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I mentioned on an earlier thread that Bob Tridgett and I are creating a back to back show garden for RHS Tatton Show. Today was day 4 of the build and (with fingers firmly crossed), so far, so good. The backdrop is up, the paving is laid and we delivered
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Before I forget, below are some shots I took at Great Dixter last week. I don't quite know what it is about the place - the way the various garden elements wrap around this gorgeous house, the vibrancy of the colours, the carefree attitude to paths and access
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Boy it's a long way to Great Dixter from here. Still, a fruitful, brief stop at GW Live at the NEC produced two lovely Aeonium 'Zwartkop' from Chris Cooke's reliably interesting nursery stall, and it broke the journey up nicely. I've been
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We are in the middle of a spell of perfect summer weather with warm sunshine, a soft breeze, blue skies and swallows skimming over the meadow. The huge honeysuckle in the crab apple by the house is sending waves of sweet scent through the garden and sound of birdsong is
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...Especially for you, Dad, since you like them so much! Raspberry Queen Helen Elizabeth Goliath Group a huge orange - to be identified. Mrs Perry.
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The Oriental poppies are out in all their devastating silk-ballgown gorgeousness. First off was the un-named double crimson in the scree garden in perfect partnership with the silvery Pulsatilla seedheads. Next up was the huge single orange near the stock bed, with flowers almost a foot across - but they
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Mellor lies to the south of Manchester, on the edge of the Peak District. To passers-by, it is one of many lovely Peak-fringe communities, stretched out along an old coaching road with its fine pubs, select shops and lovely houses. But Mellor is special. Every four years, many of its
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Today's photography workshops by Andrew Williamsgave me a rare excuse to get my camera out and tag along. Needless to say I not only came away with some very good tips on technique, but a 'wish list' of kit. Top of the list is a Benbo
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I've been asked again and again what this little red and yellow flowered clover-like plant is. I'm expecting it to be something very common - but I can't identify it! Brian? Anyone?
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We've had no rain for over three weeks, but change is finally on it's way with showers forecast in perfect time for the bank holiday weekend. Perhaps even stranger, the wind has been from the east for almost the past two months. IT's so
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No time to grab the camera despite the gorgeous light. May's sunshine has brought a flood of group visits, photography days, streams of visitors and plants flying out of the door at a rate of knots. I've been frantically restocking the tea room with clean mugs,
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Shed envy is a terrible thing. I had three big ones and Dave had none and it just wasn't right. Nowhere to put his bike, tools (to keep them out of my reach!) or fishing rod he would use if he could only find the time. So I