There's not much I can do in the garden at the moment. The bulbs are pushing through, and there are even flowers. Early crocus, muscari and amenome blanda. Very pretty, but close to the ground and difficult to see from the conservatory. I prefer a bigger bloom if I'm honest, but these are really for the pollinators that will emerge soon. At least I hope the bad weather hasn't put them back. There are leaves unfurling everywhere, and buds forming on the deciduous plants.
This weekend Marc and I turned our attention to the front of the house. My greenhouse lives here, as it has a southern aspect. The front contains Lilac, Buddliea, Privet, Palm, Agapanthus and Fuschia. We laid gravel down several years ago for reasons of low maintenence. Lately it has all started to look a bit overgrown and messy out there. I never really minded too much - I quite like the unkempt bed head look. But I had to agree with Marc that if we want to sell the house (more of that later), then we need a bit of kerb appeal. Or at the very least a tidy front garden.
So the Fuschia and Buddliea were pruned back hard. The Buddliea will grow to the same height again this summer. The Fuschia will grow more steadily, but will still flower this year. The Agapanthus was cut back so that the front path could be navigated again. I didn't realise how much it had taken over. The weeds were weeded, and a new load of gravel was laboriously carried in trugs, deposited and raked smooth.
It was a lovely sunny afternoon and we went at it with gusto. Olly helped too. He worked very hard, and enjoyed using the garden implements and carrying gravel in his bucket - even with his wellies on the wrong feet. It felt good to be involved in a joint enterprise with Marc. And after about three hours we had a tidied front garden, a pleasant ache in the limbs and a well earned cup of tea on the doorstep.
All that remains is to prettify the porch (I'm thinking a couple of Bay trees) and decide whether to continue with my seed planting, or to save them for somewhere new. My fledgling garden may soon be handed over to another, and I am unsure how I feel about that. Proud of what I have acheived, and sad to leave it behind.
Leanne xx
Your agapanthus is obviously very happy where it is!! I bet the display is beautiful when they are in flower. I hope that you work things out with moving or not and that you are happy with whatever the final decision and outcome is. I am sure that any buyer would be very pleased to have such a lovely looking garden as yours. xx
ReplyDeleteI love the feeling of having the yard all tidied up. Ours can get very wild-looking, especially in the front, and the house seems to shrink behind the growth. It sounds like you may be entering a very exciting phase of life there, I hope all goes well with whatever you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking lovely and I can imagine in the summer it looks very pretty with those lovely plants. We have had a lovely sunny weekend and its been so nice to get out into the garden for a change.
ReplyDeleteIt is so satisfying to get a good sesh in the garden and to really see the end results too. I used to love that ache limb feeling and yes it does feel very rewarding to end it with a good cuppa on a wall or step to admire your handiwork. Your garden looks wonderful and I am so impressed by your agapanthus, wow it clearly loves that spot! I am also very intrigued by the comment that you might be moving, so don't take too long to spill the beans. Hope you have a lovely week, we have had more rain here today after a really glorious and sunny day yesterday, it won't last forever! xoxo
ReplyDeleteA good job well done I think. And how nice to have someone to help you with it. I do hope your plans go well, it all sounds very exciting.
ReplyDeleteeeeeek you are moving! eeeek eeeeeek! x
ReplyDeleteA move is on the horizon, how exiting! Good luck with your plans. I think your front garden has plenty of kerb appeal already. Love the acapanthus, it looks lush. I am always a bit timid when it comes to hard pruning. Why not sew some of your seeds? It gives you pleasure and you may be able to move younger plants, too. Cx
ReplyDeleteOoh, you are moving? How exciting! Yes, probably good advice to pretty up the front garden. But I can see how you might have mixed feelings about moving away from your lovely garden...but then there is an opportunity to work your magic in another place. A challenge for you! x
ReplyDeleteGlad you managed to spend sometime out in the garden clearing up. We always prune our fuchsia and Buddliea at this time of year. I'm glad your new method of dealing with night terrors was successful. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move. Your garden is looking lovely. Sometimes just the tidying up from the winter makes such a huge difference to a space. Would you be able to take some cuttings from any of the established plants (that you love) to take with you to your new place?
ReplyDeleteMaybe all change for you. If it is a move to follow your dreams then it will be a very good one. Carpe Diem!
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