The Ideas Genie Community Forum

Our Gardens => My Garden => Topic started by: Eric Hardy on March 24, 2009, 10:28:32 PM

Title: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 24, 2009, 10:28:32 PM
For the moment I will just load a few flower photos taken from January to April in our house and garden. These are from previous years I have not taken many this year. Later in the year I will post summer and autumn flowers.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/383794840_c08889456d.jpg)
Winter Jasmine (Jasminium Nudiflorum)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2175077763_5ba729a22e.jpg)
Orchid

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3324849297_eb274dccea.jpg)
Crocus Tommasinianus (?)

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/416557259_0df9002884.jpg)
Crocus

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2396/2194842071_0ae20f2bbb.jpg)
Lily

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/115483417_3f82747da9.jpg)
Lily

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/125127428_27af8dfac0.jpg)
Hyacinth

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/39/123331963_f83023cc5e.jpg)
Hellebore

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/140338918_31bbf2f36d.jpg)
Narcissus

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/11/125127429_dc12434ee9.jpg)
Daffodil

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/132522417_5d25ac5287.jpg)
Narcissus

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/125127431_6d29dab12a.jpg)
Daffodil

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/132522396_18d89d61e1.jpg)
Snake's head fritillary

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/132522449_676c01f2ce.jpg)
Magnolia Stellata

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/140338829_0fe9b86d8c.jpg)
Magnolia x Soulangiana

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/140338743_443daad22b.jpg)
Magnolia x Soulangiana

I hope you enjoy them

Eric H

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on March 24, 2009, 10:39:46 PM
A lovely set of photos again there Eric, beautiful detail.

Do you have any names to go with each of them?

I recognise a few but not all of them.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 25, 2009, 07:48:58 AM
Thank you Laurie.

As you know I joined this forum via Bank Genie. I am not a knowledgeable gardener when it comes to names. My father was the opposite, he knew the latin name of every plant in his garden, but I didn't inherit that knack  :(. I have done my best to add some names to my post but, although I know "Narcissus" covers them all I cannot name them. One with a small cup I call a narcissus and one with a large cup I call a daffodil . A lily is a lily and an orchid is an orchid and that's about it!!  I suppose if I had got involved with this forum years ago (had it existed) I would have documented our plants more efficiently. I haven't installed Plant Genie on my computer, do you think I should? Would it help?

If you can tell me more about any of the flowers I have posted I will gladly add the detail.

Eric H

PS Anthea is better at names than I am. The trouble is we are both getting a bit forgetful in our old age and a name that would readily come to mind a few years ago we struggle to remember :(

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on March 25, 2009, 08:00:17 AM
Thank you for doing that Eric.

Don't feel badly about not knowing all the names - very few people do anyway.  ;)  That could be a challenge to our members to name the ones you don't know.  :)

Kathy is more knowledgeable than I am, so I'm just getting 'into it' really.

I have learnt more from interacting on the Forum and also by using IG Pro.
Entering plant names into our database makes plant names stick in your memory more easily, because you're actually making yourself deal with them.

So, to answer your question - yes, I think it would be a good idea to install Plant Genie on your computer.  You can assign specific garden areas in the program and list the plants you have in each area.  Also, you can add your own photographs to your plant database for a visual reminder.
You'll then get a better feel for your plant names - both the Common Name and the Latin name.

George will be able to better guide you through any obstacles you may encounter during this process, but we're all here to help as best we can anyway.

Laurie.

P.S.  I can name Photo 13 for you - Snake's head fritillary.  Kathy planted this in our garden last year, but as yet we've not had a showing.  :(
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 25, 2009, 08:36:57 AM
Thanks, Laurie.

I had a feeling it was Snake's head fritillary but I didn't feel confident enough to label it as such.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 25, 2009, 10:00:26 AM
Abslutely exceptional photos, Eric. They are absolutely top drawer, and any professional photographer would be envious!
One (well a few actually) of my favourite plants included in that last selection - Magnolia stellata. The scent from that plant may be delicate, but it is one of the nicest plants for fragrance I know.

We are so fortunate to have the photographic expertise on this forum. Its a pleasure to visit and see new and exciting images every day!
Thank you for joining the team!

RE:
Quote
I haven't installed Plant Genie on my computer, do you think I should? Would it help?
I have a feeling you would really enjoy the Gardening Software. Ive sent you an email a few minutes recommending IG Pro, as it allows you to do - well, just about everything.

I forgot to mention in the email that you a copy of the Master Database of Plants and Gardens is included with each IG Pro package.
It now has almost 36,000 plants and a couple of thousand photos, many of which have been contributed by members of this forum.

Keep up the good work with that camera! I'm looking forward to the development of this topic with photos throughout the seasons. What a pleasure that will be!
Thanks once again for sharing here.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 25, 2009, 10:14:08 AM
Thank you George  :)

I am most definiely going to pursue your suggestion of installing the IG Pro. In no time I will be pursuing you for help  :D

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 25, 2009, 10:18:30 AM
Thats great news Eric!

I can live with those pursue threats!  :)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 25, 2009, 11:45:33 AM
A bit off topic but I have just noticed that I am no longer a Newbie but have become a Junior Member  :) Just curious, what did I do for that to happen or is it just a matter of time?

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on March 25, 2009, 12:51:30 PM
Eric, your membership status changes on the number of posts you have made.

In your case, it's 50 or more to go from Newbie to Junior.

Your next goal is to achieve Full membership, which is 100 or more.

The final two are Senior and Hero Member, but I won't give those targets away.  Not that anyone would do so, but it could encourage 'silly' posts just to increase the post count required in each case, which wouldn't be in the spirit of the Forum.  ;)

Besides, it will be more fun watching and waiting.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 25, 2009, 01:13:13 PM
Thanks Laurie, I won't post just to up the number  :o but I suppose even this one counts  ;D

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on March 25, 2009, 01:14:40 PM
A nice little sneaky one there Eric.  I'll allow you that one.  :D

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 06, 2009, 01:01:35 PM
I originally posted this in the "Welcome, and intoduce yourself" thread but I thought I would copy and paste it here as it relates to our garden.

I thought I would like to show you the sort of gardening Anthea and I are interested in. We established this in a decaying orchard 53 years ago. One or two of the trees are quite old and others we have planted. You can see that we do not go in for neat gardening and leave wild areas to give shape to the garden. We like it to look natural but it is surprising how much work there is in leaving it "natural". It is just beginning to get a bit beyond us  :(

We limit our veggies and they are out of sight. Runner beans, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, lettuce, rocket and herbs we usually don't have problems with. Greens and root crops are never very successful and we have lots of pests.

We have roses round the front but the bed is now very old so we have problems now. I will post some questions about this later when I get a moment.

Here are a few pictures to give you the feel of the back garden.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3327505763_d6d48fb4c2_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3327505837_5bbc402490_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3327505925_9a2d415e66_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3328339854_6d1cd0826f_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3327505679_7946ca4292_o.jpg)



Eric H
Title: Mid May: An up date of what is in bloom in the garden at the moment.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 13, 2009, 02:59:51 PM
Mid May: An up date of what is in bloom in the garden at the moment. Some  of the shots were taken in other years but it seemed pointless to re take them. There are others that I haven’t recorded but as it is raining (hence my time being spent on the computer) I will not go out and photograph them just now ;D
You can tell the older shots taken with my Fuji because they have a 4:3 proportion. The ones taken recently with my Canon have a 3:2 proportion.

This year we seem to be more advanced. I notice that some of my earlier shots were taken a few days later than we are now but look pretty much as they are now.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3483752251_304c46a224.jpg)
Dicentra

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3504229667_274b366f5f.jpg)
Pulmenaria

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/3527602153_29d55a3f28.jpg)
Clematis Montana over the summer house with choisya in blossom on the right taken 10 days ago. The clematis is looking even better now.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/3528417944_9f14694e78.jpg)
Choisya  smelling strongly of honey

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/163070717_cda422743c.jpg)
Clematis Montana

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/146998240_bf809141f0.jpg)
Clematis Montana

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/154387991_5d8e094a27.jpg)
Lilac

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/72/154387443_a59a905506.jpg)
Ceanothus

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/171554384_6335fd6a20.jpg)
Rosa Cantabrigiensis

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3483744081_20135d3c75.jpg)
Buddleia globosa

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/154387599_fee0897b19.jpg) (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/154387780_bbab646df1.jpg)
Columbines grow almost like weeds but we like them (and of course some forget-me-nots, those that are not weeded up yet).

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 13, 2009, 03:21:06 PM
Your garden is certainly looking lovely and lush at the moment Eric.

Another great set of photos, of course.  :)

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 13, 2009, 06:25:22 PM
Thank you Laurie. It is getting almost too lush already.

After my last post it stopped raining so Anthea and I spent some time in the garden preparing a bed and planting three pumpkins and three squashes she had grown from last years seed. Before coming in I decided to take some more shots to supplement what I have just posted.

Firstly I thought I should post a more distant view of Rosa cantabrigiensis to show the type of growth. It grows quite tall. That is my little garden tool shed behind it.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/3528885476_7db16f95fb.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/3528881968_94e27e7dca.jpg)
Rosa ragusa drooping a bit after the rain

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3528066275_bdf629aed7.jpg)
These pansies seem to have been flowering for ages.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/3528864166_fb85d630bf.jpg)
We even have a lupin out. Not my favourite colour but at least it is in bloom. You can see it has just been raining!

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3528866580_e8a845b305.jpg)
Welsh poppies like to grow among our rhubarb!

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3528869278_bcbec8f985.jpg)
Ragged sailor with a nice hearts tongue fern coming up beside it

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3528058877_e7db122ca0.jpg)
Potentilla fruticosa ?tilford cream? planted this year in our dying rose bed. planted at Georges suggestion  :) Thank you George.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/3528061135_d779fa8ce3.jpg)
This is just to show why we don?t weed out all the columbines that seed themselves all over the place.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/3528874298_de956845bc.jpg)
My previous picture of a ceanothus was taken last year about two weeks later. This is just to show how well advanced it is this year.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/3528875854_782135f4b2.jpg)
We have white lilac out too

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/3528879960_485158d89d.jpg)
Finally this yellow plant, which is quite delicate, seeds itself all over the place. I forget it?s name but I think it begins with a ?C?. Any ideas?

I think that is enough for now

Eric H



Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 13, 2009, 06:40:51 PM
You've got a great selection of plants there Eric.

I like your cosy little tool shed, nicely disguised with all the planting around it.

The raindrops on the plants adds a nice little touch to the atmosphere of your garden.

I'm very impressed.

Oh, by the way, excellent set of photos too.  ;)

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 13, 2009, 09:29:20 PM
Thank you Laurie. My cosy little tool shed as you called it was a privy about 80 years ago. This was an old orchard when we bought it and built our house in 1955. There were the remains of a three room summer house and the privy was nearby. It was quite dilapidated so I made a new concrete base and my neighbours helped lift up the frame and relocate it. I re boarded it and retiled it. and it already looks quite old again. This is a robin's territory and there is a robin's nesting box on the back. I removed last years nest but I haven't peered in this year in case I disturb it.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 13, 2009, 10:27:55 PM
Your garden is weeks ahead of mine Eric.
Once again, stunning photos. What a delight to have siuch a beautiful range of plants.
RE: Potentilla fruticosa ?tilford cream?
Wow, that has made my day!
It looks like a mature specimen! and in flower already! 
Did you only plant it there this year?

Re: the yellow flowering plant beginning with C
Corydalis lutea?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 13, 2009, 10:51:01 PM
Your garden is weeks ahead of mine Eric.
I think we are two weeks ahead of normal, I don't know why. Taking photos each year gives a good guide.
Quote
RE: Potentilla fruticosa ?tilford cream?
Wow, that has made my day!
It looks like a mature specimen! and in flower already! 
Did you only plant it there this year?
Yes, soon after your recommendation we bought it from our favourite family run nursey/garden centre. We have been planting more in our dying rose bed. I will update later. I am off to bed when I finish this.
Quote
Corydalis lutea?
That's the one! I thought it was corysomething-or-other  :) Thank you

Goodnight

Eric H

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 13, 2009, 10:53:06 PM
Goodnight Eric.  Pleasant dreams.  :)

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 16, 2009, 10:02:56 PM
Three "first blooms" taken today: -

Cistus
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/3535749787_71e5afd98c.jpg)

Nelly Moser
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/3535761779_70b3c13157.jpg)

Papaver
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/3536577486_eff162a670.jpg)

Things are coming out apace. Lots of buds on various plants.

Eric H

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 16, 2009, 11:59:53 PM
Definitely a couple of weeks earlier than in my garden, Eric.
Lovely pics, and choice plants. Keep up the good work!

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 17, 2009, 05:38:06 AM
Thanks George. We seem to be a bit more advanced than usual this year. We are at about 600 ft elevation here and we have to go down a steep south facing hill to get to the valley 300 ft lower We are usually a few days behind them.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 17, 2009, 09:21:20 AM
I'm on a similar landscape, and Ive noticed that the daffodils are at least a week earlier at the bottom of the hills in either direction from my house. At this time of year I wish they would go away! Their leaves linger for what seems like an eternity and flop all over the place.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 23, 2009, 07:06:20 AM
22nd May and the Kolkwitzia amabilis (beauty bush) is coming into bloom. Judging by the buds it should be a good show.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3556143076_47978f7628.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3556144328_d25c0d419e.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3556145474_4b28926d2e.jpg)

Eric H


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 23, 2009, 01:10:57 PM
Excellent in every way!
Thats the three photos I like - the plant, the foliage and a close up.
May I use those photos in the Master Database Eric?
Ive checked, and the plant is in the Master Database (in the copy you have as well) but it has no photos linked.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 23, 2009, 05:27:27 PM
You may use them with pleasure George. Can you get them from here or do you need a link?

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 23, 2009, 06:17:19 PM
 George, your post reminds me about a query I have about the Database on the CD. Clicking on "A" in the Database Explorer and the list of plants comes up. The ones with (has photo) display a photo. Going on through B and so on (has photo) plants only show a cross on a blank rectangle. I am not sure why I am getting photos only at the beginning of the Database.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 24, 2009, 03:19:11 PM
Heres a couple of examples in the plants beginning with 'B' , 'C' etc
Banksia attenuata
Caladenia latifolia     
Dactylorhiza 'Fuchsii'
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'

Each of those should show a photo.
What happens with you?

Any other members able to see photos in B, C D etc oK?

Question:
Are you using the Master Database on DVD?
It should show photos. Even if youve installed it on your computer it should be fine.

If its a downloaded Master Database, it does not have photos.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 25, 2009, 07:25:01 AM
Thanks George. That is very strange though. now it is working up to a point. The CD has been in my DVD drive all the time and I hadn't removed it but those pictures you list do appear now and generally most of the pictures seem to be coming up but not all of them.
 I still find Echinacea pallida (with photo) does not show. I also find none of the yuccas or the omphilodes with photos show either. Neither of the washingtonias show nor the wisteria. There may be more but I have just been dotting around.

It should show photos. Even if youve installed it on your computer it should be fine.
Does this mean I can copy contents of the disk to my hard drive and use it that way? Another thought, if I copy the contents to my computer can I add photos?  :-\. That would be nice.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 25, 2009, 07:39:18 AM
One or two aquilegia shots taken in the garden yesterday morning. I was enjoying the way the sun was shining through the petals.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3562241164_0c734a6965.jpg)
I've just noticed that something has been nibbling a leaf!

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3561421411_e662ee918a.jpg)
Whoops, a forget-me-not has got into frame.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3561417693_f234024b8f.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3561419817_e685368835.jpg)

Eric H

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 25, 2009, 08:54:38 AM
George:

Heres a couple of examples in the plants beginning with 'B' , 'C' etc
Banksia attenuata
Caladenia latifolia     
Dactylorhiza 'Fuchsii'
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'

Each of those should show a photo.
What happens with you?

Any other members able to see photos in B, C D etc oK?
Apart from Banksia attenuata, Caladenia latifolia, Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' (these plants are not listed in my copy of the Master Database CD), I can see all other entries that says Has Photo.

I am using the original Master Database CD you sent me when we bought IG Pro.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 25, 2009, 10:42:38 AM
Does this mean I can copy contents of the disk to my hard drive and use it that way? Another thought, if I copy the contents to my computer can I add photos? 
I have just worked it out George. I have copied CD contents to my C Drive. I find that I can't add photos there but I can transfer plants to my main database and add the photos there. No need to respond now  :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 25, 2009, 10:54:54 AM
Thanks for that Laurie.
I'm working on the Master Database continually as you know. I'll send you an update!
One thing though. Ive worked through hundreds of photos sent to me on CD by Eric (Palustris) and have a CD's worth from Malcolm, partly processed.
If you'd like to contribute in a similar way it would be very much appreciated. I see loads of photos which you have posted and the majority don't have photos in the Master. Thats how it grows folk! All contributions welcome  ;)

Back to the Eric H "no-show" problem.
Quote
Echinacea pallida (with photo) does not show.
Check that one Eric. In the latest version of the Master, it doesn't have a photo and as such doesn't show as (Has Photo) in GA037

Now we get to what may be causing the problem.
Omphalodes cappadocica 'Cherry Ingram'
Omphalodes cappadocica 'Starry Eyes'    
Those two plants show up as (Has Photo) in GA037.
However, they have WEB photos, but not DISC photos.
I need to make an update to that program to make that distinction.  ::)

To see the Web photos, click to select the plant, click Edit (get GA100S36), then click Photos button
Takes you to GA004S15
Double click on a line.
Web photo appears
In both the above cases, you are connected to the famous Lyn and Malcolm website, created by the WPG program (GA032)
That process also allows you to see additional photos for plants (where applicable).

RE:
Quote
Does this mean I can copy contents of the disk to my hard drive and use it that way? Another thought, if I copy the contents to my computer can I add photos?  . That would be nice.
Well, Yes, Yes and Yes.
I'll post instructions later.






Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 25, 2009, 11:04:57 AM
If you simply copied the CD/DVD then theres a chance the folders and data files are Read Only.
If what the case you cant write to them.
The process I will describe will use the Restore program to install the Master.
Files will be Read/Write so you can add plants and link photos.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 25, 2009, 06:21:42 PM
If you simply copied the CD/DVD then theres a chance the folders and data files are Read Only.
If what the case you cant write to them.

Yes, that is what I did George. I am able to click the "copy" button in the database copied from the CD to my Drive C and send a plant and information to my own database. The photos don't transfer though. Once a plant is transferred I I find I can edit it and add my own photo.

Another query too, sorry.  I have put a wrong photo on the database and  want to remove it. I have tried but haven't discovered how.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 25, 2009, 07:22:42 PM
There are a number of ways to remove that image Eric.

If youve linked the photo to a PLANT.
Use GA037 (or GA004, GA027 etc)
Select the plant
Click Edit
Takes you to GA100S36
Click Photos
Takes you to GA004S15
Double click on line with photo
Takes you to GA100S20
Click the Notes about this photo tab (top right of window)
Click Unlink plant from Photo button

You can also do it with GA030. More later (gotta go visiting)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 25, 2009, 08:56:41 PM
Thank you George, that worked  :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 31, 2009, 09:35:06 AM
A few end of May blooms: -

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3578053371_87cc98b7c4.jpg)
Variegated weigela rubs shoulders with a ceanothus.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/3578383411_4b174c39ac.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3579192500_129df264bb.jpg)
Deutzia

Three irises, yellow, blue an white: -
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3578395641_d8bab26483.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3579200976_945858df13.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3581186240_b6e3dd1f9a.jpg)
I didn't spot the spider when I was taking this  :)

Eric H



Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 31, 2009, 10:00:40 AM
Exceptional photos once again Eric. Its great to have you on the forum!
You are too modest  :D Your garden is crammed with treasures  :)
Those are very fine plants.

When you posted the Weigela I thought - a yes, I know that one (I have it in my garden- one of my best and most reliable plants)
So I went to the Master Database and found I have two entries:
Weigela florida 'Variegata'     
and
Weigela 'Florida Variegata'   
Groan, here we go again - another duplication  ::) 
So, over a cuppa, I did a RHS button lookup.
They don't list the former, only the latter (and it has the coveted RHS-AGM) 
Ive always known it as the former so I got out my copy of the RHS A-Z encyclopedia.
It lists it as the former, so I was obviously correct at one time, before the botanists decided to change the name.
So, I will now go with Weigela 'Florida Variegata'.
Thanks for drawing my attention to that one!
   
I'd love to know the name (variety) of that Deutzia. Its a beauty.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 31, 2009, 11:09:44 AM
I'd love to know the name (variety) of that Deutzia. Its a beauty.
So would I George. Years ago we stayed in a B & B on the shores of Ullswater and the lady there had this growing in her garden. Anthea asked her permission to take two or three cuttings and this was the result. We have one in the front and one in the back garden.

Thanks for the encouragement too. What you can't see in my photos are the bits that need attention  :(

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 31, 2009, 01:28:11 PM
Luckily, the shrubs are pretty good at fending for themselves in adverse conditions (Like you, I speak from experience)  ;)

Anthea is quite a green finger, isn't she! Its extra special when you have grown plants from your own propagation methods.
As you say, the donor of the material doesnt always know the name of the plant, but if its a good one then that is not terribly important!
I'm sure someone on the forum will have suggestions  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 31, 2009, 05:59:13 PM
You've got some great looking blooms there this month Eric.

Thanks for sharing them with us.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 31, 2009, 10:41:34 PM
Thank you Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 04, 2009, 02:44:15 PM
Some early June shots in our garden.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3592815819_a8157ed42f.jpg)
Wild rocket in our wild bit. We noticed some growing by the wayside and noted the spot. We returned later and Anthea collected the seed and this is the result.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3593618454_dff70a0a9a.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3593611946_9bb87e38e6.jpg)
You may think this is a wild bit too but it is actually a tame bit  :)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3593604702_d64e71db43.jpg)
A pale blue tradescantia is just beginning to bloom

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3592796795_b74d1256b5.jpg)
And a dark blue tradescantia is coming out as well

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3592800437_2f3c1fc4b5.jpg)
Dianthus (can anybody give it a name?)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3595328488_1a37562e3c.jpg)
Yellow allium. (Just noticed that a bit of tidying up need doing here  :( )

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3594521239_3396f2e7b9.jpg)
Anemone

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3595322414_6a70467984.jpg)
This Hydrangea Petiolaris (climbing hydrangea) completely disguises our old stable.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3595325922_3f67148b5a.jpg)
And this Philadelphus completely disguises the old hay shed and is filling the garden with scent.

Eric H




Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 11, 2009, 09:27:23 AM
The wet weather yesterday seemed to bring the colours out. A few random shots: -

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3613591341_e32e118d53.jpg)
Delphinium

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3614420014_652dbb232d.jpg)
Wild geranium

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3614417760_d9d51ed57c.jpg)
Dianthus

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3613595795_cb965f828c.jpg)
Verbena

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3614405602_08188795fc.jpg)
Rosa "Fred Loads"

Eric H


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 11, 2009, 11:17:30 AM
Fantastic again, Eric.
Sorry for not responding to your 4th June posting. We were kinda having fun elsewhere on the forum, I guess and overlooked this.
Sweet Rocket
I love them. They seem to have always have been in my garden. They have self seeded into every possible part of the garden. They are never a nuisance as you know.
If they appear in the right spot, they stay, if not they are easy to pull up. I have been known to transplant the ones I pull up!
Once you've got that in your garden, its there to stay Eric. Let it go to seed of course!

Keep posting these fine photos. It makes my day  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 11, 2009, 04:59:48 PM
Sweet Rocket ..................................... Once you've got that in your garden, its there to stay Eric. Let it go to seed of course!
This is their third year. There were only about four plants to begin with so you can see they have seeded themselves already.

Quote
Keep posting these fine photos. It makes my day  :)
Thank you George, I enjoy sharing them. Anthea once said to me "You take all these lovely photos and nobody ever sees them" That was before Flickr of course. Now at least they are not all hidden away. I get a lot of enjoyment from looking at other peoples pictures too and I have learned a lot that way.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 12, 2009, 09:06:53 AM
Photos can cheer us all up and is the fruit of all our hard work and planning in the garden.
Long may flickr continue! Looking forward to the next batch of photos in the series!

