You know how everything builds up in spring to culminate in extravagant floral exuberance in May and June? By contrast July and August can seem a tad underwhelming in the garden. But a few summer troopers will lift the mood and keep the interest going. Here are six of my favourites to beat that summer slump: 1- Hemerocallis (daylilies) Producing classic lily flowers in sunny … Continue reading Six plants to beat the summer slump
Gardens Illustrated recently published a post on Facebook detailing things to do in the garden in December, with the headline that December is ‘a busy, optimistic month’ for the gardener. The author of the article, Rosie Fyles, is the head gardener at Ham House, England, where things may indeed be busy and optimistic. I have to say, in all honesty, it’s very cold, wet and … Continue reading December thoughts: Six on Saturday (04 Dec 21)
Who captured the feel of autumn better than John Keats, with his ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’? Well, we are not quite there yet, it’s a bit early for mist, and fruitfulness is a bit disappointing, as we’ve had very few apples and no grapes this year. But there is most definitely a mellowing of the light, which is to be welcomed, making the … Continue reading Six on Saturday: 04 Sep 2021: mellowing
Well that was an awful lot of rain. You will have no doubt heard about the floods in eastern Belgium and seen the devastation on the news. Towns that we drove through in spring when we went to that region for a lovely holiday have been reduced to mud, upturned vehicles and rubble, it’s quite astonishing. Here in the centre of the country, perched on … Continue reading Six on Saturday: 17 July 21: Après le déluge
