Flowers are the universal sign of happiness, love, forgiveness and condolence, and a natural way to brighten our decor. and mood. They are an integral part of our lives and adored the world over; the perfect table centrepiece, lavish display in a foyer; the wedding bouquet; the remembrance wreath, or admired in beautiful gardens, estates, … Continue reading “A flower is not a flower alone; A thousand thoughts invest it”
Bountiful blooms even without a green thumb!
Potted geraniums ( accurately known as Pelargoniums ) in Australia do not have the same panache in the garden world as the glorious displays of geranium window boxes everywhere across Spain and Italy. Here we love them anyway for their humble, almost comedic style and robust nature in our hot, dry climate. The no-fuss plant … Continue reading Bountiful blooms even without a green thumb!
“If it’s hot, it’s hot. If it’s dry, it’s dry. If it’s raining, it’s good.”
Happiness reigns because it is raining at last in the garden and the topic on everyone's lips in the country this week will be "How much rain did you get?" Unseasonal rain sounds like music. There's no angst about it because crops are harvested, so it's all about filling water tanks and dams or watering … Continue reading “If it’s hot, it’s hot. If it’s dry, it’s dry. If it’s raining, it’s good.”
“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway”
A romantic country garden is a popularly held dream by many, an escape to a simpler, more relaxed way of life. In reality, though, it is a far cry from a gentle, passive, easy lifestyle because a rural landscape is magnified and intense in every way. The environment of farm life, the sun, the wind, … Continue reading “The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway”
The Autumn Rose Garden
“One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. Autumn is my favourite season of the garden year. Many days and nights of late, I have dreamed of roses blooming in our Australian rural garden. My mind's eye has imagined being at home, tending my roses and preparing for winter. … Continue reading The Autumn Rose Garden
“There is no gardening without humility…
“There is no gardening without humility, an assiduous willingness to learn and a cheerful readiness to confess you were mistaken. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.” [So just keep studying and enjoy it!]Alfred Austin, English poet laureate, in The Garden That I Love, … Continue reading “There is no gardening without humility…
“Success and failure, triumph and disaster. That is the rhythm of life in the garden.”
As a beautiful new rosebud, the new decade begins. But it is a sombre morning today to wake to the shock of the plight of thousands of people in bushfire regions of Australia who are stranded and frightened on the South Coast of NSW and Victoria. It is hard to be cheerful when so many … Continue reading “Success and failure, triumph and disaster. That is the rhythm of life in the garden.”
A new year is simply the turn of a calendar page — and a beautiful chance for us to turn over a new leaf.
It is customary in Australia to ring in the New Year with the excitement of fireworks, parties, friends, and champagne and the good intentions of new year resolutions. I have always enjoyed New Year's Eve, and since early childhood, I've been able to celebrate the coming year at a party. My first memories of New … Continue reading A new year is simply the turn of a calendar page — and a beautiful chance for us to turn over a new leaf.
Christmas is the day that holds all time together.
All we need in Australia this year for Christmas is RAIN. Apart from wishing for rain my hope is that everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and that the New Year brings fulfillment in all areas of life. Australia is in a dreadful situation with severe bushfires across the country, due to … Continue reading Christmas is the day that holds all time together.
Carla Fineschi Rose Garden, Tuscany
“But he that dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose” Ann Bronte Our long-awaited day to visit the Rosa Botanica -Carla Fineschi Gardens in Cavriglia Italy, an hour south of Florence, arrived. (Visited May 29th, 2019). We were met by a lovely Italian woman sitting in an old garden shed out of the rain … Continue reading Carla Fineschi Rose Garden, Tuscany
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”.
My love of travel and exploring the world is quite a contradiction to that of growing a rose garden. So how can I bring them together in my life and enjoy both to the fullest? As you know, I love my rose garden and want to see all the roses in full bloom and to … Continue reading “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”.
“I’ve always felt that having a garden is like having a good and loyal friend. ”
I love inspiring quotes. At times I'll come across a quote that rings so true to me, and is exactly the sentiment I had thought of but not quite been able to express. This quote by garden author C Z Guest says it all, and in a similar vein to columnist and landscape designer Ann … Continue reading “I’ve always felt that having a garden is like having a good and loyal friend. ”
Who killed the Lady of Shalott?
The Summer glow that radiates from The Lady Of Shalott Rose is one reason it is one of my favorite roses. The colours are rich, in shades of deep apricot, red and salmon pink with a faint touch of yellow underneath that gleams in the sun all season. The flower is romantic and shaped like … Continue reading Who killed the Lady of Shalott?
When I first began with roses, moving into that vast territory of scent, form and colour. I knew nothing.
The title quote by Mirabel Osler rings true to me as I knew nothing at all about roses when I began. Now three seasons on and three hundred roses later, give or take a few, I am none the wiser. There are so many unanswered questions that race through my mind every day of what … Continue reading When I first began with roses, moving into that vast territory of scent, form and colour. I knew nothing.
The Joy of a Well Designed Garden
“Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers — and never succeeding.” Marc Chagall, 1887-1985 Think like an artist when designing a garden and use the basic design elements such as colour, line, texture, form and scale to help create a garden that looks and feels appealing and is a joy … Continue reading The Joy of a Well Designed Garden
“Life is itself a school, and nature always a fresh study.”
It's pretty tough in the garden sometimes even though Spring's colour and fragrance have replaced the cold and frosty days of winter. We have experienced extreme weather this Spring with long days of high winds, heat and dust storms that have created havoc. Many plants are struggling from wind damage and the ground, despite my … Continue reading “Life is itself a school, and nature always a fresh study.”