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 18, 2009, 06:44:17 AM
In my post about our aruncus George commented on our hydrangea petiolaris which I explained grew over and hid our old stable. Here it another shot. The stable door is in the shadow. It is divided into two and our old mare used to put her head out of the top half and watch us in the garden.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3595322414_6a70467984.jpg)

What I didn't explain is that a lean to passage takes you from the front of the house to the stable and this is also concealed by an old honeysuckle. This was taken three days ago and smells beautiful.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/3631451659_f3dbbc897a.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3632246894_5b5b47a6d9.jpg)

It has been there such a long time the "trunk" looks like this  :)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3632122912_0fdac035f1.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 18, 2009, 01:55:43 PM
Yip, I know all about honeysuckle, Eric!
I planted one at the back of a border. It took off (running root) in the direction of the sun, found an electric pole about 6ft away and climbed up that. It liked it there, so put up more shoots. The planned "resident" was a rather nice Clematis. It survived the invasion and the two worked together OK.
The scent was a nice surprise when you get a whiff walking up and down the garden.
If formed a tangled mass, I couldn't get past it and that area of the garden was like a jungle.
However I sorted it out in two stages - last autumn (so I could get at my Chrysanthemum beds) and this spring (my son used that part of the garden for his vegetable patch).
Honeysuckle stump spared and runners dug up <phew>
Its sprouting again, so not sure whether to dig it out  :-\

Did you ever prune yours back?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 18, 2009, 03:54:28 PM
Yip, I know all about honeysuckle, Eric! ...........Did you ever prune yours back?
I always have to prune back around our back door every year otherwise we would never get out of the house :). That is why you see that bare "trunk". Over the lean to roof it is left to its own devices.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 19, 2009, 02:39:30 PM
Necessity is a fine thing!
It certainly is "trunk" proportions  :)
Looking forward to what comes to prominence next in your gardens.
You have a terrific range of plants, Eric and Anthea. I'm really enjoying your presentation.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 04, 2009, 03:33:06 PM
Photo's through glass: -  We have some plants that have grown so high up our walls that they are knocking at the first floor windows trying to get in  :) Both the jasmine and Rosa Mermaid are trying to get into our bedroom and Paul's Scarlet is making quite a good try to get into our little office. These photos were taken with the windows closed.

Rosa Mermaid. You can see the Common fuzzily outside.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3687346098_43a5ff22f1.jpg)

Rosa Mermaid
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3686544977_7ec226b34c.jpg)

Rosa Paul's Scarlet
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3686541907_6d84e21563.jpg)

Finally the jasmine. I told George that the scent pervades upstairs when the windows are open. He asked me how long the flowers last. I couldn't really answer that one. I have kept a note of the date he asked the question. I will answer it when I know the answer.  :)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3686542883_a114ea2595.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on July 04, 2009, 08:01:57 PM

I know Mermaid is a strong grower in my mothers garden, I am always cutting it back when it overgrows the path.

You must at times see some "wildlife" over the common from that window.

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 04, 2009, 10:32:53 PM
Yes, Malcolm, but not as much as there used to be. Muntjac deer are common in the woods and are often on the common too. There used to be plenty of skylarks but they have gone. Game birds are numerous. I think they know that they are safer here than on the adjoining Dashwood estate. There was a woodcock just outside our gate a while back. I haven't seen one before or since. We used to have glow worms and they have disappeared. Grass snakes and slow worms of course. Sometimes we find grass snakes in our little pond looking for frogs. Rabbits are common and our neighbour has a nightly visit at about 10 pm from a badger. He puts peanuts out on his terrace! He emailed me a shot he had taken only today. I  think there is never a moment when we can't see a red kite somewhere around. Anthea counted nine at the same time yesterday.

Here is a grass snake in our pond. I swear it was four feet long.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/185279736_c44091ccb3.jpg)

and here is the badger taken by our friend and neighbour snuffling the peanuts
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3687623333_21f43170eb.jpg)

Eric H

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 04, 2009, 11:45:48 PM
RE: (Eric H)
Quote
I will answer it when I know the answer
Thanks Eric! Good to see its flowering away for you.

I had noticed a number of plants climbing your walls to the upstairs windows level in previous photos.
It must be lovely to look out of an upstairs window and be greeted by such lovely flowers!
Great choice of plants! I have Paul's Scarlet and its a real good Rose. I made a mistake of planting conifers in front of mine (growing on a wooden fence). After quite a number of years the conifers had reached 10 ft and more. I cut them down last year, and Pauls Scarlet was still hanging in there, after years in the shadows. I'm now nurturing it back to its former glory. By sheer coincidence, I inspected it today and found it has produced a flower!
That wooden fence will now be put to good use. It gets full sun from early afternoon until evening. I say full sun, meaning of course when it manages to find a gap in the clouds in our Irish skies ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on July 05, 2009, 11:42:37 AM
I'm trying to catch up on some postings when I can Eric, and as usual you have shown us some outstanding photos.

Great to see the badger in your area, they can be very elusive little critters.  :)

I'm not so sure about that snake though.  :-\

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 06, 2009, 10:34:51 PM
Thank you Laurie. I am not sure how much time I will have for a while either. Having been retired since 1992 Anthea and I have been approached by a very good friend (the one who had the golden wedding recently) who insists we design a large house on an 8 1/2 acre plot in the Chilterns. A lovely opportunity. I have been on the drawing board for 10 hours a day, yesterday and today, and I must say am thoroughly enjoying myself. It is a bit like riding a bicycle, it is as though I never stopped.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 07, 2009, 10:23:33 AM
Its nice to be head hunted for jobs like that Eric! Dont overdo it with those 10hr days though!
What a talent to start a project like that from scratch :)
Has the design of the gardens been mentioned?

I hope you will find some relaxation time to play outside with your camera and pay us a visit here
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 08, 2009, 09:50:39 PM
Thanks George. I have had another busy day but am now relaxing on the computer for a few minutes before turning in. I took a couple of pictures a few days ago of a little shrub I was given in October 2006 as an 80th birthday present. For the life of me I can't remember its name. Can anyone help please? (reminds me of a little joke I told a few days ago  :))

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3701568143_3378c8be1a.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3701568535_b08b2f19e4.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on July 08, 2009, 10:20:36 PM

Is this the one Abutilon Megapotamicum

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants1/product/p1030/1.html (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants1/product/p1030/1.html)

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 08, 2009, 10:47:29 PM
That's the one Malcolm. I knew it began with a B  ;D. I was looking at all the Bs in the bible and couldn't find it.

Thanks

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 08, 2009, 11:14:22 PM
Good to see you have time for a "rest" Eric :)
Thats a very pretty flowering plant I have to say. Do you have it planted outside?
Go on, tell us the joke ;D

Well done for making such a quick ID, Malcolm. I dont see it in your plant list (had a quick look at your web site) so all the more commendable!


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on July 08, 2009, 11:37:19 PM

But this one in the garden is similar  ;D

Kentish Belle
(http://www.plantguide.lynandmalc.co.uk/ABUTILIONCOFFECREAM.JPG)

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 08, 2009, 11:55:08 PM
The second letter begins with B  :o;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 09, 2009, 06:37:58 AM
. Do you have it planted outside?
It is half hardy so we have it against a west wall. So far so good.
Quote
Go on, tell us the joke
Can't remember it  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 09, 2009, 10:49:03 AM
That joke... begins with B? ;D

Beginning with b brings another favourite story to mind.
I used to play I-spy with our children at bed time.
Came to Taras turn (she was all of 7 years old at the time).
I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with B.
After umpteen guesses and umpteen delighted No's, we finally gave in.
Tara had the distinction of being asked what it was.
Bajamas!!! came the excited reply.
We all laughed for ages on that one.
Needless to say, the story is part of the family folklore and gets an airing now and again 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 09, 2009, 01:50:56 PM
Needless to say, the story is part of the family folklore
I bet it did. Lovely, I like that one.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 09, 2009, 01:57:42 PM
Eric, I have a request, prompted by you telling us you are back on the drawing board designing again.
How about starting a new topic to show some photos of the end product of some of the projects you worked on in your career?
I have a suspicion there are a few in those 1000's of images you have up there on flickr ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 09, 2009, 02:57:43 PM
Believe it or not George there is none of my work on Flickr. I retired in 1992 and any photos I took were on coloured slides. I would have quite a job ferreting them out but when I am a bit calmer I will see what I can find. I am having a slightly more restful day today having completed the first stage yesterday. We will be seeing the client tomorrow which will mean back to the grindstone after the weekend. Benji will be home for the weekend so not much time then either  ::).

A lot of my work was industrial and commercial. I was involved in work for Black and Decker in Maidenhead, Spennymoor and Kildare in Southern Ireland. Maidenhead and Kildare were closed in 1984 and I know Maidenhead was demolished to redevelop the site. That tended to happen to a lot of my projects  :(. Two research laboratories for Wilkinson Sword at Colnbrook that I was rather proud of were demolished to redevelop the site too. Domestic work tended to be for directors of the various companies we worked for when they found they had a tame architect on tap  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 09, 2009, 07:37:29 PM
I should have know that! Digital cameras weren't too good when they first came on the scene, and it was after 1992 before I got one in my hands.
Its disappointing to read how your creations had to make way for "new" development.
I can relate to that in a way.
In my days in Mechanical Engineering I designed machine tools and equipment for assembly lines. It was always a real hammer blow when companies closed where I was proud of my creations e.g. De Lorean. In another case, I took a Voluntary Severance package - the company closed one week later! Fortunately the cheque had cleared!

You don't need any distractions at present, so concentrate on your new project, Eric. Its good to know you are enjoying that challenge.
Enjoy your weekend! My daughter is also flying home from Manchester on Saturday, for 10 days. I spy...

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on August 23, 2009, 10:41:07 PM
AUGUST: -

August is sometimes a dull month in our garden but this year there is still some colour around. There are a few roses flowering  and here are some of the other blooms out at the moment.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3849263102_9acb237963.jpg)
Potentilla fruticosa ?Princess? which has been flowering the whole summer.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3849287820_fb4e245464.jpg)
Phlox ?Bright Eyes?

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/3849293016_1ddaee197c.jpg)
Another phlox (unknown) with a sedum developing in the background.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3849295232_d049fce4cf.jpg)
The clematis jackmanii is still flowering as is the jasmine which is there out of focus.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/3848500479_605b034e38.jpg)
The honeysuckle is still blooming by the back door.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/89/239100510_d7db0a0ab7.jpg)
Cosmos

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/171554198_3a99ae6533.jpg)
Love-in-the-mist

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3849291346_35becc8d3b.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3848475365_8b8bb2a361.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3848469469_0164960de7.jpg)
Various hollyhocks are still in flower.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3848476433_2db675f602.jpg)
Hibiscus

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3848467181_6d40b2bb89.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3849265384_a9639b576d.jpg)
Japanese anemones

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3849261306_b9b649b779.jpg)
Hypericum

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3848494777_39568f5d56.jpg)
The Black Eyed Susan is still blooming well

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3848477359_5b7b78f1dd.jpg)
The hydrangeas are still doing well. I don't know why these two leaves are pale. The rest of the leaves are dark green.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3701568535_b08b2f19e4.jpg)
The Abutilon is still much the same as it was at the beginning of July when I posted this photo. It has been flowering for ages.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3849273298_1d21da24f8.jpg)
And finally a little posy of sweet peas and cat mint on the dining room table straight from the garden.

All these photos are recent except two which were taken in a previous year. They are the cosmos and the love-in-the-mist. They are growing in the garden at the moment but I did not want to walk over the bed to photograph them.

Eric H







Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on August 24, 2009, 09:58:27 AM
You have a lovely range of flowers in your garden Anthea and Eric :)
Thanks for posting the photos and sharing the delights.
I have to say those photos are excellent, Eric, the Cosmos and Love-in-a-mist in particular.

I'm envious! How do you manage to get so many blooms on your Hibiscus?
Its the sunshine level of course. Mine don't perform at all well - not nearly enough sunshine,I guess.
I love the foliage though, and they are slow growing plants with me so neat rather than troublesome.

Love the posy 8)
Theres a special section on the forum for posies if you happen to enjoy those little arrangements. We certainly do.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on August 24, 2009, 06:59:47 PM

Nice pictures Eric, I particularly like the Cosmos, the light and sharpness have captured it brilliantly.  8)

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on August 24, 2009, 09:53:39 PM
I have to say those photos are excellent, Eric, the Cosmos and Love-in-a-mist in particular.
Thank you George. It is interesting you should pick out those two particular photos which were, as I said, taken a different year (although some are flowering now). Those were taken on my old FujiFilm 9500.
Quote
I'm envious! How do you manage to get so many blooms on your Hibiscus?
................. they are slow growing plants with me so neat rather than troublesome.
Well our hibiscus could hardly be called neat or slow growing, it romps away. I have cut it down to about 2 feet high on a couple of occasions and it has shot back with renewed vigour. It seems to like being treated cruelly.
Quote
Love the posy 8)Theres a special section on the forum for posies if you happen to enjoy those little arrangements. We certainly do.
Thank you George, I will look out for that for future shots.

Nice pictures Eric, I particularly like the Cosmos, the light and sharpness have captured it brilliantly.
Thank you Malcolm. Interesting that you picked out the cosmos shot. You will have seen what I said to George, above.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 01, 2009, 10:06:30 PM
October 1st 2009

Still some colour about. In fact the sumac is beginning to put on its autumn display. The ground is a dry as dust, we haven't had rain for ages and are having to water.
Some roses are still in flower and that jasmine by our bedroom window, George, still has flowers. I made a note of the date ages ago when you asked how long it flowered and I mislaid the note  >:(. We even still have a solitary hollyhock in flower.

Here are a few shots, all taken today in the back garden.

The love-in-the-mist is still going strong
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3971013125_aa61d17a24.jpg)

A few Japanese anemones are still in flower
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3971780986_5e05219451.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3971012851_5512615471.jpg)

The odd lupin is still hanging on and the penstemons putting on a show.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3971781542_849e6f0725.jpg)   (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3971012337_a878f0bd84.jpg)

A few nasturtiums survive the ravages of cabbage white caterpillars which kept gorging themselves on the leaves
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/3971013405_3b32660d3d.jpg)

This cosmos is a giant, it is almost five feet tall and more like a small bush.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3971780168_1d452bff52.jpg)

Even the honesty seeds cheer the place up a bit. Anthea has the habit of rubbing the outsides off to expose the silvery bit.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3971011803_e4c6cc83d1.jpg)

Then there are the Michaelmas Daisies which are such a stand by at this time of year.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3971009311_37e4466768.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3971780486_798dec225e.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3971778824_7d00628438.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/3971778464_720f61ba1c.jpg)

Finally the dill looks like a small tree. All the other shots were taken today but this particular shot was taken at the same time of year but in 2002
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3972896880_7d1c372170.jpg)

We have finally accepted that we can't cope and a chap from the village is now giving us three hours a week. Not much, but it is better than no hours at all. At least some of the weeds are disappearing  :) Soon we will have to have someone in to cope with all the cutting back and the hedges. It is very frustrating, I still can't raise my right arm after my fall a few months ago (snap, George  :)). They gave it a scan today at the hospital but I don't know what they found.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on October 01, 2009, 10:55:02 PM
Great photos again Eric, and some really lovely blooms.

We have Love-In-The-Mist in our front garden and it's a gorgeous looking flower.

Snap with the Lupin too Eric.  If you saw my post yesterday I showed our Lupin 'Gallery Yellow' Dwarf still putting on a good show.  8)

Excellent.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 01, 2009, 11:51:23 PM
Thanks for posting those photos Eric. Its made a pleasant ending to my eventful day :)

I'm sorry to hear your arm is still giving you trouble. Thats a long recovery period. I hope the medics can do something to help you.
Still, with that new found help, you can elevate from Head Gardener to Lord of the Manor :D

Dry as a bone eh?
We've had a dry spell for over a week now (thats rather unusual!)
The soil in one part of my garden was so heavy I just hated weeding it. I went out today and its still heavy, yet my garden is very free draining. Solution - plant some plants that like most soil!
Two I like are Rodgersia and Actaea simplex. Also could use Primulas


 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 02, 2009, 08:04:18 AM
If you saw my post yesterday I showed our Lupin 'Gallery Yellow' Dwarf still putting on a good show. 
Thanks Laurie. I tried to find your post but haven't succeeded. Please will you direct me to it?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on October 02, 2009, 08:18:40 AM
Here's the link Eric - Lupin 'Gallery Yellow' (http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/ideas/forum/index.php/topic,1235.0.html).

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 02, 2009, 08:32:11 AM
Its made a pleasant ending to my eventful day :)
Glad I cheered you up George.
I am surprised that the love-in-the-mist is so late flowering this year. No seed pods yet either.  I took this one of love-in-the-mist and columbine seed pods on the 6th October 2002.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/138148656_be5a4b70c9.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 02, 2009, 09:14:30 AM
Yes, the Nigella are unusually late Eric.
I have a few (self seeded in open ground) which were very late to germinate. They made their appearance after I had weeded that patch. I'll check on their progress today.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 27, 2009, 06:27:48 PM
October 27th.

This Indian summer is amazing   8). We have been sitting in the warmth of the sunlight in the last week of October and I was amazed at how many plants are still flowering. I counted the following plants in our garden that have at least one specimen in bloom :-

Aster (lots); Penstemon; Lupin; Cosmos; Corydalis lutea; Love-in-the-Mist; a pink Poinsettia; Periwinkle; Marigold; Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris  ;));  Hypericum; several Fuschias; seven varieties of rose including Mermaid, Alberic Barbier, New Dawn, Summer Breeze and Nevada; Nasturtium (which have recovered from an earlier infestation of caterpillars); Geranium (lots), a small pink Cistus: Japanese Anemone: Abutilon (which has been in flower for months); Winter Jasmine; and the Jasmine which climbs up to our bedroom window still has a few blooms having also been flowering for months).

I expect Lyn and Malcolm have much still in flower but I wondered how you are faring  oop north  :) and Northern Ireland? :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 27, 2009, 11:43:22 PM
What a refreshing posting - a nice break for me from this intensive development. Been at the computer all day and getting square eyed!

We have noticed those barmy temperatures you've been having on the National weather forecasts.
Over here its cooler, but even so we have had some days in October that were more like mid summer.

Like you, we have lots of colour in the garden. The Dahlias haven't got whacked by frost yet and they are giving a great show.
Tomorrow, I'll take a break and walk around the garden and make a list like yours. Its very informative for others I'm sure.
I can see a number of plants which I don't have, and its always nice to have something to add to the wish list.
e.g. Abutilon (I tried one once before but it may not have been in a good site)
Any photos of that a pink Poinsettia Eric? Tell me more about that one please.

Over here, Argyranthemums, Osteospermums, Fuchsias, Penstemons and Asters are still going and are spectacular. Definitely to be recommended.
I grew a Salvia patens from seed this year and it has flowered very well in its first season and getting more impressive each week!
Those California poppies are endless and very cheery and colourful in the garden. I was influenced by the show they made at RHS Gardens- Hyde Hall when I visited last May.

Thanks for cheering me up. Cant wait to get back to the Gardening Software again!

Enjoy that warm sunlight Eric!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 28, 2009, 06:03:32 AM
I am glad I cheered you up, George  :)

No wonder you were interested in the pink  Poinsettia in the garden George  :o that would have been quite an interesting plant!!.. Unfortunately that was old age  :( and a complete slip of the pen.  What I meant was the  Potentilla which is lovely but not nearly as exciting as an outdoor pink Poinsettia!  I don't know this ones name but here it is, taken at the end of August. The flowers are about 7/8 inch across. I have the name noted somewhere but I have not been able to unearth it for the database as yet.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/4052324420_f85d3fff68.jpg)

I have read my list again and I think that was the only error  ??? Sorry to have aroused your interest in a fictitious plant  :-[ Don't add it to your wish list  ;D

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 28, 2009, 08:03:14 AM
Awwwww :'(
Pink Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Eric and Anthea'  ;)) is now off the urgent wish list :D but if one should come up as a sport let me know :)
I don't like Euphorbias so not terribly dissappointed  ;D They are very invasive here.

But, I do like that soft pink Potentilla.
You may recall we talked about propagating this on another thread.
I had managed a few, rooted last year. Only one has survived, but I'm more than happy about that. Its only about 4ins high and weeping (spreading) over the sides of its pot, but it managed to cover itself with flowers, so I know Ive got the right one ;)

If you find the name of yours, please let me know and we can add it to the Master Database, when I get back to very enjoyable things again.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 28, 2009, 11:02:04 AM
If you find the name of yours, please let me know and we can add it to the Master Database, when I get back to very enjoyable things again.
Found it  :). Potentilla fruticosa "Princess"
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 28, 2009, 03:24:13 PM
Thanks Eric!

Ive done my walkabout, and took photos of anything in bloom, and there are lots of things!
One surprise was Exochorda x macrantha The Bride. Just one flowering stem, buds are about to open.
From a web site:
Quote
The pure white flowers of this shrub give rise to the name - The Bride - or the Pearl Bush. (The opening flower buds resemble groups of pearls>
Exochorda x macrantha The Bride, is an early summer flowering shrub that needs pruning at the correct time.
Early summer? I wish it was. This little plant is confused :D

I had a real problem with Cosmos atrosanguineus (the chocolate plant)
In my viewfinder, the colour was nothing at all like the deep chocolate colour of the flowers.
I'll upload them later and see what they are like. Right now, the garden beckons. Its a lovely mild dry day here.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 28, 2009, 04:00:14 PM
Exochorda x macrantha The Bride.
I have just looked at pictures on the Internet. It looks nice. I look forward to your own  photos.

I missed one off my list. I cut the giant thistles right down some time ago and blow me they are up again and just about to burst into flower.

It is unnaturally warm today. We have had our two stalwart garden helpers, Paul and Sean, cutting hedges and pruning back the shrubs. They have managed to tidy up Kiftsgate too. I have been out quite a lot to keep my eye on things and I have been in shirtsleeves all the time. It frustrates me I can no longer do it myself  :(

We always try to get everything done before November 5th because all the stuff that is no good for compost goes on the village bonfire which is not far away on the common. We also have three compost compartments made of wooden pallets. There are always good wooden pallets on the bonfire so when necessary we exchange an old rotten pallet for a new one, after all they are all going to go up in smoke. Five have been exchanged today. Here is a picture of the bonfire two years ago. You can just make out the pallets going up.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4053278550_a4a9a5536b_o.jpg)

Paul and Sean managed to disturb a wasps nest (they said hornets!) and managed to get a few stings  :o Anthea has been administering antihistamine cream!

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 19, 2009, 05:27:49 PM
We have had pretty high winds recently but surprisingly a lot of the beech leaves are clinging on. Our mermaid ourside our first floor bedroom window is still flowering. It must have had blooms for almost six months now! The wind has been bashing it against the window so it is pretty bashed and bruised but I took a picture. The double glazing is sandwiched between a cyclomen inside and the rose outside so the rose is a bit less sharp. Pretty cheering on the 18th November.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/4117116245_00ffa603d8_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on November 19, 2009, 11:22:12 PM
Indeed it is Eric. We also have an indoor Cyclamen on our kitchen windowsill, and it is a stunner!
If they become discarded, I plant them outdoors. They survive, but are reluctant to flower again.
Anyone know why?

Anyway, Mermaid is obviously a very desirable plant. A Rose with that long period of perpetual flowers is commendable.
Thanks for cheering us up on a wet November day Eric!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 07, 2009, 04:10:05 PM
To cheer us up in December we have a climbing rose with several blooms still and it's name is Summer Breeze !!!!  :)
.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 07, 2009, 09:14:07 PM
That Rose must have put on a special show for Anthea, Eric. Well, Jessie (3fren, our forum friend from Singapore) did post a topic only a few days ago to say plants have feelings ;)
Perhaps its saying Hang on in there and we can all look forward to the next Summer Breeze :)
Best wishes to you all!


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 08, 2009, 07:50:09 AM
I read that out to Anthea, George and she said "Why are people so nice to me?"  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 08, 2009, 09:24:30 AM
Because you are both nice, of course!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 08, 2009, 09:29:45 AM
 :D :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 11, 2009, 06:23:12 PM
DECEMBER!

With Anthea and I not too active I had some wonderful help in the garden today  :D. My treasure Paul and his mate came for 6 hours and worked wonders.  They work hard and never paused for breath apart from the numerous cups of (very strong and sweet) tea we provide. Paul even cut the lawns on the 10th December. That is the latest I ever remember.

