is flowering well and the scent, as ever, is wonderful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_0UH5BQrrjq0aN5DRLYO1vSHvgk0tApGbStLisLplWKipRFR2dKdkzacHMy8tNMIkdNmY3FasiuUuMTkggY9vEYYs-Hf0DDOYRd__Lap1PiAq99bh8bepfEAVjec_Vxg2-HZpqQ83MWiZlQWR3e5KEvKKxW2zxUieLduXxNE4L09HRepevGUz01uurA/s4032/IMG_4493.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_0UH5BQrrjq0aN5DRLYO1vSHvgk0tApGbStLisLplWKipRFR2dKdkzacHMy8tNMIkdNmY3FasiuUuMTkggY9vEYYs-Hf0DDOYRd__Lap1PiAq99bh8bepfEAVjec_Vxg2-HZpqQ83MWiZlQWR3e5KEvKKxW2zxUieLduXxNE4L09HRepevGUz01uurA/w300-h400/IMG_4493.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>By the other side of the gate the small hamamelis has started to flower quite reliably now. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xUTIaESPQGAN5lrDXq8eq1OSgAS3iU9xsTw-GKRIwfm9SQb33M904zMlQZT26dtkxnTLyeoQNNVW74MLJR1vxij6RlPunPkf4nx_nt_C2o5wHrJZwSu6yNbNxSCNKDMp5QeQA4yGyMuzUwvtFBoAG-Q3xY4vzB1zhTvS33OGS5rmYurzSKn8SCQyuNk/s4032/IMG_4492.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xUTIaESPQGAN5lrDXq8eq1OSgAS3iU9xsTw-GKRIwfm9SQb33M904zMlQZT26dtkxnTLyeoQNNVW74MLJR1vxij6RlPunPkf4nx_nt_C2o5wHrJZwSu6yNbNxSCNKDMp5QeQA4yGyMuzUwvtFBoAG-Q3xY4vzB1zhTvS33OGS5rmYurzSKn8SCQyuNk/w300-h400/IMG_4492.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and the tree peony is gearing up for its best ever year (well, that's what she tells me anyway).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH0aIQFOEW24SSgaUsIU6risnsMSjxtneTFfoz-L_CdEhJvwjQPZc5CnuoQuB2XB0foZSxZbuvnjEIRMRcKFzrWaCkj4XmLUASj-JR4B9ESQcTSRu49UJ2EdKejomQT6pIPJ_gUxGGrCta_Lr3tiluru40c47OxJWS6k2TBUYuIpKprrQoIzg0FNni60/s3122/IMG_4497.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="3122" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH0aIQFOEW24SSgaUsIU6risnsMSjxtneTFfoz-L_CdEhJvwjQPZc5CnuoQuB2XB0foZSxZbuvnjEIRMRcKFzrWaCkj4XmLUASj-JR4B9ESQcTSRu49UJ2EdKejomQT6pIPJ_gUxGGrCta_Lr3tiluru40c47OxJWS6k2TBUYuIpKprrQoIzg0FNni60/w400-h378/IMG_4497.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>In the back garden the ornamental cardoon is sprouting well. You can see it really needs dividing as it is only really growing around the edges now. I shall wait for a frost free weekend and do this.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wEroELXlaXjGbpTzy-wneZtqiAFCIugQwvNvwULzQfzU7wXmIDejVrOnNQBcjPQ5bBlUQqnftf_R6l9CHsp_WwruoXIvFgBg10G6drsi55sehICVAneUosTC_X8t5p8jR-gENpvTNs1ZJIIeRtdI2McWJYJj0uz-xMtXHIfARU_hpvo6IzoIbdNU0z4/s4032/IMG_4503.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wEroELXlaXjGbpTzy-wneZtqiAFCIugQwvNvwULzQfzU7wXmIDejVrOnNQBcjPQ5bBlUQqnftf_R6l9CHsp_WwruoXIvFgBg10G6drsi55sehICVAneUosTC_X8t5p8jR-gENpvTNs1ZJIIeRtdI2McWJYJj0uz-xMtXHIfARU_hpvo6IzoIbdNU0z4/w300-h400/IMG_4503.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The snowdrops are now coming up fast. This is Wasp, whom I have grown for a few years now and has made a goodly clump.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MYXqU8_UBTVicjxxDRwXSevH-A6uGHAFDnVxNEfpLAsqBKSl-ylsRgbDw7RCluPj3Pz0kd6OSwx1shXx6B8ixOMDh0rzfpDLB_4gtqR30skDSYmTugmUhlCMOOnGbW4Z-z902oXbRREoTXv1Biz-FsZB_satwzoPJtLOF5d1FLz09-BDf-bm1643Pog/s4032/IMG_4502.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MYXqU8_UBTVicjxxDRwXSevH-A6uGHAFDnVxNEfpLAsqBKSl-ylsRgbDw7RCluPj3Pz0kd6OSwx1shXx6B8ixOMDh0rzfpDLB_4gtqR30skDSYmTugmUhlCMOOnGbW4Z-z902oXbRREoTXv1Biz-FsZB_satwzoPJtLOF5d1FLz09-BDf-bm1643Pog/w300-h400/IMG_4502.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div>Madelaine is also forming a nice clump, from the original two flowers in 2017 there are slowly new ones appearing each year. I am working up the urge to divide her, but I am not sure I am that brave yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVlKNn2RcEG32ImPGOARlKoAQvShUFunP8t0054SbM8wwN-lTHg3-m-zqFGdGLGGjEgo7-kQa20rq51D_d5R14EVacV7f3RVQeFv2ILm5e-rUSz1iCCPMS-tdGd9J1hFdVK_3QdwD4-AtV7NQpMjgNpwwNExmmqOdt_SOJmDB4bUwQGJuXEJkCzYcxPo/s4032/IMG_4496.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVlKNn2RcEG32ImPGOARlKoAQvShUFunP8t0054SbM8wwN-lTHg3-m-zqFGdGLGGjEgo7-kQa20rq51D_d5R14EVacV7f3RVQeFv2ILm5e-rUSz1iCCPMS-tdGd9J1hFdVK_3QdwD4-AtV7NQpMjgNpwwNExmmqOdt_SOJmDB4bUwQGJuXEJkCzYcxPo/w400-h300/IMG_4496.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The first signs of peonies are starting to push their way upwards through the soil. This is a very exciting moment. Peonies are fleeting beauty but I prize their moment highly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEY7qvWhgmdz8FhXxj4YDhVhMxo9n17eCkPaQdTwS9tsfnMkRDL8d6gj1B5_ZlzQH7i8QnkblPthPP2b8o-36p8feo1mQ7h27rfrSwzJlz9lXyqbldSsiQaC7qIvvW0B6jA6tqvfnVqsAs2OdNxfExKy5K3iKh2Lb-S-FVsqx90Fqfy2WEIifaFT_-NI/s4032/IMG_4530.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEY7qvWhgmdz8FhXxj4YDhVhMxo9n17eCkPaQdTwS9tsfnMkRDL8d6gj1B5_ZlzQH7i8QnkblPthPP2b8o-36p8feo1mQ7h27rfrSwzJlz9lXyqbldSsiQaC7qIvvW0B6jA6tqvfnVqsAs2OdNxfExKy5K3iKh2Lb-S-FVsqx90Fqfy2WEIifaFT_-NI/w300-h400/IMG_4530.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and there is fluff in the garden: the grey salix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfmQlpXisiTgUE9MjXbRJ7ANr4pVwze2h4Z2ibQVM_5bBwT-AHB8McL3Enp2CBIlfgUDNJbvAbsQqvyRQwJJelxyuKjUcop8Wleyt6GbJ-SIzSy71SO-9i_qCbGCAtsHFFTthb_8B7l-1DK3S6g75eygqJf5TpDhVGZ4eQZN7x77mr2hSpToLbUcHhmE/s4032/IMG_4505.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfmQlpXisiTgUE9MjXbRJ7ANr4pVwze2h4Z2ibQVM_5bBwT-AHB8McL3Enp2CBIlfgUDNJbvAbsQqvyRQwJJelxyuKjUcop8Wleyt6GbJ-SIzSy71SO-9i_qCbGCAtsHFFTthb_8B7l-1DK3S6g75eygqJf5TpDhVGZ4eQZN7x77mr2hSpToLbUcHhmE/w300-h400/IMG_4505.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and the pink Mount Aso.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWtJ0jlk6GVd7WPybLGEOUbUzrUMFP3ufsA8XZKVeViTHbgRjzyAu6-frA2hy9AAJtOc_eNAFre8QwLwHe53Mi5cpM4h0TOdytUIgjLFitHPZBTlY9JpWHaonft1y3hhNroWixoXnnujbbHF58Ei31wh0vYuY4jBxwJENhvDHZGdHlLxUhJPl7MnzR94/s4032/IMG_4507.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWtJ0jlk6GVd7WPybLGEOUbUzrUMFP3ufsA8XZKVeViTHbgRjzyAu6-frA2hy9AAJtOc_eNAFre8QwLwHe53Mi5cpM4h0TOdytUIgjLFitHPZBTlY9JpWHaonft1y3hhNroWixoXnnujbbHF58Ei31wh0vYuY4jBxwJENhvDHZGdHlLxUhJPl7MnzR94/w300-h400/IMG_4507.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Magnolia Leonard Messel is also taking part in this fluffy moment. He is covered in buds this year so I expect a good display from him - not that he ever lets me down in any year.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzy5U3IxQwdvuRlJzAYlPWFeM0Pkj6lssQS02UdW6RKMllnVfU_83YlgF32AHmLFQWEkl8iQjhXm7EylsvYo-arAX7FI7w_47qstBkH4mogy6coY9SmSBpaAKe4loXaPRakEHxTZBxTrOibi3RHVbgRRsYx3dP86i3ykSCx_4GAi29K-MZPJ4xOSyFu8/s4032/IMG_4501.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzy5U3IxQwdvuRlJzAYlPWFeM0Pkj6lssQS02UdW6RKMllnVfU_83YlgF32AHmLFQWEkl8iQjhXm7EylsvYo-arAX7FI7w_47qstBkH4mogy6coY9SmSBpaAKe4loXaPRakEHxTZBxTrOibi3RHVbgRRsYx3dP86i3ykSCx_4GAi29K-MZPJ4xOSyFu8/w400-h300/IMG_4501.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div>I pause from my focussing on the detail to look up at the garden itself, very much in its winter cloth of green and brown masking the delightful colours and fragrances it contains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVHWd1Q0MhB_O0VjYKdz5IlsqzVWuJWXDSEetkuu3QBklPRkkiXXL2tXUY23PJOw4t6ETn6Tq4r-tjEV0VDkNwIXTLafRiyrWYLBKmJvqh15Y7kz7hctvH9Q6dkOcQbReQs68K-uYMGhGSwsz57M7AebJL1pL4AbFO_gXBfaRuCWZpclMhIQUuhltAWk/s4032/IMG_4510.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVHWd1Q0MhB_O0VjYKdz5IlsqzVWuJWXDSEetkuu3QBklPRkkiXXL2tXUY23PJOw4t6ETn6Tq4r-tjEV0VDkNwIXTLafRiyrWYLBKmJvqh15Y7kz7hctvH9Q6dkOcQbReQs68K-uYMGhGSwsz57M7AebJL1pL4AbFO_gXBfaRuCWZpclMhIQUuhltAWk/w400-h300/IMG_4510.