tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41282487275770334952024-02-20T21:23:50.440-08:00Is this the way to Amaryllis?Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-66920710251874243502019-11-25T11:17:00.002-08:002019-12-07T12:15:38.409-08:00A Fungi to be with, Banana Wrap, Wonder in the Mundane.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">New posts announced on Twitter @ pwhorticulture</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Best viewed on a screen bigger than a phone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">'The Garden I Work In' - an everyday story of gardening folk.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LEiyFfnwVLWF-xjkivXRAvUne62oo8CocqFjdabPa_282skYG8HJLp4K_pfG3jmzKtYJidWQyjTkNg3Y5-zIuvQ_PIqu3pDkLBM8H3rtHBtDrGDZXOS37bt1CyKFWHMpxzrLB1vXpf0L/s1600/IMG_0943+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LEiyFfnwVLWF-xjkivXRAvUne62oo8CocqFjdabPa_282skYG8HJLp4K_pfG3jmzKtYJidWQyjTkNg3Y5-zIuvQ_PIqu3pDkLBM8H3rtHBtDrGDZXOS37bt1CyKFWHMpxzrLB1vXpf0L/s640/IMG_0943+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This Acacia has been in its pot for three or four years and usually gets dragged into the greenhouse about now to make sure it survives the winter. Last year we decided it was too big to lug undercover so we left it out in this sheltered corner and it came through okay so this year it is being planted out in the garden. I can't think of a better way of guaranteeing a very harsh winter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We chose to do it last Friday despite a rainy forecast which turned out to be wrong - we had far more rain than was forecast..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6kpEtIdkfjPSqqRsF0czfJHyVuia9AIEhMyXtwjTerLaNetyCqtb-WhxE9sa1IO3Klw4zmq6yHh7ZlYgy2zNpMXTVaG9wuC3Gqpp6ZiP8N6Q0fdcdWZf4bKYTYOGM4_YuclhmPb2CjE-/s1600/IMG_0945+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6kpEtIdkfjPSqqRsF0czfJHyVuia9AIEhMyXtwjTerLaNetyCqtb-WhxE9sa1IO3Klw4zmq6yHh7ZlYgy2zNpMXTVaG9wuC3Gqpp6ZiP8N6Q0fdcdWZf4bKYTYOGM4_YuclhmPb2CjE-/s640/IMG_0945+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the careful appliance of science and lots of shoving, levering, heaving and hauling on the rope we got it onto a small trolley</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rXSRpS38okbSOLdJjMUPdOYIWFHJ5TgD8kJ_y37_94l5khkg9qmjvD9686twsGmg_vo8ryF-RfknkshDvUiIVnT3v4Cb7DYoWilXC7n9Y1fYFDZnp8uusPIDBIzYEognvvf6C48hJcWe/s1600/IMG_0946+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rXSRpS38okbSOLdJjMUPdOYIWFHJ5TgD8kJ_y37_94l5khkg9qmjvD9686twsGmg_vo8ryF-RfknkshDvUiIVnT3v4Cb7DYoWilXC7n9Y1fYFDZnp8uusPIDBIzYEognvvf6C48hJcWe/s640/IMG_0946+%25284%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We wheeled it round that garden to its new site and now we had to get it out of its pot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0ODFSm8n7lbWU2rbryXqRVeFtB3Fw1zKoyw5ijLfaYR3KRyfz6FpfpMKX7saEDtyBSK-5RfIuV4V-fnuE5jBusclZZj9tzvxzlU9COjfqQ643Fhg5V2-sKl079PZy8qt3lJSKJW9L61B/s1600/IMG_0952+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1305" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0ODFSm8n7lbWU2rbryXqRVeFtB3Fw1zKoyw5ijLfaYR3KRyfz6FpfpMKX7saEDtyBSK-5RfIuV4V-fnuE5jBusclZZj9tzvxzlU9COjfqQ643Fhg5V2-sKl079PZy8qt3lJSKJW9L61B/s640/IMG_0952+%25283%2529.JPG" width="522" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With more bashing, cursing, waggling and gentle pulling with the digger we got it out. There is a curious thing about Dan, whenever we work in the rain he starts break dancing. He is a wizard at it and he is a wizard with the mini digger too - a gentle and deft