All the hedges are neat from their last visit but there was still a lot to do. The main project I was keen on was the compost. We have three alternating compartments behind the greenhouse constructed of wooden pallets and after some years these have begun to rot. These have been completely rebuilt with new (old) pallets and loads of compost applied to the beds and vegetable patch. But HORROR  ::) When they got to the bottom of the compost there was almost a mat of bindweed root! Paul reckoned they had come from next door but I am not sure. We are always having to pull it out of the yew hedge. There was half a barrow full of solid bindweed root to be put in a plastic bag and in the bin. Perhaps the dump will be enhanced by lovely flowers next year  :)

We always prided ourselves that we never had help in the garden but I must say that at our age I am not proud any more  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 11, 2009, 10:12:52 PM
RE:
Quote
Perhaps the dump will be enhanced by lovely flowers next year 
As long as it doesn't get distributed around the garden :)

No need to feel bad about not being able to do it yourselves, Eric. I am very sure it will ake Anthea feel much happier knowing that the essential maintenance work is being done. I shudder to think what it would be like to look out at my garden and see so many things which need attention and be unable to cope. That work will give you a head start when the Summer Breeze returns ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on December 11, 2009, 10:29:26 PM

We always prided ourselves that we never had help in the garden but I must say that at our age I am not proud any more  :)

Even i have to have help at times eric and i'm only 44, years ago when i had my grounds maintenance business many customers were elderly, and i used to go in cut grass, hedges, etc the complete works, back then it was nothing for me to work 12 - 14 hour days but i liked to think that i gave them somewhere to sit and enjoy without doing too much themselves
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 11, 2009, 10:37:13 PM
RE:
Quote
Perhaps the dump will be enhanced by lovely flowers next year 
As long as it doesn't get distributed around the garden :)
I meant the municiple dump George  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 11, 2009, 10:42:51 PM
Even i have to have help at times eric and i'm only 44,
Well I feel much better now Phil. And yes, it must be very satisying keeping the old folks happy. I would hate to see the place just getting overgrown and not be able to call on help.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 12, 2009, 01:46:36 PM
RE:
Quote
I meant the municipal dump George
Ah, I see!
We have brown bins for putting such delights in. Since you shouldn't compost Bindweed, Ground Elder and other baddies, they go into my brown bin. They are then collected by the Council and put through a composting process.
They offer the end product for sale.
Ive often wondered how safe it would be  :-\
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 12, 2009, 04:16:12 PM
George: They have green bins for garden waste in the village and black bins for rubbish.  Black boxes for plastic bottles and green boxes for wasre paper. Living on the opposite side of the common from the village they reckon we don't need a green bin for garden waste. They compost garden waste for sale here too. I would put the bindweed root in the black bin anyway I think. Near our house on the common there is a large clump of hawthorn bushes surrounding a deep dell. It is secret and hardly accessible exept for a little way we cut in years ago. This dell has been receiving our less compostable stuff for over 50 years and the dell is not nearly full  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 16, 2009, 12:43:20 PM
What to do in the garden today?  ??? The outlook at noon 15th December 2009!  :(

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4190192982_e3f7a358aa.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4190190414_534ee5fc0f.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4189427929_467b0cd449.jpg)

Brrrrrr ??.  ::)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 16, 2009, 02:03:04 PM
Look out and keep warm Eric and Anthea!

How on earth do you shape those "ball" trees at the gate? (second photo)
I see you have your hedges very well shaped as well. Nice job!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 16, 2009, 02:36:43 PM
Look out and keep warm Eric and Anthea!
We are not emerging today, George!
Quote
How on earth do you shape those "ball" trees at the gate? (second photo)
I have spent many an hour up a ladder shaping those balls, usually with secateurs so I had a free hand to hang on to the ladder. About 8 years ago the ladder slipped a bit, it did not fall but Anthea forbade me to climb ladders again. Our occasional help Paul has done them since but he takes his motor driven hedge cutter up with him! I notice the right hand ball is getting a bit bigger than the left one now.
Quote
I see you have your hedges very well shaped as well. Nice job!
Thank you George. They are so thick I started doing that splay at the top so that I could run our long armed Stihl hedge trimmer along it from the ground rather than climbing up. Now Paul is continuing the process. I am told it is better than a flat top to a hedge anyway, I am not sure why.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 16, 2009, 09:32:54 PM
What kind of hedge (plant) is it Eric?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 16, 2009, 10:07:29 PM
The hedge is holly as are the two spherical trees. The trees actually had berries on them until a few days ago. The north boundary which is about 190 ft long is a thick yew hedge. (that is the right hand one in the picture with the gate in) In the back garden it is about 8 feet high.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 16, 2009, 11:13:24 PM
A holly hedge  :o
I have one small Holly tree and the fallen leaves are lethal! Hope you don't have to weed under it!

The blackbirds and thrushes are taking all my berries as well. Nice to be able to provide food for them in winter, isn't it.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on December 16, 2009, 11:21:38 PM
A holly hedge in our front garden too.  :)

It was full of berries until recently, the Blackbirds have picked it clean.  They just love those berries, and being keen birders we were very pleased that they had such a rich food source, especially with the colder weather approaching.

Lethal leaves indeed George.  I always wear thick gloves when weeding around them and picking up the fallen leaves, but some of the thorns still manage to penetrate them if you're not really careful handling them.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 17, 2009, 08:50:37 AM
Indeed Laurie. Forgot to say that those leaves are even more dangerous when they are naturally darkened down and blending in with soil. They don't decompose quickly enough.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 18, 2009, 10:38:57 PM
A holly hedge  :o ........the fallen leaves are lethal!
Yes they are George  ::) but after almost 54 years one gets used to them!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4196163628_0ce63ffd28.jpg)

The snow was prettier today so I took similar shots as those I took on the 15th December for comparison

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4196130560_0fa4874ea6.jpg)

(http://http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4196130560_0fa4874ea6.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4195376715_2171834986.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4196141246_f100d71cc0.jpg)
No postman or paper boy today, just cat paw marks.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/4195381877_b3d3d25316.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/4195377771_b8ccd35e5b.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on December 19, 2009, 10:52:44 AM
I am told it is better than a flat top to a hedge anyway, I am not sure why.

So as the weight of your snow does not force the branches down  ;D seriously it got to with that and also to allow water to run off easier and in a hedge if the bottom is wider than the top it encourages better growth as the bottom is not over shadowed by the top
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 19, 2009, 11:01:51 AM
Thanks Phil.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on December 19, 2009, 11:44:41 AM
Great photos Eric - real picture postcard scenes.  8)

I'm seeing a broken image - third one down just above the Conservatory photo.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 19, 2009, 05:43:54 PM
I'm seeing a broken image - third one down just above the Conservatory photo.

Is that better ?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 19, 2009, 06:12:13 PM
I am told it is better than a flat top to a hedge anyway, I am not sure why.

So as the weight of your snow does not force the branches down  ;D seriously it got to with that and also to allow water to run off easier and in a hedge if the bottom is wider than the top it encourages better growth as the bottom is not over shadowed by the top

Phil: Here is a shot from outside taken today showing the slope.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4197988694_d7ac627e13.jpg)

When I went out to take the hedge something else caught my eye and I can't resist posting it as well :)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4197239873_a0ed80e520.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 19, 2009, 06:54:25 PM
Looks like a very nice Christmas cake, complete with icing ;D
Its a very wide hedge, Eric!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 19, 2009, 07:00:16 PM
Its a very wide hedge, Eric!

Now you see why I started to slope the top, George, it was the only way I could reach it without getting up some steps. I can rest my long handled stihl hedgecutter on the slope and run it along and let the hedge take most of the weight.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 20, 2009, 12:13:10 AM
I had a mental picture of you tackling that Holly hedge, Eric.
This web page portrays it perfectly:
http://www.medievalrepro.com/Armour.htm
or maybe this:
http://www.varmouries.com/cgallery/mil_60.jpg
or this:
http://www.varmouries.com/cgallery/misc_32.jpg
I'm rolling about laughing here   :D :D :D
(Had a few tipples of Glen Moray watching Match of the Day- gotta keep the flu at bay)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 20, 2009, 07:21:46 AM
Ha Ha!! Cheers George!!!  ;D I wish I could have joined you  ::) ::) ::). I like an Islay single malt myself like Ardbeg. I have about seven single malts in my "secret chest" for special occasions, a bottle of Famous Grouse for not so special, and a bottle of Tesco's own for run of the mill. Never before 6 pm you understand  ;) Years ago I had a very nice heart consultant when severe stress at work was giving me problems. He said " Have a small whisky each evening. Sit and relax, sip it very slowly and see how long you can make it last" I took his advice  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 20, 2009, 09:42:29 AM
I couldn't resist the wee joke Eric. Glad you laughed!

I'll look out for Ardberg. I'll edit his later (chores await).
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 20, 2009, 12:04:55 PM
Ardbeg is very seaweedy, George. It is a bit of an acquired taste. You either love it or hate it. I see that Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25 years old is £280 a 70 cl bottle  :o. That is NOT the one I drink! I would love to try it to see the difference but no bankers bonus for me.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 20, 2009, 07:32:53 PM
Busy day today - daughter is now home for Christmas! Had a hairy incident driving but we are all home safely.
Have to go watch a TV program. If you are free, turn over to BBC1 at 7:30. A friend of my son is singing.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on December 21, 2009, 03:43:24 PM
Thanks fro pics eric and with that slope on the hedge the snow will just slide off, love your 2 trees aswell bet they took years to get to that
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 21, 2009, 05:20:44 PM
bet they took years to get to that
53 years to be precise Phil  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 21, 2009, 05:49:33 PM
The snow is falling heavily again. I have been amusing myself with my binoculars watching all the birds feeding on our bird table. We have two cock robins. One has it's territory at the bottom of the garden. The other has it's territory at the top. In these hard times they both try to feed from the bird table and have spent most of the day quarrelling  :)

Our neighbour's cat Lily has spent much of the time looking longingly up at the bird table too. It was a bit murky but I took a couple of shots. An essay in WHITE ON WHITE.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4203948368_d554635304.jpg)

She sat so long she melted a hole in the snow  :)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4203191615_e7c874cc78.jpg)

They are a bit grainy because I had to use ISO 1600

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on December 21, 2009, 06:56:48 PM
bet they took years to get to that
53 years to be precise Phil  :)

time well spent to acheive that shape i think
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 22, 2009, 11:16:59 PM
Confined to barracks today!!! High Wycombe was on the Channel 4 News as being particularly bad. The town lies in a narrow valley running east/west and all north south routes have very steep hills to negotiate down into the valley and back out again. Benji is supposed to be coming home from Basingstoke tomorrow and Basingstoke was another chaotic town! They had about 20 grit lorries out but they just got jammed between all the cars that were stuck! About 100 people were stranded at our local John Lewis store. The managing director allowed 54 staff, 30 adult customers and 20 children to sleep in the display beds in the store and provided food when she realised the surrounding roads were impassable. Anthea and I viewed the world through our windows: -

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4207338052_ec3428ecd5_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4207337922_60ac4b10ec_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4207337584_5b1bb1caba_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4206578601_1cc5722474_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4206578455_8efb845037_o.jpg)

 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 23, 2009, 09:37:23 AM
Lovely photos Eric. Best admired from indoors, if at all possible.
Its giving us a great insight to the view from your house. It actually looks rural so you have the best of both worlds!
Hope you and Anthea are not running out of supplies.
How is Anthea?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 23, 2009, 10:53:00 AM
Thank you George. We are quite well off for supplies. Tesco Online delivered a massive order on Sunday before the last fall of snow. Anthea was very worried they wouldn't make it because they had our turkey on board. They actually came in the allotted slot and the man kindly carried everything into the kitchen for us. He had great trouble getting away again though but he was well prepared with sacks of salted grit in the back of his van.

Anthea is improving slowly, thank you. She is still hobbling but is not in so much pain. A long way from being trouble free yet.

Unfortunately Benji won't make it today. They will try tomorrow morning. We spoke to him on the phone and he was quite cheerful and philosophical about it. I think they were wise not to attempt it. There is fog to add to the problems today.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on December 23, 2009, 04:27:59 PM
great photos eric, stay inside and keep warm, i have just had to have a wander across the field, the misses thought she could see a horse down in the next field and i must admit it did look like, but on closer inspection  ::) it was just the way the snow was sitting on top of the rushes, snow blindness playing games on our minds  ;D  ::) and i rescued another lady she went to turn around at the top of our rather large drive entrance and because it is on a downward slope could not get traction up it, the only way i get out is by using my 4wd, look like our snow could be starting to melt does not seem as cold today our lane is still like a sheet of ice though all of the snow compacted down on it
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on December 23, 2009, 05:00:46 PM
A lovely set of photos again Eric.

A snow scene like that can best be enjoyed looking at it through your house windows, where you're snug and warm and don't have to go out in it.

You've done the right thing Eric by stocking up with your essential supplies to get you through the worst of the weather.

We still have snow lingering around here (not nearly as bad as you have it, and other parts of the country), but with temperatures fluctuating between -9° C and 2°C it's not getting chance to thaw.

We shopped online and got our weekly food supplies delivered today too.  Don't like going out unless it's absolutely necessary.  I'm a confident driver, but it's the other idiots that cause the problems that I don't like, especially in adverse weather conditions.  >:(

Hallucinations Phil ??  I suppose it's better than seeing little Pixies or Elves at the bottom of your garden.  :D  That 'horse' didn't have a red nose by any chance did it, and answered to Rudolf?

Anyway, it's great to hear that you've been the good samaritan again and rescued that lady in distress.  A deed to be proud of.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on December 23, 2009, 05:12:22 PM

Hallucinations Phil ??  I suppose it's better than seeing little Pixies or Elves at the bottom of your garden.  :D  That 'horse' didn't have a red nose by any chance did it, and answered to Rudolf?

Anyway, it's great to hear that you've been the good samaritan again and rescued that lady in distress.  A deed to be proud of.

Laurie.


Hallucinations no (not yet) but i do recall saying to myself "silly woman seeing horses down" but i said this out in the field  ;) where the wife could not hear  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on December 23, 2009, 05:20:09 PM
Hallucinations no (not yet) but i do recall saying to myself "silly woman seeing horses down" but i said this out in the field  ;) where the wife could not hear  ;D
Very wise decision there Phil.  :D

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 31, 2010, 07:20:43 AM
I have been a bit quiet recently having not much to report except snow, but I thought this is an interesting phenomenon which has never happened to us before. Our lawns were last cut on the 11th November, much later than usual but they had been growing. Usually after about a week the stripes of the lawnmower have vanished but here we are, at the end of January, after many frosts and having spent two weeks under snow and the stripes are still clearly visible and the lawn looks fresh and green as though we have had no winter all. Has anyone else experienced this?
By now we often have a few bulbs beginning to show in the grass but there is no sign yet.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 31, 2010, 09:30:55 AM
We spotted our first snowdrops last week Eric and I can see the new bulbs that James and I planted poking through nicely.
Not as far on as Malcolm though!
I'll have a look for the stripes later. Currently the front lawn is under snow! It arrived again on Friday and didn't melt yesterday. Brrr!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on January 31, 2010, 12:50:52 PM
I have been a bit quiet recently having not much to report except snow, but I thought this is an interesting phenomenon which has never happened to us before. Our lawns were last cut on the 11th November, much later than usual but they had been growing. Usually after about a week the stripes of the lawnmower have vanished but here we are, at the end of January, after many frosts and having spent two weeks under snow and the stripes are still clearly visible and the lawn looks fresh and green as though we have had no winter all. Has anyone else experienced this?
By now we often have a few bulbs beginning to show in the grass but there is no sign yet.

not here our grass was growing rather quick think i last cut it in late november and a couple of weeks ago it needed cutting again, then we had the break in of horses which done th job for me the field (back garden is now nicely short) which is good, at the moment taking down old fences and putting up new, plus getting a new project of the ground in the field next door but more on that later (no volunters needed this time unless you have a spade  ;D )
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 21, 2010, 05:29:43 PM
The February weather has not been conducive to gardening. We have had early morning snow and frost for three days running but by lunch time each day the snow has melted. This afternoon by 3 pm the sun was out and my thermometer was reading 40 degrees F.

At long last I have managed a little digging. The frost has done its job and the soil was very good for turning over. I am under strict instructions from Anthea not to overdo it and my ration is one square metre a day. Applied daily it is surprising what can be achieved.

The snowdrops are looking good and at long last the bulbs are thrusting through the grass. I have had to mark the vulnerable ones with sticks to stop people trampling on them. It is good to feel that things should be getting better from now on.

Indoors an amarylis that was given to Anthea as a bulb for Christmas is flowering. It is rather an odd one, not the type I am used to. Here are two pictures. Has anyone seen similar ones?

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4375746285_430d78479f.jpg)  (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4375745845_3854fe0d80.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on February 21, 2010, 06:24:25 PM

Yes have seen them in catalogues Eric, cant't say I like them though.  :'(

Rain on and off here today, but have managed to get in the garden with a printout of all the plants we have, sorted in their garden areas.
Checking if we still have the plants, or some have crept in that I didn't know about. Then nipping in to get warm again by updating IGpro with the results.

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on February 21, 2010, 07:31:38 PM
Malcolm, you are a champion and hero!
Matter of great interest, what is the extent of your losses?

Weather here is very similar Eric. Snow a.m. clearing during the day. I go out each morning first thing and feed the birds - they must find it hard to get a breakfast otherwise in these conditions.
I have a new feeding area outside my office window and they come in droves. Its interesting to watch how they behave - some are peaceful and sharing by nature, some are selfish and bullies (a subject for another topic ;))
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on February 21, 2010, 08:48:53 PM

George said

"Malcolm, you are a champion and hero!
Matter of great interest, what is the extent of your losses"

Not sure as some plants have not showed their heads above the soil yet
Give it another month and I will report any losses.

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 21, 2010, 09:17:51 PM
Yes have seen them in catalogues Eric, can't say I like them though.  :'(
I am inclined to agree, Malcolm. I must say I was slightly disappointed when it bloomed. Different, though!

I have a new feeding area outside my office window and they come in droves. Its interesting to watch how they behave - some are peaceful and sharing by nature, some are selfish and bullies (a subject for another topic ;))
We have two robins. One's territory is the bottom of the garden, the other's the top of the garden. The bird table is at the top of the garden and when Robin 1 visits the bird table there is always an almighty barney with Robin 2  ::)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on February 22, 2010, 12:33:03 AM
Blackbirds -v- Thrushes? Perhaps I have one particularly grumpy blackbird!
Robins -v- the rest of the bird population? They are ferocious little creatures!
The most placid? Doves! Today I watched them feed together from one little handful of seed - no bother.
In their midst, some smaller birds - they just shared shoulder to shoulder and allowed them to mingle
 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 02, 2010, 02:08:39 PM
Two days of sunshine and spring seems to be in the air at last. There are even midges in the garden today  ::)

A few signs of spring recorded today (2nd March 2010)

Three hellibores: -

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4400544831_f0c0b1d0bc.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4400545113_4594dfa5c7.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4400545511_2536782793.jpg)

Three crocuses: -

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4400640153_fae3c02d40.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4401407234_0be75f65c7.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4400543611_e58709ee2a.jpg)

And snowdrops which have been out for some time already: -

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4400544523_7c7d75d59e.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4401405828_f22474af0a.jpg)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 02, 2010, 04:01:56 PM
Gorgeous! Spring is well and truly here. Thanks for posting those Eric!
Have you ever cut crocuses for a posy indoors?
They are magnificent :) They open up to their full extent, and have a lovely delicate scent.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 02, 2010, 05:25:49 PM
Have you ever cut crocuses for a posy indoors?
They are magnificent :) They open up to their full extent, and have a lovely delicate scent.
No, we never have used crocuses for posies, George, now that's a thought!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 01, 2010, 10:39:27 PM
April 1st: I have been trying to decide what has and what has not survived the winter. We have three small tree peonies, two are breaking into leaf but the third shows no sign's at all  >:(. I won't touch it for a while but I wonder how long it will be until I can be certain it has succumbed. One large pink cystus has definitely died but we find that they only seem to last 5 or 6 years. Anthea keeps a steady stream of cuttings going so that we can replace any that give up the ghost. We are longing for some dry weather. We actually had a fine morning for a change and managed to get a bit done. In spite of the wet there has been a sudden rush of growth in the last week.

Last week we went on a wet 3 day trip to the west country with our Canadian son, Mark. At Lyme Regis I found someone had just thrown a bouquet down on the shingle. It must be the gardener in me, I had to do something and Mark caught me propping it up (my camera seems perilously near the stones  :o)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4481365703_2a383acef7.jpg)

And this is the shot I took afterwards  :)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4481365419_4fa2f44bd2.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 01, 2010, 10:54:56 PM
Nice one Eric. I would have done the same thing.

A great action photo of you and a very good shot of the rescued bouquet :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on April 01, 2010, 11:02:07 PM
A nice opportune moment for a photo-shoot there Eric, and a timely arrival for you to give nature a helping hand and give those flowers a decent display.  ;)

I too was cringing a little bit when I saw how close your camera was dangling over them rocks.  :o

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 27, 2010, 06:13:39 PM
27th April 2010

Things are growing apace. The good news is that the tree peony I thought had copped it from the frost has just started putting some shoots up from the root. The old superstructure still looks dead but the plant is still alive  :). The bad news is that our abutilon is most certainly dead  >:(. Frustrating but not earth shattering, the neighbours cats have dug up the lettuces I planted out yesterday  :(

We have just had a restful time sitting on a bench in the sunshine potting on the tomato plants. We grow Marmande and Spanish Amorosa. We have a yearly routine with an old (in both senses of the word) friend. His wife can't bear seed trays in the house. Anthea likes to propgate on our dining room window sill which happens to face south and is 18" deep. The arrangement is that Jack keeps the seed from last years crop. He hands them over each year for Anthea to propagate. Once they are potted on we give him back half and keep half for ourselves. The arrangement has worked well for several years now. We can't wait for the next crop. Bought tomatoes that we get are absolutely tasteless!

One picture of our stellata as it is at the moment.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/4554140666_d8ec859086.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on April 27, 2010, 06:48:04 PM
A lovely photo there Eric.

Beautiful definition and contrast.  8)

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 27, 2010, 06:57:50 PM
That is sheer perfection, Eric, and definietely my favourite Magnolia.
Brilliant photography 8)

Does it have scent? I had one with the most beautiful scent, but... it died  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 27, 2010, 09:57:03 PM
Thank you Laurie & George. It does have a scent, George, but rather a subtle one.

As you are the owner of a Canon EOS 450D, George, I will give you the settings for that shot. I used my Tokina 100mm lens at 1/200 second, ISO 200, Aperture f10 and EV -1/3
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 27, 2010, 10:22:19 PM
Faint but subtle scent - Yes, thats it :)
I loved that scent.

Thanks for the tip on how you took the photo, Eric. I'm afraid I still haven't had time to enjoy my camera to its full extent.
Did you take in in RAW? Did you adjust it in any way in software?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 27, 2010, 11:34:22 PM
.
Did you take in in RAW? Did you adjust it in any way in software?

Yes I took it in RAW and converted it to jpg. using the Digital Photo Professional programme which comes with the camera. I did a little bit of tweeking at the same time. I sharpened it a little and slightly lightened the image. Here is a copy of the image as taken with no tweeking at all for you to compare.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4559132764_14a6264cf0.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: newplantguy on April 27, 2010, 11:53:45 PM
It is one my favorite Magnolia, and your photo captures the flower perfectly.
Paul.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 28, 2010, 12:02:49 AM
Thank you Paul.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 06, 2010, 11:59:32 PM
I took my camera into the garden today to record a three headed tulip it starts with one stalk from a single bulb then branches out. I don't remember a three headed tulip before but I am sure others will. Sorry George, I took it sunlight  :), I know you prefer more subdued lighting.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4585392154_c56053a25c.jpg)

While I was there I noticed a fern unfurling and took that as well

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4584035391_89f387acec.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 07, 2010, 11:18:21 AM
Its a quality photo, Eric. Do you happen to know the variety of that tulip?
Trevor is our ferns enthusiast. I'll send him an email to point him to your photo.

Ive been out in the garden taking photos. Not at all happy with the results and need to do a lot of experimentation.
Unfortunately, as is always the case, the garden and my software work takes priority.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 07, 2010, 05:49:10 PM
Do you happen to know the variety of that tulip?
I don't, unfortunately, George. I remember now that we bought a few tulip bulbs at a charity shop and this was one of them.

I took a couple of our Bramley Seedling blossom at the same time.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4586464169_50f5008f56.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4587089252_713b2017a7.jpg)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 07, 2010, 10:37:17 PM
Perfect!
I want to take photos just like that :'(

Thanks for the offer (by email) to look at one or two of my shots, and see if you have suggestions.
That is very kind of you, Eric. I'm off now to pick a couple to send to you.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 10, 2010, 08:06:09 AM
Here are two recent additions to the garden: -

Phlox "Candy Stripe"

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4593362764_ef86716d59.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4593367208_a82146acb2.jpg)

Erysimum "Apricot Delight". The forgetmenots are gradually being weeded out to make room for better things but I rather like the bluse and orange together.

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1081/4593364880_c1c95c868b.jpg)

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1429/4592745221_2cc8762204.jpg)

This is not a new plant, we have had it for years but I can't remember it's name. Can anyone help please?