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The Wild Garden is increasingly besnowdropped and I need to do some division once the flowers have gone over.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hkQwHdkEMj9FVd5ucX9Uc_HnA3RwqeL2IZgkdihNL8748DdyKRyQBFIGijXH7q6Mj4vvNhNzCYw8kFkJaoj4NQ7G66kF0nEF4etcy_EJ7NDpFKLOq2w_4liGIs4EDwf4VHEqbCSvs4qx7drKNaE5uYw4UNb9i28dD8iAuUoeV8HX75ppf9aDGWPpp78/s4032/IMG_4504.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hkQwHdkEMj9FVd5ucX9Uc_HnA3RwqeL2IZgkdihNL8748DdyKRyQBFIGijXH7q6Mj4vvNhNzCYw8kFkJaoj4NQ7G66kF0nEF4etcy_EJ7NDpFKLOq2w_4liGIs4EDwf4VHEqbCSvs4qx7drKNaE5uYw4UNb9i28dD8iAuUoeV8HX75ppf9aDGWPpp78/w400-h300/IMG_4504.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>and the first (of many) dandelions signals real signs of Spring. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRhLDQlGIIfU1lN4sCK0EzegIuahJ3CwRVy6siPWDWe00UoQaX_EhzZxHdv3Ewq5bbxu45hO5bNhhd8CLcdU7N1UFVjI2PrdI43oh9RPvRjLrCZkfSrU4YILTcF7_CGf5GhSEewmdELdnJTqLSbxfrH_MT0V-vQRLPjtpn_9_9BU1k69c_dDnOSYAIrA/s4032/IMG_4495.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRhLDQlGIIfU1lN4sCK0EzegIuahJ3CwRVy6siPWDWe00UoQaX_EhzZxHdv3Ewq5bbxu45hO5bNhhd8CLcdU7N1UFVjI2PrdI43oh9RPvRjLrCZkfSrU4YILTcF7_CGf5GhSEewmdELdnJTqLSbxfrH_MT0V-vQRLPjtpn_9_9BU1k69c_dDnOSYAIrA/w300-h400/IMG_4495.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The roses are telling me they think it will be Spring soon too, but we are no where near through the frost zone yet so I hope they don't go too soon.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGBTTIDBb7Sns19LChy4gdHao7rJTZWlyDaP5z9ybZXbjAWfELIVTBhinEhBJIkRqnGYPjRpdgKPCiKRp24F93pNAZk9M7deP_JZeX3cIFsTmlpnJJPM1ThTtkqGQosB1mE0KbaWxiE_utlbR4p5q-P75svwEu-CxeNugQ8fsWOiayq05HZc3VHbDU04/s4032/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGBTTIDBb7Sns19LChy4gdHao7rJTZWlyDaP5z9ybZXbjAWfELIVTBhinEhBJIkRqnGYPjRpdgKPCiKRp24F93pNAZk9M7deP_JZeX3cIFsTmlpnJJPM1ThTtkqGQosB1mE0KbaWxiE_utlbR4p5q-P75svwEu-CxeNugQ8fsWOiayq05HZc3VHbDU04/w300-h400/IMG_4528.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>I have sown my first seeds of the year in the greenhouse: Persicaria orientalis. These seeds like a bit of cold to wake them up so I always sow them early. This set up is hopefully mouse proof!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTyJEhkMISQr7RwWAGzA7KtfciwahIxNCFoOkgzRyrSikeURLLRz_uPVyxQEtZkZWR11XkcWnCGRzwCcpVEW1z_FQAB4L-6Qj2FDrlFWPn4McdAmqRY52FLSxoIpknKvjsFHUiIjbk5xB3TZG6Qx1ZcfPW7FyGhhyNY3jhaYW1s9NRabjS1zktTuEqsI/s4032/IMG_4506.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTyJEhkMISQr7RwWAGzA7KtfciwahIxNCFoOkgzRyrSikeURLLRz_uPVyxQEtZkZWR11XkcWnCGRzwCcpVEW1z_FQAB4L-6Qj2FDrlFWPn4McdAmqRY52FLSxoIpknKvjsFHUiIjbk5xB3TZG6Qx1ZcfPW7FyGhhyNY3jhaYW1s9NRabjS1zktTuEqsI/w400-h300/IMG_4506.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The pond is quite full, not overflowing full as it was a couple of weeks ago, but still quite full. I worry at times that it might have a leak, the liner is past its lifetime guarantee now so I sort of expect it to <span style="font-family: inherit;">decay any time soon. I also wonder if it is not a leak but just the plants drinking the water? Maybe both??</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyhoo, until next time....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-41935500989931568592024-01-28T20:23:00.002+00:002024-01-28T20:23:33.061+00:00Free the Magnolia One!<p>Or I did some pruning I should have done ages ago.</p><p>When I first saw my current home, when I very first saw it, the magnolia in the front garden was flowering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9okONx2VLtrHiulSn7oHprRnRDCs5zWiLMyhaNnAxVFksMnQ_wR9vA1E7uvAeWCvAOjyUKszZjz597ZLTU4Lf-Fa68tFaiUFJqxRbV5ugGz1jivhEYkLSOCeV0gXhkAnxVXzkPQdV8lX4dO56FCgZ8728X6sGtZa6NelPzm9fjwJknl8fjXU49PtgOz4/s2200/IMG_4825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9okONx2VLtrHiulSn7oHprRnRDCs5zWiLMyhaNnAxVFksMnQ_wR9vA1E7uvAeWCvAOjyUKszZjz597ZLTU4Lf-Fa68tFaiUFJqxRbV5ugGz1jivhEYkLSOCeV0gXhkAnxVXzkPQdV8lX4dO56FCgZ8728X6sGtZa6NelPzm9fjwJknl8fjXU49PtgOz4/w400-h300/IMG_4825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I cannot say I definitely decided to buy the house at that specific moment, but it was already a huge positive tick in thinking that I might. It is a fabulous tree but it has been suffering recently; mainly through my neglect.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ZGEuuv40p9wpa_lhh-qx4TSc680zJabkExPi_zvqZPqAhu8d_LBpnh_bkX1-5ASi7fs6b2Yr8Zh7UFMsqoNIxIvDfIFMnDdIvhrKLaxdumVAJTF0kk7WuqmUWrM9_v0nrdWz6wtOPCKCF8oQcLzbc4X6j4W1g3qV7uoqfq_27HWR4zPKvfFEeBU18M/s1170/IMG_4525.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1170" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ZGEuuv40p9wpa_lhh-qx4TSc680zJabkExPi_zvqZPqAhu8d_LBpnh_bkX1-5ASi7fs6b2Yr8Zh7UFMsqoNIxIvDfIFMnDdIvhrKLaxdumVAJTF0kk7WuqmUWrM9_v0nrdWz6wtOPCKCF8oQcLzbc4X6j4W1g3qV7uoqfq_27HWR4zPKvfFEeBU18M/w400-h284/IMG_4525.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>It has been semi-swamped by the ivy-clad laburnum tree that had toppled over into it. The laburnum had been sickly for some time and the ivy just keeled it over. I know you cannot see that there is a laburnum in there, but there really is. The magnolia braced itself and took the weight, but I knew that this needed dealing with. <div><br /></div><div>I removed a fair amount of it with my chainsaw so that it was relatively safe; but I had to free the rest of the magnolia and also try and help the Rhamnus that was leaning forward and forward to fry and find some light. This Rhamnus is very precious, it is a plant that reminds me of the day that I bought it which is a memory that is dear to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>In order to progress with the laburnum removal I knew I needed the right tool for the job. I literarally could not see the wood for the trees (ivy). So I bought a chainsaw on a stick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0otALr58vsJGU3949lp1KwdxiWVekyr0mFRGdu1how37KduzuJLt9FFa4AzO50fAjqJJ0TYOIGpUetHoQtX1LOKVzo8BQwo2sTOvavYwrTifHLiPLnhF_AtL2vFy5-Lu3YezJ3USCptwXpr_8l6Ewl2BbMmO2aNCc7Ga1C9i-9PBi2qcE4minkvgjwk8/s1170/IMG_4526.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1170" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0otALr58vsJGU3949lp1KwdxiWVekyr0mFRGdu1how37KduzuJLt9FFa4AzO50fAjqJJ0TYOIGpUetHoQtX1LOKVzo8BQwo2sTOvavYwrTifHLiPLnhF_AtL2vFy5-Lu3YezJ3USCptwXpr_8l6Ewl2BbMmO2aNCc7Ga1C9i-9PBi2qcE4minkvgjwk8/w400-h289/IMG_4526.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>This is the <a href="https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/p/universalchainpole-18-06008b3100" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bosch Universal ChainPole 18</a> and I might be in love with it. The newest tool is always the favourite isn't it? It is battery powered with the 18v battery that fits the Bosch battery powered range so you can buy it with or without the battery as you might already have one. I did already have one as I have a Bosch battery powered drill, so this reduced the outlay.<div><br /></div><div>I was a little nervous of trying it at first. I needed to get used to the weight of it so that I could manouvre it. It is a bit heavy I have to say, but also well balanced. It does have a strap so that you can balance the weight but you can use it without which is good; as I have to whisper I did not find the strap helped me very much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvsvHL_VcXCGlRsVl0wDHawrD9FX11IuZVaLrAXYtMCdQogiIWmKnjUJ3VbAxAVzcvcORergAodjkgqihQizehttD71GR5SIx_ehZCSZkRU7FXdSGdFNafVaWttgIn4PwpMOU2E3MC7oGOGMAaJOJPKW5QyfvA_1TeykTBJ8KffFz_wNgM4AiblijaqU/s1497/IMG_4524.