Seasons of change....

I always seem to start my posts these days apologising for taking so long to add articles to my blog - I really don't know where the time seems to be going other than on continually trying to keep on top of the ongoing growth spurts that the gardens I care for as well as our own seem to be taking on this year! Normally I tend to tackle the job of hedge cutting towards the end of June, but they're ready to be done already and we're not even at the end of May... added to which I'm sure a lot of plants are out considerably earlier than normal too - I'd be interested to hear from other people on their experience this year.

I've got a number of postings to add which have been in the pipeline and am going to start off with a series of pictures from my recent walks around the countryside here - it really is beautiful and so much to see - it's worth taking time to appreciate even the smaller things like this Bumble Bee attempting his early morning acrobatics and not just the bigger picture - the bigger picture is important too though - don't get me wrong!

Wild Roses are just on their way out now and with their open blooms and bright yellow centre a real target for pollinating insects!

Fields of meadow buttercups are a rare sight these days and quite beautiful in the sunshine we've had here this week - in addition the wet weather we've had on top has created perfect growing conditions!
The increased rainfall we've had this year has been perfect for these Irises which are thriving along the stream banks and ditches - these seem to be a favorite of all the dragonflies that are currently around but I've not managed a picture of one as yet.

Hogweed for all it's failings as a danger to us when strimming ( see my previous posting on this) it's a wonderful landing pad for many wonderful insects - so these plants aren't all bad!

My last picture is of the beautiful Hawthorn blossom which is just everywhere at the moment, but as you can see this one has turned from white to a pinky colour indicating that it has been pollinated and will carry berries in the autumn - something I learnt from one of my favorite blog sites - Cheryl's blog - you never stop learning do you and thank you Cheryl!!

Watch out for Hogweed!

I keep meaning to add a posting about Hogweed or Cowparsley to my blog site, following the rather unpleasant after effects that I had after strimming in a client's garden where this was growing.

I thought I'd covered up quite well and with the use of a face guard too I'd not bargained for the horrible blisters that you can get when any of the plant or it's juices from the stem touch your skin... so if you've got this in your garden and are wanting to strim - do take extreme care!

In summer it produces large white umbrelliferous flowers!

In between the April showers...

The weather today has gone from one extreme to another - very stormy and wet with hail stones, thunder and in brief patches, beautiful warm sunshine... so at least I've been able to catch up with some jobs needing to be done in the garden as well as update my blog!

We have an area of mature woodland which includes a number of hazels which come in very handy for making supports in various forms in the garden - equally good for plants as for supporting climbers in the vegetable patch!

We inherited many beautiful plants when we moved here - I'm still discovering new ones as they find the space to emerge as we continue clearing away brambles, couch grass, and ivy in the main. I've got a small area of Peonies which were planted very near to a Lilac and as a result the Peonies are always straining for the light (the lilac considerably bigger now than when it was planted!) and with wet & windy weather once flowering begins, the beautiful flowers very quickly go over, so this year I've constructed one square and one triangular support to prevent them from flopping over! Time will only tell if this does the trick! I've also used the Hazel for supporting the Runner Beans that are currently being brought on in the greenhouse - they won't be ready to plant out for another few weeks yet.

On a last visit to the vegetable garden this afternoon, I spotted a slow worm basking in the sun - they're great for the garden and should not be confused with any form of poisonous snakes!

Glimpses of a Brittany Garden!

Sorry there haven't been many recent postings - the time of year with too much to do outside and no time for anything else! A wet Monday morning here in Brittany finally allows the time to add something to my blog...

This last weekend has been glorious and the warmer weather has certainly brought many plants into flower, with the first of my Oriental Poppies and Cranesbills out now, not forgetting some of the Aqualegias too. We have had swallows around now for the past 2 weeks and I even heard the first cuckoo three days ago! I don't know if anyone else has had this experience today but discovered that a wren has started to rebuild one of the swallow's nests in the barn - despite having two wren's nests to choose from in the same building - not sure what the swallows will think about that when they return to nest build!