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4593363548_c662af7d3d.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/4593368304_979578887c.jpg)

All our daffodils and narcissi are gone now except this little one which is still looking good

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1024/4593364196_719182a85f.jpg)

These were all taken yesterday under a very heavy grey sky. At ten to eight yesterday evening we looked out of the kitchen window and this is what we saw. You can just see Kiftsgate, George, in the top left of the photo. Not in flower, of course.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4593369002_ef7fff84e0.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 10, 2010, 10:21:57 AM
Lovely photos Eric. I just love how you can capture those white flowers so well.

RE:
Quote
This is not a new plant, we have had it for years but I can't remember it's name. Can anyone help please?
Iberis sempervirens 'Snowflake' 
One of the stars in my garden

As for forget-me-nots - they are beautiful en-masse and with lots of plants, not just tulips and daffs. Makes me feel less guilty when I dont have time to weed certain beds ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: newplantguy on May 10, 2010, 12:52:43 PM
As George says Iberis Snowflake, and a good form looking at the flowers.
Paul.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 10, 2010, 11:43:08 PM
Ive grown the species Iberis sempervirens from seed.
I bought the Snowflake cultivar.
Ive found the Snowflake is by far the most floriferous, in my case a justification for going for the cultivar, even though the flowers are similar. Ive moved my seed grown plant to a new sunnier location to see if it helps. Its in flower at present, but I'll give it another year to settle before drawing conclusions.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 11, 2010, 07:32:32 AM
Thank you George for identifying the Iberis Snowflake and Paul for your confirmation. That is great.

As far as capturing whites are concerned, George, I always under-expose whites by lowering the EV. You can then raise the levels gradually in Digital Professional Pro (which comes with the Canon Camera and converts from RAW) or you can raise the levels of a JPEG in Adobe Elements or Photoshop. You can then keep it at a level that the detail in the white remains and isn't burnt out. Without doing that I find much of the detail is lost.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: newplantguy on May 11, 2010, 08:39:22 AM
Look out for another form that was discovered by a Dick Self who used to manage the alpine department here at Bressingham.
I do not see it offered much these days we do not list it either, last I saw it offered by the RHS.
It is a very good form with very large flowers and a neat habit.
Paul.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 06, 2010, 09:37:02 AM
I told Laurie I would post a few photos taken yesterday (5th June) in the garden. As a first installment here are a few irises.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4673661429_7a7664073e_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4674284496_a0c69d7727_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4673661805_8ab404d01a_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4674284876_9bfb752818_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4673661939_68a8ae3a96_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4674285264_32103b3c1e_b.jpg)



Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 06, 2010, 10:03:04 AM
Great photos there Eric.

They're giving you a good splash of colour.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 06, 2010, 01:34:47 PM
Thank you Laurie, we are already getting a bit overgrown. Here are some  views to illustrate it: -

Here is Rosa Alberic and Deutzia growing togerher in our front hedge

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4673693967_eb188c6e6c_b.jpg)

Kolwitzia with Aruncus dioicus (goats beard) spikes forming in front. Anthea propagated the Kolkwitzia from a cutting from a neighbour's bush. The Arucus leaves are already being eaten by sawfly larvae just like last year.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4674317500_de4ca3dd2a_b.jpg)

Rosa Cantabrigiensis and Rosa Ragusa coming into flower beside our pond

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4674317674_4eeeb6c32b_b.jpg)

Kolwitzia and Clematis Montana

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4673703597_f049878383_b.jpg)

and Kolwitzia mingling with Rosa Nevada

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4674326082_5d51102161_b.jpg)

A bee and a bug (Laurie will know what bug I am sure) on the Rosa Nevada

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4673702735_43dbf0663b_b.jpg)

A white Clematis montana

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4674595048_d317f721da_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4674595152_1e7e2b8fe4_b.jpg)

Tradescantia (blue)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4673972669_8e079d200c_b.jpg)

Tradescantia (white)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4674595282_89398ceb12_b.jpg)

Papaver

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1292/4673704625_0278a43019_b.jpg)

Papaver

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4674701896_ea78dcdf33_b.jpg)

Deutzia

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4673703143_721fe250cf_b.jpg)

Potentilla fruticosa ?Princess?

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4674326812_ac53a930b4_b.jpg)

Aqualegia

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4673704509_2f4ee3e8ed_b.jpg)

And finally, could anyone identify this for me? We were given it by Anthea's brother years ago but sadly he is no longer with us and so I can't ask him.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4673704099_7735c745d4_b.jpg)

Eric H



Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 06, 2010, 04:08:04 PM
Another great set of photos Eric.

Your bug is a species of Beetle, judging by the antennae and mandible (but you probably guessed that part yourself  :D ), but I can't see enough of it to see exactly which one it is.

I can't identify the flower in your last photo either, sorry.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 06, 2010, 04:19:43 PM
Great photos again Eric. You are inspirational!

I don't know what the flower is, but it sure is distinctive and I'm sure some of out members will recognise it.
What height does it grow to?
It looks interesting to me. Would you recommend it?
 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 06, 2010, 05:06:59 PM
Thanks George. The plant is fairly low, 10 to 12 inches perhaps,  but spreading. Definitely recommended if you want something hardy and easy to grow.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 09, 2010, 11:50:50 AM
It looks interesting to me. Would you recommend it?

George, I have been searching the "bible" and am pretty  sure I have found it. It is a Phuopsis. You asked whether I would recommend it. I said yes, and it is reinforced by the "A - Z" which simply says "trouble free"! I suggest you look it up.

Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 09, 2010, 12:26:46 PM
Well done Eric!
Ive looked it up on the net and there are plenty of websites describing it.
In our Master Database I have two entries:
Phuopsis stylosa
and
Phuopsis stylosa 'Purpurea'   
I cant determine the difference between them after a quick search. Anybody able to advise?
I don't have any photos Eric, so that photo would be much appreciated if thats OK.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 09, 2010, 01:20:17 PM
I don't have any photos Eric, so that photo would be much appreciated if thats OK.

You are most welcome to use it George. If you would like me to email a better copy please let me know.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 09, 2010, 01:41:11 PM
Yes, please Eric. That would be better.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 05, 2010, 06:13:08 PM
Kiftsgate is now doing it's stuff again. This was taken today and look how parched the lawn is  ::) The rain that other people have been getting just keeps missing us.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4764554952_bd861b495b.jpg)

This was taken two weeks earlier and it wasn't nearly as brown.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4763916141_6a76d8079e.jpg)

I took a picture of the peony you can see (name unknown) on the same day

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4763916535_36645af635.jpg)

A few weeks ago we treated ourselves to a water lily - Nymphea "Hermine". It has just produced it's first flower.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4764553702_342d400565.jpg)

Finally an indoor plant. Our middle son Mark, who lives in Calgary, sent Anthea an orchid when Anthea had her hip operation in November 2008. It flowered for four months after which we cut back the stems. It flowered again for another four months and we repeated the process. It is now on its third flowering and Anthea asked me to photograph it in situ to send by email to Mark. Anthea usually cares for the indoor plants but she put me in charge of this one. I give it a fine spray every third day, I also spray the moss on the top of the pot. I just give it about an egg-cupful of water at the same time. About once a month I add a tiny amount of feed to the water.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4764553974_d421292cb1.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 05, 2010, 11:59:22 PM
You are a star Eric! Superb photos.

I feel for you if rain is missing you  :'(
I hope it reaches you soon. It was a welcome relief when it started here last week.

Thanks for the tips on the Orchids! We have a couple in the house, but I'm afraid I never read up on how to care for them. Mind you, I take care of the outdoor plants only. I will pass on your care methods to Mary!

Hope you and Anthea are doing well :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on July 06, 2010, 11:44:08 PM

Hi there Eric, yes hope you are both well.

I am afraid we have had to water our lawn and garden a lot recently. The rivers locally are still in good flow, there source is well inland from chalk hills which release the water slowly.
Our water board rarely has hosepipe bans, but I have thought up a contingency plan just in case.
I will divert the bath/shower water into our rain water butts, and fit a submersible pump inside the water butt which will connect to our existing hose pipe.

I remember well a visitor on an open day, who said he didnt like our green lawn, as it didn't remind him of summer.  ::)
Can't please everyone all of the time.

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 07, 2010, 12:07:34 AM
Thank you Malcolm, we are both pretty well although not as energetic as we used to be  :(

The butt to catch the bathwater is a very good idea. We have used one for several years. It works on the same principle as a rainwater butt and the water continues to the drain once the butt is full. We fill watering cans from a little tap at the bottom. We don't water the lawn with it though! I always hope the slight soapiness of the water deters the bugs, I don't know whether that is a fact though.

Your idea of a submersible pump connected to a hose is clever. We just hump the water  :(
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 03, 2011, 03:35:10 PM
It is dull and raw here after the thaw and nothing to photograph outside so I took pictures of a white cyclamen.  Anthea lets these die down and stores them on their sides. This one is in its third year and is on our bedroom window sill.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5319757665_670cb2d23c_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5319758551_edbacff5c5_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 03, 2011, 06:05:13 PM
I salute you once again Eric!
Its probably well reported by now, but I find white flowers difficult ot photograph. Once again, you have captured another bunch perfectly.
What settings did you use?

Congratulations to Anthea on her success in managing that Cyclamen - its a very useful tip to all of us.
That girl is an inspiration!
At what time of year does she set them upright again?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 03, 2011, 07:00:22 PM
Thanks George.

Camera settings using 100mm Tokina lens: 1/500; F8; ISO 800. I also use "user defined presets" there are three presets as well as the usual "standard" "portrait" "faithful" and so on. In this case I used my "user defined 3" which is set as picture style faithful, contrast (+) 2, saturation (+)1 and sharpness 6.

I consulted Anthea and she says about the end of September or early September is the time to stand it up and water cyclamens lightly until the leaves start coming again. Some people say they should be in the dark to dry out but Anthea just keeps them on their sides on a shelf in the greenhouse. It seems to work.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 03, 2011, 08:42:01 PM
Thanks Eric, and please thank Anthea for that practical tip. Theres nothing to beat experience :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 03, 2011, 09:39:11 PM
please thank Anthea for that practical tip.
I have, George, but I did do a typo above. I said "the end of September or early September". I should have said "the end of August or early September".
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 05, 2011, 07:28:21 PM
Thanks Eric and Anthea.
I had a red Cyclamen flowering in late summer this year. It sat nestled among some other plants in a container. It had been discarded in spring from indoors display after it finished flowering ::)
It got watered regularly during the summer months, with its companions.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 05, 2011, 09:32:55 PM
George; Anthea stops watering as soon leaves start to flag and they look as though they want to go dormant. From then on they are just left on their sides to dry out. Although in the greenhouse they are shaded a bit by an upper shelf. When they are coming back to life she re-pots them. I just talked to her about this just now and she said "Oh dear, you are holding me out as an expert, which I am not. I have as many failures as successes". Be that as it may, the white one I photographed was a success. There was also a nice red one, another success which I photographed too. I have misfiled it  >:(. If It resurfaces I will post it.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 06, 2011, 09:58:58 PM
I said that if my picture of the red one turned up I would post it.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5331452546_8258f9cbef_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 07, 2011, 12:54:57 AM
Nice one Eric! Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 09, 2011, 10:46:22 PM
For interest, another nice cyclomen. Yesterday I noticed the sun striking it nicely so I took a shot.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5432203172_bd3b76f6ea_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on February 10, 2011, 12:12:15 AM
Wish I could do that!! Great photo again Eric. You have a very nice little collection. Congratulations to Anthea :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on February 10, 2011, 09:42:43 AM
Excellent photo Eric.

Up to your usual high standard again  :)

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 10, 2011, 10:52:40 AM
Thanks George and Laurie. I used my new Canon lens for this and the muntjac shots.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 28, 2011, 05:43:06 PM
Spring seems to be here at last. We put in some new crocus bulbs and now they are putting on a show.

The first is called Jeanne d?Arc

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5567928519_343c49aa86_b.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5568515970_3cb591dec5_b.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5567928713_2f406fa917.jpg)

The second is called Pickwick

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5568516138_51049f3a5e_b.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5568516268_6fbf71d09b_b.jpg)

I spoke too soon about winter losses - two nice clematises have succumbed  >:(. All the delphiniums are growing nicely but all but one of the lupins seem to have died  >:(.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 01, 2011, 09:27:58 PM
Thanks for posting such beautiful photos Eric :)
How did you take those shots? It would have been a hands and knees job for me, but no doubt you had your tripod and special lens for the job :)

Pity about the Lupins. Do they come back every year for you? Mine have all died out. They used to throw up seedlings but I haven't had any for a few years now.
I'm delighted to say that my delphiniums have all come back this year as well. I took the precaution of keeping a specimen of each of my new varieties in the greenhouse, and they survived and are growing rapidly at present. I have a few nice new patches of ground to plant them in - I had a digger in this week removing most of my "mistakes" - trees and shrubs.

As for Clematis, I had a pleasant surprise. I bought two last year and held off planting them until a new high wall was plastered and dashed. One looked like it had died at the end of last season. BUT! I checked today, and they are both sending up fresh shoots from the base. I have a few roses to plant on that wall as well, so plenty to do!

Did you do your square yard per day digging over winter like last year? It was a very good idea - Ive made note of it!
It would give a great head start in spring.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 01, 2011, 11:08:57 PM
How did you take those shots? It would have been a hands and knees job for me, but no doubt you had your tripod and special lens for the job :)
No tripod, George. I sat on my gardening stool and bent forward as far as I could. I was using my 24 - 105 lens fully extended at 105 so it was mildly telephoto. 105mm is the equivalent of 168mm on a 35mm camera. I did lie on my tummy to get one shot (not the crocuses) and Anthea, who was sitting on the bench nearby, was in fits of laughter watching my antics trying to get back on my feet again  ;D

Quote
Pity about the Lupins. Do they come back every year for you?
Normally most of them survive but this winter has been to much for them.

Quote
Did you do your square yard per day digging over winter like last year?
I am afraid I didn't. I wish I had, but one or two health problems for both of us made me not feel up to it so,this year, I resorted to I getting a chap in for a couple of days to get on top of things. Unfortunately I wasn't careful enough to mark all the special plants and a couple were considered weeds  >:(

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 09, 2011, 08:56:39 PM
Our Magnolia Stellata is doing well and it has a beautiful delicate scent. Here are a few shots

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5603030697_2238aa45b3_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5603615284_2c5c2d2c14_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5603615526_9081ef8cc7_z.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/5603615728_0f1565e271_z.jpg)

And a couple of shots of Snake Head Fritillaries by the pond

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/5603029435_95a1e248df_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5603029905_d136776fde_z.jpg)

And a Marsh Marigold in the pond

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5603614714_62fc61bf07_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 09, 2011, 10:28:24 PM
Excellent work again, and thank you for posting and sharing with us Eric.
I had a really good specimen of Magnolia stellata and I recall the scent was delicate but just beautiful. Sadly it died in a winter which really wasn't too severe. My replacements don't seem to have the same quality, but they are only a few years old.
Ive been admiring the plants in my own garden, but we are having some building work done and spring is passing me by. I spent today weeding so perhaps I'll risk a few photos :D
I have a feeling that the garden is a few weeks earlier this year. What do you think? Its been a very mild March over here, and this past week has been sunny and warm. I can see that your plants are basking in sunshine 8)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on April 09, 2011, 10:59:43 PM

Superb control of the whites on the stellata Eric.  :)

George. The garden down here is 3 weeks earlier than last year. Last year the garden was 3 weeks later than the previous year.  ;D

Malcolm
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 10, 2011, 07:28:02 AM
Thank you very much for the compliment, Malcolm.

George: I do not keep records but I have just thought of a good way of comparing. I can view the EXIF on each photo I take which gives the date and time the photo was taken. I have been comparing shots I took last year with ones I have taken this year and I would guess we are about 2 weeks ahead.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 10, 2011, 10:18:00 PM
Thanks Guys. I thought so :)
Problem is, I'm four to six weeks later than I'd like :(
Too much has been happening here since just after Christmas.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on April 15, 2011, 08:24:22 AM
Superb photos as usual again Eric - a fantastic display you're getting too.

We are also getting a combination of very mild, hot, sunny, cold and damp, rainy days.  Our new neighbours here are saying that these 'hotter' days at the moment are unusual.
As this is our first year here we've got nothing to compare it to yet - it's all new to us.

Keep up the great work Eric.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 15, 2011, 09:54:14 AM
Thank you Laurie. I hope you are getting settled in now and finding some gems growing of which you were previously unaware.

We have been having much the same weather as you, hot and sunny alternating with cold and grey. We have not been getting the rain though and we have actually been watering!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on April 15, 2011, 10:29:49 AM
We haven't found any gems as such (yet  ;) ) but things are starting to bloom now.

Some shrubs, that were otherwise just twigs, are starting to get some foliage on them.  Too soon to identify what they are, but hopefully we'll see some flowers appearing.

Got the first grass cut done last week, so that seems to be a good indicator of the growing season getting underway.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 15, 2011, 09:43:53 PM
Good to see you back Laurie! I'm sure there will be some pleasant surprises now the plants are beginning to bloom.
The ones that look like twigs in winter can be breathtaking in spring and summer. My Japanese Maples look pathetic in winter but they are leafing out now. My favourite time of year. Another spectacular in my book would be the deciduous Azaleas - spectacular when they burst into bloom, on leafless stems.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 07, 2011, 08:15:49 AM
HURRAH!!! I woke to a thunder clap at 6 am and we have had the first rain for weeks  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 07, 2011, 01:49:50 PM
It has been making an attempt for a few days now, but very little rain so far here in Ireland Eric.
Did you have much rain there?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 07, 2011, 04:06:27 PM
Had thunder and lightning and torrential rain here which started yesterday evening, and continued intermittently through the night into early hours of this morning.

Also caught the tail-end of a mini tornado yesterday evening which touched down in Christchurch.  Just amounted to a couple of minutes of very strong wind and rainfall where we are a few miles away.  :o
I can't officially confirm that weather anomaly though, just what we were told by a neighbour this morning.  Can't find any news reports anywhere about it.  :-\

It's dry as I write, but looking very overcast.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 07, 2011, 04:52:21 PM
Did you have much rain there?
I have examined my neighbour's rain gauge and there was 7.5 mm. It has been fine all day again with patchy cloud.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 27, 2011, 05:16:27 PM
Happy accidents of nature: I was looking out of the window towards our front hedge just now and realised how much of what I was looking at was unplanned. The Alberic Barbier rose grows along inside the hedge and emerges from time to time. It has chosen to make what looks like a hybrid bush, half rose and half deutzia. The flower in front of it is a wild rocket which chose to seed itself in the bed as did the foxgloves to the left.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/5764744393_9e637a7bf6_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5764820151_c8223c5179_z.jpg)

The Alberic Barbier was grown from a cutting from the rose we have growing up the front of our house above the entrance porch (see below). That rose is is 55 years old having planted it as soon as the house was built. That in turn was grown from a cutting Anthea took from a rose belonging to her father and mother. Her parents' rose was ancient so I believe the two plants span a period of over 100 years.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/5765367454_4542d9f060_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on May 27, 2011, 08:24:25 PM
as always great photos eric and it just goes to show in gardening that what is not planned out or accidental looks great, my planting out so far has been bang that in there stick that one in there but it is just a boundary hedge anyway  ;D, keep the photos coming
Phil
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 27, 2011, 09:39:45 PM
Thanks Phil. Gardening is often one pleasant surprise after another  :) tempered with one or two disappointments  >:(
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 27, 2011, 10:06:56 PM
It's great to see your garden looking so good in bloom Eric.

'Happy accidents' in gardening (of which we have had a few), are what makes it so much more enjoyable.  You just never know what's going to pop up and surprise you  ;)

Photos are fantastic as always, and as Phil says, keep them coming.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 27, 2011, 10:33:40 PM
Thanks Laurie. I haven't been taking many shots of the garden recently, thinking of them as repeats, but of course, every year is different.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 27, 2011, 11:03:03 PM
... thinking of them as repeats, but of course, every year is different.
I think that's exactly the case Eric.  You could take a photo of, say a particular rose, one year - then the same flower next year could have a slightly different look to it.
If that happens then it's good documentary evidence to show to everyone how a particular plant is evolving.

Of course, it's still nice to show a beautiful plant again even if it hasn't changed, just as a comparison to show it isn't evolving - purely for the beauty of it  :D

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 27, 2011, 11:27:13 PM
Great photos Eric, and great tales to go with them.
That Deutsia looks really desirable Eric, and it seems to live in perfect harmony with your Alberic Barbier.
That Rose sure does have pedigree! It must be very dear to you both and a lovely source of fond memories.

Youve captured them all perfectly in your photos. Thank you for sharing them with us on the forum and I echo Phils comment - keep them coming Eric. You take fine photos on your travels and they are always welcome when you post them here.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 29, 2011, 06:09:46 PM
Thanks George. Yesterday I meant to take up the challenge of ?keep them coming? but unfortunately I was a bit off colour and didn?t emerge from the house (much better today, thankfully). It occurred to me that I could take one or two shots from the upstairs windows. The first you will recognise as the front hedge posted the day before. If you look carefully in the top right hand corner you might make out two cricketers in white. That is the village cricket pitch.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/5771123134_022ab64080_z.jpg)

I took one from our bathroom window where we look down on a hydrangea petiolaris in full flower covering the old stable roof. The pink blossom is kolwitzia (beauty bush)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5771118930_04762d8823_z.jpg)

The last one is taken from the window of our little office. It looks rather strange and almost luminous in the shadow where that circular brown patch occurs. That is where daffodils and narcissi grow and I have only just strimmed it. It will green up if we keep getting a bit of rain. It looks a bit unexplained but that is where a lovely old cherry tree grew and the daffodils grew round it. It got a bit dangerous with limbs dropping off so sadly it had to come down  ::). The little glimpses of red are Paul Scarlet

The veg patch is out of site at the bottom of the garden but we have just enjoyed our very first spinach of the year.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/5771121880_503f3ee1c7_z.jpg)

As a finale, I just walked down the garden a few minutes ago and the sun was shining through this delphinium  :)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/5772568936_9dd7470877_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 30, 2011, 11:41:23 PM
I'm sorry to hear that you were housebound for a day Eric. Its good to see you have managed to think of us and take such fine photos.

Your garden is looking very well maintained, and much further on that mine. I have a Paul's Scarlet, but no blooms yet!  :(
The Rose on your wall in the first shot is blooming away merrily!

Are those foxgloves I spy in the first photo? No sign of mine yet!

Hope you are recovering quickly Eric, and thanks again for making the effort to take and share your photos with us.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 01, 2011, 04:31:22 PM
Yes, recovering well, thank you George  :).

 We have had this plant for some time but I have never known its name. I took a couple of shots a few minutes ago and here they are. I am sure one of our knowledgeable members will be able to identify it for me, please.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/5786353303_8125a722ba_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5786906978_53407d35fd_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 01, 2011, 11:26:29 PM
My first guess would be Sisyrinchium striatum Eric. Google that and see if the images match.
Hopefully Eric (Palustris) will have a look and comment.

I have one in my garden. In one spot, it chugged along for a number of years and was very poor. I moved a division to another bed and it gave a fine display last year in its second year.
Yours is looking very happy, I must say.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 02, 2011, 08:06:50 AM
Thank you George, I have Googled it and I must say the images I have found look very similar. I am pretty certain you are correct. It is nice to find out the name of a mystery plant. The trouble is, if someone asks me in the future I will still have to come rushing in to the computer to check  :). No that's wrong, I don't do rushing these days  >:(

Edit, 2.35 pm: I have just checked the bible (RHS A-Z) and I have not doubt at all you are correct, George.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 02, 2011, 04:47:19 PM
Its a very desirable plant Eric, and yours is a fine looking specimen..
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 02, 2011, 04:11:03 PM
A progress photo of our KIftsgate rose which now not only reaches the top of the conifer but on the right hand side has grown over an old apple tree

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/5893617077_5f66420472_z.jpg)

These hollyhocks are self sown and are growing in the joints of some York stone paving. The stems of the Kiftsgate Rose can be seen just behind the hollyhocks and all that remarkable growth comes from them.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/5894182252_5d064fbb23_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on July 02, 2011, 07:01:11 PM
That's one amazing specimen of rose Eric.

I hope you never have to prune it  :o

Must be a Guinness Book of Records contender there  ;)

Nice Hollyhocks and great photos as usual Eric.  I always look forward to seeing your photos - a joy to behold.