touch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGYpSuNr8Z8MvpHTS7zZkh1-oNPproI2Z-mymdidUTWoXJX9ABJVEEgs0H_1dmmsSw10PIQ-9Gv4R3beafq62yzyn3UPivTCVbNzcsFR7DCuz9a-jBoG-P-qWWyFcUQZqsmb_remhMl51/s1600/IMG_0950+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGYpSuNr8Z8MvpHTS7zZkh1-oNPproI2Z-mymdidUTWoXJX9ABJVEEgs0H_1dmmsSw10PIQ-9Gv4R3beafq62yzyn3UPivTCVbNzcsFR7DCuz9a-jBoG-P-qWWyFcUQZqsmb_remhMl51/s640/IMG_0950+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUYqupQeMjVhngRsGwChIXO7CR8A1ESXRouTIcz96NwFyTJRsxeQjpwK-oyc5yTJhFoSjbc9Vupt6P_gmEvTcJWuRGcx8wzUhMXtNGj4r1ks6o3owIjZoDtcmBP3etAKB9NOCEo6iKTEw/s1600/IMG_0949+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUYqupQeMjVhngRsGwChIXO7CR8A1ESXRouTIcz96NwFyTJRsxeQjpwK-oyc5yTJhFoSjbc9Vupt6P_gmEvTcJWuRGcx8wzUhMXtNGj4r1ks6o3owIjZoDtcmBP3etAKB9NOCEo6iKTEw/s640/IMG_0949+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 'ole.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There was an almost rock like pan of compacted soil about 800mm down where the contractors had tracked back and forth when constructing the garden despite being asked several time so ensure any compaction was broken up. The digger was a godsend because doing it by hand in the rain on a Friday afternoon would have meant that the greenhouse would have been seriously at risk from flung tools .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cvyqPOBM9W-EzAkyUDjHTWsAgz2VMNJgpq2T2wE3zlmgAvTm9AwdUTeXJ_1KoEdcKBz7tMDDozuSr_pLlk43NrcwpY85ooqOlm2f5ARrnj86U-aIXTd_56__d5YGG3JqaGHUTYFvHjZu/s1600/IMG_0947+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1301" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cvyqPOBM9W-EzAkyUDjHTWsAgz2VMNJgpq2T2wE3zlmgAvTm9AwdUTeXJ_1KoEdcKBz7tMDDozuSr_pLlk43NrcwpY85ooqOlm2f5ARrnj86U-aIXTd_56__d5YGG3JqaGHUTYFvHjZu/s640/IMG_0947+%25282%2529.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had to lift the plant it into the hole with the digger using Dan's dexterity and deftness - Pardon ? I said deftness. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qps7pzynX4-6Bwb6ZdYCWDviCmW0CiD8M-f0xTerd7Qi-nHRiZBUgGc7FaUp5T9PSmD4ZL-Y6oIje5Q9nKpoO4l-sj_MWsMcDjcA65qXeTSR69hd14Glz2oXByB4639kIKjv1n8IycgB/s1600/IMG_0965+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qps7pzynX4-6Bwb6ZdYCWDviCmW0CiD8M-f0xTerd7Qi-nHRiZBUgGc7FaUp5T9PSmD4ZL-Y6oIje5Q9nKpoO4l-sj_MWsMcDjcA65qXeTSR69hd14Glz2oXByB4639kIKjv1n8IycgB/s640/IMG_0965+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Job done. Backslapping and break dancing all round. Rain on the lens explains some of the fuzziness in the picture . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
----------------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg56dOq4bjr8zVuisGAIlqOKJuoXcKgUu3nPWnpbX7TXft2HUC1zYPTuALwsbdz8hadr1xvWSHSo912LVh4oizrYrufqmY4uTMvabWFSonk7Tg32UmTWAWIfRmPEY3Av2dOho0YzOFnFk_/s1600/IMG_0963+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg56dOq4bjr8zVuisGAIlqOKJuoXcKgUu3nPWnpbX7TXft2HUC1zYPTuALwsbdz8hadr1xvWSHSo912LVh4oizrYrufqmY4uTMvabWFSonk7Tg32UmTWAWIfRmPEY3Av2dOho0YzOFnFk_/s320/IMG_0963+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A nice corner of winter interest still looking okay. Fingers crossed for the Agave - we have nowhere else to put it </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