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvsvHL_VcXCGlRsVl0wDHawrD9FX11IuZVaLrAXYtMCdQogiIWmKnjUJ3VbAxAVzcvcORergAodjkgqihQizehttD71GR5SIx_ehZCSZkRU7FXdSGdFNafVaWttgIn4PwpMOU2E3MC7oGOGMAaJOJPKW5QyfvA_1TeykTBJ8KffFz_wNgM4AiblijaqU/w313-h400/IMG_4524.PNG" width="313" /></a></div>I wandered around the garden pruning off a few branches here and there. I was getting used to how it felt and also seeing how big the branches where that it would cut through. It extends to 260 cm so you can reach quite high without needing a ladder. Obviously with a ladder you can get even higher. Once I had the feel for it I put it away and several weeks passed. Rain, frost, gales and lethargy all played their part. <div><br /></div><div>Then the day came and I got the pruning whim upon me. After a few practice attempts on the horse chestnut in the back garden I headed out to the magnolia again. It was time to free the Magnolia One.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpWBSs_1o5mrU0OMj9zOfhyphenhyphent12hX_m9HolVDI0a-p7g9c1_abDc8YNKfKqyCr-HhE9YkVygnZjhw_HuJ6k0FUYUo7asTxzwYOwdmjGvuHTaQPTAn6jWmUQ_tbT8tmlA7Xfc1W2H1r2SteCw7G2U-RTXe40PUjy7uXz1iSo92Yp1l4jSddFhcpGfMza3w/s4032/IMG_4517.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpWBSs_1o5mrU0OMj9zOfhyphenhyphent12hX_m9HolVDI0a-p7g9c1_abDc8YNKfKqyCr-HhE9YkVygnZjhw_HuJ6k0FUYUo7asTxzwYOwdmjGvuHTaQPTAn6jWmUQ_tbT8tmlA7Xfc1W2H1r2SteCw7G2U-RTXe40PUjy7uXz1iSo92Yp1l4jSddFhcpGfMza3w/w300-h400/IMG_4517.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>A couple of hours later and there she was, reaching up skywards freed from her laburnum clasp. The Rhamnus is postivily embracing the light (ok it was grey and cloudy but it was light).<div><br /></div><div>There is still more to remove, but now I can get closer I think I can finish it off with my chainsaw. They both have their different uses and make a good partnership.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was <span style="font-family: inherit;">also a good day for moving me out of my lethargy. Whilst the weather has had a lot to answer for I have seem to have lost my confidence for a lot of the larger gardening jobs. Jobs I know I can do and yet cannot get myself moving to actually do them. So this was a good day for me and I need more days like this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-3903162848936051792024-01-26T09:23:00.000+00:002024-01-26T09:23:12.001+00:00Irritating plant of the month - an apology to the Christmas cyclamen<p>It has been a while since I have written about an irritating plant. Regulars readers will know that the irritation is more at my poor gardening skills rather than the plant itself. This is indeed true in respect to this poor ill fated cyclamen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnImz2pJlLVPxRf3TNFDKu0OWeG9asyIsGsAxzosswFiTLj8tnsoOdxlxfbpQUS5ed5YY_htFvgTz9mu3F7FXcfN72b0BQDEtXNzLoBTjMSYxqYhvNkv92KJGihFPuTV9TeMHwioMJ_efEtUqYEB8A5JADnMedbm-1xnkSFkv7mJiUnop1ENIwWRyD4qs/s2869/IMG_4486.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2869" data-original-width="2493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnImz2pJlLVPxRf3TNFDKu0OWeG9asyIsGsAxzosswFiTLj8tnsoOdxlxfbpQUS5ed5YY_htFvgTz9mu3F7FXcfN72b0BQDEtXNzLoBTjMSYxqYhvNkv92KJGihFPuTV9TeMHwioMJ_efEtUqYEB8A5JADnMedbm-1xnkSFkv7mJiUnop1ENIwWRyD4qs/w348-h400/IMG_4486.HEIC" width="348" /></a></div><div>You know how it goes: you are given a beautiful houseplant for Christmas and you love it, appreciate it and appreciate the thought behind it and yet know at first sight that it is going to be a challenge.</div><div><br /></div>I have never had great success with indoor cyclamen. I find them tricksy. They don't like too much water, they don't like too much light or heat or cold. They are divas. I do have one that I have kept alive for more than a year but let's be clear: this is luck not skill. So when a beautiful cyclamen arrived as a Christmas present I might have whispered into into its hidden ear "sorry".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbe7Ob1i40ytciBjqbnqQpy1aToLl4g9hMioVY47voaBTFJPcBjtk_MnIjIIAnMVmxF1kdkzBVaEAMQvudENy8sd7WdydGSgweGm7AquB6h63dBwJ7Snc0pkxwRZm9GhxicBy5Z1WrdOd2feU2IYUh54aK8uHGCRdHs1n6JWSJZRavH-ByFjzdnoPJwQ/s4032/IMG_4484.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbe7Ob1i40ytciBjqbnqQpy1aToLl4g9hMioVY47voaBTFJPcBjtk_MnIjIIAnMVmxF1kdkzBVaEAMQvudENy8sd7WdydGSgweGm7AquB6h63dBwJ7Snc0pkxwRZm9GhxicBy5Z1WrdOd2feU2IYUh54aK8uHGCRdHs1n6JWSJZRavH-ByFjzdnoPJwQ/w300-h400/IMG_4484.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>At first the plant did really well, I mean really well. You can see the amount of dead flowers that it was flowering well. It arrived mid-December and until mid-January it was fan-dabby-dozey.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ir2QT3sCibgOtZ3a7n_K112hngHo9jQI1CsxaMtrc2NRwZaEkHS6P6aEMvp1_QLTvAwPAVThV2WZyGwYtTdeCxRcrC7sb9UTMCDoDSeccHsmx-ws2_tqz-q1PafljisEBsBAQeZjjHkbs-DRRGjGCiAuH6YT_4K3FBNNpHwhe_y5eA76a3iC4izlZoQ/s4032/IMG_4483.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ir2QT3sCibgOtZ3a7n_K112hngHo9jQI1CsxaMtrc2NRwZaEkHS6P6aEMvp1_QLTvAwPAVThV2WZyGwYtTdeCxRcrC7sb9UTMCDoDSeccHsmx-ws2_tqz-q1PafljisEBsBAQeZjjHkbs-DRRGjGCiAuH6YT_4K3FBNNpHwhe_y5eA76a3iC4izlZoQ/w300-h400/IMG_4483.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and then it flopped, it floundered, it went wilty mcwiltface.<div><br /></div><div>I think I might have over-watered it. It isn't in strong sunlight (not that we have had a lot of sun!), it is not by a radiator either. I really have tried to look after it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not all the leaves have wilted yet, so this gives me some hope. I have checked and it is not sitting in a puddle so I have whispered words of love and encouragement to it in the hope that it will pull through. If you could all send it the most positive of vibes I would be very grateful (the cyclamen would be reliev<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed too).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will let you know how it goes.....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div>More Irritating Plants of the Month can be found <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/p/irritating-plant-of-month-ipotm.html" target="_blank">here</a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-19317192064514339532024-01-21T19:23:00.000+00:002024-01-21T19:23:35.231+00:00Letter to the Garden - January 2024<p>Dear Garden</p><p>Well here we are in a new year and I want to say, a new storm. As I write Storm Isha is gusting towards us. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzh44mZseOq-afnfVnKF_belDnDNSmjIlUsEXQdVfFsht0gFKVVSaybc3mCK-u1dhNuqKsKF4LVQvesByS10cD6XPzjD4lO04RWSmyIJ2U39NkpkIIj9vugW8J74zJ_3xjQFV9aPKP6Q2FUZEl5MnJrE2H-2lHBWYsKNLPolTnNFFbNmhZyrxccGcikA/s4032/IMG_4466.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="4032" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzh44mZseOq-afnfVnKF_belDnDNSmjIlUsEXQdVfFsht0gFKVVSaybc3mCK-u1dhNuqKsKF4LVQvesByS10cD6XPzjD4lO04RWSmyIJ2U39NkpkIIj9vugW8J74zJ_3xjQFV9aPKP6Q2FUZEl5MnJrE2H-2lHBWYsKNLPolTnNFFbNmhZyrxccGcikA/w400-h264/IMG_4466.