Laurie.
 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 02, 2011, 11:00:45 PM
Thank you Laurie. Pruning is impossible  ::). I do have an excellent light weight lopper with which I can reach up to 15 feet so the lower straggly bits can be dealt with. Some people don't like it because it is so untidy but we love it. We bought the plant for £1 at an end of season sale at the West Wycombe garden centre. I have posted this picture before but it shows the blooms at close quarters.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3678087859_c5d59d77eb_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 12, 2011, 11:05:24 PM
Our sweet peas are excelling themselves and we can't pick them fast enough. At the moment there are two vases of them in the living room, one in the dining room and one in the kitchen and the place is full of a heavenly scent  :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 13, 2011, 12:07:46 AM
Beautiful :) Mary loves them.

I love scented plants. Its so nice to be working in the garden and get a waft of fragrance.
No sweet peas this year. I bought a packet, and didn't have time to plant them. I'll use them in Autumn - I haven't tried that before. Have you and Anthea?

In the greenhouse, I have one solitary Freesia, from a full packet ::) I have a few plants producing leaves, but no sign of flowers.
Nevertheless, its enough to make going into the greenhouse a pleasure. Perhaps they will do better next year (if they survive).

I have a few Dianthus and they are filling the air with a very nice clove scent. I can detect it from 10 paces. I was amazed that they overwintered outdoors!

Enjoy those sweet peas!!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 13, 2011, 11:14:44 PM
I'll use them in Autumn - I haven't tried that before. Have you and Anthea?
I have never heard of sowing them in the autumn, George. When do they come into flower?

I bet that Freesia smells good. You did well to grow them from seed. I thought one generally bought bulbs.

We have a Dianthus in a very large pot by the rockery.. Now it  overhangs the sides of the pot so it looks like a large hummock of Dianthus. It has been in the pot for about 5 years so it has survived some hard winters.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 14, 2011, 12:00:57 AM
I read that autumn sown Sweet Peas flower earlier next year Eric. I'll give them a go and report back.

I misled you - I bought the Freesia as corms. However I have grown them from seed in the past. They took a couple of years (more?) to get to flowering size, but they were quite successful.

Now thats a good idea about the Dianthus, putting it in a pot. I bought 2 of 5 varieties last year. I planted one of each out and kept one of each in the greenhouse. My reasoning - I was fed up with them lasting one season, so I was keeping one of each for "stock".
Some actually survived outdoors. ::) One variety died in the greenhouse. They are still in the greenhouse. The remaining 4 will go in large pots! They have an annoying lax habit, so your idea of allowing them to overhang the pots is a good idea 8). Thanks for that tip!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 17, 2011, 06:02:59 PM
Isn't nature wonderful? Our 60th wedding anniversary was 7 weeks ago and Anthea had a lot of vases around the place filled with flowers. Most died and went onto the compost heap ages ago. One particular chrysanthemum head kept fresh well after the others so it was left in the vase like a specimen. and only in the past two or three days started browning off at the end of the petals. Anthea decided to dispose of it at last and to her surprise discovered that it had developed a large root system at the bottom of the stalk. Not only that there is a new shoot coming out of the side of the stalk. It has now been de-headed and lovingly potted.  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on September 17, 2011, 06:31:28 PM
What an obliging flower!

Congratulations once again on your 60th Eric and Anthea. That little flower must have realised that it was in the right place for TLC, and decided to put down its roots :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 13, 2011, 11:15:55 PM
Is this a record  ??? We have enjoyed perpetual spinach all summer. We keep cutting it as near the ground as possible and it obligingly regenerates quite quickly. One plant we left to grow because Anthea thought she would see if she could save some seed. It has grown so tall I decided to measure it. It is 7 feet 1 inch tall (in old money)  ::)


What an extraordinary autumn. I counted 10 different type of rose in the garden still in bloom including the American Pillar over our summerhouse roof which is having a second go. I photographed it this morning from an upstairs window.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6241385583_0640fd4795_z.jpg)

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6241900634_593eb9e1a4_z.jpg)


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on October 14, 2011, 02:15:31 PM
I can't answer your spinach question Eric, but the prolonged warm weather at the moment is certainly keeping our plants blooming longer.

Here too, we are experiencing some very hot and sunny days.

However, make the most of it.  Colder weather is on the way next week  ::)

You've got a nice collection of apples there too Eric.  Apple pies maybe  :-\  ;)

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 14, 2011, 02:46:03 PM
Apple pies maybe  :-\  ;)
We have been alternating between baked apples and apple crumble, Laurie. I never get tired of them  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 15, 2011, 12:01:55 AM
Stewed apple and custard for me - lovely :D
My Bramley apples are much smaller this year. Are yours the normal size?

I'm amazed at the colour in my gardens as well Eric and Laurie.
Took some photos today, and will post when I get a chance.
Roses here too - lots of them! New Penstemon just purchased this year are only beginning to bloom now!
Stars of the show at present is Argyranthemum 'Jamaica Primrose'. My stock all died over winter. I managed three from the tiniest cuttings from my sons house, from a plant which had been protected by another plant which had covered and protected it from last hard winter with withered strap leaves. His locality in Belfast seems to have a micro climate. Ive given him one to overwinter in his garden again!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 23, 2011, 08:08:36 AM
I have not been looking at the forum seriously for a couple of weeks because neither Anthea nor I have been well. Luckily I am now recovering but she has a very painful back that is not helped by the fact that any effective painkiller seems to upset her stomach  :(

Luckily the garden is looking respectable again by dint of a very long hard day’s work yesterday by two strong young men. They also collected a good load of well rotted horse manure from a friend’s stable up the lane  :)

I ventured out to inspect the work and was struck by what was still blooming in the garden. The seasons seem all adrift. In no particular order and just from memory, so I may have forgotten some, these are still in flower: -

Several roses, fuchsias in abundance, a profusion of nasturtiums climbing up a six foot hedge, primroses, a wallflower, a cistus, our sweet scented jasmine which climbs 14 ft high, hypericum, our double marsh marigold in the pond and, to my surprise, two hollyhocks, which we cut down as finished, have sprouted again, grown to about four or five feet tall and are in bloom again.

Will they know what to do next year  ???
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on November 23, 2011, 12:00:01 PM
Sorry to hear you and Anthea haven't been well Eric. Its good that you are on the mend :)
I hope Anthea finds something more agreeable to the system to ease the back pain. Nothing is worse than constant pain!

Thank you for finding the time to give us an update on the garden. Like you, I'm surprised at how much is in bloom and its almost December! More later.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on November 23, 2011, 12:15:56 PM
Best wishes to you both Eric for a speedy recovery.

The current climate is indeed proving to be very fickle.  The plants, and wildlife, don't seem to know what's happening.  Do the plants go dormant, does the wildlife hibernate, and/or migrate.  The balance of nature is in a bit of a turmoil   :-\

We had a minus 1 degree C frost last night - the first for this year.  What next  :-X

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Lyn and Malcolm on November 23, 2011, 11:24:39 PM

And welcome back to you Eric. I hope you both continue to feel better, and are able to enjoy your garden in whatever seasons we may have.

Best wishes to you both.

Malcolm and Lyn
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 24, 2011, 08:18:05 AM
Thank you George, Laurie and Malcolm for your good wishes. It is amazing how you all feel like good friends to me even though we have never met!  :)

Another brief excursion round the garden yesterday added campanula and vibernum to the list. Geraniums in containers are still all flowering well and adding quite a lot of colour. They should come indoors soon before the frosts. The summerhouse is a good spot for overwintering. The heads of the hydrangeas this year have gone a most glorious shade of red, brighter than I ever remember. They will stay there until I take them off in March. Finally, this year has been exceptional for holly berries. I hope the old maxim of that being a harbinger of a hard winter doesn't come to pass  :o

Best wishes from Anthea and me to you all.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on November 24, 2011, 03:57:56 PM
RE:
Quote
It is amazing how you all feel like good friends to me even though we have never met
That's my feelings exactly Eric! I think you get to know a lot about the person when you communicate by email and on a forum - not so much what they say, but the way they say it.
Its very nice to communicate in this way with people who have similar interests in life, sometimes difficult to find in the "real" world.

Enjoy the scent of those Viburnums :) I used to have two large specimens on a wall between the gavels of our house and next door. On a still winters evening coming from from work it was a pleasant surprise to get a waft of their beautiful scent.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 01, 2012, 01:32:03 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody ;D!

New Year's day and four climbing Rosa Paul Scarlet heads in full bloom are looking at me through my first floor study window,  Rosa Mermaid is in bud outside our bedroom window and Alberic Barbier also in flower! Amazing  ???
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on January 01, 2012, 02:55:41 PM
Happy New Year!

Glad to see you've got some lovely colour in your garden there Eric  :)

Here too we've got a Camelia in our front garden that's in full bloom.  Covered in wonderful pink flowers.  The same bush last year didn't start flowering until February  :-\  Very strange things going on with this mild weather.

I'd take a photo of the Camelia to show everyone, but it's raining hard and has been since this morning  ::)  You'll just have to take my word for it for now  :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 02, 2012, 09:21:27 PM
Everything is indeed a bit zany this year Eric & Laurie. Its nice to have all flowers all the year round!
Soon we'll have the snowdrops and the Crocus are well up, so all year round flowers is a distinct possibility this year!

We had frost last night and today was cooler - 4 degrees C around 4pm when we headed off to the airport.

Happy New Year all!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 05, 2012, 03:40:43 PM
Blossom, blossom and yet more blossom. It is a wonderful time of year - we seem to be surrounded by it. Here is a view of the front of our house taken from the common about ten days ago. The hawthorns were covered in May blossom and the cow parsley was flourishing.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7155305933_483eee0404_z.jpg)

Here are a couple of shots taken from my bedroom window. The first shows Rosa Nevada and Kolkwitzia inside and cow parsley outside our side gate.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7340511642_72abc009de_z.jpg)

This, also taken from my bedroom window, shows Deutzia and Rosa Alberic Barbier growing in our front hedge.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7340511742_b16c6e58b4_z.jpg)

This was taken from our kitchen window yesterday morning
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7155308033_0c26a01002_z.jpg)

And these views of a climbing hydrangea and Kolkwitzia were taken from our bathroom window yesterday morning.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8164/7155307423_284310cb1c_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7155307499_a8444a729d_z.jpg)

Here is a closer view of a broom and a Clematis Montana on our east boundary. The roots of the clematis are in our ground but it seems to prefer our neighbour’s tree for support.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7340510934_3ba0741cc9_z.jpg)

It is raining now, which is a shame, a street party is planned on the common today. I watched a spectacular firework display from my bedroom window last night.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 05, 2012, 04:01:31 PM
Some great photos there Eric, very impressive displays.

Thanks for sharing those with us.

You picked the best day to photograph them.  Sadly it's raining here too today - has been since about 10am.

Shame for any street parties and other outdoor celebrations planned for today  :(

We had success with growing hostas in our old house.  As you will recall I did a Forum article on the use of copper rings, which worked well for us.
The hostas were far enough apart from other plants and fencing so the slugs couldn't get onto the plants from other directions.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 05, 2012, 04:57:27 PM
Thanks. Laurie.
I have to confess that I have succumbed and bought myself a new camera body. The Canon 60D. The photos of the broom and clematis were almost the first I took with it. (Old) boys and their toys  ;D !! I really didn't need it, the 40D is fine, but I was tempted by the articulating LCD. I just can't get down on the ground these days and thought of being able to take worms eye views was irresistible. I must find a way of selling my 450D and kit lens. I don't need 3 camera bodies! ::)
Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 05, 2012, 05:10:05 PM
You take great photos with whatever equipment you use Eric  8), but I do understand your reasoning for wanting to change your camera body  ::)
(Does Anthea agree though  :-\  :-X )

If Malcolm was still active on the Forum I would suggest asking him to keep his ears open for potential buyers for your 'surplus' gear.  He had plenty of photographer connections, but I don't know why he's been absent from the Forum for so long.

Good luck with that anyway.

Laurie.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 05, 2012, 11:34:20 PM
Thanks for posting those magnificent photos Eric. I know the name, but I'm not at all familiar with Kolwitzia. Thanks for the landscape view followed by the close ups - just what I like! I love your Deutzia!

RE:
Quote
I really didn't need it, the 40D is fine, but I was tempted by the articulating LCD. I just can't get down on the ground these days and thought of being able to take worms eye views was irresistible.
Can you elaborate a little on that Eric? (for the amateur - ahem ::))
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 06, 2012, 08:05:07 AM
Here is an article copied from Wikipedia about Kolkwitzia, George.

Kolkwitzia amabilis (  /kɒlˈkwɪtsi.ə əˈmæbɨlɪs/) is a species of woody flowering plant in the honeysuckle family known in the US by the common name Beauty Bush, for amabilis, "lovely". The plant originated in Central China, where it was twice discovered, once by the Jesuit missionary Giuseppe Giraldi in Shensi and then in western Hubei province, by E.H. 'Chinese' Wilson who was collecting for Veitch Nurseries, who introduced it into horticulture. It was named for Richard Kolkwitz, a professor of botany in Berlin. The plant is an arching, spreading shrub, with light brown flaky bark and graceful arching branches, which can grow higher than eight feet tall. It is usually as wide as it is tall. The plant blooms in late spring. Its light pink flowers, dark pink in the bud, are about one-inch long and bell-shaped ("tubular campanulate"); they grow in pairs, as with all Caprifoliaceae, and form showy, numerous sprays along ripened wood. Its leaves are opposite, simple, and ovate, from .5 to 3 inches long, entire or with a few sparse shallow teeth. Its fruit is a hairy, ovoid capsule approximately .25 inches long.
Wilson sent plant material to his sponsors Veitch Nurseries, Exeter, in 1901; the shrub flowered there for the first time in 1910. It received a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit in 1923 for Nymans Gardens, Sussex. The shrub became very popular in the eastern United States following World War I, almost a defining shrub in American gardens made between the World Wars.
In the garden, the shrub needs plenty of room to develop its long, arching sprays, reducing the temptation to club it back, which results in an unnatural "witches' broom". Occasionally older stems thicker than a broomstick should be removed at the base when the shrub is dormant, to encourage young, free-flowering growth.

I will answer your question about the camera after breakfast

Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 06, 2012, 09:56:10 AM
Thanks for that article Eric.
I note its proportions and the advice not to "club" it back (I like that expression :D)
Its a bit too big for my garden!

PS: I have quite a lot of plants in my garden I'd like to club back  ;D. I dig up my mistakes regularly.
Unfortunately, some I had removed by a JCB last year are sprouting up 10 feet and more from their original location as BIG suckers :'( One was a large cherry tree.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 06, 2012, 05:14:18 PM

Quote
I really didn't need it, the 40D is fine, but I was tempted by the articulating LCD. I just can't get down on the ground these days and thought of being able to take worms eye views was irresistible.
Can you elaborate a little on that Eric? (for the amateur - ahem ::))

I have posted an answer in the photographic section, George - it seemed more appropriate.

Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 06, 2012, 05:20:40 PM
I do understand your reasoning for wanting to change your camera body  ::)
(Does Anthea agree though  :-\  :-X )
Anthea indulges me a little bit, Laurie, as long as I don't push things too far  :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 17, 2013, 10:08:52 AM
We have a Rosa "Shot Silk" by the front gate. It is finding its way up into one of the two holly trees that flank the gate. I took these two shots with my telephoto lens from my bedroom window.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/9065700774_9d0dd117fe_c.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/9063474779_d9e65921f7_c.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 17, 2013, 10:16:18 AM
A lovely example of a repeat flowering climbing rose there Eric  :)

Beautiful crystal clear images too.  You've got an excellent telephoto lens to get that quality  8)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 17, 2013, 11:42:24 AM
Thanks, Laurie.

I have just returned to the house following a general look round the garden. What is striking me is how slow everything is to take off this year after being planted out. Lettuces are hopeless, any I plant out refuse to grow any more and just wait to be demolished by slugs, woodpidgeons or anything that is around to eat them. Those we plant out in the greenhouse become great luxuriant plants in no time at all. The sweet peas have hardly moved, the outdoor tomatoes I fear were a waste of time, those in the greenhouse are doing well. The second lot of runner beans are beginning to grow behind their deer discouraging netting.

The gooseberries are forming well and both the red and black currents look promising. It was most encouraging to see lots of bees on our raspberry flowers after all the dire news about the bee population.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 17, 2013, 11:51:54 AM
We don't have any fruit bushes in our garden and we don't grow vegetables, and we don't have a greenhouse.

Lots of DON'Ts there I know  ::)

What we do have though are lots of nectar-rich plants that the bees, butterflies and other insects love.  We're doing 'our bit' to help the bee population but sadly they are still in decline  :(
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 17, 2013, 12:09:44 PM
Nice Rose Eric, and a terrific shot from distance to be able to crop in on - I'm envious on both counts :)

Is that a white lilac in the foreground? I don't have that one unfortunately.

Our common lilac was a full month late this year. It normally coincides with a week or so after my wife's birthday in first week of May. Her mother made that observation at the time Mary was born.
Its in bloom at the moment, but almost over  :(
Mary always cuts a bunch for indoor arrangement. Beautiful scent 8)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 17, 2013, 02:04:49 PM
Is that a white lilac in the foreground? I don't have that one unfortunately.
Yes it is, George. We also have a dark one near our summerhouse with a wonderful scent. Both have been very late this year.

(http://farm1.staticflickr.com/77/154387991_5d8e094a27.jpg)

Eric H 

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on June 19, 2013, 12:44:42 AM
Both the rose and the lilac look wonderful, especially against the holly.  I went on a trek up our garden to see if there was any white  lilac I could cut for the house but I was shocked to find how tall everything has got!  Any blooms were way out of reach and I could barely even see them on account of all the other shrubs and trees that have shot up.  Some serious pruning will be required when the time is right to remedy the situation.

The plant in our garden that is alive with bees just now is the Rosa Geranium.  I grew this now-large bush from seed many years ago.  It was 'humming' in the sunshine today :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 19, 2013, 08:59:45 AM
My "regular" lilac (which is lilac coloured ;D) was one of the first plants I attempted to multiply.
I took suckers from one which was planted by my father. They all grew of course. In fact, in one location, suckers are coming up all around in an 8 ft spread :o
I dug "my" one up in the other location - on the edge of the soft fruit patch (for obvious reasons :D).
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 19, 2013, 01:52:36 PM
I went on a trek up our garden to see if there was any white  lilac I could cut for the house but I was shocked to find how tall everything has got! 
Lilacs tend to romp away. Our white lilac is an old tree but we cut it back quite severely each year when the flowers are dead. It seems to like the treatment. The purple lilac has shot up and got a bit straggly and really needs the same treatment.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 19, 2013, 01:55:52 PM
suckers are coming up all around in an 8 ft spread :o
Our white lilac produces suckers galore. They need cutting back frequently otherwise we would live in a lilac grove  :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 19, 2013, 09:18:16 PM
I decided to try an experiment with my iPhone in panorama mode. The pivotal point in our back garden is the tall conifer through which Rosa Kiftsgate grows so profusely. At its base are two small ponds and a rockery. You are not able to see much of the lower part of the garden until you get level with this tree. I stood at what I thought was the best view point and panned from the top to the bottom of the garden. It looks terrific on the big computer screen slowly moving it across. Here you will not be able to see much detail.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9087007674_1ac382d1ff_b.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on June 19, 2013, 10:28:29 PM
Your garden is looking really good Eric, even from the smaller photo here - very well maintained  ;)

The iPhone has done it justice too.  I'm very impressed with the quality of the onboard camera (this from another iPhone owner  :D ).
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 20, 2013, 07:27:17 AM
I'm very impressed with the quality of the onboard camera (this from another iPhone owner  :D ).


The success of the panorama made me want to see how well the iPhone would cope with taking flowers and blossom rather than using my Canon. The results aren’t bad at all

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/9089160655_e3e2677032_z.jpg)

(http://l2.yimg.com/sk/3697/9088235234_fbe66a42e9_z.jpg)
Deutzia

(http://l2.yimg.com/sk/3823/9088231172_028e4bc206_z.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9086016273_71bba05e90_z.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/9086015283_554af1a058_z.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9088231924_bb5e0d9e6a_z.jpg)
Kolkwitzia or "Beauty Bush"

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/9088234560_72f2c78e10_z.jpg)

Thank you for your kind comments about our garden too, Laurie

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 20, 2013, 10:13:57 AM
I second Lauries comments ;D
iPhone photos are quick and easy - embarrassingly so!
They do all that's required for the younger generation to use on social networks.
As an expert in photography, its a big stamp of approval that you judge them to be of good quality.
Many thanks for sharing Eric.

I'm off to the garden - duly enthused and inspired :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 30, 2013, 10:04:16 AM
Here the blossom has been absolutely phenomenal this year, bigger blooms and more prolific. The elderflower and wild roses in the hedgerows are exceptional.

Yesterday, we decided to finish our lunch in the summer house so we carried our puddings out there to eat. I had my iPhone in my pocket and decided to take a shot of the outlook.
On the far left: Kolkwitzia, or Beauty Bush. On the far right: Hydrangea Petiolaris (climbing hydrangea). On the near right, the red rose is Rosa Moyesii, a vigorous climber from China.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9173085198_a02bae441f_b.jpg)

The blooms on the climbing hydrangea have been larger this year too

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/9173419884_afb1ce4850_b.jpg)

I also thought I would take the overwhelming riot behind our front hedge as seen from our side gate (I hadn’t noticed how badly the gate needs redecorating until I looked at the photo)  :(

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/9173420594_5a485663ef_b.jpg)

In this one you can just see Shot Silk poking out from the top of the holly tree by the front gate. The white lilac blooms are brown now (Memo: some dead heading to be done)

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/9171198699_5381b57055_b.jpg)

And just to show that the hedge is a bit tidier on the outside than the inside  :)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9173563378_320ee76b55_b.jpg)

All these photos were taken with the iPhone

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 30, 2013, 02:30:22 PM
I'd like to use your photos of Kolkwitzia and Hydrangea Petiolaris in the Master Database Eric.
They are spectacular!!
Lovely photos and look at the clear blue sky in the background 8). I hope it didn't distract you too much from enjoying your pudding ;D

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on June 30, 2013, 06:34:15 PM
I now feel obliged to dispense a little tlc to my poor hydrangea petiolaris.  I've actually barely given it a second glance recently, but it is planted in a very shady position with masses of competition from weeds and other plants.  I'll check it out tomorrow and see if I can do something to improve its lot now that I've seen your lovely plant :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 01, 2013, 07:32:51 AM
I'd like to use your photos of Kolkwitzia and Hydrangea Petiolaris in the Master Database Eric.
You are most welcome, George. Would you like me to send the originals by email?

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 01, 2013, 07:36:17 AM
This was the view from my bedroom window at 6:08 am this morning taken as a panorama with my iPhone with a little help later from Photoshop)(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/9179924877_f657f37aa7_b.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on July 01, 2013, 12:06:51 PM
I'm not a morning person but even I might pop out bed for a quick glimpse of that view :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 01, 2013, 01:00:37 PM
I think you will find, Trish, that when you get old you get into the early to bed, early to rise, routine. When I was young I was an owl but now I am a lark.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on July 01, 2013, 07:56:08 PM
I am 'old' compared to all our friends!  I'm the oldest person I know except for one of my dear old mum's friends who I inherited, and you now of course :)

I know what you're saying but I might never change though as some of my late night/late morning routine is due to my Stills Disease (a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis).  I've kicked all the meds (not that I ever was on very many) and take responsibility for my own health using a combination of diet, lifestyle, supplements, ~exercise~ etc.  One important routine that I rely on for pain relief is my regular evening hot bath, usually after tv and the evening news, followed by at least two hours cooling off period which I mostly use to catch up on the day's activity on facebook and other online pursuits such as email, banking, shopping etc.  This routine helps with stiffness and pain and ensures that I fall asleep instantly my head hits the pillow, often around 1.30am.  Mornings for me are difficult.  At least nowadays I can get out of bed unaided but I am very slow and don't function properly until I've sat at the table in my dressing gown and drunk my coffee, usually around 10am.  It all depends what time Rog gets up.  I follow around two hours later :)  I suppose if he starts going to bed earlier things might change, but then we'd miss tv after the watershed.  We like our tv, except at this time of year when there's nothing much on.  That said.... I'm here now because we're having late meals currently because Rog watches the Tour de France highlights every night from 7 to 8pm :( 

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 01, 2013, 09:48:59 PM
Trish, I had absolutely no idea when I made my remarks. My generalities obviously don't apply. How I admire you for taking control of your life like that. I hope you can continue to do so for many years to come.
My very best wishes
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 01, 2013, 11:27:03 PM
Very brave Trish, I did notice some late emails in our communications!