---------------------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Banana Wrap</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last year we managed get to get two plants of Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii ' through the winter outdoors by this method so here goes again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9z1rFJVb_rAtEidn1gGLQ1a-5vN9OMwABBoo1CWkZb17zK2ixnSOK4Lv4ggEKuSzJMcXJuuV4WaiSVl4zekTEOFcn9m8JL6mZ3zRpGy1kkAncXFofjmuRH5AlXaIx_kXXxh8k_TCHQuG/s1600/IMG_0917+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9z1rFJVb_rAtEidn1gGLQ1a-5vN9OMwABBoo1CWkZb17zK2ixnSOK4Lv4ggEKuSzJMcXJuuV4WaiSVl4zekTEOFcn9m8JL6mZ3zRpGy1kkAncXFofjmuRH5AlXaIx_kXXxh8k_TCHQuG/s640/IMG_0917+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We cut the plant back to about 800 mm and then covered the open crown with a sheet of plastic just enough to keep out the wet but not too much to prevent all air flow. a circle of chicken wire stuffed with leaves will hopefully provide some insulation against the cold for the growing tip buried deep in the heart of the plant.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsn29e2O1TyROvRMoCBDE4mowgFhFK_oBBM5HhEsOxcEmG8kP1ZlZuwgm-j_wemn06Qse4tq43-5Z4yctSIT72zZ5TKJZAvLj3SufpjJ48A3233aDBmdT_F53eytz2SRykU-zcbYFYv_G/s1600/IMG_0925+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsn29e2O1TyROvRMoCBDE4mowgFhFK_oBBM5HhEsOxcEmG8kP1ZlZuwgm-j_wemn06Qse4tq43-5Z4yctSIT72zZ5TKJZAvLj3SufpjJ48A3233aDBmdT_F53eytz2SRykU-zcbYFYv_G/s640/IMG_0925+%25283%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyone you know?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We 'thatched' it with Miscanthus that we had cut from the garden. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was just asking to have a face put on it. Fortunately it lines up with a purple Cordyline in a pot behind which gives it more of a witch doctor appearance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey, if you can't have fun in the garden where can you?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxW7A9g779Hmm1_opVzFbmKzqZ3mY4MSJni5_24h6gdLc_hUHliiO-guTBVZm1iUrVaoHTdc4ejjLTrm9obuUBNG5NqO9S0J7xKW8wIyl3iHAXtWqqFDcITa7op37jKFPNRjR00sxXRm2/s1600/IMG_0923+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxW7A9g779Hmm1_opVzFbmKzqZ3mY4MSJni5_24h6gdLc_hUHliiO-guTBVZm1iUrVaoHTdc4ejjLTrm9obuUBNG5NqO9S0J7xKW8wIyl3iHAXtWqqFDcITa7op37jKFPNRjR00sxXRm2/s640/IMG_0923+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Win a shilling if you can say what plants the nose, eyes and mouth are. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
---------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU0TFpKieGqHMM3uYt3mLf4LO73-MxuqWBaLZv3bbpy-cD-7k5WC32ePJvgWvU8IRPiR1bOtfxn7HOIFgNqD0-ZUcKcgDiYwzULe3rNz8Hb4olhPC-P7E9ofvPgcnhUtyK_R_dbx2lfuG/s1600/IMG_0961+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU0TFpKieGqHMM3uYt3mLf4LO73-MxuqWBaLZv3bbpy-cD-7k5WC32ePJvgWvU8IRPiR1bOtfxn7HOIFgNqD0-ZUcKcgDiYwzULe3rNz8Hb4olhPC-P7E9ofvPgcnhUtyK_R_dbx2lfuG/s640/IMG_0961+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I planted these table top Parrotias earlier this year. They will gradually be extended to provide some shade for sitting under. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had forgotten how good their autumn colour is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Top quality plants and service from <a href="https://www.readyhedgeltd.com/">Readyhedge</a> when I bought these plants - thanks guys.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
