‘If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.’
The portrait above is a beautiful painting of HM Queen Elizabeth II, aged nine years, who was born Princess Elizabeth of York (1926-2022). May she rest in Peace. The artist is Hungarian-British painter Philip Alexius de László, known for his portraits of royals and aristocrats. (1869-1937)Queen Elizabeth II, like others in the Royal family, have … Continue reading ‘If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.’
“In the garden as in writing, punctuation is needed to clarify structure and meanings. A garden without punctuation is like prose without full stops or music without a beat.”
Spring is in the air and there are signs that the garden is coming together. Over the time I’ve been gardening, the climbing roses have been the trickiest to get right. I initially envisaged an abundance of rose blooms cascading around the front door and verandah posts of the old Australian farmhouse (1910 ) where … Continue reading “In the garden as in writing, punctuation is needed to clarify structure and meanings. A garden without punctuation is like prose without full stops or music without a beat.”
Spring: The music of open windows
Spring is here, and good times in the garden are coming. Don’t you just love the first days of early Spring when the windows can be flung open, and the breeze can blow through the house after all the rain and cold of winter? It enlivens the senses and makes you feel good, especially on … Continue reading Spring: The music of open windows
“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”
Today is crisp and beautiful; the sun shines after yesterday’s wet day. Sheep graze in the long grass and the new roses that were ‘heeled in’ are now all planted. The days after rain have an allure all their own that no amount of watering can replicate. It’s like waking up to a promise of … Continue reading “All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”
To prune or not to prune, that is the question.
Spring is on the way and we only have a few weeks left before we can officially say Spring has arrived. For now winter looms on and, the weather dictates the time spent out gardening. The days swing from bleak, foggy and cold to chilly, wet and windy. In between are crisp cold mornings and … Continue reading To prune or not to prune, that is the question.
“Nothing is more the child of art than a garden.”
Many great painters from the past were also avid gardeners who chose to paint their surroundings and families enjoying the garden. Why not? The garden is so full of colour through the months of spring, summer and autumn, with beautiful spaces to view and capture in paint. At this time of year, when let’s face … Continue reading “Nothing is more the child of art than a garden.”
Just remember, during the winter, there’s a seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes a rose.
As the light came across the horizon at dawn on several mornings this week, a white landscape of thick frost was revealed, all is motionless, and it’s bitterly cold. Although I noticed yesterday that the surrounding paddocks of canola are coming into flower, a sure sign we are heading towards Spring, and my mind is … Continue reading Just remember, during the winter, there’s a seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes a rose.
The Rose is without an explanation; She blooms because She blooms.
Winter has been here with a vengeance over the last few weeks with wild weather, heavy rain and devastating floods in Australia for the third time this year. It is cold and bleak outside, but the odd thing is there are hundreds of roses out in bloom. Some roses blooming have never really been in … Continue reading The Rose is without an explanation; She blooms because She blooms.
“The colour of spring is in the flowers; the colour of winter is in the imagination.”
As I walk through the garden now with winter well and truly here, I am surprised to still see beautiful rose blooms opening despite the cold mornings and nights. The tenacity of some of the roses is remarkable, refusing to give up and rest. When my eyes rove across the garden they don’t see what … Continue reading “The colour of spring is in the flowers; the colour of winter is in the imagination.”
“Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which we a give our heart.”
Drive, inspiration, enthusiasm, tools and plants at the ready-check. What is missing is fine weather? Incessant rain, cold, bleak and cloudy days mean few moments suitable for gardening, but not to be deterred; these days are perfect for more detailed planning. On days like these, the creative mind can endlessly design the ultimate garden on … Continue reading “Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which we a give our heart.”
“Apprentice yourself to nature. Not a day will pass without her opening a new and wondrous world of experience to learn from and enjoy.”
Today was a real treat as I was able to spend three hours this morning involved in a Horticultural Symposium hosted by Michael McCoy, a first for me. Michael had curated a rich and diverse lineup of speakers, including Fergus Garret, Ed Flint, Sophie Thomson, Jimi Blake, Donna Somerville, and Casein Schmidt. To say it … Continue reading “Apprentice yourself to nature. Not a day will pass without her opening a new and wondrous world of experience to learn from and enjoy.”
‘A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring.’
Ironically, the popularity of a dry naturalistic or wild garden is at its peak, just as we are experiencing unprecedented wet conditions from La Nina in Australia. The garden flourishes in this pre-winter stage with no frost and extra moisture. As I contemplate the garden feeling cosy, and warm inside, and view the countryside beyond, … Continue reading ‘A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring.’
The Painters Collection of Roses
“What I need most of all are flowers, always, always.” Claude Monet, 1840-1926 Impressionist painter and life-long gardener The Painters Collection of roses by Delbards, France, are sensational and catch your eye in the garden with their unique colouring and happy disposition. Perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but if your looking for a unique statement … Continue reading The Painters Collection of Roses
“Don’t think the garden loses it’s ectasy in Winter. Its quiet but the roots are down there riotous.”
With only a few days left before winter is officially here, we have tasted days to come. On cloudy days when the sun’s warmth is missed retreating indoors to winter comforts, the fireside, cosy rugs and delicious hot soups are welcome diversions. “There ought to be Gardens for all Months in the year, in which, … Continue reading “Don’t think the garden loses it’s ectasy in Winter. Its quiet but the roots are down there riotous.”
“Who has learned to garden who did not at the same time learn to be patient?”
I spoke too soon last time, and now that drop of rain has continued for days. Not a deluge, thankfully, but enough drizzle, fog and dampness to prevent working outside. The timing of recent rains was perfect because I’d almost finished applying compost and mulch, so the extra water would well and truly have soaked … Continue reading “Who has learned to garden who did not at the same time learn to be patient?”