I used to burn the candle at both ends, sometimes working to 2 am and occasionally a bit more (e.g. 4am  :o) then getting up shortly after 7 to go to my day job. Such was my enjoyment when developing Ideas Genie :) (and I'm very serious!
Not just as bad nowadays - shortly after midnight and rely on the body clock to waken me in the morning ;D

I digress, my apologies.
Your "am" photo Eric. Now that's its artificial light, I can see more detail (in the shadows) in your photo.
A lovely view of the unspoilt common and your garden in bloom in the foreground. Yes, that's a welcoming sight to start the day :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on July 02, 2013, 01:30:02 AM
Looking again at the picture I noticed all the foxgloves standing to attention :)  They pop up everywhere don't they, and I rarely have the heart to pull them out because, like the poppies, some lovely variations can crop up.  That said, I've snipped a few fallen-over ones back today and I always try to get them out before they set seed in non-suitable areas.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 16, 2013, 08:48:18 PM
Rosa Kiftsgate is more spectacular than ever this year. It is completely hiding the conifer that it is growing up and the right hand section is growing over an old apple tree. Some people dislike its untidy habit but we love it. This was taken this morning at about 9:30 am

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/9302442852_34374b7c04_b.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/9302443334_97e7b50e0d_b.jpg)

Our sage is doing quite well too  :)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/9302442058_6bf022e5cc_b.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on July 16, 2013, 10:59:08 PM
That Rosa Kiftsgate is such an awesome sight Eric - you must be so proud of it.

I too like the way it looks now.  Trying to trim it into an 'orderly' shape would just alter its whole character as far as I'm concerned.

Nature producing the best on its own.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 16, 2013, 11:27:34 PM
and it would be hard to get a better photo of that specimen Eric.
Its a prizewinner 8)
What a beautiful sight. The plants in the foreground sure are enjoying that sunshine :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 27, 2014, 03:46:12 PM
Things are looking hopeful  :). After atrocious weather on Saturday and Sunday it was a bit brighter today and I ventured down the garden. Bulbs are poking through all over the place and there are clumps of snowdrops flowering away. The dark helibore is in full bloom too so I am full of hope and looking forward to the year ahead.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 27, 2014, 11:36:32 PM
Nice you are looking on the bright side Eric :)

I really do feel for those who are flooded.
I live on the flat at the top of a hill. Even so, parts of the top of my garden were flooded this morning after heavy rain last night.
Nothing to worry about, fortunately.

I spotted our first Snowdrops last week and like yours they are so cheerful and welcome to herald the arrival of spring.
I planted lots of new Tulips and Hyacinths to augment the daffs, and I can see them shooting up as well.

Do you find it takes Hellebores a while to establish? Mine are looking more impressive this year (also in bloom ;D) and look like they are maturing nicely. I planted a clump opposite my office window to provide early colour :D

Lets hope all this excess water drains away soon from all our gardens.

My contacts in Canada and US have had a real bad winter. I'm sure we have all seen the TV coverage of the "ice age" conditions a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on January 28, 2014, 05:45:44 AM
It's nice to hear that your garden is coming to life again Eric.

We've been so hectic here dealing with other things that we've not had chance to give our garden much attention yet.

Fortunately, where we live is not on a flood plain and the garden drainage is pretty good.  The lawn is a bit mushy in places but we're not experiencing the horrendous flooding problems that have devastated many areas around the country.

Let's just hope these freak weather conditions start to ease very soon and let the saturated ground recover.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 28, 2014, 10:52:12 AM
Do you find it takes Hellebores a while to establish?
Yes, a long time, George. In fact we tried several places round the garden choosing sites we thought they would like, but they never thrived. Then, about ten years ago, we bought a dark one and a greeny white one and I tried them at the foot of our climbing roses on the screen by the drive and they never looked back. Why they liked it there I don't know, but they did. After a year or two they started self seeding and the resulting plants seemed to be a cross and we got a variety of shades in between. Anthea has a habit of picking a few heads and floating them in a bowl on the dining table. Here is a shot I took a long time ago but it shows the variations in colour we now get. I have tried replanting the seedlings but they don't survive. It is best to let them grow where they are and thin them out occasionally.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3464/3354919110_c4acbb7a2e_z.jpg)

Quote
My contacts in Canada and US have had a real bad winter. I'm sure we have all seen the TV coverage of the "ice age" conditions a few weeks ago.
Yes, indeed, our middle son Mark, who lives in Montreal, talked to us on Face Time a short time ago and held his iPad up to the window to show us the weather. At that moment he said it was minus 22 degrees C outside  ::). He has now flown to Guatemala where he is doing some voluntary surgery. I am sure he will find it warmer there  :) I gather they have magnificent hospitals and equipment but no doctors. Most of them fled the revolution. He will find it a contrast to his trips to Tanzania where he operates under very primitive conditions.

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on January 28, 2014, 11:44:46 AM
I wish your son Mark well, Eric. He is a brave man to venture where his fellow surgeons have fled.

Thanks for the tips on Hellebores. Perhaps Eric (Palustris) will comment as well - I'm sure he has experience to share.
Unfortunately, mine haven't self seeded.  Having seen how yours have cross pollinated to produce a nice variety of shades, I look forward to that :D
They do hang their pretty heads, don't they. Floating in a bowl is a good idea to show off their beauty :D (at the expense of possible self-seeding.
They sure do have very pretty markings.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 28, 2014, 04:15:30 PM
George, I have been mulling over in my mind why the hellibores flourished under the roses and have come to the conclusion that it might be that they are in soil that has had well rotted horse manure added over many years. For the 25 years that we kept our horse i always had a pile of rotting manure and straw from mucking out the stable. All the roses received liberal doses of this from time to time.

Talking of roses, i noticed this afternoon that we have a solitary white rose blooming away in January!

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on January 28, 2014, 04:20:15 PM
The lawn is a bit mushy in places.
Same here, Laurie. The only consolation is both ponds are very full and the water is looking beautifully clear.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 27, 2014, 09:07:21 AM
Here is a clematis we planted last year after it had bloomed. This is the first time we have seen what beautifully delicate flowers it has. Unfortunately I forgot to put it on the database and I have just found that the label has disappeared. Does anybody know please?

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5178/14041223673_2a8ce4cc5b_c.jpg)   

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14041222663_dec501856b_c.jpg)

The Clematis Montana on the summerhouse is looking pretty good too at the moment.

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14040852363_fdb580e333_c.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5161/13997733296_d75c6c5d8a_c.jpg)

Pouring down at the moment so stuck indoors today, I think.  >:(

Eric H

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on April 27, 2014, 10:29:31 AM
Try the Clematis Website for an ID
http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 27, 2014, 10:38:25 AM
Thank you Eric, I will have a look.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 28, 2014, 01:04:24 PM
Its a very nice white Clematis, Eric. 8)
I hope we can find a name for it - I would buy one :D

You are well ahead of us with Montana - ours are still in bud. Shows the difference a constant few degrees of temperature makes across the UK! We look in envy at the temperatures around London area.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 16, 2014, 11:40:30 AM
I am sorry to have neglected the forum for so long. There are number of reasons, one of which is that over the last few days I have been recovering from a nasty fall up the stone steps from the garden. Luckily a good neighbour was on hand and he immediately called an ambulance. Three very nice young paramedics spent a long time checking me over and patching me up. They said it was better for me not to be taken to hospital, for which I was grateful.  Thank heavens for the NHS.

Another reason is a far pleasanter one. Mark, our middle son, had spent some time doing voluntary surgery in Africa, under rather primitive conditions, and broke his journey on his way back to Montreal by staying with us for a few days. While he was here he drove us to Carmarthenshire to stay with our eldest son, Adam.

Although not our own garden I thought I would post a few shots of Adam’s, my excuse being that as he spent his formative years playing in ours, some of our love of gardening has definitely been inherited.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14226131848_eec8432235_b.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/14226144050_e4b0c6ec7c_b.jpg) 
 
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/14390564742_ecb324656a_b.jpg)

(https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6020/6018498214_06bb78f793_b.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5316/14226302287_6d4e3da2c5_b.jpg)

This one from a previous visit
(https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6127/6018474506_86aede65a8_b.jpg)

And to conclude - we old folks and a bare torsoed Adam taken by Mark.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5112/14389616636_a442ffbea3_b.jpg)

One day Adam and Mark took us to the National Botanic Garden of Wales, near Carmarthen. They got two wheelchairs at the visitor's entrance and pushed their aging parents up hill and down dale  :)
It is well worth a visit and I will try to upload some pictures to the "Gardens worth a visit" section when I can.

Best wishes to all,

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 17, 2014, 09:42:43 AM
Its lovely to see you both again!

I'm very sorry to hear about your fall, Eric. I hope you didn't hit your head on those steps. Arms and legs?

That was a pleasant surprise visit for your both from Mark. You told us before about the good work he was doing in Africa in what appeared to be dangerous conditions.

Adams house and garden are magnificent. Those photos you've posted would make a good foundation for an article in one of the House & Garden magazines! I presume he has a gardener? That shot of the house is taken with a very nice border in the foreground (it MUST have been taken by a gardener and clever photographer :D :D ) with what I think has a very mature yellow deciduous Azalea, lupins etc - des plants to go with the des res;D. I didn't see any of my rampant "Robin run the hedge" weeds!

I look forward to seeing your photos of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, near Carmarthen.

Very best wishes to you and Anthea!

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 17, 2014, 01:21:58 PM
I'm very sorry to hear about your fall, Eric. I hope you didn't hit your head on those steps. Arms and legs?
Thank you George. Luckily I didn't hit my head, just some nasty wounds to my shin, shoulder and wrist. I had them dressed by the Practice Nurse this morning. Getting along nicely.
Quote
I presume he has a gardener?
No he doesn't, Adam looks after it single handed but he works very hard at it and effectively.
I will try to post the Botanic Gardens photos tomorrow.
All the best.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on June 19, 2014, 01:15:58 AM
Thank goodness you didn't break any bones at least!  Glad to see that you seem to be recovering in good company.  Lovely pictures too.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 19, 2014, 11:08:48 AM
Thanks, Trish.

My goodness, you were up late (or VERY early). Your post is timed at 1:58 am   :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 19, 2014, 11:33:32 AM
Its a very nice white Clematis, Eric. 8)
I hope we can find a name for it - I would buy one :D
A friend of mine referred me to these websites, What do you think, they look similar?

Possible Spring Sensation?
mybeautfulthings.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/whi te-clematis-...

Or Early Sensation:
garden-photos-com.photoshelter.com/gallery-im age/White-Fl...

Eric H

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on June 20, 2014, 12:37:00 AM
Thanks, Trish.

My goodness, you were up late (or VERY early). Your post is timed at 1:58 am   :)

Eric H

Oh yes, I rarely go to bed before 1am, and sometimes it does get to after 2am.  I like reading and writing stuff at the computer when I know I am not going to be disturbed, I can concentrate better.  Also it is now a necessary part of my daily routine since I was prescribed calcium tablets to ward off osteoporosis.  They are  only  effective when taken two hours after food and drink, and neither can be consumed for at least two hours after!  I just don't have four hours spare during the day so I have them two hours after my last bedtime drink which can be any time from ten to nearly eleven.  It also fits nicely with my "cooling-off" period after my nightly hot bath (which takes the arthritis pain away) which then induces sleep.  I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow :)  Mornings are always slow and difficult for me though and I get up later than ~normal~ people.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 20, 2014, 09:59:13 PM
Hello, Trish.
I am so sorry to hear about your arthritis pains. I get some pretty painful twinges in my hip but I am sure not as bad as yours. Anthea of course does suffer from osteoporosis and also takes calcium tablets. She has what the doctor cheerfully describes as degeneration of the spine. That is why she often figures in a wheelchair in my photos.
Take care
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 21, 2014, 10:54:19 AM
I sympathise with anyone living in pain. Good to see that you brave folk can cope.

Adam has a big job on his hands with that large garden Eric. I'm impressed at how he has it looking so good.
The gardening genes are definitely evident Eric and Anthea!

Thanks for the links you posted for the White Clematis.
Spring Sensation in this one.
http://mybeautfulthings.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/white-clematis-white-iris-and-baby-beauty/
Good find there Eric :)
Exploring that site a bit more, I love the arch in one of the photos on the long list of photos on the home page:
http://mybeautfulthings.wordpress.com/
The lady who published these is from Cornwall.

and Early Sensation in this:
http://garden-photos-com.photoshelter.com/gallery/White-Flowers-Stock-Images-Photos/G00001Qp5wE47Fk0/
Theres another nice white clematis in there called Guernsey Cream
Good work again ;)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 23, 2014, 01:49:32 PM
Thanks for the sympathy, George. Thanks too for the extra links. We spend a lot of time in this lovely weather just sitting and enjoying looking at the garden. Kiftsgate is excelling itself at the moment, in full bloom and as rampant as ever. Obsessively tidy gardeners don't like its untidy growth but we love it.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 23, 2014, 02:19:35 PM
We aren't used to periods of warm pleasant and dry weather over here in the North of Ireland. We often look in envy at the the weather forecasts showing higher temperatures and no cloud cover over the South East of England, but now its here, it means a lot of extra work - watering  plants:D
I have to keep a very close eye on the younger plants coming on in the greenhouse. Ive had a few frizzle up already!
Lots of plants on the outdoor staging need regular attention and anything recently planted need the same level of monitoring and care.
All that means considerably less time available to keep the garden under control and for planting those things in pots into permanent positions.
Not complaining!!! Long may it last. Its glorious :D

I'm pleased to read that you are sitting and enjoying it, but no doubt you have a daily maintenance program ;D

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 23, 2014, 03:23:29 PM
Well George, the daily maintenance programme is definitely watering. luckily we have hoses that reach everywhere, I couldn't lift a watering can at the moment.  The marrows are really thirsty and of course the runner beans need watering all the time.  The muntjac deer have played a bit of havoc with the marrows having nibbled of a lot of leaves, they are still flowering though.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 14, 2014, 04:56:08 PM
We received our Downley Gardening Club monthly newsletter yesterday. The secretary had paid us a visit a few days ago and I was surprised and pleased to find this:
"Mr and Mrs Hardy keep a very nice garden with just the occasional bit of help.
A good variety of plants and shrubs, well laid out and cared for, and long may you both be able to
tend your plants, they know that you care for them. You are to be envied the view from your
conservatory. There is happiness in your garden and I sense it directly I walk in, there are plenty
of good gardening years ahead of you, how nice."
 :) :) :) Can't stop smiling :) :) :)
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 16, 2014, 09:58:56 AM
That is exciting news. The ultimate accolade for gardeners to be recognised in this way by other gardening enthusiasts in your region.
Congratulations Eric and Anthea :)

We (here on the forum) all know its well deserved :D from the photos you have posted over the years.

I love that line:
Quote
There is happiness in your garden and I sense it directly I walk in
There are many in this world who believe that plants are sensitive.
I'd comment that the happiness radiates from both of you.

RE:
Quote
there are plenty of good gardening years ahead of you, how nice
Enjoy it your two, and take any help you can to manage your garden :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 16, 2014, 03:09:45 PM
Thanks, George, we're still basking in a warm glow  :D

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 16, 2014, 03:40:48 PM
One of our yellow hollyhocks, taken with my iPhone. The American Pillar over the summerhouse has been flowering for ages and is just beginning to go over. The pink below and to the right of the kitchen window is a hydrangea.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14667157204_44a12602aa_b.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 16, 2014, 05:08:50 PM
Lovely photo Eric and amazing quality. Those iPad and iPhone devices take amazingly good quality photos, and so easy to send to friends.
Thank you for taking the time to post here!

For others, you need to scroll horizontally to see the full image of the yellow hollyhock.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on July 17, 2014, 04:10:22 PM
Great photo Eric  8)

I'm so pleased you have received that recognition from the Downley Gardening Club.  Very well earned and deserved for you and Anthea.

Unfortunately, age and the toll on our bodies comes to us all, and we can only do as much as those limitations impose.

Your garden has kept you fit for a long time, and may you both continue for many more years to come.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 17, 2014, 10:10:13 PM
Thank you very much, Laurie, you are very kind.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 17, 2014, 10:13:02 PM
For others, you need to scroll horizontally to see the full image of the yellow hollyhock.
Thanks George, I am sorry if I used too high a definition, it is fine on my computer screen but too big for my iPad and iPhone.
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 18, 2014, 12:20:54 AM
Very good to see you posting Laurie!

The photo size is fine Eric. Besides, people with wide screens would not have to scroll.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 23, 2014, 11:20:53 AM
I had a little wander round the garden with my Tokina Macro 100 f2.8 on my Canon 60D. Here are a few of the results: -

The white unidentified clematis I posted earlier now looks like this
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14532182679_93965db8bf_c.jpg)

Hydrangea
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14532192328_9139f2bf6f_c.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14532176630_38d38c9931_c.jpg)

Fuschia
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/14532195458_585bd97499_c.jpg)

A Day Lily – sorry about the nettle, I didn’t spot it until I uploaded the picture  :)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/14532201089_2d6ab39f14_b.jpg)

Water Lily
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14718837565_f828fb2cc7_c.jpg)

Potentilla
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14718838385_44f6e0d386_c.jpg)

Pink Cistus
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3872/14715680551_edcc6c9fd5_c.jpg)

Giant Thistle
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14532168330_3ab1f07e5d_c.jpg)

A bit of pollination
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14715667771_a067c55505_c.jpg)

And now follow a few Hollyhocks
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14532192709_7e710fef19_c.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14532191079_566ee17182_c.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/14718542382_db28448803_c.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/14718830375_996cdbe03f_c.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14695839066_bbf063f27e_c.jpg)

I hope you have enjoyed them.

Eric H


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on July 23, 2014, 05:42:58 PM
Looks as if they might change the name of the Potentilla fruticosa to Dasiphora fruticosa, not for certain yet though.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on July 23, 2014, 09:49:14 PM
Absolutely fabulous photos Eric.

Tremendous detail and framing.

You've got a great lens there, but I maintain that it's the 'man' behind the lens that is the key element in stunning shots such as these  8)

Oops on the nettle, but I think we'll forgive you on that one  :D

I hope you have enjoyed them.

Eric H

I certainly enjoyed them, and are definitely worthy of acknowledgement  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 23, 2014, 10:22:42 PM
Thanks for the encouragement, Laurie. A little appreciation makes it worth while posting. It does take me quite a time to enter the correct reference for each picture to appear.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on July 23, 2014, 10:34:33 PM
Thanks for the encouragement, Laurie. A little appreciation makes it worth while posting.

Eric H

It's a shame that appreciative postings are very few and far between Eric, which is why I became very disheartened and resigned as Moderator and dropped off the radar for a while  :(

Quote
It does take me quite a time to enter the correct reference for each picture to appear.

Eric H

When I had a lot of photos to upload onto the Forum Eric, I found a quick way to do it that worked for me.

I opened up Notepad and typed in the URL to the directory on my web host where I had stored the photos.

Then I copied and pasted that onto my Forum posting, changing the image name for each one.

I know some people like to post links to external websites where they store all their photos, but personally I like to stay on the Forum and view photos.  Sites such as Flickr and Photobucket are very image intensive and can slow down the loading of the pages with ad-related content included.  Plus, they insist on the owner relinquishing copyright for them so they can use your photos however they want.  I don't like that idea so I stay away from them.

Only a personal observation, so if you're happy to use them then that's also fine.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 23, 2014, 11:31:59 PM
Absolutely amazing photos Eric - I'm astounded :)

I fully agree with Laurie about those websites, but when you don't have your own website they are a very effective way to share photos. I sure don't like the forfeiture of copyright. In the early days of photos posted on websites, people were almost paranoid about their photos being hijacked. Now it doesn't seem to matter.
As you know, I was very disappointed when your resigned Laurie. You have been our ever present and reliable friend on the forum for many years now and your help in the success of the forum is very much appreciated. I'm delighted to see you posting again!
The forum needs a lot of "prodding" to keep it active and it had slipped in numbers since Ive been so engrossed with my software. Bank Genie 5 and the new and very exciting Ideas Genie 6 has taken its toll. I cant wait to get them released. After that, I'm expecting a lot of activity due to the new Web Page Generator (WPG) in Ideas Genie 6- a much better alternative to those websites we referred to above.

RE: The photo with the caption:
Quote
A bit of pollination
That one is my favourite, Eric. Your photos are ALL so well focused and clear, its easy to see that many of them are "dripping" with pollen. That poor bee must have been almost smothered with the stuff. Its a brilliant example of nature at work :D
I'd like to ask your permission to use it on my ideasforgardens.com website.

I was weeding last night beside a white Penstemon (Penstemon 'White Bedder' actually ;D) and a bee was buzzing around inches from my head.
I looked up and it was totally plugged into the long tube of a flower with only its rear protruding.
I had a little snigger - so that's why its called a Bumble bee  ;D ;D ;D

Keep those photos coming folk!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 24, 2014, 10:25:22 AM
RE: The photo with the caption:
Quote
A bit of pollination
I'd like to ask your permission to use it on my ideasforgardens.com website.
You are most welcome to use any of my photos, George.
I have sent you the original by email
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 24, 2014, 06:51:44 PM
Received by email with thanks Eric, and Ive replied of course.
Ive shown them to James and he was impressed!
His description - it looks like it is covered with snow ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 25, 2014, 10:32:31 PM
Good for James ;D. I am sure he will grow up with a love of nature and gardens with a grandpa like you, George.  :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 26, 2014, 10:06:22 AM
Nature is such a fascinating subject. He sure is showing promise and hes a great help in the garden. He helps me pull Raspberries, Blackcurrant and now Peas, and he quickly learns to recognise the ones which are perfect for harvesting. Its a struggle to get help with the Rasps and Blackcurrant :D
We had to buy a fly-catcher plant for him yesterday - his latest curiosity.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on August 31, 2014, 10:04:20 AM
George and Eric will remember some discussion about the name of this Clematis. "Early Sensation" was one name which came up.
Well, the label has turned up and I am pleased to say that "Early Sensation" is exactly what it is.
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14041222663_dec501856b_c.jpg)
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on August 31, 2014, 01:15:08 PM
I am due to have a tummy ache :o our Victoria plums are hanging like gigantic bunches of grapes and as the ripe ones drop to the ground the temptation to pick them up and eat them can't be resisted, they are so delicious.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on August 31, 2014, 09:36:19 PM
Wonderful specimen of clematis there Eric, beautifully captured.

Yummy on the plums.  Nothing like homegrown fruit and veg.  Enjoy  ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on August 31, 2014, 10:00:38 PM
Good educational guess by all on the Clematis - a real beauty! Thanks for confirming the ID Eric.

Victoria Plums? I picked the last kitchen dish of ours yesterday. I made two (3-legged) trestles last year and use a builders scaffolding plank over them to reach the higher ones. Like yours Eric, the tree was laden this year. The rain came at just the right time a few weeks ago to bulk them up. I feared the branches would break under their weight but this year all was fine.
I absolutely LOVE them and cant stop eating them. They are also so refreshing when working in the garden (e.g. moving the lawn).
Of the ones we cant eat or give away, I halve them, take out the stones and freeze them on a flat tray, then bag them up for the freezer.
Also a good crop of greengages this year - for the very first year ever! All finished now - a big favourite with the children.
A heavily cropped Czar (desert) plum tree is the task for next week, and a heavy crop of Damsons (another favourite). Last year we had a very poor crop of Damsons and had top buy some to make a family favourite jam.

Good luck with the harvesting Eric - its a thankless job :D
Do you freeze the surplus? Chutney perhaps? Any ideas would be welcome.

 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 03, 2015, 05:07:09 PM
Woke up to this, but all has melted now, thank goodness.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/16248667258_ef00ce2b16_o.jpg)
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on February 03, 2015, 05:18:02 PM
Great snow scene Eric, and you captured it just in time.

We also woke up to a small dusting of snow this morning.  Had a heavier downfall between 9am and 10am but it's almost gone now.

No piccies to share though.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on February 03, 2015, 11:19:38 PM
Brrrrr!

Good to hear from you Eric and Laurie.
I hope you folk are well.

Is that a little pond I see Eric?

Last night was the coldest night of winter so far over here.
It was still -3 at 11:00 am!

Keep the home fires burning :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on February 03, 2015, 11:32:27 PM
Doing okay George.  Apologies for my absence from the Forum but things have been so hectic with Kathy's new job (which I help out with) plus other personal things that always seem to crop up, that my timeframe has been demanding.

Decided I had to make a concerted effort to look in again and see what I'd missed  ;)

I won't go into too much detail in this thread so as to not detract from Eric's topic here.

Looking a bit more closely at your photo Eric I thought I may have detected some muntjac tracks - bottom left in front of the bench?  Not the footprints going diagonally off to the right.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 04, 2015, 11:34:12 AM
We are fine George, thank you. Yes, there are two little ponds there, an upper one and a lower one. Both have ice on them at the moment.

