Eastern promise

East garden daff workAh the delicious tingle of the bramble scratched arms in the shower. I hadn’t planned on getting skewered by wayward strands of prickles; but they were in the way of the wildflowers in the garden just above the pool. Having taken Andrew advice, all the spent flowers came up this afternoon. And hopefully the seeds will resow in the rich soil underneath. I came across some welsh poppies that are still growing, a few cornflowers, and one last poppy. I left those, but the rest went onto the compost heap. And I managed to snag myself (flesh first) on some brambles that were lurking underneath.

No pictures. It looks a tip still. I need to rake. But I ran out of time. Have a photo of my main garden work instead. In with the daffs.Daff box

The entire east garden should be full of promise next spring. I have planted 100 (well closer to 300 as I found so many small bulbs connected the mother bulb) small cupped narcissus Poeticus Recurvus in the bank below and along from the fig tree.

Phormium detailIt took hours. As even though the soil was soft, I kept getting distracted by small bramble patches. Had to dig those out as I went along. But the sun was shining and it was glorious to be back in this beautiful part of the world.daff planting

Other plants into the ground today included some Helenium Moorheim Beauty from Knoll Gardens. I know they look rather naff right now. But I need to put some pebbles around them to stop them getting accidently strimmed. I planted them just behind the Pannicum Squaw and hope they get enough sun there. We shall see.

Helium plantedThe other treasure I brought out on the train (and believe me, it was a graceless dash across Paris as the Eurostar was delayed in the tunnel) was a Phormium Alison Blackman. I just couldn’t resist the colouring of green and pale gold. Not the Australian colours, more a khaki green. And it does look rather sweet next to the anemanthele lessonia crop nearby. Well that’s the effect I’m trying for. With luck it will bulk out, and not get felled by the first frost.Phormium planted

Planters paintingAnd what of the boxes all over the courtyard? They are destined for the tulips. I was positively laden this trip: out came some green paint that should look just like Farrow and Ball Saxon Green, but is masquerading as Leyland paint mix Viking Green. Similar? I think so. A bit paler. But I don’t think the style police will slap my wrist. IT was half the price.

Tomorrow I will do another coat. And touch up the planters in the courtyard that house the roses; they have had a rough summer of mass watering and are looking worn.

Mulched east gardenAnd then to finish the day I went back to the east garden to mulch all the plants in the lilac bed: the asters deserve it as they have flowered their stems off for months and months. And the sedums are just turning an interesting shade of rose.

Dinner tonight – fresh beans and rocket salad with couscous. And dessert – why figs of course. I am glutted with the juicy beasts.September fig