The colours of spring are raphidly changing with most trees other than the Walnut now in leaf and many birds starting to build nests too. I did happen to noticed a number of juvenile thrushes in our woodland whilst out for a walk over the weekend so Mr & Mrs Thrush must have started early - do hope they'll hang around as they're great to have in the garden to keep the snail and slug populations down.

Cornwall's best...

For anyone who's not visited any of the Cornish gardens in spring - it really has to be something on your "To Do" list - they can be described as nothing less than spectacular at this time of year in particular.

The gardens situated the furthest south that I've visited aren't far from Penzance - Trewidden and the National Trust garden - Trengwainton - unfortunately there wasn't time to see these this time but thought I'd give them a mention here anyway as they're fabulous!

Moving up towards Helston direction another favorite is Trevarno which I did go to - I particularly enjoyed the kitchen garden where I did get the chance to have a lengthy chat to the gardener there who has all sorts of interesting ideas with planting and providing support to plants and natural archways for his sweet peas - a progressive area and one that has changed quite a bit over the last few years.

The other gardens we managed to get to this time round was Caerhays - with its magnificent collection of magnolias. It's set right by the coast and for those of you who enjoy a good walk there's a fair bit of up and down in this garden with some stunnning views.

Burncoose Nursery and Gardens was also well worth a visit - I must admit I spent most time in the nursery- they've got a fantastic selection of plants and the roses in particular are very good value!

We also managed the National Trust's garden at Trelissick which was lovely, but not one I think I'd rush back to but was definately worth seeing though.

The other two which are always interesting at most times of year are both the National Trust's Glendurgan garden and Trebah - both valley gardens on the Helford River - they are similar in some respects but I'd recommend going to both.

Last but not least is Trewithen - another gorgeous garden - full of natural planting - wonderful Camelias and Azaleas as well as an interesting house which is also open to the public (I must admit I haven't been inside myself -although I've heard good reports).

There are many more that I'm planning to visit on our next trip which I've not been along to yet - but hopefully this should keep you going in the meantime!

I also wanted to mention a couple of excellent self catering places to stay - a wonderful cottage right near the coast near Porscatho - within striking distance of Caerhays, Heligan and the Eden Project - Rosevine Farm - lovely owners who are really keen to promote everything "green" - extremely comfortable cottages with everything you could want in a holiday home. For those wanting to stay nearer to the Helford River and be within easy distance of Trevarno, Penzance, St Ives and also the Lizard peninsula - Higher Bowgie is brilliantly placed too, equally great and also very comfortable.

ENJOY!

Stop Thief!

Well... finally I find some time to post something on my blogsite - recently there just hasn't been a lot of spare time, so many thanks for bearing with me!

A couple of weeks ago I felt very pleased having just sown 2 trays of one of my favorite summer flowers - Sweet Peas. I put them into small pots - 4 seeds in each, all of which I'd pre-soaked in cold water the night before which really helps with the germination process. I got this advice a few years ago when having difficulty in getting seeds to germinate and it really does help!

Anyway - 2 days later went into the greenhouse to check on them to discover that something had been in and had dug out every last seed... I was gutted..... all the shells had been discarded so the only thing I could think it could have been was mice... well I'm sorry to say that the culprit was caught! So it was back to the drawing board with another sowing - this time I covered the trays with propogating lids just incase there were any other hopeful thieving paws! I'm pleased to say that many of them have started to come through already so here's hoping for a lovely show of Sweet Peas this summer.

More Spring colour...

Well - I did promise you some more pictures of what's out and as I was working today, took some more whilst taking a breather in between arduous digging, and thought you might enjoy these!

Spring is such a fabulous month and after a month or two of dormancy in the garden it lifts my spirits to see everything coming to life again - the colours are amazing, some so delicate and yet others so vibrant - what more can I say to do them justice?