Thanks Laurie. It was just taken by pointing my iphone through the glass of the little office window. Those will be muntjac tracks, without doubt. THey are always getting into the garden. Often there is a father, mother and young one in at the same time. When they were first started entering the garden, one knock on the kitchen window would get them rushing out again. Now they are so tame they just look up and stare at me for a moment then get on with munching whatever they fancy. 

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on February 04, 2015, 12:55:09 PM
Thanks Laurie. It was just taken by pointing my iphone through the glass of the little office window. Those will be muntjac tracks, without doubt.

It just goes to prove that you don't have to use the best and most expensive cameras to get good results.  Having an'eye' for a shot is a vital element, and you certainly have that Eric.  Thank you for pretty much confirming my suspicions regarding the muntjac tracks.
I remembered only too well that it is a continuing problem for you  :(

I have spoken with George behind the scenes and put him in the 'picture' (pun intended) about my intended Canon camera purchase that I have also discussed with you.
I know George is also a Canon user (a 450D the same model as you Eric) so we should be able to swap some good information from time to time  ;)

Anyway, apart from a hard frost overnight here, it is dry and the sun is shining.  But still only around 4°C.  How's your garden doing after all that snow Eric?


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 04, 2015, 11:05:26 PM
How's your garden doing after all that snow Eric?
The garden looks fine, Laurie. The lawn still looks good having not really grown since it's last cut. There are quite a lot of snowdrops looking perky. The hellebores have done well. Spring will be here soon :)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 26, 2015, 01:21:59 PM
it is pouring down and miserable and it is hard to remember that only a day or two ago we were having brilliant sunshine. During one of those fine days Anthea remarked that there were a few straggly shoots on one of our Vibernums . It is the sort that has beautiful pink scented blossoms around this time of year before the leaves come out. i pruned a few and was left with a bunch of slender sticks in my hand about 2ft 6ins long. I brought them into the house and Anthea put them into a large vase. within a day they all came into bloom and the house has been filled with the most gorgeous scent ever since.
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on February 26, 2015, 02:33:51 PM
Perhaps Viburnum × bodnantense 'Dawn' Eric.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/99308/Viburnum-x-bodnantense-Dawn/Details

I love the handsome foliage as well, and it also makes good flower arranging material.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 26, 2015, 04:01:25 PM
That looks very like it, thank you George.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 27, 2015, 10:12:05 AM
I am looking down the garden from an upstairs window which is bathed in glorious sunshine, admiring the patches of beautiful snowdrops. My thermometer says 32 degrees Farenheit. (sorry in my old age I still think in old money  :)). I remind myself of my old mother who never came to terms with new money and always thought in Lsd. She bought a currency converter which she kept on her key ring. she would say to me "Eric, I have just bought a something or other and it cost me 50p. That's 10 shillings!!!"

Talking of snowdrops, I have noticed this year how so many snowdrops seem to be growing wild under the hedgerows in the country lanes. I can't help wondering whether they can get there naturally or more likely, that someone has planted them.

It is so beautiful outside, I can sit here no longer, the call of the fresh air is too strong  :)

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on February 27, 2015, 11:13:20 AM
Get out and enjoy it Eric :)

Yes, centigrade and fahrenheight :D

I'm stuck on feet and inches, even though I did all my work in my engineering days in meters and cms!
Fortunately my rulers and tape rules have both ;D
I weigh myself in Stones and lbs. My weight in kg is meaningless ::)

Gallons seem to be a thing of the past since we see litres every time we fill up our cars.
They made it easy for us as the cost per litre very quickly became very close to the old price per gallon ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on February 27, 2015, 11:17:38 AM
I have to join you in the 'old school' method of conversions there Eric.

Apart from using the decimal system for currency, I use feet and inches, miles, Fahrenheit, stones and pounds, etc., etc.  The metric system just doesn't mean the same to me, I always have to convert back to what I know best  ::)

Anyway, I don't know about your snowdrop question but I'm seeing them all around the Forest - beautiful displays.

I'm glad the sunshine is calling to you Eric.  The weather here is better today too.  Overnight frost but sunny and dry now.  Yesterday morning was atrocious - dull, wet and miserable, but it cleared by the afternoon.

Coding my New Forest National Park website at the moment, but I'll be out in the Forest again soon to get more photos to add to it.

 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on February 27, 2015, 05:47:17 PM
Just returned home having collected Benji from his college to stay the night. We enjoyed our trip out this morning. I don't know whether it is just in the Chiltern Hills but the catkins are particularly large and impressive this year.

Back to the view down the garden this morning I didn't mention a glorious cock pheasant in his prime strutting around on the lawn as though he owned the place. His plumage was just iridescent  in the sunshine.

I am glad I am not alone in regretting the old imperial weights and measures. Of course as an architect I had to work in metric, but we mainly worked in millimetres while the schoolchildren were being taught centimetres. Imperial measures were so human. My hand span was exactly 9 inches which was incredibly handy (sorry, pun NOT intended).. A hand span of 225 mm doesn't seem quite the same. I could pace a plot out in yards almost exactly but a metre is just too long for a natural pace. Miles per gallon seems a natural way to work out fuel consumption. Litres per 100 km means absolutely nothing to me. Anyway, enough of that.
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 01, 2015, 09:33:22 AM
We woke up to a brilliant cloudless morning and had our breakfast bathed in sunlight. THe temperature was 45 degrees F. Since then, with a fairly strong wind blowing some clouds have been coming across quite quickly.

Yesterday was miserably wet so to cheer ourselves up we went to our favourite local, The Prince Albert, at Frieth. It is a really genuine, friendly old fashioned village pub with a welcoming log fire. We had some of their excellent salted beef and salad and, in my case, a nice pint of beer. This got me thinking about weights and measures again and reflected what a satisfactory measure a pint (of beer) is. Half a litre, is just too little for me, a litre rather too much but a pint (like Goldilocks) is JUST RIGHT>  :)

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 02, 2015, 09:30:09 PM
That sounds like a very pleasant way to spend a gloomy day Eric.
The metric equivalent of an 10oz steak would be a bit alien on their menu ;D

Very changeable here as well. We had a light blanket of snow this morning which cleared quickly.
Not completely though - James pelted me with snowballs after he came home from school :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 02, 2015, 10:05:24 PM
I saw on the weather forecast that Northern Ireland were getting some snow, George. Not too much I hope.

You may recall I was mentioning snowdrops in the hedgerows. Here is a shot I took from my car window with my iPhone of a few by the roadside on the road between Christmas Common and Northend, Buckinghamshire.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/16511601349_dda935df2d_c.jpg)

I can't help thinking that someone must have planted one or two in the first place, then they spread.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 03, 2015, 12:25:07 AM
Not too much snow Eric, mercifully. Bitterly cold though in the wind.

Snap looks good Eric. Thank you for taking the time to stop and take the photo!
I wish mine would spread like that! (Eric palustris has trillions in his garden!)
At this time of year I always wish I had more in our spring garden.  Its right outside the dining room window so we can enjoy it from indoors when they bravely appear!
Daffodils are spreading OK though. Some of the Tete-a-tete's are out and the other taller varieties are promising.


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on March 03, 2015, 04:00:41 PM
It's good to see you're out and about in the countryside Eric and enjoying that wonderful display of snowdrops.

I can't answer your snowdrop origin question (no doubt someone will come up with an explanation) but it's great to see your photo to compliment your sighting  ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 03, 2015, 06:19:32 PM
Daffodils are spreading OK though. Some of the Tete-a-tete's are out and the other taller varieties are promising.
I think you are a bit further ahead than us, George. being at an altitude of 600 feet slows things up a bit. Our Tete-a-tetes are nowhere near out yet. As I think I have said before, they always seem to be two or three weeks ahead of us in the valley. A bitter north wind isn't encouraging things much either.
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on March 29, 2015, 05:45:39 PM
After some very sunny weather it has been raining for the last day or two, quite heavily at times.The sun came out for a brief moment this afternoon so we went for a little ride in the car. There were daffodils in bloom on the verges in gardens, everywhere we looked there were daffodils. Anthea suggested the reason our daffodils are still so tightly shut is that they must be a different variety. They aren't anything exotic, they look like common-or-garden daffs to me.

We also enjoyed the sunlight a short time ago in the shelter of a brick wall at Rousham, Oxfordshire :). We're looking a bit older than our icon  >:(
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/16857308986_4a3803a7e4_c.jpg)

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 29, 2015, 08:02:35 PM
Many thanks for posting this lovely photo.
You are both looking great Eric! Relaxed and happy :D
I can see you were enjoying your day out.

Good discussion point on daff flowering times!
Yes, different varieties do come in and out of flower at different times, so if you have different varieties it helps to prolong the show.
The small tete-a-tetes are my favourite (well only one I suppose!) as they are so small neat and tidy and are first to appear here.
The taller varieties are a few weeks later here. Only a few of ours are in bloom (one or two per clump).

Its also due to microclimates. People at the bottom of our hill have flowers a week and more sooner than us.
Ive observed over the years how flowers are much earlier again in urban Belfast.

I have to say  - daffodil are much under-rated. They are SO easy to grow, and when cut in bud, open up in a day or two indoors. Marvellous flowers. The downside of course are those clumps of leaves which need 6 weeks or so to die down and look a bit untidy.
When they do, its time for the summer bedding to be planted out in the same areas, and the cycle goes on ;D

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on March 29, 2015, 08:55:29 PM
And then there is the problem of Narcissus root fly. We have lost hundreds of bulbs over the last few years, so what was once a good yellow scene is  now very sparse indeed.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on March 29, 2015, 09:06:31 PM
Gosh :o
I thought they were pretty much indestructible!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 06, 2015, 05:34:30 PM
I hope you all have been enjoying your Easter weekend and have been able to put it to good use (preferably in the garden)  :).

On Thursday we went to our favourite garden centre, a small family run concern which is more like a nursery than the Wyvales and Nottcuts of this world. We like it there, they don't stock all that extraneous tat for one thing. We have used it for years. In the early days we were served by the husband and wife but now it is the son and daughter who are usually there. We now have a little collection of pots of plants waiting to be fill the gaps. Paul, our great occasional help is coming tomorrow and will do the necessary.

Today we have been enjoying sitting in the sun doing nothing. No, that's not quite true, Anthea potted on her tomato plants so deserved the sit down more than me.

Enjoy what's left of the day.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 06, 2015, 07:45:04 PM
Enjoy the weather Eric and Anthea and all here. Its was beautiful here today - more like a summers day.
The good weather is to continue for a few days :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on April 07, 2015, 01:30:34 PM
That's a lovely photo of Anthea and yourself Eric  ;D

You could almost put a funny caption to that one, taking note of your left hand and the thumb pointed towards Anthea, now what could you have been saying to the cameraman...  :-\  ;)

Beautiful weather here today too.  Our garden is in much need of tidying so we're going to have to work that into our 'busy' schedule  ::)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 11, 2015, 10:05:44 AM
You could almost put a funny caption to that one, taking note of your left hand and the thumb pointed towards Anthea, now what could you have been saying to the cameraman...  :-\  ;)
Yes indeed, Laurie :D. The funny thing is that I didn't notice myself doing it and only saw it when I looked at the photo.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 11, 2015, 10:10:06 AM
Some welcome rain during the night and this morning. Started watering yesterday too.
Brightening up now, and a bit of blue sky visible. Benji cut the lawn yesterday which was helpful.

Our neighbour has an enormous old magnolia in bloom and I can see it out of the window as I type.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on April 11, 2015, 04:37:39 PM
Your mention of a magnolia Eric has prompted us to look again at the one we have in our front garden.

It's right next to our front wall and is about 15 feet tall at the moment.  We know they can get REALLY big so we're looking to take it down and replace with something else.  We don't want the foundations of the wall getting undermined by its root system.  It's in bloom right now but dropping petals everywhere.  I have to say I'm not a great fan of magnolias.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 21, 2015, 12:18:42 PM
Like you, Laurie, we planted a magnolia in the front garden too near the house. This was years ago so every year I have kept knocking it back so it has become quite like an attractive bonsai with quite a thick trunk.

This amazing weather just keeps on and on. The downside is that it is a matter of a lot of watering every evening.

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 21, 2015, 11:11:29 PM
I like Magnolias.
Some can grow very large. I'm pleased to read they can be pruned Eric.
Was it quite a severe pruning when you first cut it back?

I have two specimens of M. x soulangeana. Bought one quite small. It was a duo on close inspection so I split it.
Both grew well.
A M. stellata bought at the same time did very well for a number of years, then died.
It had the most beautiful and quite delicate scent.
I replaced it with M. stellata 'Royal Star' (I have two of them now).
They don't have the same scent :'( but they sure look good.
Very slow growing Laurie, and I doubt if would ever cause problems with foundations.

A few years later I bought M. x soulangeana 'Susan'.
Susan grew faster and now needs pruned. Its quite a bit from the house :)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 22, 2015, 08:01:40 AM
I'm pleased to read they can be pruned Eric.
Was it quite a severe pruning when you first cut it back?
Yes, George,pretty severe. it was a matter of taking some woody stems down to an outward growing bud with a clean sloping cut immediately after flowering. Now that it is the right size it is just a matter of cutting the new growth down to an outward facing bud every year immediately after flowering. Luckily our lovely stellata (given to us years ago by our son Adam) must be a small variety because, although quite old, it maintains a reasonable size.
ERic H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 22, 2015, 07:32:41 PM
Take a few photos if they are still in bloom Eric.
I'd like to use them in a project I'm doing :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 23, 2015, 11:24:14 AM
Take a few photos if they are still in bloom Eric.
I'd like to use them in a project I'm doing :)
As you know, George, i couldn't connect to the forum to reply earlier so  we have been in touch by email. I will post the link that I gave you to my Flickr site here too in case other members are interested in seeing my magnolia photos https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=91901945@N00&q=magnolia%20
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 23, 2015, 01:43:37 PM
Highly recommended folk - they are brilliant photos!
Many thanks for sharing Eric :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 30, 2015, 07:06:05 AM
Eric (Palustris) has inspired me to upload a Google Earth shot of our garden too. I have put an X in each corner of the plot. It must have been taken a long time ago because I can see our previous car outside on the common.
Eric H
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7790/17317377112_d17260063e_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on April 30, 2015, 10:26:17 AM
Fabulous view. Wish they would update their images though.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 03, 2015, 09:03:43 AM
It's raining quite hard this morning which is good for the garden but why has it always to be on a Bank Holiday weekend? To oldies like us one day is much the same as another but I am always sorry for people in work for whom it is a rare chance to enjoy being outdoors.
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on May 03, 2015, 09:51:24 AM
There is a Plant Hunter Fair on near to us and we have decided not to go as the rain is forecast to be on for the day. Feel sorry for the Plant sellers who have to be outside in the wet.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on May 03, 2015, 10:51:41 AM
Similar weather here too.  Heavy rain during the night but stopped at around 10am - quite windy too.

Fortunately we had nothing planned for going out anywhere.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 12, 2015, 06:54:32 AM
After I had photographed the pheasant which I posted yesterday I directed my camera at this profusion of blossom hanging over the end of the summerhouse roof. Clematis Montana, apple blossom and dark purple lilac all mingling together.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7657/17306690279_c1defdbfa3_b.jpg)
Eric H.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 12, 2015, 02:29:00 PM
That's a coincidence! My wife commented this morning that the Lilac should be in flower soon. You are probably at least one week ahead of us having yours in bloom. Something to do with the nice climate you have down south of the UK :D.

That's a very nice combination Eric. It would be hard to plan something like that! Managing three plants to flower at the same time needs the expertise of experienced gardeners ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: barryl on May 12, 2015, 08:57:29 PM
Lilacs in full bloom in the E of England.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 12, 2015, 09:51:02 PM
Yes Barry, you are in that part of the UK that seems to be blessed with sunshine and higher temperatures than us Northerners.
Do you have a Lilac Barry?

Mary tells the story of how, when she was born, her mother noticed that the Lilac was in full bloom when she was brought home from hospital. Not surprisingly they are rather special to her. She loves their scent, of course.
Not the greatest cut flower (unless someone can give us a tip) so I'll be sent out with the secateurs as soon as they appear :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: barryl on May 13, 2015, 06:31:51 AM
We dont have one but our neighbour does and it creeps under the fence! So we enjoy his blossoms.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 13, 2015, 10:47:44 AM
That's one way of attaining low maintenance gardening ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 13, 2015, 08:50:07 PM
Managing three plants to flower at the same time needs the expertise of experienced gardeners ;D
Or in our case complete luck  :)
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 14, 2015, 10:50:48 AM
and luck does have a habit of producing the best combinations  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 04, 2015, 04:08:24 PM
View out of my bedroom window mid morning today. A little later in the day than when I posted this view last.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8831/18269702730_4e793eda7b_b.jpg)
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on June 04, 2015, 07:33:10 PM
Nice view!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 05, 2015, 09:19:45 AM
and sunshine :o
Nice unspoilt view Eric, and the garden is looking good as well :)



Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 11, 2015, 08:38:47 AM
A beautiful September morning, the sun is shining, and it is harvest time, an abundance of fruit, a glut of tomatoes and all's well with the world :)
The apple chutney is made and stored away to be devoured by our three sons in turn as they visit us - nothing like their mother's chutney.
Enjoy this lovely time of year while you can

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on September 11, 2015, 08:58:10 AM
And a very good morning to you and Anthea, Eric!
Nice to see you bright and cheery and enjoying the good life :D

Please post the recipe for your Apple chutney. We have an abundance of Bramleys this year, probably due to the amount of rain we've had this "summer" ::)
Out tomatoes are later this year. My first batch were killed by a late frost. Amazingly, one recovered and grew from the base again (and is bearing fruit as I write)  but I also bought replacements. Missed the opportunity to buy the grafted vine varieties in Dobbies. They were always sold out when I visited. They are our favourite as they produce early and a constant supply for the rest of the season thereafter - much tomato soup as reported on the form last year. They would fill the greenhouse if allowed!

Yes, harvest is a busy time! The Victoria plums are late this year. Mary is growing tired of the daily pick I have been gathering for over a week now. We eat the best and stew the rest.
Greengages in another posting (a wee story to relate) and Damsons ripening nicely (yum yum)

Have a lovely weekend :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on September 11, 2015, 11:43:55 AM
Great to see you and Anthea reaping the rewards of your beautiful garden Eric, you have been busy  :)

Lovely sunny and dry day here too, although we don't have any fruit or veg areas to think about (... yet anyway ).
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 12, 2015, 10:29:27 AM
Please post the recipe for your Apple chutney.
Oh dear, George, you have given me a problem ???. Anthea has been making it for so many years she does it almost mechanically. the original recipe having been lost a long time ago. She does it all by instinct now, with some tasting from time to time as she does it. I just help with the peeling and chopping up, but mainly the onions because it affects Anthea's eyes more than me. The ingredients are simple but the quantities less so. She uses Bramley apples, onions, a very small touch of garlic, sultanas, malt vinegar slightly diluted, sugar (preferably Demarera), mixed spice, black peppercorns and cloves to taste. At a guess there is about double the amount of apple to onion.

i haven't been much help, have I, but I can vouch for the end result which is always great.

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on September 12, 2015, 01:58:08 PM
Thank you Eric  :)
We will definitely try it out here after your good work in posting the recipe here.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on September 12, 2015, 03:58:22 PM
My mouth is watering now Eric  ;)

I have to admire Anthea though to be able to make up your chutneys and probably other things too without referring to a written recipe.  A testament to a good cook in my book  8)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on September 12, 2015, 04:54:12 PM
SWIAR does a spicy Apple chutney which bites back!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on September 13, 2015, 02:39:40 PM
View out of my bedroom window mid morning today. A little later in the day than when I posted this view last.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8831/18269702730_4e793eda7b_b.jpg)
Eric H.
Beautiful tranquil view to wake up to Eric, and a joy to do your gardening in too  ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 13, 2015, 08:43:22 PM
Thank you Laurie, I consider myself very fortunate. My bed is at right angles to a large picture window so I can just lie there and stare out at this. It is amazing how the view changes over the seasons.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 14, 2015, 06:56:34 AM
Apple Chutney: - A slight refinement to the recipe. Anthea says she is fairly liberal witht the cloves and I have forgotten to mention plack whole peppercorns. I will add these to the original post.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 14, 2015, 07:03:59 AM
Oh dear, a slight problem - "Modify message" won't open. I womder why?

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on September 14, 2015, 07:20:12 AM
Try refreshing the web page, or failing that close your browser and reopen it Eric.

I've just tested modifying a post I did on this topic just now on my iPad and it worked.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on September 14, 2015, 09:02:29 AM
Thank you for helping there Laurie!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on September 14, 2015, 09:32:02 AM
I've noticed a few problems on the Forum lately George.

A long-standing one is the hour behind on the postings times.  I think you're aware of this one and I seem to recall you mentioned it to be an issue with your server.

Another problem I've encountered recently is when I do a post - the Preview does not work.  I get a 'fetching preview' message appearing above the posting box but nothing happens.  I just have to hit the Post button to get the message through.

Just means that if the posting format isn't quite what you wanted, then you have to modify it and repost it.  This occurs on my Windows PC.  (Preview hasn't worked on this posting either).  I won't go into much more detail here - I don't want to spoil Eric's garden thread.  (Sorry Eric).
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 14, 2015, 01:21:37 PM
Thank you for your help, Laurie. It is very strange but shutting down and opening up again seemed to do the trick.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on September 14, 2015, 01:31:48 PM
Glad you're 'working' properly again Eric   8)

Now we'll await your amended chutney recipe  ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on September 14, 2015, 01:35:43 PM
It is now amended, Laurie, about 12 posts before this one.

Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 04, 2015, 07:08:04 AM
We have got so used to this glorious weather over the past few weeks we have almost got to think of it as the norm. This morning is cloudless too, but I believe it is due to break soon. Everyone enjoy it when they can.  :)

Would you believe it, Anthea got us down to making even more chutney! Far more than we need, but then she loves giving jars away as presents.!

Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on October 04, 2015, 07:48:40 AM
And I'll bet she hates seeing the garden produce go to waste too.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 14, 2015, 02:04:56 PM
It is extraordinary day today, alternating sunshine and sudden squalls of rain. It would be the day that we have help in the garden, half the time they are sheltering in the greenhouse.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on October 14, 2015, 04:26:14 PM
We have had blue skies and reasonable temperatures.
Typical that you get rain when you don't want t though!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 14, 2015, 10:20:47 PM
We are glad of any sunshine over here ;D
We had a disappointing summer in Ireland - mostly grey skies. We looked in envy at the beautiful weather folk in the south east of England were having.
Autumn is lovely though. Its been dry again today with pleasant sunshine. Better late than never!!

Caught the end of a harvest program on TV last night - bumper crops reported.
We had the best potatoes Ive ever grown (British Queens). One good stalk could almost fill a bucket! Plentiful and large.
Peas and Beans were very good. Good to see something was enjoying the rain ;D
Apple harvesting soon (gathering windfalls only so far, but early Bramleys are good for stewing).
We will be trying your recipe for Apple Chutney soon Eric.
Breakfast tip - porridge with stewed plums. My DIL started me on the fruit with porridge thing. She liked Porridge with our fresh raspberries.
The birds queue up for the porridge leftovers :D I clean the saucepan with a pot scrubber in tap water and empty it up on the grass. Gone in a few minutes.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on October 15, 2015, 11:21:34 AM
Save on the washing up. Make your porridge in the microwave in the bowl you eat it from.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 16, 2015, 08:50:33 PM
No, Eric, I prefer George's way, there is something of a morning ritual stirring the porridge oats in the pan while the coffee is brewing. I haven't fed the scrapings to the birds like George does though, perhaps I should. Anyway, each to his own  :)
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 16, 2015, 08:58:33 PM



It was Anthea's birthday last Saturday, and Adam, our eldest son, and his wife, ordered these roses online to be delivered on the day. As they hadn't seen them I thought i would send them a shot by email. This was taken with my iPhone5 and it is amazing the quality of it's tiny camera lens.
Eric H
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/682/22221783755_c76f4949ee_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on October 17, 2015, 03:53:31 PM
Although we've exchanged emails recently I have to praise the quality of your iPhone photo of those roses again Eric.

I know Anthea was delighted to receive them and Adam and his wife will be thrilled to see them also.

Great result.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 17, 2015, 08:20:22 PM
Thank you very much Laurie for your kind remarks.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 17, 2015, 08:50:07 PM
Hi Laurie! I agree on the quality. The other thing I find amazing is how unfussy they are about light conditions. They make any user appear like an expert. The only thing I find they don't like is when facing sunlit windows when indoors - easy to accommodate!
RE:
Quote
I haven't fed the scrapings to the birds like George does though
Also part of the ritual even though its not something to enjoy on frosty mornings.
In winter I don't have the garden to keep me fit so I have an early morning walk and when I return I spread bird seed and replenish the nut feeders. Then its make the porridge time. Mind you, I prefer Crunchy nut cornflakes with a sprinkling of Jordans Country Crisp with Chunky Nuts and cold milk (bet the birds would love them as well ;D)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 27, 2015, 11:34:30 AM
Quinces:-
A neighbour has kindly given us a bag of quinces but we have no idea how to cook them, any ideas?
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: NightHawk on October 27, 2015, 12:39:45 PM
As they belong to the apple and pear family, you could treat them as you would those fruits.