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a walk in the local park</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Apparently the storm naming year begins afresh every September. According to the radio this morning that we have reached 'I' already means we are having a very stormy season. Further googling suggests that 2024 was the quickest year (since 2015 when the naming convention started in the UK) for us to reach H - Henck and we are now at Isha and January has more time to go. Will we reach Jocelyn....?</p><p>I have to admit, dear garden, that I find storms increasingly worrying. I worry about my roof in particular despite having quite a bit of work done on it last year. So I should be feeling less anxious, but still I worry. This worry was not helped by after Storm Henck I found two panels of the greenhouse smashed, one in the roof and one at the side. This was the first time the greenhouse has had storm damage so I sort of thought it was about time but I also started to worry if this was age kicking in and that the greenhouse would now suffer damage more and more.</p><p>Well, dear reader, it turned out not to be storm damage at all. I ordered the replacement panels and when they arrived I set to replacing the side panel. This is easy to do, unlike the roof panel where I had to enlist help from a friend. Anyhoo, I wander around to the side of the greenhouse and I am greeted by this sight.... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6bai1q0SjwcYpMdIOPf5Vmv0rCnU7JhEnT3uZhZsUuMccIG6Tns2VVmiR2TdgLogCXky8rwTQCRuDtpsqflFJ5nHFEA9jt-Em1vdn88o0_ISIJHUJbpSGQeVb5T8pDJ8IpFpPOgj9dC2DNYeaNCng0J8ck6aPaFQcDlFRnXsD-ngigWBfkh28NdWxgM/s4032/IMG_4468.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6bai1q0SjwcYpMdIOPf5Vmv0rCnU7JhEnT3uZhZsUuMccIG6Tns2VVmiR2TdgLogCXky8rwTQCRuDtpsqflFJ5nHFEA9jt-Em1vdn88o0_ISIJHUJbpSGQeVb5T8pDJ8IpFpPOgj9dC2DNYeaNCng0J8ck6aPaFQcDlFRnXsD-ngigWBfkh28NdWxgM/w400-h300/IMG_4468.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Clearly the greenhouse has been used as target practice by some darling. Sigh.<div><br /></div><div>The roof vent proved harder to fix, it was hard to reach and hard to work out how to do it and then foiled by some idiot (moi???) ordered the wrong size panel - big sigh. So we weathered proofed as best we could the opening as Storm Isha is knocking at the door and I have visions of every panel blowing out of the greenhouse overnight. I shall update you dear garden with how this goes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have tried to take some preventative action to prevent easy reoccurance as well. Firstly I asked Esme, the fiercest of cats, to guard the area and attack any raised arm with a stone in it. Esme explained that whilst she is the fiercest of cats and intelligent enough to determine a stone throwing arm - but she really couldn't be bothered. So I went to plan B. I took a wander along the side boundary to see if I could see the source of the rockage. There is was, a small pile of broken concrete. It looked like it had been something cylindrical that had probably had a fire lit in it at some point. So I gathered up the bits and hoiked them (technical term) over my fence into the garden by the shed. I am sure it will come into some use at some point..... After a quick check I could not see any more potential missiles and wandered back into the garden whilst the winds of Storm Isha continued to develop.</div><div><p>Dear garden, I can hear you asking why the photo at the top of this letter is from a walk in a local park and not from you. I thought if I was going to play away I should be up front about it. With what has felt like weeks of rain and then you have been frozen, I have been going for walks in the local park to get my nature-outdoor fix. You know I walk quite a lot anyway and Leicester is lucky to have a lot of parks (I live with three is close proximity and a large playing field), and on the day I took this photo I was actually on my way to visit the dentist. It is a nice four mile round trip and I like when I can include a park on a walk to somewhere. Sometimes the walk is to the park and around the park, but not this time, I was passing through. It does not mean I do not love you my dear garden, my relationship with the park is different to my relationship with you; but it does make a nice walk and it was a lovely frosty sunny morning.</p><p>Anyway dear garden I need to get on, the sun is currently shining so I am going to have a wander <span style="font-family: inherit;">around you and see how the snowdrops are doing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time, t<span style="background-color: white;">ake care and much love</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your loving gardener x</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-46817557631573698812024-01-18T20:04:00.001+00:002024-01-18T20:04:41.751+00:00Colour in the winter garden<p>As I write this it is deep winter outside. The temperature dropped to -6 last night which is very cold for here in the mild middle. As ever when it gets to this time of year I know that I am focussing on the detail in the garden to get my 'colour' hit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2R-ePlgYBhdYMyKGGL57wg5-PdBgS8M5IbaO2UnKKOnx7mrfc9yNZ0_ivMC6txwxqxsjUpoIBhu9lzE6CxpjHaiXL86upXOqVWdHoRhnEN2OKgeVmj_cuIZYoZ_yHaulCO93GmY259fbeZ-xqm0FV-MjKT5BwJ4lpdJkBjhg2ptxkz_4XI82k4ZY8QI/s2818/IMG_4461.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="2422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2R-ePlgYBhdYMyKGGL57wg5-PdBgS8M5IbaO2UnKKOnx7mrfc9yNZ0_ivMC6txwxqxsjUpoIBhu9lzE6CxpjHaiXL86upXOqVWdHoRhnEN2OKgeVmj_cuIZYoZ_yHaulCO93GmY259fbeZ-xqm0FV-MjKT5BwJ4lpdJkBjhg2ptxkz_4XI82k4ZY8QI/w344-h400/IMG_4461.HEIC" width="344" /></a></div>I would blame my own personal preferences for needing to find the colour in the garden, as I am not a huge fan of evergreens. Except most of the evergreens are..... well ..... green and I do have quite a bit of green in the garden. So let me start with the flowering ornamental quince in the front garden: Chaenomeles Crimson and Gold. This is a lovely shrub, it forms a hedge under the lounge window and it flowers nice and early for the early pollinators. I often grumble that it refuses to grow to reach the windowsill, which is what I wish it to do. It turns out wanting plants to grow taller than they actually grow is rather unreasonable - who knew!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv0V48stmI-ZsOXqpatwVh8W4Qm-F3Ip5JPzQzaKiegbby6vViy45xXiyiPUaJVs80SRo81RoFN7rioohPJzfUHHX-w4msu3e0mNtNqGE34m6QIIdvPyQlPJrTwI1n6qZWz3pPMKpOM1XxZE6rsW8ZlWm1yEcqi6-NYHFuxHwH5C7TAQrf8gd2zK_83s/s4032/IMG_4451.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv0V48stmI-ZsOXqpatwVh8W4Qm-F3Ip5JPzQzaKiegbby6vViy45xXiyiPUaJVs80SRo81RoFN7rioohPJzfUHHX-w4msu3e0mNtNqGE34m6QIIdvPyQlPJrTwI1n6qZWz3pPMKpOM1XxZE6rsW8ZlWm1yEcqi6-NYHFuxHwH5C7TAQrf8gd2zK_83s/w300-h400/IMG_4451.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>I always get excited when the first primroses start to flower. They look like they are positively shivering in this cold but they struggle on. I have lots of nice pale yellow ones as well as some of the more red/pink types. They intermingle and self-seed around the garden, they are a happy sociable sort of plant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW1ced3U8wRMa_PqDEodkLBtIVswgnHPMG3wnrhjDPkVQfsMiz0CyhffrIKNF5N7rzf1TrGbuf0K8AMp9uNEvqjZ5Mulq05-Hi1pK06xsvBS_P7C993qz6p-l0WIQkPxBeK2PE3-L0zWBPjwAopodaAyh-PCTiZRybnDnLi4EhQhKu1KK-Hs2GMZeQ90/s4032/IMG_4452.