In The Garden
Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
If only I had more time to devote to the garden In winter I pour over magazines and visit gardening sites dreaming of sunny days.
Each Summer I have great plans to spend more time in the garden. At the weekend when the weather is fine, I do just that. During the week when my working day starts and the sun shines, I am so tempted to drift out of studio and forget my work As always, reality hits in, commissions become ever more pressing and dead lines loom! I am reminded of my school days in summer, gazing out of the classroom window wishing and daydreaming wanting to be part of the sunny carefree days.
Every year the Village I live in has an open garden day. I have been asked over the years if I would take part. I have always declined saying it is not finished and I have better plans and who would want to visit etc…etc… This year I said yes! - Nightmare the slugs became enemy number one, I took to stalking them at night, with torch in hand, trying to prevent them eating my “Miss Bateman” clematis and other newly budding beauties. I worried about not enough rain, too much rain, too hot The open day arrived and I flung open the french windows of the studio for the drifting visitors, and loved the whole day.
Would I do it again next year ….the juries out …
Here are a few images of my first open garden - not the Chelsea flower show but such fun !
July 24th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Your garden looks beautiful Marilyn and I’m sorry we were not able to come on the day. I think you should definitely open again next year. I love all the pots, they add so much colour to the garden and can be changed throughout the year. Well done!
July 24th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Hi Marilyn, gorgeous garden and wonderful pix, especially macro shots.
Just wish we could have seen it for real.
Ciao Laurie & Maggie
July 26th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Hi Jane
Maybe I will consider opening the garden again next year but I need at least 9 months to think about it!
The upside to opening your garden is you stand back and envisage possible little changes for next years garden.
The pots I love to work with, as they change with each season and can be moved around to create visual interest. The lilies are in flower now and look very striking. Thank you for your comment Jane.
July 26th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Looks great Marilyn. Judging by this, you should defiantly do it again next year! I really like that last photo, we need to get that on a card…! xxx
July 26th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Hi Laurie,
Taking close up photos of flowers can be such fun, i appreciate the detail of each plant far more once I zoom in. I think we often miss the incredible beautiful complexity of a flowers formation.
Thank you for your kind comments Laurie .
July 26th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Hi James
I think I will leave photographic imagery for greetings cards to the experts…but thanks anyway .
June is a beautiful time of year - maybe I should publish the 2009 Christmas garden shot as a seasonal contrast.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
At last, you did it!! The garden looks absolutely stunning and I bet it was a really fun day and one I would have loved to have seen. The curved border by the trellis has filled out wonderfully, must have been all that ruthless pruning we did each year!!
xxx
July 26th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Yes, Tina - and you moved just when I could have done with your skilful pruning. I have further plans on new planting for next year so hopefully I will start a new shade plot with hostas & ferns. I will keep you posted.
July 27th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Hi Marilyn!
Looks great!!! Thank you for the opportunity of the virtual walk through this wonderful, green and very unique garden. Especially I liked the cozy place under the umbrella and the dainty flowers in that blue pot!
July 27th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Hello Dmitry,
So nice for you to visit my English summers garden from Russia. I understand you are having a very hot summer this year. A shady spot under an umbrella with a nice cool icy pimms in the tranquility of a summer garden is what we all need sometimes.