“Wandering clouds— Short spells of rain, poetry!”
Is there any sound more lovely than the sound of rain on the roof after a dry spell? Although the coastal areas of Australia have had far too much rain further inland, it is still a welcome treat in most areas. Light rain showers to boost the newly planted crops and a holiday for gardeners … Continue reading “Wandering clouds— Short spells of rain, poetry!”
“A garden isn’t meant to be useful. It’s for joy.”
The garden landscape is taking shape and starting to look more like a “proper garden”. Whilst working on mulching and preparing for next season, it is a delight to see the new rose blooms opening, probably for the last time, I suspect, before winter. Although it’s not a mass floral display like the abundance of … Continue reading “A garden isn’t meant to be useful. It’s for joy.”
“Autumn has always been my favourite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”
Autumn has been gentle this year arriving ever so quietly, bringing days that are sheer perfection; hardly a breath of wind, bright blue skies, crisp morning air with days of such clarity it takes one’s breath away. April has been remarkable leaving me thinking how fortunate we are when nature offers days like these. The … Continue reading “Autumn has always been my favourite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”
“I’m not a garden expert in any sense of the meaning, only someone who blunders about in the shrubbery.”
If we were playing the dinner party game where you chose people, past or present, that you would like to meet, then one of mine would be Mirabel Osler. From the moment I heard of Dame Mirabel, I was captivated. Her free-spirited approach to life, gardening, and travel hold many truths for me. In her … Continue reading “I’m not a garden expert in any sense of the meaning, only someone who blunders about in the shrubbery.”
“Learn to be an observer in all seasons. Every single day, your garden has something new and wonderful to show you.”
I love to wander in the garden in the morning doing an inspection of sorts to see if any changes have happened overnight to the roses that need extra attention or I have transplanted recently. At present most of the roses that were on the watch list are back in health and looking far better … Continue reading “Learn to be an observer in all seasons. Every single day, your garden has something new and wonderful to show you.”
“A rose, isn’t quite as beautiful as it once was, when after its thorn pricks you.”
All rose blooms are beautiful, and some are so stunning they can catch your breath and bring feelings of awe. In contrast, the prickles can be irritating and a menace. When you least expect it, you can get a severe reaction from the mildest contact with particular roses. After a nasty encounter with a rose … Continue reading “A rose, isn’t quite as beautiful as it once was, when after its thorn pricks you.”
“Seek to be the Purple Thread in the Long White Gown”
As I look around the garden this year, my eye is drawn to the mauves, lilacs, purples, lavender, and deep amethyst shades in the roses, underplantings and even weeds along the roadside. I notice the purple at home probably because the colours of roses, Love Potion, Twilight Zone, Dusky Moon, Vol De Nuit, Angel Face … Continue reading “Seek to be the Purple Thread in the Long White Gown”
“All gardening is landscape painting.”
My landscape dream is a charming, romantic, overflowing garden with a wide range of interesting yet not necessarily rare plants. Plants blend happily in the hot, dry, and sometimes frosty climate and impart an impressionistic outlook that softens the harshness of the rural Australian environs. To achieve this goal, in the beginning, I over planted … Continue reading “All gardening is landscape painting.”
“A garden is not a place it’s a journey”
There is nothing like needing space to put plants in to make one get cracking on challenging tasks and with cooler mornings of late, I’ve made slight inroads into restoring the garden after summer. My strategy has been to tackle the garden accompanied by a range of plants ready to go in the ground. The … Continue reading “A garden is not a place it’s a journey”
“It is always exciting to open the door and go out into the garden for the first time on any day.”
Autumn is here, and I could not be happier for the garden loves Autumn in my region. There is a reprieve from the heat and an expectant air of cooler days to come. It is a time full of promise as we fill the gaps with plants after summer pruning, execute our plans for next … Continue reading “It is always exciting to open the door and go out into the garden for the first time on any day.”
“A late summer garden has a tranquility found no other time of year.”
The weather is humid, and looking around the garden, it is undeniably late Summer. There are a few scorched leaves from the afternoon sun but not too many this year, thousands of spent rose blooms, a few signs of rose hips where I didn’t deadhead quickly enough, plus a variety of salvias dancing in the … Continue reading “A late summer garden has a tranquility found no other time of year.”
“If you go, go in Peace it makes the flowers sweeter along the path”
The Peace Rose has soft yellow flowers that fade to blush-pink at the tips. The blooms are large and double and have a light fragrance. The Peace rose repeat flowers and is disease resistant and very easy to grow to be hardy, vigorous and a brilliant performer. “The Peace Rose is the most Famous and … Continue reading “If you go, go in Peace it makes the flowers sweeter along the path”
“The greatest piece of gardening in the world is a little staircase in the Generalife,”
The gardens of the Generalife, Spain in Arabic are ‘Jinnah al-Arif’ which means ‘Gardens of the Architect’. The gardens are situated in a high area above the Alhambra’s main Palaces in Granada, Spain. The gardens and the Alhambra Palaces have been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1984. These stunning gardens were built in the … Continue reading “The greatest piece of gardening in the world is a little staircase in the Generalife,”
Gardeners, I think, dream bigger dreams than Emperors.
According to the calendar, the end of the season is approaching, although it still feels like Summer, and the roses will bloom for many more weeks to come. As long as I keep deadheading, some will bloom right on through until May. In fact, early Autumn is one of the best times in the year … Continue reading Gardeners, I think, dream bigger dreams than Emperors.