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW1ced3U8wRMa_PqDEodkLBtIVswgnHPMG3wnrhjDPkVQfsMiz0CyhffrIKNF5N7rzf1TrGbuf0K8AMp9uNEvqjZ5Mulq05-Hi1pK06xsvBS_P7C993qz6p-l0WIQkPxBeK2PE3-L0zWBPjwAopodaAyh-PCTiZRybnDnLi4EhQhKu1KK-Hs2GMZeQ90/w300-h400/IMG_4452.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Talking of self-seeding: the Cyclamen coum have prolifically self-seeded around the garden. It seems like they waited about ten years to really get started but now there are many. I imagine in my head of field of pink cyclamens appearing soon ...... this might be (is) over-optimistic. I am not sure if these are happily socialable or rather prettily invasive. Either way, so far I have no grumbles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8XgD0rHSpWyoo7UGDiCVR_2u05kE4-8p2RPBX9wsj9jP70aC7DdBNI1iU2tJUMrystnRxwOjwkGjHhZS_bSHu6D7_Fl_llQ8hbLpfBr5FoC_XhLbNimriP1a-pY9TG_fJRURpkjsy0ooALn_j_oEUcTuEP82BcZAKFTXL3jtBEBOKIHZkM6mWVD4eTk/s4032/IMG_4458.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8XgD0rHSpWyoo7UGDiCVR_2u05kE4-8p2RPBX9wsj9jP70aC7DdBNI1iU2tJUMrystnRxwOjwkGjHhZS_bSHu6D7_Fl_llQ8hbLpfBr5FoC_XhLbNimriP1a-pY9TG_fJRURpkjsy0ooALn_j_oEUcTuEP82BcZAKFTXL3jtBEBOKIHZkM6mWVD4eTk/w300-h400/IMG_4458.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The Daphne Jacqueline Postill is slowly easing herself into flower, like she is lowering herself into a hot bath. As each flower opens the potential for fragrance gets stronger and fragrance in the winter garden is a special thing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJY8Hfmy_654vCFocZLaYzvJAJWX3YdLZm45OWgXocUXAIqPwtyZ7MCj_AM6nIcMz0BS9l9P48bn4LsuLNLiaTSw7OHTuHccHwTUEn7kfWsLv33PXvvZIM8wvLSO6O0u1V6AqA-GJ2nPQdcApeUHnzRm7F28rhyphenhyphen5oZYLVUnJvoJRLAM6nV-1mVAyfFSY/s4032/IMG_4455.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJY8Hfmy_654vCFocZLaYzvJAJWX3YdLZm45OWgXocUXAIqPwtyZ7MCj_AM6nIcMz0BS9l9P48bn4LsuLNLiaTSw7OHTuHccHwTUEn7kfWsLv33PXvvZIM8wvLSO6O0u1V6AqA-GJ2nPQdcApeUHnzRm7F28rhyphenhyphen5oZYLVUnJvoJRLAM6nV-1mVAyfFSY/w300-h400/IMG_4455.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The cold is making the snowdrops bow over whilst waiting for some warming sun and the ground around them to thaw. They look a little sad at the moment but they will soon perk up again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S1G4ZswXiXM9m3A_mZPKMew8Yy0RKdf2rbcd6sLr-_XWwoVrs-96FBPEJPuRgKWfP1vJrYH2d12FdCfdLMg_X17P02vHthXtQNfkFHEJV-n9zqek397991ekI8ixw1JTZa0gjZm1SWDbEq8v8ydwVKnmvpYX0ppe2otqdd5Ifq3L9ZRDGQvFYaIGN8M/s4032/IMG_4431.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S1G4ZswXiXM9m3A_mZPKMew8Yy0RKdf2rbcd6sLr-_XWwoVrs-96FBPEJPuRgKWfP1vJrYH2d12FdCfdLMg_X17P02vHthXtQNfkFHEJV-n9zqek397991ekI8ixw1JTZa0gjZm1SWDbEq8v8ydwVKnmvpYX0ppe2otqdd5Ifq3L9ZRDGQvFYaIGN8M/w300-h400/IMG_4431.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>It is always a joy when the Hamamelis are starting to flower with their shreddy wonderfulness. Sadly I have lost the largest hamamelis I had in the garden, but this youngster by the front gate seems to have settled in well.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOmprFLEvLgD4PypP3pYOsdg4wg57oPHRg3d2CpU8LPwt_5CIKFVAbjqb2HFLxxxKxRLQp90tEhyphenhyphenkxLXLuheL2Brk8UU_BZMRcAqEuFFbhoKg2LtJRyXXN17_Hw6TIobA0VMmg9nukgRajRScCjl9_yEadmB0wE-KOtXcT-a0kQRj96EwDCMlwmPPVCA/s2200/IMG_4239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOmprFLEvLgD4PypP3pYOsdg4wg57oPHRg3d2CpU8LPwt_5CIKFVAbjqb2HFLxxxKxRLQp90tEhyphenhyphenkxLXLuheL2Brk8UU_BZMRcAqEuFFbhoKg2LtJRyXXN17_Hw6TIobA0VMmg9nukgRajRScCjl9_yEadmB0wE-KOtXcT-a0kQRj96EwDCMlwmPPVCA/w400-h300/IMG_4239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>and there I am talking about finding colour in the small, yet here in the large the copper beech pillars absolutely glow in the sun under the clear blue sky. Colour is all around us if we take the moment to look up, pause and breathe.<div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have I mentioned how much I love the winter garden?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind<i> </i></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-5064025679887449272024-01-14T20:28:00.000+00:002024-01-14T20:28:49.400+00:00The Blackberry Tales 15 - A snowdrop mystery<p>It is the time of year for mysteries, the dark nights and grey murky days and festive televsion seems to groan with Agatha Christie dramatisations and other such murder mysteries. I do love a good mystery. When I first started to write this I had not considered that it might be a murder mystery, yet when I think about it this is not impossible. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cE3KhTCEHNSpXDqVi12H2nCBJ35vLZgMzTzTeV34jTD9GipDsB2ReDkkyhFMAmL6b5O6teY406k2X4KqS8ipv_yyi0dIA2UnCZHENu2ZUSpOMnvOSQvCZB5AoVF8ttS7JMQ3ja97CbkgQe1pSKVTNx0N7Qffs2XURLsESGjiR73a3EBRlsv4CHCJm68/s1650/IMG_6346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cE3KhTCEHNSpXDqVi12H2nCBJ35vLZgMzTzTeV34jTD9GipDsB2ReDkkyhFMAmL6b5O6teY406k2X4KqS8ipv_yyi0dIA2UnCZHENu2ZUSpOMnvOSQvCZB5AoVF8ttS7JMQ3ja97CbkgQe1pSKVTNx0N7Qffs2XURLsESGjiR73a3EBRlsv4CHCJm68/w300-h400/IMG_6346.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I grow quite a lot of snowdrops in my garden, I usually plant 200 or so in the green nivalis every Spring. I also divide clumps when they get large enough. I have been doing this more or less since first moving to this garden in 2007 so some of the clumps are quite large now.There is however a mystery occuring in my garden every Spring. About this time of year as the snowdrops are emerging there are some bulbs that are 'pushed out' or maybe 'pulled out' and left on the surface of the soil.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl49Z8G8BSNT1MOS4HQ_PD4jQQ0OW0rRD3z_xMEl2J4tDMGXms5lXAb3VcD0nMz5Vy0QpJDzT0OkT8gWH_LCiZKtJy46UwA1GZrAG5sO4sgDRJ7YIH6lV585SJwOkjO8bk8iO36hx8TJuEWWTzPtj1WR42YFNor9cpmA_h0M3XEH2t8ihz1HkglForcs/s4032/IMG_4381.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl49Z8G8BSNT1MOS4HQ_PD4jQQ0OW0rRD3z_xMEl2J4tDMGXms5lXAb3VcD0nMz5Vy0QpJDzT0OkT8gWH_LCiZKtJy46UwA1GZrAG5sO4sgDRJ7YIH6lV585SJwOkjO8bk8iO36hx8TJuEWWTzPtj1WR42YFNor9cpmA_h0M3XEH2t8ihz1HkglForcs/w300-h400/IMG_4381.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>At first I thought this was pigeons and maybe it is pigeons murdering my snowdrops. I do get quite a few pigeons strutting around my garden with their arrogant 'stop me if you can' attitude.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4LhVANQE8np7n3SxQran6aSkUFfzQxZ_SRIGzF-JB9ySioDmHjgzL9bqi4bB4iOj-I_-XWqZYRqFz-fQ-mHg549YR-KGpdit4lbAkMTMYwlQk13vMwRR7vEmSzDfuxT3bn1OB4aenHMfiMlolCHFu3iDhYd63vRATwiBWKTPiEisMYbEcaXfiicpjI0/s4032/IMG_4379.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4LhVANQE8np7n3SxQran6aSkUFfzQxZ_SRIGzF-JB9ySioDmHjgzL9bqi4bB4iOj-I_-XWqZYRqFz-fQ-mHg549YR-KGpdit4lbAkMTMYwlQk13vMwRR7vEmSzDfuxT3bn1OB4aenHMfiMlolCHFu3iDhYd63vRATwiBWKTPiEisMYbEcaXfiicpjI0/w300-h400/IMG_4379.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>This phenomenon only seems to appear in the congested clumps, I do not notice random single snowdrops lying around, which is what leads me to think they are being pushed out because they are too many? Are they sacrificing themselves for the greater good or making a break for freedom? Is this fatricide (Galanthucide)??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJCtvMa6RceFIeSrQf6t0YXk6H8-0-66NKfwvJGjyiKxYoIGkRf-l4OCw0IuYqCsi1yg902IXPdquxBxgJ7F-dXcE6HY3o0sSqiTViT21tVXUS8EwBFcdsYCydcqZLNmWTm8rEOK_sZx9Dy7jHxj0lmBjq-W132UfCFzrn1POJxMTHnaX0NClRdfWxDI/s4032/IMG_4382.