My Garden Today
My Garden (Summer 2011)
Decked seating area
A view from a bedroom window - in 2011 we decided to paint our decking black and I think it works well. It shows off the planting and brings a contemporary feel - I love it!
Summer time!
I like this view of the garden. It makes it look deceptively large (it is not!) by leading the eye up to the white bench with just a hint that the garden carries on
Mirror Image
I've chosen this photo because it just shows how brilliant plants are - 6 years ago when we moved here there was n't a single plant in the garden - look at it now! The garden looks to go on further because of a mirror which I've placed on the fence.
Wildlife pond
Although it is only small, I wouldn't be without my little wildlife pond. It is incredible the number of frogs it attracts and these of course help with the slugs. The rose is Rosa 'George Best' - I fell in love with him when I was 14 and love the fact that I have him in my garden!
Hot Hot Hot!
This is a glimpse of my hot border which reaches its best in late summer. The red Crocosmia is 'Lucifer' and is a wonderful plant for its green foliage, the bright red flowers and the architectural seed pods which follow.
The winding path
This little cobble setts path leads off from the bottom lawn and invites you to explore the garden. The planting either side of it (the black stems are from the bamboo Phyllostachys nigra) helps to create an air of mystery.
Silver balls
This image makes me smile. The round flower heads of the Echinops 'Veitch's Blue' seem to mimick the silver balls of the plant stakes which I bought from Chelsea flower show in 2009.
The heart of the garden
For me, the heart of my garden is the main seating area where we have space for dining and relaxing. I'm not a great fan of seating areas immediately outside the back door because you tend not to venture further into the garden. I love being surrounded by plants when I'm sitting outside. Privacy was a big issue for me when we moved in (the price of living on a modern housing estate) and so standard trees have been placed on and around the decking which add height and make it feel lovely and private.
There is always room for a veggie patch!
Although my garden is not large and is crammed full of plants, I've still found room to squeeze in a small veg patch. It's so easy to grow runner beans and cabbages and they taste wonderful fresh from the garden and you get a real sense of achievement. I also grow potatoes, carrots and parsnips but these are in large bags/pots because of lack or space and my heavy clay soil. Give it a go - you'll be pleasantly surprised!