Creating a plan

 

 

Trying to take photographs in such a small space is difficult. Here's another view of the border, taken from the dreaded point, looking back west, towards the house. We've inherited a fantastic jasmine, which over two years has really taken off. It's currently growing over a small garden shed in the corner (I suspect that it used to be the outside lav; I can just see Dad sitting there reading the Daily Mirror). Both it, and the barred kitchen windows are going: French windows (in a vaguely 1840 ish style) are going to replace the prison-like windows, so that they open out onto a small terrace, which will lead onto steps made from London brick. To give room for the new French windows to open properly, we're going to demolish the shed, and rebuild it the other side, underneath the ironwork steps.

The clipped topiary box ball is staying. At the moment there's a manky climbing rose (unknown variety), which has been planted far too close to the jasmine. It's actually a rather lovely colour (a deep red), and I suspect it may even be an old variety, but it ain't happy- has bad black spot, the leaves are turning yellow and falling off. I think it has to go. In the foreground, is another inherited unidentified rose climber. Again, nothing especially wrong with it, as such- it's a subtle creamy pink colour, but it's got the dreaded blackspot, and the flowers seem to be stunted. I'm probably going to rip it out and start again. I've already dug up another rose, which had been planted just behind the topiary ball. I suspect this some form of hybrid- it seemed to be disease resistent, and enjoyed vigorous growth- all good things, but was a nasty, bubble-gum pink colour. I'm delighted that it's gone. It was a horror.

 

Here's a photograph of the Marsh Spurge (Euphorbia palustris)- or at least, I think that's what it is- I've brought from my previous garden. It's currently in a terracotta pot- and seems to be reasonably happy, although the bottom leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. I've been feeding it like crazy. Unlike most euphorbias, being a marsh plant, it likes, or tolerates, damp, moist conditions, so I don't think that I am overwatering it. During the spring, you get fresh, lime coloured flowers. In the autumn the stems turn an interesting red/brown colour. It's slightly more unusual than the Euphorbia wulfenii. It's going to stay.

The brick wall in the background is in desperate need of re-pointing. I quite like it. There are decent Victorian bricks at the bottom, but the top half is built from modern, mass-produced bricks which don't do anything for me. I'm very tempted to paint it white. And as there's shade from four o' clock onwards, this would be no bad thing. But I'm not sure that reds will work especially well against it. Blood and Milk. It's not a good combination...

Comments

[Online GED]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic… Thanks and keep up the good work

[Gustavo Garcia]

I really love you garden! The contrast between the brick wall adds so much character to this garden. What kind of plants are those?--Thank you for putting an emphasis on the wonderful reward one can get from gardening.

Thanks
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