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJCtvMa6RceFIeSrQf6t0YXk6H8-0-66NKfwvJGjyiKxYoIGkRf-l4OCw0IuYqCsi1yg902IXPdquxBxgJ7F-dXcE6HY3o0sSqiTViT21tVXUS8EwBFcdsYCydcqZLNmWTm8rEOK_sZx9Dy7jHxj0lmBjq-W132UfCFzrn1POJxMTHnaX0NClRdfWxDI/w300-h400/IMG_4382.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>I do carefully lift them out and replant them. This means they are not lost and does help thin out the clump too. I try and make a note to go back and divide these specific clumps once the flowers are over. The mystery is that this only seems to happen in this part of the garden. I have snowdrops growing throughout the garden and particularly in the Wild Garden where these clumps are. If it is due to congestion then why does it not happen in the other large clumps?<div><br /></div><div>or is it just pigeons after all??<br /><div><br /></div><div>Any an<span style="font-family: inherit;">swers gratefully received.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind<i> </i></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div></div></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-36722512475919073452024-01-10T19:19:00.000+00:002024-01-10T19:19:05.269+00:00Cold<p>It is cold, we have reached the minus temperatures at night and the barely above freezing temperatures during the day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxBJnr6qiBOm47r6e0ZhoPY5dou3TtxkWJwHgg-8-lOaB_dROOQ28O72HeQu9fsIAWibwHm_o5p_hWpIb6NSSamjifHZy8j-htkz98c_tk5VlvmjvlsXXUFSHc9Ln247XTofddmRSZJPVIEf7-R4KPS_fcpwkyJf6isT9KurGQXqNzEhlrPsPVvQXuNk/s4032/IMG_4426.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxBJnr6qiBOm47r6e0ZhoPY5dou3TtxkWJwHgg-8-lOaB_dROOQ28O72HeQu9fsIAWibwHm_o5p_hWpIb6NSSamjifHZy8j-htkz98c_tk5VlvmjvlsXXUFSHc9Ln247XTofddmRSZJPVIEf7-R4KPS_fcpwkyJf6isT9KurGQXqNzEhlrPsPVvQXuNk/w400-h300/IMG_4426.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>I know, I know: what we think of as cold here in the mild East Midlands of the UK is not what is experienced in colder climes, but for us it is cold. For us it is the sort of temperature that is referred to as 'too cold to snow'*. It is well known that it has to warm up a bit for snow to fall and as I am sure I have said previously, I usually expect snow from the third week of January to mid February. Of course it can happen before and after that period, but my garden journal tells me that is usually when we get the most snow. <div><br /></div><div>In the meantime the garden is frozen solid but at least we have had some sun, some much needed sun. The garden was saturated so now it is frozen mud, but it is not raining (hurrah) and it is brighter (hurrah hurrah). January and February can be such grey months that getting through them can feel like wading through porridge. We are rocketing towards 'Blue Monday' when allegedly a lot of people start to really feel the impact of returning to work following the Christmas break and just the general build of so many dark nights, short days and winter rain and cold. We have certainly had our share of winter rain so far this season!</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting through these wintery cold days when gardening is not possible is really hard. I can wander the garden and see what is developing, how the snowdrops are coming along and the start of the winter blossoms opening. This is good, this all helps. </div><div><br /></div><div>I sing(rap??) (badly, I only know the chorus) Ice Ice Baby (Vanilla Ice) as I listen to my crackly steps around the garden. I sing (badly, I only know the chorus) Baby its Cold Outside (Frank Loesser) as I don my woolly hat and gloves as I go out for a walk. The cats, snuggled in their favourite sleeping places, disapprove of such singing. They mutter things like 'and they accuse us of caterwauling' and nurse their grudges briefly before sleep overtakes them again. </div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoy the winter garden, for all the weather's cold and grey, the garden is what keeps me going. The joy of seeing bulbs emerge and watching the buds on the trees start to develop: all give hope that spring will arrive. The seasons take their turns and have their own reason and beauty. So bring it on Blue Monday, I am not going to say I will not feel blue but I will know that the day after is nameless Tuesday and then there is nameless Wednesday and so on. Day follows day, week follows week and whilst I have no idea what is waiting for me in those days I know that the garden is there to support <span style="font-family: inherit;">me. Thank (insert deity of choice) for that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">*and don't give me that 'it snows in the arctic at -40 nonsense, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">different rules apply.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-62334182680779709372024-01-07T10:37:00.000+00:002024-01-07T10:37:24.689+00:00Tree following January 2024 - ouch<p> I said I was going to do it and I have.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUX4kr1hidvpFzih8qB-66nWgxzs2vNONvQXUKGtrkbNRIe9icpm7x9ssCQCDUsicwfsunVHIISh7FxAH37Qh5KVt5tP4jj0XOBe0g52O5tlrEmEvTtNn-jak0_N6Z1vMmvYgJp6YqB3Jd5DVL76SUsLuD7qJUn_BW9UCWPELjp4CmtKz3l0vLZd2FXo/s4032/IMG_4410.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUX4kr1hidvpFzih8qB-66nWgxzs2vNONvQXUKGtrkbNRIe9icpm7x9ssCQCDUsicwfsunVHIISh7FxAH37Qh5KVt5tP4jj0XOBe0g52O5tlrEmEvTtNn-jak0_N6Z1vMmvYgJp6YqB3Jd5DVL76SUsLuD7qJUn_BW9UCWPELjp4CmtKz3l0vLZd2FXo/w300-h400/IMG_4410.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>There has been a pruning. There has been prunings. Quince Major and Quince Minor have been pruned.<div><br /></div><div>Now I am not going to say they have been pruned well, but I have tried my best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGQadMpyYRiNE-zT-uuguuzproCnTIrB6P_3_9zujEX0c0iZIwEtkzT8y_MvcLhBnkvbMDtam5LwD0yDVf1bhPnF2q38QzY1_AUkNyXffk3kX6f-Z-YK2JZb1_TdcPmv6kbDJNmvGZ8FodTnWccI8HzDn2rAiu1HEXtxo-pJ7XEjtb_DHeiBQtJt7zdI/s4032/IMG_4409.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGQadMpyYRiNE-zT-uuguuzproCnTIrB6P_3_9zujEX0c0iZIwEtkzT8y_MvcLhBnkvbMDtam5LwD0yDVf1bhPnF2q38QzY1_AUkNyXffk3kX6f-Z-YK2JZb1_TdcPmv6kbDJNmvGZ8FodTnWccI8HzDn2rAiu1HEXtxo-pJ7XEjtb_DHeiBQtJt7zdI/w300-h400/IMG_4409.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Quince Minor has had more of a tidy up, a bit of a zhuzh. Some crossing branches have been removed to enable Monty's imaginary pigeons to sail through the trees unhampered. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9LNIB6GOEzi1PRLGztE7YfHRjvjXNBOhQRVPVfg4TpCDGkk70X0aEsSUZPVS5EisV4DlAs3AGMx0vcSLfSK37SERAx0KrCzrQtdKslhQQOqLH7ksK02PEaydev7UMeec7PnfwoKX4BKQuw-TM4BHhZDGznNYbzCbTOwRebATU8A9qYcpb-Vf1hZsNgc/s4032/IMG_4408.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9LNIB6GOEzi1PRLGztE7YfHRjvjXNBOhQRVPVfg4TpCDGkk70X0aEsSUZPVS5EisV4DlAs3AGMx0vcSLfSK37SERAx0KrCzrQtdKslhQQOqLH7ksK02PEaydev7UMeec7PnfwoKX4BKQuw-TM4BHhZDGznNYbzCbTOwRebATU8A9qYcpb-Vf1hZsNgc/w300-h400/IMG_4408.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Quince Major (spot the Esme just passing through) has had more significant work. The tall leader stem has been halved, thus reducing the height by, well, a half. Now this was a risk as it is that leader stem that usually produces the quinces way up high. I might have scuppered any chance of a quince for years to come<div><br /></div><div>It turns out I have been <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/p/tree-following-2014.html" target="_blank">tree following </a>and documenting my quince quest for ten years this year which seems to be more about persistence rather than results. I could decide to choose a different tree for a new year but the Quince Brothers would not forgive me if I did. What chance would I have of reaching my quince dreams if I looked the other way? Unless of course they are shy and if I looked the other way they might produce! Choices choices...... I shall continue with the quinces this year and see where we end up. Will the pruning have helped or hindered.... time will tell.