They are also perfect for turning into jams or jellies.

Have fun Eric  ;)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on October 27, 2015, 05:07:25 PM
We usually make Jelly from them. Slice up, no peeling needed, boil until puréed. Strain through muslin. Add 1 pound of sugar to one pint of juice and make as you would any jam.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 28, 2015, 04:46:23 PM
Thanks for the tips, Laurie and Eric. Based on Laurie's advice, Anthea decided to use a method she learned from an old French friend who lived in the Vendee region on the west coast of France. The method she used for hard, flavourless pears was to boil them in red wine, with sugar then serve cold.  Anthea tried out this method using three of the quinces. She sliced and cored them and put them in a flat Pirex dish, poured on the wine, and in this case generous helping of demerara sugar. As the fruit were very hard she put the dish in a moderate oven and left them as long as it took to soften them. We had a small helping each for lunch with a liberal amount of cream (wicked  ;D). They were delicious and the scent of the fruit was lovely too. We still have a few more to experiment with another day.
Eric H.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on October 28, 2015, 08:10:04 PM
Ripe ones actually make rather nice air fresheners.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: barryl on October 28, 2015, 08:14:56 PM
Makes a change to have recipes (something I know more about than plants :-) )

Hard Pears: I also add nutmeg and cinnamon

Quinces: I have made (lovely) jelly in the past (but quite a lot of work); more recently I have made puree (same way as apple puree (or stewed apple). I also add nutmeg to it.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on October 28, 2015, 08:49:25 PM
Yes Barry, it should be a more interesting topic for the low/no maintenance gardeners among us ;D

I'd love to experiment with these recipes. Problem is Mary feels put out when I say I want to make something.
I told her about the Apple Chutney recipe that Eric had posted here.
The "suggestion" was taken aboard! However I was overruled AND not encouraged to make it so... she made Chutney yesterday, using a recipe from a book she loves - never a bad result from any of their recipes.
We are on a 5/2 diet again and today was one of our 2 "abstinence" days. We'll try the chutney tomorrow.

Back to the topic!
I'll suggest the jelly recipe to Mary... ;D

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 02, 2016, 09:54:01 AM
Hello George and other members.

You may have wondered where I have disappeared to. The main explanation is that for some reason I have been locked out of my Flickr site for some time and that is the only way I know of uploading my photos. That is where I would get the code to put into the text. Anyway, I am still alive (90 in October) and relying on others to keep the garden trim.

Best wishes to all

Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: roiphil on May 02, 2016, 11:10:40 AM
Good to hear from you Eric, i may not post a lot here but i do visit and i look forward to your garden pics
All the best
Phil
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 02, 2016, 08:06:37 PM
You are always a welcome visitor Eric.

As you can see from recent postings, Eric (palustris) and Nicola are using Ideas Genie Pro 6 (http://www.ideasgenie.co.uk) to create web projects and, using the webspace I provide free to IG customers, upload their photos.
Send me an email if you'd like to give it a try. I'd love to see the presentations you could create using your excellent photos

Enjoy your 90th year and enjoy watching someone else do the "heavy lifting" for you ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 04, 2016, 04:31:16 PM
I am delighted to say that my young friend Mike has just spent an hour getting me reconnected to Flickr. This means that I will be able to post photos on the forum again. I will post some more when I can.

Eric
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on May 04, 2016, 04:49:56 PM
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 04, 2016, 06:35:44 PM
I seconds that ;D
I look forward to your next presentation Eric.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 05, 2016, 09:35:10 AM
Now that I am back on Flickr I can start posting photos again. Here are two views from upstairs windows with my iPhone. The second one gives an idea of the state of the back garden at the moment. In that one, on the far right, almost in the shadow of the hedge, the slight flecks of white on the the small tree are the Magnolia Stellata. The daffodils unfortunately are just beginning to go over but they have been blooming well for quite a while. There are bluebells and periwinkles out but they are difficult to spot at this distance. The fritillaries are almost over too. The primroses still flourish at the front.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7771/26547766680_d58eafb176_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/26213604813_4ea5e503dc_b.jpg)

Eric H


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 07, 2016, 08:48:55 PM
Benji came home for the weekend and yesterday he mowed the large lawn at the back. THis morning he did the small lawn at the front Here he is.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7753/26779809442_1cc15c71e0_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/26802283311_760535bc06_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7768/26265611193_5af1834d59_b.jpg)

His reward was lunch and a large glass of lemonade at The Prince Albert at Frieth
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/26600366880_5bb867d1d3_b.jpg)
Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on May 08, 2016, 09:04:48 AM
Amazing how much cutting the grass improves the feel of the place.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 08, 2016, 10:27:12 AM
We all know how much you and Anthea love that lad Eric. Hes grown into a nice young man :)
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Weather watching nationwide, I see you are having nice weather in the SE and missed that front which settled over Ireland.
Forecast says it is to clear here later (it was raining again this morning) and a nice week ahead.

I agree with Eric (palustris) about the effect a fresh cut to the grass makes.
Here, the edging makes it even better. A side effect of the plentiful rain supply is lush green grass :D

I'm impressed with your borders (behind Benji). Well maintained.
What are the yellow flowers?
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 09, 2016, 06:54:34 AM
Thank you George. The yellow flowers that you mention are just wallflowers, for some reason they have proliforated. The red flower that is most obvious is the first bloom on a Tree Peony. Yesterday was very warm and the pots became very dried out so it was back watering again, I'm afraid.My rainwater butt has given up the ghost so it is from the main. It is now I regret getting Thames Water to install a water metre  :)

ERic H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 09, 2016, 08:58:06 AM
We don't pay for water in N Ireland (yet!!!). It would cost me a fortune with the number of pot plants I have around the place, and the greenhouse and the outdoor staging around the greenhouse.

We had the oddest day yesterday. Until near midday it was cold and miserable and raining on and off.
The afternoon was beautiful - sunny and warm. We went to Dobbies (Sprucefield, Lisburn) for lunch - it was 18 degrees on our car thermometer on the way home- that is like high summer to us after the weather we have been having recently..
Went to buy grafted tomatoes (Ive been a number of times and they were sold out). Managed to get 2 Sweet cherry bite size varieties. They are the most popular here. Ended up with a boot full of other plants. What a fantastic range of mature plants they sell there! The ideal venue for those you like instant impact.

Wallflowers are lovely plants and on a sunny day their scent is exquisite. I love them. Haven't grown them for years though.
I walk past a neighbours house where the wallflowers are growing on their wall beside the footpath (hence my remark about the scent). Its amazing how they grow out of the tiny gap or cracks between tarmac and a wall. Try sowing seed and you would have no chance. Isn't nature wonderful ;D

PS You posted your last message twice (identical each time).
I removed the second.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on May 09, 2016, 09:00:58 AM
We seem to have lost the photos you posted on 5th May Eric.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 09, 2016, 09:07:31 AM
That's strange, George. I can still see them on my computer. I will just copy my post and paste it. Is this the one you mean?

"Now that I am back on Flickr I can start posting photos again. Here are two views from upstairs windows with my iPhone. The second one gives an idea of the state of the back garden at the moment. In that one, on the far right, almost in the shadow of the hedge, the slight flecks of white on the the small tree are the Magnolia Stellata. The daffodils unfortunately are just beginning to go over but they have been blooming well for quite a while. There are bluebells and periwinkles out but they are difficult to spot at this distance. The fritillaries are almost over too. The primroses still flourish at the front."

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on May 16, 2016, 12:15:54 PM
Some of the flowers out at the moment:-

Euphorbia in a shady nook by the summerhouse
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/26970160601_2930df9c78_b.jpg)

Choysia - The scent is phenominal in the warm weather.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/26764325920_021c83f98c_b.jpg)

Clematis Montana on the corner of the summerhouse. There is a dark purple lilac in bloom behind it which is just visible. The apple blossom above is out of frame.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/26944489202_6f21a7e8b8_b.jpg)

Eric H


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on May 16, 2016, 01:18:34 PM
Very nice too!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 05, 2016, 03:44:13 AM
Flaming June! After a deluge on the 31st May, June so far has been overcast without a glimmer of sunlight to warm us up. I suppose it is not cold, it has been a constant 15 degrees, but there is no sun to warm our summer house where we love to sit and warm our old bones. I have been told it was 15 degrees on Christmas Day. The flowers and plants don't seem to mind though, they seem very happy, in fact some seem to prefer not being baked.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 05, 2016, 07:43:56 AM
I spoke too soon (well it was rather early in the morning). Well now at 8:50 am the sun is breaking through. It all depends on the part of the country you are in, Adam in South Wales had brilliants sunshine while we were overcast.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 05, 2016, 03:16:57 PM
And now this afternoon it is a glorious 20 degrees  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 05, 2016, 07:04:21 PM
Its been glorious here (N Ireland) for a week or more now.
Quite unbelievable for us to be sunnier and 4 degrees or more higher than London :D
Now that is very unusual.
Ive been making the most of this weather to tend to our garden. It was so cold and wet this spring it must have thought I had neglected it :o
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 07, 2016, 05:21:11 AM
Looks like another hot day coming up and a scorcher is promised tomorrow. The trouble is that the outdoor tomatoes have just been planted out and the marrows so lots of watering needed. The runner beans are looking promising but they need constant watering too.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 07, 2016, 03:36:01 PM
Spoke too soon, it has been warm, yes but not a scorcher. There was a sudden shower just now which saves me watering but the rain doesn't get into the greenhouse so I watered Anthea's plants.

One terrible shock though, while I was down the garden I discovered those wretched muntjac deer have attacked our runner beans.

Eric H
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on June 07, 2016, 04:54:04 PM
Human hair is supposed to keep them out of the garden.  Stuff something porous with it and hang on a fence. Does not work on badgers.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 08, 2016, 12:55:00 PM
Too many ways in, I'm afraid, Eric. I would need to go round all the barbers in the town to collect anything like enough ::)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 03, 2016, 02:04:12 PM
A few iPhone shots taken over the past couple of days

Fuschia
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7311/27984775216_8ae7c11d4a_z.jpg)

Fuschia and a cistus
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7303/27917268822_89c7fd18dd_z.jpg)

White cistus
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7348/27941643821_c80f12330b_z.jpg)

Rose “New Dawn” (I have just noticed the black spot, spray gun needed!)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7619/27917262552_11af2ed34e_z.jpg)

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7452/27739203290_2bed3bbe46_z.jpg)

Harts Tongue Fern growing between the joints in our York stone steps.
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7256/27392645734_4cfff907f7_z.jpg)

Antirrhinums
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7091/27392648494_3677e29891_z.jpg)

We call this rose “Stanton Harcourt”, not because that is the real name but because they have an identical rose in the gardens there
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7687/27392652164_0113a98aee_z.jpg)

The Rose is “Fred Loads” growing next to a variegated Weigela and a Ball Buddleia
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7100/27971320336_df0e46e68b_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 04, 2016, 09:47:21 AM
Good to see you are still enjoying the lovely plants in your garden and still taking photos to share with us here on the forum :D

I think that last photo has Buddleia globosa. It grew very tall in my garden as well - and very wide :o
Its neighbour Weigela 'Florida Variegata' (I guess) is a fantastic plant. I have one in my garden and it has survived for years needing little attention (suits me ;D).
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=2040

Antirrhinums are one of my favourite garden plants. I showed James how they opens under the weight when a bee lands on the lower lip (earning the common name snapdragon?). He now tells anyone who visits here, doing a demo in the greenhouse where I always have some coming on.
Easy from seed and they self seed a little in my garden.

Keep up the good work Eric and Anthea :D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 04, 2016, 02:46:57 PM
Thank you George. We normally call them snapdragons too, I was just trying to sound a bit more knowledgeable  ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 04, 2016, 06:01:53 PM
In that case, you shouldn't have to try too hard Eric;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 05, 2016, 12:20:26 AM
I'm showing off now ( having done some consultation) the ball flower with the bee is an Echinops I have discovered.  ::)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on July 05, 2016, 07:37:02 PM
 ;D

Two can play at that game :D :D
My garden has a more common lookalike which means my garden is a Cardonnacum.
Answer is in Place Names here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thistle
 ;D
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on July 06, 2016, 08:51:38 AM
Nice one George ;D

A few photos of our garden taken yesterday
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7613/27492510384_8eb4631822_z.jpg)

Red Cistus
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7049/28029523791_2437f599a4_z.jpg)

Poppy
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7307/28029520971_f50b998b65_z.jpg)

Poppy
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7666/28029518341_aba4a5fd9c_z.jpg)

Senneccio
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7352/28029514311_582acdf957_z.jpg)

Kiftsgate Rose climbing our conifer
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7722/27492492194_47f990aec0_z.jpg)

Two pots of Cyclamen on our windowsill
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7451/28072937876_fa46d27380_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on October 03, 2016, 06:09:58 PM
Flowers out in the garden at the moment.

Michaelmas Daisy, always colourful this time of year.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8406/29418686443_ef6960462d_z.jpg)

Hydrangea flowers beginning to dry out.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8400/30011534506_05191aa948_z.jpg)

Fuschia
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8527/30045592765_39b8ffb074_z.jpg)

Marsh Marigold
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8057/29417652974_fc4dd81633_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 25, 2016, 12:11:06 AM
We have taken the bull by the horns and Paul, who helps us in the garden has laid some nice new turf all over our vegetable patch. We no longer grow our own veggies and we have quite enough flower beds so now there is more lawn to cut. Anthea thought it was a waste of money but I told her to think of it as an investment. We no longer will have to pay Paul to dig it over and weed it several times a year  :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on November 26, 2016, 02:24:57 PM
Awwww :'(
That is not an easy decision to make Eric.

I'm planning to "decommission" an area which I use for potatoes for a different reason.
The boys want the football "pitch" extended ::)

I have to agree - it will be much easier to mow that to cultivate each year. A patch like that quickly reverts to nature.
I have enough "wild life" areas without it ;D so the birds etc wont miss it too much.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 28, 2016, 04:25:13 PM
The Cotoneaster has a lot of berries this year, does this mean a hard winter or is that an old wives tale?
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5331/31298959365_a92dc8e784_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on November 29, 2016, 12:09:31 PM
O.W.T. The Cotoneasters in our garden are well berried every year. the ones on the way to friend's house are also always smothered in them.  Strangely though the birds do not seem to eat them like they do the Holly and the Haws.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on November 29, 2016, 12:38:57 PM
I find our Blackbirds save them (and Pyracantha) until Christmas week 8)
It happens every year (at least that's when I notice them first).
They are stripped over the next few months.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on November 29, 2016, 02:09:15 PM
Our berries seem to stay there until they drop off and make a carpet on the ground and the summer house roof.  I always imagined there was something about them the birds don't like. On the other hand we once had a flock of fieldfares  descend on us and strip every berry in sight in a few hours.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on November 29, 2016, 02:34:30 PM
They are fussy about their diet, that's for sure.

I have a number of varieties of Sorbus (Rowan Tree).
One with small red berries is stripped as soon as they are ripe every year - by the Starlings.
They arrive in a flock and after an amusing sight of frantic activity its bye bye Berries ;D
Its been there since my fathers day and he noticed how they took our berries very early and not those of our neighbours.

In the front garden I have 3 trees with larger red berries and another small one with yellow berries (all grown from seed I collected in approx 1994).
They are definitely less popular. The Thrushes seem to go for them eventually.
I just did a survey - ALL berries are gone from the Rowan trees already this year.

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 28, 2016, 09:55:32 AM
The cotoneaster berries are still clinging on.
This was taken a few minutes ago and the frost is still visible on the summerhouse roof.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/616/31931323195_f5534b1697_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on December 28, 2016, 10:05:44 AM
I think all the berries except for Sorbus cashmeriana (white berries) have gone this year.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on December 29, 2016, 06:13:59 PM
That's a magnificent bush Eric! Thanks for posting the photo.

The berries on our Cotoneaster horizontalis (which grows vertically against a high wall ::)) have largely survived Christmas ;D

I had a bumper crop of apples this year. Knowing that the blackbirds like to pick at them, I left the surplus where they fell around the trees at the top of the garden.
I can see lots of blackbird activity up there.
Its been mild this winter as you know. I reckon they are keeping the berries in reserve for the hard weather when (if?) it arrives.

Hope you enjoyed Christmas everyone :)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on December 31, 2017, 08:29:34 AM
There is so little colour in the garden now I thought I would go round the house taking pictures of what we have indoors at the moment. Most were taken yesterday or this morning but about three of the orchids were taken just before Christmas.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4636/27590961939_caeea2ee1f_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4641/38660027484_55e4a538d0_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4691/27590909619_eb6757f226_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4730/39368024761_4a3c01ee3e_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4681/38475521775_9d44ae09d2_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4594/38475532805_0abb611134_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4726/39134258032_cd2f70f029_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4737/39164479631_1518cd83e9_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4590/39134229562_028bd5734f_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4599/27575309369_939bed97df_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4687/24487603947_78d51f68ed_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4637/24487597837_55559dec65_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4641/39322284872_0b5f55187b_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4688/25479318728_63063e881c_z.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/39318585992_659d7057b6_z.jpg)


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 18, 2020, 11:31:57 PM
This Peony has just just come into full bloom. There have been buds waiting to open for a few days then this happened quite suddenly.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49783987441_a2c195e75b_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49783986871_2c6c2dcd60_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49783986176_3ed935fda4_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 19, 2020, 09:22:30 AM
Beautiful photo of an excellent little shrub Eric and thank you for sharing with us.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 20, 2020, 12:04:41 PM
Thanks George, luckily it hasn’t had heavy rain to knock its petals off.

We have been sitting in the garden in the sun and the cherry blossom petals were drifting down on us like snowflakes.

Please can anyone remind me of the name of this climbing plant. It has black berries similar to Belladonna so perhaps it is related. 

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49797011826_3e98857229_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49797324402_b15abf1fb3_c.jpg)



Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 20, 2020, 04:06:34 PM
A friend has informed me that it is a Solanum (Chilean potato tree), she has two in her garden.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 20, 2020, 07:09:26 PM
Drat - she beat me to it. I was just posting my findings  :D

Solanum crispum fits the description. Here it is
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_crispum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_crispum)

Quote
The free-flowering cultivar 'Glasnevin' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 20, 2020, 11:46:45 PM
Thanks George, and thanks for the link.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 23, 2020, 09:11:26 PM

Now it is Lilac time in the garden. Here are a few shots taken today.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49810289442_d3c2e6c5a1_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49809431323_7743665960_c.jpg)

With a bit of Apple blossom
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49809901971_2078cf0948_c.jpg)


A little clump of Sea Thrift

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49806569786_1a73725005_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49810282297_57f3a45d03_c.jpg)

And a bit of colour coordination, the Cistus again.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49810331168_84f93ec206_c.jpg)

Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 23, 2020, 09:37:00 PM
Beautiful photos Eric-perfect as always.
You are weeks ahead of us in N Ireland. Our lilac is not ready to bloom yet.
Mary loves it for its heady scent-very strong but lovely as you know. Her Mum said the lilac was in bloom on the day she went to hospital and Mary arrived :D 1st May.
 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 24, 2020, 12:53:51 PM

Mary’s birthday is coming up. Please wishe her many happy returns from me.

A few from my walk round the garden this morning

The Choysia is in full bloom and the scent is amazing in this warm weather.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49812481613_afdf712b18_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49812480793_4197d5d525_b.jpg)

This delicate flower enjoys the shade. We have had it a long time having imported a root from my father’s garden in Barnard Castle and he has been dead 32 years. Another one my old memory has forgotten – any suggestions please?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49812478688_75e918df1e_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49813321827_d4218d29b4_b.jpg)

Is this Spurge?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49813389797_a5a28a0837_b.jpg)

Finally an exotic flower we cultivate in profusion.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49813328212_362f3fece9_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49812484723_d9c02b1fbc_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on April 24, 2020, 10:07:30 PM
Thank you for the birthday greetings to Mary, Eric!

I'm delighted you are back posting photos and showing us the delights in your garden Eric.
I love Choisya. I was working beside mine today and every now and again I got this beautiful waft of scent. Its just as nice in the evening. Always a pleasant surprise as you walk in the vicinity. One of the best for scent in my opinion.
I used to have the variety 'Sundance' but it went down one sunset and didn't dawn again unfortunately ::)

Quote
This delicate flower enjoys the shade
I'd say it is a variety of Dicentra, the bleeding heart. Its an unusual colour so perhaps it is a cultivar.

Quote
Finally an exotic flower we cultivate in profusion
Ah yes :D ;D
I spend at least an hour each day at this time of year going around the garden with a long pointy tool digging them out.
The insects love them! They are getting plenty of nectar over here :)
I think its punishment for the days when I was a boy and recited One O'clock, Two O'clock....
My kids didn't quite understand when I nearly had a fit when I found them playing that game with some of my exotics ;D
Have you ever noticed that Dandelions always grow in pairs? The seed blow in the wind until they hit an obstacle, usually my finest plants and grow into them  >:(


Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 25, 2020, 09:53:27 AM
Thanks George, I am so glad you wrote to me.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 26, 2020, 10:28:17 PM
This warm weather is bringing things on quickly. Today the white lilac has come into full bloom too. For some reason the purple always comes out first.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49822035477_6c5de1a4fd_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49822032632_0780b11c6f_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49821171923_68572d16c4_c.jpg)

The Shot Silk that climbs up the holly tree by the gate has opened up too

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49821723731_a0fb196192_c.jpg)


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49821193658_efb6191bca_c.jpg)

Yellow wallflower
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49820478573_52a1a711eb_c.jpg)

Ragged Robin
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49820485018_760fdda62c_c.jpg)

A Peacock butterfly kept settling on flowers but I only had my phone camera with me and whenever I tried to get a shot it flew away. Eventually it settled on the grass and I managed this, not perfect I know because it wouldn’t spread it’s wings completely.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49821360837_07d515a51d_c.jpg)


 
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on April 27, 2020, 12:45:24 PM
On my tour round the garden this morning, a White Bluebell.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825205901_aaca26c4b0_c.jpg)[

And interestingly, I found a white Forget-me-not as well.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825215486_9f295ecfd9_c.jpg)

Among my other finds was a solitary Lily-of-the-Valley hiding in a clump,of Sedum.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825543362_2db22d9393_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825221756_fecaa39b5c_c.jpg)[

A red Polyanthus

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825187636_e65285e000_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825188121_1606d99799_c.jpg)


Some wild Garlic

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49824691553_2c59ea7fdb_c.jpg)[

And a solitary Welsh Poppy

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49825593822_2b7e51d143_c.jpg)[

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49824701668_f3b9d380d0_c.jpg)






Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: trishs on May 14, 2020, 02:06:19 AM
Hi Eric, lovely pictures.  Glad to see you are still here :)  I just found my way back after five years!  I think the pink plant your enquired about further up this thread is corydalis solida.  We have it filling a shady narrow border underneath a fan trained pear.
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Eric Hardy on June 10, 2020, 02:37:28 PM
Thanks Trish, I am very spasmodic these days.


A few recent photos.

Two peonies on adjacent plants
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980342282_bf5ae59807_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49984917557_bbe5a85cd5_c.jpg)

Water lilies (pity about the duck weed)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49986690143_d87ac770e9_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49986690133_9f597c4679_c.jpg)

Fuschia
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49984840152_b9775480d8_c.jpg)

A few roses.

New Dawn
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49970057017_09e8a4efea_c.jpg)

Stanton Harcourt
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49959874027_029db15ac9_c.jpg)

Rosa Mundi
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49949100252_b4b64456a6_c.jpg)

Ragusa rose
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49959563896_5ab407c3c0_c.jpg)

Nevada
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49925569586_f141859f91_c.jpg)

Fred Loads
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49984573506_713bf99bfe_c.jpg)

I have forgotten the name of this cream coloured rose.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980909021_8acf4cc576_c.jpg)









Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: Palustris on June 10, 2020, 05:27:41 PM
Very nice!
Title: Re: Eric & Anthea's garden at different times of year.
Post by: ideasguy on June 10, 2020, 07:41:54 PM
Brilliant photos Eric. I wish I could take photos like that!
In particular, to capture that white Nevada so perfectly and that shot of Fred Loads with the sky in the background is difficult 8)

Hope you and Anthea and Benji are well.