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”
In almost every garden, the land is made better and so is the gardener.Robert Rodale When I reflect on the past few years of growing a new rose garden, I often wonder, after a full day of being scratched by rose thorns and exhausted by the heat, why it is I love it so much? … Continue reading “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”
Giardino Della Gherardesca
In between the 15th century Palazzo Della Gherardesca and the "Conventino", a 16th century Palazzo, once a convent is an 11 acre botanical garden in the Renaissance city of Florence. It is on the right bank of the Florentine Arno River The Giardino Della Gherardesca, a refined, lush garden of magnificent, natural beauty and one … Continue reading Giardino Della Gherardesca
Heirloom Roses
Roses exude charm and beauty but why are there so many different types and where did they originate? Today I'm uncovering the mystery of rose classes and what is meant by Heirloom, Heritage and Old Garden Roses. Roses come in three distinct classes; A. Species Roses see post Wild Roses B. Old Garden or Heirloom … Continue reading Heirloom Roses
Fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses
Spring is here although in some areas the season has been slow in starting with unusually cold, frosty mornings contrasting with high daytime temperatures. Patience is needed, as I wait for the leaves to sprout on the bare root roses. I can see that the sap is moving and there are signs of life and … Continue reading Fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses
A Green Thumb
My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. Evidently the idiom having a 'green thumb' dates back to the early part of the 20th century and means a person with a gift for gardening or who can easily grow … Continue reading A Green Thumb
Hand in Glove
This week, I enjoyed working in the garden, hand in glove with one of my son's. Our main task was to mulch the garden in preparation for the hot, dry summer ahead. It was wonderful to spend time gardening closely with someone else and even more special when it is family, and you work so … Continue reading Hand in Glove
Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Spring has begun and the garden sings with new growth. What a fabulous time of year it is as we wait in anticipation for the bare roses and perennials to green up … Continue reading Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”
The Perfumed Garden
Today is about the perfume and scent of roses.... It is a golden maxim to cultivate the garden for the nose, and the eyes will take care of themselves. Robert Louis Stevenson Did you know that rose perfume is at its most intense very early in the morning and the scent will gradually become less … Continue reading The Perfumed Garden
As rosemary is to the spirit, so lavender is to the soul”
“The air was fragrant with a thousand aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender, and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows.” William C Bryant Lavender blooming at Bona Vista 2019. Header Image is a view through the lavender hedge in the Luberon France 2019. I love growing lavender in the garden. … Continue reading As rosemary is to the spirit, so lavender is to the soul”
The name of a rose
What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet. Princess Monaco Unexpectedly, an added bonus of loving roses is learning the history of roses, their names and parentage. Rose names have wonderful stories of life-long achievements in the dedication to rose breeding and the work done in … Continue reading The name of a rose
Thrillers spillers and fillers
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.” —Claude Monet I love gardens made in pots and containers. Whether you have room for a small or a larger garden or have just enough space for a few pots on a balcony. Pots, containers and hanging baskets are a great addition to any garden. They offer flexibility, … Continue reading Thrillers spillers and fillers
Gardens to visit- Al ru farm
“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.” -Elizabeth Murray If you love Gardens then Al ru Farm at One Tree Hill in South Australia is a must visit. The property is owned by Ruth and Alan Irving since 1979. It is a working farm and … Continue reading Gardens to visit- Al ru farm
Vallee des Roses Morocco
There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence.Ralph Waldo Emerson El-Kelaa M'Gouna Rose Festival in Morocco Have you ever wondered where all the roses are grown to make perfume? The French Perfumers in the 1940's built distilleries in Morocco in the Dades Valley area to produce rose oil and … Continue reading Vallee des Roses Morocco
Jardin Remarquable in Epernay
Walking around Epernay along L'Avenue de Champagne we came across the Town Hall that sits within the lush greenery of an enchanting French Garden. It is part of the Remarquable series of gardens that are scattered across the country. As we wandered through the garden we found terraces, and formal areas, statues, weeping trees, fountains, … Continue reading Jardin Remarquable in Epernay
Le Pigonnet -A garden where Cezanne wandered…
In Aix en Provence quite close to the town centre there is a beautiful Hotel, called Le Pigonnet from the French word Pigeonniere ( Pigeon House) . We fortunately were able to stay at Le Pigonnet in June this year. I must confess, I chose this hotel because it sits in a glorious garden that … Continue reading Le Pigonnet -A garden where Cezanne wandered…
The Garden at Billecart-Salmon
Arriving at BilleCart Salmon in the Champagne -Ardenne region of France, I was in awe of the beautiful à la Française Jardin or The French Garden that surrounded the Champagne House. We were early for our appointment to visit the famous vines of Le Clos Saint-Hilaire, the Chais and anticipated Champagne tasting so, we had … Continue reading The Garden at Billecart-Salmon
There’ll be days like this….
As the Van Morrison song goes 'When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit, my Mama told me there'll be days like this' Van's lyrics portray my day in the garden yesterday. After a cold frosty start the day warmed up to a glorious, still and sunny afternoon perfect for … Continue reading There’ll be days like this….
Antonio Canova Gipsoteca
Giardino in Passagno These lovely, pastel pink blooms are from the Giardino at the Gipsoteca in Italy. The gipsoteca means 'the plasterworks' and is where the Antonio Canova museum is located in the small Italian town of Possagno not far from Asolo in the Veneto region. Crepe Myrtle Trunks As one enters the Museum you … Continue reading Antonio Canova Gipsoteca