</div><div><br /></div><div>More follow<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed trees can be found under the stewardship of <a href="https://squirrelbasket.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Squirrelbasket</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-574800003825292845.post-72409070282323381982024-01-04T18:18:00.001+00:002024-01-04T18:18:27.851+00:00End of Month Review December 2023<p>I think it is fair to say that December was rainy. Gosh so much rain, rain that has continued pretty much unabated into the first days of January. I never expect to be in the garden every day, but it has been so hard to get into the garden at all in December. The rainy weekends in particular, the main time I have to garden, have thwarted my gardening needs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslh51PDGX6SAeVEXRkzLM5FktK2lABNsTRrRHYfxuqJLrl-Y6YF4Py36tTKgZwuMpWYrB7OmRqcNMBxJ7igEFbWey6p7ew32OYPgVzpsME3y9rj1dBx3eUGCiarHBOeP-pxZsqh_NcC-kznp4t-SbMUR_eiV66AZV97SqmUp3JoYG-C8iyG56ZnVVN0k/s4032/IMG_4386.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslh51PDGX6SAeVEXRkzLM5FktK2lABNsTRrRHYfxuqJLrl-Y6YF4Py36tTKgZwuMpWYrB7OmRqcNMBxJ7igEFbWey6p7ew32OYPgVzpsME3y9rj1dBx3eUGCiarHBOeP-pxZsqh_NcC-kznp4t-SbMUR_eiV66AZV97SqmUp3JoYG-C8iyG56ZnVVN0k/w400-h300/IMG_4386.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The cypress trees in the front garden would like a without prejudice conversation about having their tops cut off to make sure they do not grow too big. I have already had to do this once to them and luckily they recover their shape very well. Fond of them as I am, I cannot have them towering over the house and cutting out mine (and possibly my neighours') light.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPAjO47wKgwzN4fEb8ZK6gw9myL4t6WKG4BS7Y-iy1l1Dot1gtrLub0w3fb446nxa8-TAA5wSqhg6bntR8XnpXPHrJKsDdCzQCU340kTeDt34wd5BnOScREjoBYWpA-DTr9tkCd2NceToEu3wcBWCxmg7dUN-poIfT0fKfmHNrfRyOEbocOWB6XP34tE/s4032/IMG_4389.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPAjO47wKgwzN4fEb8ZK6gw9myL4t6WKG4BS7Y-iy1l1Dot1gtrLub0w3fb446nxa8-TAA5wSqhg6bntR8XnpXPHrJKsDdCzQCU340kTeDt34wd5BnOScREjoBYWpA-DTr9tkCd2NceToEu3wcBWCxmg7dUN-poIfT0fKfmHNrfRyOEbocOWB6XP34tE/w300-h400/IMG_4389.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>In the front lawn the first of the crocii are starting to emerge. I wonder if these are the ones that have evolved the ability to breathe under water? It might be useful if they did.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1dDbrfom2ODlF43Pzs-MI7XHhFSlJ4XGag-G5OwueXLjhp2nofJr1S4lFrK-LFgBqUJLND03FaEbvD2kkHofgcT0_JNjv3cBe41QRVAkmjAL12xYMcJF_ziMH2AP2nezqp9rjEIo128O3WR8qRleOFrLBbWP7TEpkBW2nAh8stw4i5NM7Pa1vPT1IJA/s4032/IMG_4390.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1dDbrfom2ODlF43Pzs-MI7XHhFSlJ4XGag-G5OwueXLjhp2nofJr1S4lFrK-LFgBqUJLND03FaEbvD2kkHofgcT0_JNjv3cBe41QRVAkmjAL12xYMcJF_ziMH2AP2nezqp9rjEIo128O3WR8qRleOFrLBbWP7TEpkBW2nAh8stw4i5NM7Pa1vPT1IJA/w400-h300/IMG_4390.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The Smell me and Dye Garden is looking wet. There has been some cutting back and pruning and I am looking forward to developing this part of the garden further this year. I really have to finish off the gravel paths, there is still a large bag of gravel waiting on the drive.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVNfOwaCw_YlbdyEQ-6s4Q2ahjpXjyFmHGL7ByE0i0gVpiot46zOaY_oxD43nKPIuVLRJY90VDEEnGDOWvrZQpdfQmRgNoOZOHVATC6DfmTPAxq8EGUUsitiG2HQWZgPj0oJNO6YErSF726IGUmSszvLVHTXXsskxkfHhCyp2jxItgX2XrcJOOrpISso/s4032/IMG_4392.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVNfOwaCw_YlbdyEQ-6s4Q2ahjpXjyFmHGL7ByE0i0gVpiot46zOaY_oxD43nKPIuVLRJY90VDEEnGDOWvrZQpdfQmRgNoOZOHVATC6DfmTPAxq8EGUUsitiG2HQWZgPj0oJNO6YErSF726IGUmSszvLVHTXXsskxkfHhCyp2jxItgX2XrcJOOrpISso/w300-h400/IMG_4392.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div><div>In the Courtyard Garden all is mossy and damp. The Camellia rosthorniana 'Cupido' has moved to further back in the Courtyard as I think she needs a little more shade than she was getting. She is also desperate to be repotted in the Spring and I have promised her this will happen. The <a href="https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2023/12/my-little-tannenbaum-is-celebrating-its.html" target="_blank">little Christmas Tree</a> has moved back to the side and is half relaxing/half sulking that its time in the spotlight is done for this season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7NWoJT3JwC8bpkr4ZJZ0HiTHtQD3fdG21YAjtUSTXrO55rNC7wEeI10W570fW-j45ETiwWfB3qjt2MLepIgO1Ii2gPzXzRt8Aqk5_fz4b21jjmWvM4vKsP8z2SPIbxIbkDjDXAwXHsb4kAkqVz2QwCR3hWLjR2NT23KtLh9RAwM-pGFOX38DWkXyKRY/s4032/IMG_4393.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7NWoJT3JwC8bpkr4ZJZ0HiTHtQD3fdG21YAjtUSTXrO55rNC7wEeI10W570fW-j45ETiwWfB3qjt2MLepIgO1Ii2gPzXzRt8Aqk5_fz4b21jjmWvM4vKsP8z2SPIbxIbkDjDXAwXHsb4kAkqVz2QwCR3hWLjR2NT23KtLh9RAwM-pGFOX38DWkXyKRY/w300-h400/IMG_4393.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>and the Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Red Dragon' is fattening up its buds and getting ready to flower. I bought this shrub last Spring and it lives in a container for now. It needs to get bigger before I risk it in the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML_JmEWhboz2P0kAB5Rwfu2C7SKaqdC6bXOCQdwWl2I1y1OJv60_MjzuygPsesFbcL-icP8NF7xRFYtnxa6xVKnTuZ3rmQVDk2vFQ0fX9CUIgxKl8vT8NL6Q2Eo95EHhg_C1BKVz3b1Ri3HtmcUvcl5bt2-vhyNxsBcKwMqyUx3gmVM3tOzxPQZ_IGxU/s4032/IMG_4394.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML_JmEWhboz2P0kAB5Rwfu2C7SKaqdC6bXOCQdwWl2I1y1OJv60_MjzuygPsesFbcL-icP8NF7xRFYtnxa6xVKnTuZ3rmQVDk2vFQ0fX9CUIgxKl8vT8NL6Q2Eo95EHhg_C1BKVz3b1Ri3HtmcUvcl5bt2-vhyNxsBcKwMqyUx3gmVM3tOzxPQZ_IGxU/w400-h300/IMG_4394.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>In the main garden all is very very squelchy, rarely if ever has the garden been this wet. You can press your foot into the lawn and water squelches up. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpOIkv-fKEFjGXEHHeA6d4yAkA13ZnOEjrOZHXzPW3c3vkn6w0bEEYcw1xQTV82nuKhxOg4DNpMCauw2MMDyp-p5W6siZ79HHXQvFLZImuIvpbrQeKdDAR68fXo2FO7dq3HwMJG50xhp5qj0m3JcZVeQJFTphNP5k55UpmANybs6JjYXRLrd6q_iAb2Q/s4032/IMG_4391.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpOIkv-fKEFjGXEHHeA6d4yAkA13ZnOEjrOZHXzPW3c3vkn6w0bEEYcw1xQTV82nuKhxOg4DNpMCauw2MMDyp-p5W6siZ79HHXQvFLZImuIvpbrQeKdDAR68fXo2FO7dq3HwMJG50xhp5qj0m3JcZVeQJFTphNP5k55UpmANybs6JjYXRLrd6q_iAb2Q/w300-h400/IMG_4391.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The moments I have grabbed to get outside I have used to start the rose pruning and other shrub pruning. This is really quite a therapeutic thing to do.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EOVaWdbWf6g5yoBjfGGeJmBOCx6mT7gGhvm5vO9hx-0qWPXcQ4XduSz8cxHUHAQFq8dhPUWXI_ie3GsUqXQD65LST3AM7Lwjz2irnD0lfXnyd6FQdN4XB4Fyrlk-2msjAqmy8TTnPVtcnqM-HlCCu7VrGlK2Yd4ew-CbjaFpsqyk_XGHofN7_zMRuDc/s4032/IMG_4395.