Cautleya spicata
I’m not really a summer person nor for that matter a winter person. I am much happier in spring and autumn as I prefer the weather and the way nature changes so dramatically during these seasons. I have found in recent years that around this time of year I start to lose interest in the garden and it becomes more of a chore than an enjoyment. Strange I know given all the work I put in to make the garden look lovely. In the past this has bothered me but this year I am accepting my eccentricities and enjoying more of my other interests.
Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern)
Instead of spending the day gardening I am spending an hour or so in the evenings or earlier during the day and then retreating indoors or sitting reading in the garden and I have to say that I am realising that this is far so enjoyable than my usual manic approach to things. Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
This weekend has been wonderful and refreshing. I had no plans to be any where or to do anything. I spent some time on Saturday cutting back early summer perennials such as Aquilegia and planting out, somewhat belatedly, a few annuals. I have little space for annuals now and I don’t think I will even bother sowing them next year as it has become quite a challenge finding homes for them.
I am fascinated with how the geraniums have grown taller up amongst the other perennials rather than low and floppy. I am sure that someone who knows more than I do about geraniums will say that it depends on the cultivar you are growing however I am sure that some of these geraniums weren’t as tall last year.
I think this is what you might call ‘cheek by jowl’ gardening and I doubt it is sustainable going forward especially when you think I only planted the border up last year and this spring. I am determined not to diminish the impact of the border by over jealous tidying and thinning, my usual approach, so will need to practice a more measured approach.
Anthemis tinctoria ‘Sauce Hollandise’
Then another hour was spent sorting out plants to enter into the AGS show in a couple of weeks time. I find sitting and carefully picking over a plant, removing old or damaged leaves and flowers very relaxing. I am hoping to enter six classes in the Novice section and I have thirteen plants potted up and ready to choose from. Ideally you want plants that are in flower, unless of course it is a foliage category, and I so I am hoping with a range to choose from I will get lucky.
Aside from gardening I have had a happy time finishing off a sewing project, reading and knitting and enjoying the view from the patio.