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EOVaWdbWf6g5yoBjfGGeJmBOCx6mT7gGhvm5vO9hx-0qWPXcQ4XduSz8cxHUHAQFq8dhPUWXI_ie3GsUqXQD65LST3AM7Lwjz2irnD0lfXnyd6FQdN4XB4Fyrlk-2msjAqmy8TTnPVtcnqM-HlCCu7VrGlK2Yd4ew-CbjaFpsqyk_XGHofN7_zMRuDc/w300-h400/IMG_4395.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Snowdrops are appearing,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbkCrdcb5JcngH_AHv1lDhpciS0Yz7uYUzJlKobj8RxB3HRQDLxyV4HRimuOUP_gjLHIk1WkSnist0LBL9NnHdAZARJLaBUJvQSvQgdPAQ13sdY2f9wRKniCm8sNTieiZTm81-KstM3wM16TpWOnwLCGu8hYXl6ax0qZQeDq-35ctY0UgYOaXTY9KFYI/s4032/IMG_4396.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbkCrdcb5JcngH_AHv1lDhpciS0Yz7uYUzJlKobj8RxB3HRQDLxyV4HRimuOUP_gjLHIk1WkSnist0LBL9NnHdAZARJLaBUJvQSvQgdPAQ13sdY2f9wRKniCm8sNTieiZTm81-KstM3wM16TpWOnwLCGu8hYXl6ax0qZQeDq-35ctY0UgYOaXTY9KFYI/w300-h400/IMG_4396.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>some early, battered but undeterred primroses are peering into flower,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimminp6Y0pfuovgVkTPHsdijec8X3mlfsLRF1VJrcDpeXFES79VjMBQHo4MNZDmiLSx6PupCeHUgdig7fqLucrpj-pFySCQ55_-aXtA-_U8ANYGWq_pTB3H-PkEheXCw1LnNX8q10gXVGc434tYkSDjAHqXg1UUpVfbcjF4L9kOX_JRfqJvWUiNHAZ6j0/s4032/IMG_4397.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimminp6Y0pfuovgVkTPHsdijec8X3mlfsLRF1VJrcDpeXFES79VjMBQHo4MNZDmiLSx6PupCeHUgdig7fqLucrpj-pFySCQ55_-aXtA-_U8ANYGWq_pTB3H-PkEheXCw1LnNX8q10gXVGc434tYkSDjAHqXg1UUpVfbcjF4L9kOX_JRfqJvWUiNHAZ6j0/w400-h300/IMG_4397.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>and the first hellebores are starting to flower.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic96Pch5rsr5Yv35XcPqLvaQlj_b8J6w_ixx7xTpd-5YqOwL72RcVElAKlAqmke3i_Nu93MxI6yvlq7DHtdJItDcdq9MvluR_bs7ltu1mm_PkQBcsV18quTYsLJXF0XGgEgNGFaST_0LB0QiTkPRFBOOJi55xhJ4zvwD0vvPj-LKRKUAtjJeHkvLspZhw/s4032/IMG_4399.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic96Pch5rsr5Yv35XcPqLvaQlj_b8J6w_ixx7xTpd-5YqOwL72RcVElAKlAqmke3i_Nu93MxI6yvlq7DHtdJItDcdq9MvluR_bs7ltu1mm_PkQBcsV18quTYsLJXF0XGgEgNGFaST_0LB0QiTkPRFBOOJi55xhJ4zvwD0vvPj-LKRKUAtjJeHkvLspZhw/w300-h400/IMG_4399.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Salix Mount Aso is starting its pink fluffy thing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJo0IkGIlZS9LwHz0eOhlGdCXaecKSK2-IIB7_OBuOyL0dC0WIbTr0MuAdAKKJoNh88jpooRqTETM8SRy0Pn8wfKNnStMwNDJNsbYAjtz5oMoZj3sjZJAnWx2UVbc8L61ydp4FfescH-QRqOkoxZve2RmBJ171U5_o-08DCEsvSQ45QaDKjsaXsrseT8/s4032/IMG_4401.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJo0IkGIlZS9LwHz0eOhlGdCXaecKSK2-IIB7_OBuOyL0dC0WIbTr0MuAdAKKJoNh88jpooRqTETM8SRy0Pn8wfKNnStMwNDJNsbYAjtz5oMoZj3sjZJAnWx2UVbc8L61ydp4FfescH-QRqOkoxZve2RmBJ171U5_o-08DCEsvSQ45QaDKjsaXsrseT8/w400-h300/IMG_4401.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>and in the Wild Garden the cyclamen are starting to flower well. You can also see some annual weed seedlings appearing - ignore them, I am, I am hoping the frosts will teach them a thing or two.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDvfkZgCyVVxgB2NQQB9s539LS6imdzdFV69cWm7O-2NMojQC6Xnpl9zW4mq5QMYOHqChaDxFN-8BQhlO8x6JGCAGuo1MXe44W03qXVHcuKJqpYzC03sl2zEvMSnZBDehUuBvqA-e7zHG9ICybVi8E0ohuR3Cs-yENShPuGEvIEZbPf8vDWccwHwFlcc/s4032/IMG_4403.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDvfkZgCyVVxgB2NQQB9s539LS6imdzdFV69cWm7O-2NMojQC6Xnpl9zW4mq5QMYOHqChaDxFN-8BQhlO8x6JGCAGuo1MXe44W03qXVHcuKJqpYzC03sl2zEvMSnZBDehUuBvqA-e7zHG9ICybVi8E0ohuR3Cs-yENShPuGEvIEZbPf8vDWccwHwFlcc/w300-h400/IMG_4403.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The Garrya elliptica is looking rather wonderful, she needs staking to be a bit more upright but I am really pleased at her sudden amazingness she has decided to be. The Pinus mugo pumilio by the side has also grown really well, I it has grown a good 10 inches, so I think she might leap up fast now that her roots have had some time to really settle.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeFfVWwch_doyv6gNOcKnpYoqqNd18et2g8ytdZ3T7mRNYeNBE2rd0IGecVnNosPL0vzVYPyU4eB-JyLcsr1L-D-ZKe-Uq_Kznn7b0h50lu3SQZrWjXBf3L6YFbhCzVByWj5W0JVcS_RV_tbAHr6yt-phqLVibmGUhea52LNwx7GvNPmpoYmQdNpzuuI/s4032/IMG_4412.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeFfVWwch_doyv6gNOcKnpYoqqNd18et2g8ytdZ3T7mRNYeNBE2rd0IGecVnNosPL0vzVYPyU4eB-JyLcsr1L-D-ZKe-Uq_Kznn7b0h50lu3SQZrWjXBf3L6YFbhCzVByWj5W0JVcS_RV_tbAHr6yt-phqLVibmGUhea52LNwx7GvNPmpoYmQdNpzuuI/w400-h300/IMG_4412.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The large Edgeworthia chrysantha is laden with buds. This time last year the buds had been hit by an early frost that burned off almost all of them. This year she looks much better.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLYqURLW63bD2IFaM8S8ldz2Ivrk6bM0rjkfth5AJagkJKFtwusCCRt_AoGWxnjINofqG8gv5ShD8hjLRSPGdXcIQe0fHUs6E4txcnmdPtfpe_0YJs5oPM5oj-M4Bv4KbeJFOxU6zPQhYo_IB752TaHrnnf11Av8QRKi7ajz8zGSICnOuKdzlE06P6vw/s4032/IMG_4413.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLYqURLW63bD2IFaM8S8ldz2Ivrk6bM0rjkfth5AJagkJKFtwusCCRt_AoGWxnjINofqG8gv5ShD8hjLRSPGdXcIQe0fHUs6E4txcnmdPtfpe_0YJs5oPM5oj-M4Bv4KbeJFOxU6zPQhYo_IB752TaHrnnf11Av8QRKi7ajz8zGSICnOuKdzlE06P6vw/w300-h400/IMG_4413.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>The two Daphne Jacqueline Postills are also budding up nicely, impatient to get flowering and scenting up the garden.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LvJPEbmUXKpK8nmTAtNmPB7ayDpxVXZ5SSZDas0CNhCkEjDS2QKiMF8muSjvLL7cbHJl-w8bauW-IwkAEL96Ymlp7g4oUi2nynt8htG86hm92Bn2s1P6vb4eGZUO83PjRoD_2nsQXMy0L6ekeExEINYPPWaor7ymTNZFmWx4Jdw-tXytSYryMzMQdaA/s4032/IMG_4406.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LvJPEbmUXKpK8nmTAtNmPB7ayDpxVXZ5SSZDas0CNhCkEjDS2QKiMF8muSjvLL7cbHJl-w8bauW-IwkAEL96Ymlp7g4oUi2nynt8htG86hm92Bn2s1P6vb4eGZUO83PjRoD_2nsQXMy0L6ekeExEINYPPWaor7ymTNZFmWx4Jdw-tXytSYryMzMQdaA/w300-h400/IMG_4406.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>Hang on a minute, this is not the pond! There are puddles in the garden where there are not usually puddles, there is even evidence of a small stream running down the garden that has never been there before. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi8mlu1ezTvI7CKZNhKzSjmX_5eh_VFVNjpi4J5u4Y9d91-_R2YzNY_BYJhjNQmXR3J6c-qQSd0XSW2zHZDzxxCgxCgy8ad6cVO1QrbJjSLs3e3TOHoN8Jr2iCbsFeRCj9xSvAyaE4N-gLm3awjOz4bh-CEs8hfSrybNMjhqpFGAZSqM_UxkiJAgC72U/s4032/IMG_4407.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi8mlu1ezTvI7CKZNhKzSjmX_5eh_VFVNjpi4J5u4Y9d91-_R2YzNY_BYJhjNQmXR3J6c-qQSd0XSW2zHZDzxxCgxCgy8ad6cVO1QrbJjSLs3e3TOHoN8Jr2iCbsFeRCj9xSvAyaE4N-gLm3awjOz4bh-CEs8hfSrybNMjhqpFGAZSqM_UxkiJAgC72U/w400-h300/IMG_4407.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The pond that is actually the pond is of course full. If it was not full it would mean it definitely had a leak. <div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are about to hit a frosty few days so this mild mild December will soon be forgotten as we move into the colder days. A few cold but dry days would be welcome as they would enable the ground to recover a bit from the rainy onslaught. We can but hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take care and be kind.</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/papaver" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strike>Twitter </strike>X<strike> </strike></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryGarden" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackberrygarden/" style="background: transparent; color: #729c0b; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div></div>Alison Leveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15234997684400583491noreply@blogger.com1