**********************</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder in the Mundane.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you work, or are simply out an about, in the outdoors there is always something that will stir your sense of curiosity or satisfy your need for visual stimulation , sometimes to the point of satiation and sometimes even to the point of tears </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went out with the chainsaw to get a pile of wood cut into logs to move into the dry and came across these beautiful lichens and fungi. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just keep your eyes and mind wide open.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The wood was birch, beech, Leyland cypress, yew, iron hard laburnum - lovely chocolate centre but like trying to cut through steel once it has seasoned - and some cedar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8ASt-dAmf_B6R4EhfPCWHsTyq44buMuUMUz9L4Bmr5TxK2AyAD0HPFRzhaBJKS5sKBhXnJRwqX5hSVoRBxYtQOLE1f4F19UtL0ogap2MCdQFmzUVmXSssTanSVSFDc6S0M5ZkliwK2Rx/s1600/IMG_0971+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8ASt-dAmf_B6R4EhfPCWHsTyq44buMuUMUz9L4Bmr5TxK2AyAD0HPFRzhaBJKS5sKBhXnJRwqX5hSVoRBxYtQOLE1f4F19UtL0ogap2MCdQFmzUVmXSssTanSVSFDc6S0M5ZkliwK2Rx/s640/IMG_0971+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd630ASvokl0mpw1ZbNhbM6jOWOGG-dZ7kESjyRdfYbuBfI54uG2WkiZ_n-bOAXwRLIrVBoEKWzwRp5AZWoJOtvM0bkktDjBhp4XsW5bstkkj9wQnd4jc_3EaYw5YhD6WADfbt0_qkAme0/s1600/IMG_0974+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd630ASvokl0mpw1ZbNhbM6jOWOGG-dZ7kESjyRdfYbuBfI54uG2WkiZ_n-bOAXwRLIrVBoEKWzwRp5AZWoJOtvM0bkktDjBhp4XsW5bstkkj9wQnd4jc_3EaYw5YhD6WADfbt0_qkAme0/s640/IMG_0974+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08qRwTC5LVUN5XH1Sks8iO1gvAzF9xyN7HWCV8OlOa76ydCdvSq6atvqe-BnTYCTKPHy9fKb0hyhnX1U_RQXx2-iF5DWc-7Bbsnum_CZYv3Ua0YQsMfHRPpcb6_uY9WN1BiSyTgch_pvi/s1600/IMG_0976+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08qRwTC5LVUN5XH1Sks8iO1gvAzF9xyN7HWCV8OlOa76ydCdvSq6atvqe-BnTYCTKPHy9fKb0hyhnX1U_RQXx2-iF5DWc-7Bbsnum_CZYv3Ua0YQsMfHRPpcb6_uY9WN1BiSyTgch_pvi/s640/IMG_0976+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu_LqqGLZmiIeolGHfWKoB74MSVjdC6_eUmtG7YluINcoaxoaPsZqOHiREtknSpO0_HImxpk5rm1N2e-FmaB3gu1KX9ueEBTAncxJCXrrxz-aJhyf6qR5dLRI2nZmyHC446vyweGnvXVr/s1600/IMG_0979+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu_LqqGLZmiIeolGHfWKoB74MSVjdC6_eUmtG7YluINcoaxoaPsZqOHiREtknSpO0_HImxpk5rm1N2e-FmaB3gu1KX9ueEBTAncxJCXrrxz-aJhyf6qR5dLRI2nZmyHC446vyweGnvXVr/s640/IMG_0979+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC9N52XBExgXklhTVjdKF-gCK34_WHqSw2sz_LaMWDIQUUtnRsX2gAkfHs1JnYq3ZeUso95YLrKzj7-vHfzeZZT1m0pvNaNs-4MZ9heezxUJPneBmyJm2QUQrd6X6oGbzplUQYIPo3EDp/s1600/IMG_0981+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC9N52XBExgXklhTVjdKF-gCK34_WHqSw2sz_LaMWDIQUUtnRsX2gAkfHs1JnYq3ZeUso95YLrKzj7-vHfzeZZT1m0pvNaNs-4MZ9heezxUJPneBmyJm2QUQrd6X6oGbzplUQYIPo3EDp/s640/IMG_0981+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZGLnXKpZMzqhFM1vj1XTk_eGhs3-8owKiy8Xz4lg4jhyjkuFOgo2IDjr3c6rbuBzjtrOD2i0vk5Fg7W9Rviso7GfCaqo6PBUgdR2xc5ysk_51H0GtdUybDnBzNtCg2l4_l4TCYDBViiN/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZGLnXKpZMzqhFM1vj1XTk_eGhs3-8owKiy8Xz4lg4jhyjkuFOgo2IDjr3c6rbuBzjtrOD2i0vk5Fg7W9Rviso7GfCaqo6PBUgdR2xc5ysk_51H0GtdUybDnBzNtCg2l4_l4TCYDBViiN/s640/IMG_0989.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKKSirGnVsGEqtmSCDCGhC8C4PuPm3DUwtoXfxomVVjgozEOCPaWCGrYBn6R9N3kARGvndelbAnE3i1YZNNlMJ-08Tv0PWFGMsysZ2b4so5QmpzMAjmG8C5kIUf3dKF0lh0_Q7L_lLOUG/s1600/IMG_0984+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKKSirGnVsGEqtmSCDCGhC8C4PuPm3DUwtoXfxomVVjgozEOCPaWCGrYBn6R9N3kARGvndelbAnE3i1YZNNlMJ-08Tv0PWFGMsysZ2b4so5QmpzMAjmG8C5kIUf3dKF0lh0_Q7L_lLOUG/s640/IMG_0984+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuQ2FgdXOBnQV3ngvbbaAOZdk6V5kpaop9oLHVYNfrmIAPrW21BgBMpDYkXB1i_Ok57Xq01KT9ImnQSVtA25Sz91gwXHo_zLOYtku2bjXLKEsI2bIdl_PUv2bpiOBnO54Wx1eXuLvJSyo/s1600/IMG_0987+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuQ2FgdXOBnQV3ngvbbaAOZdk6V5kpaop9oLHVYNfrmIAPrW21BgBMpDYkXB1i_Ok57Xq01KT9ImnQSVtA25Sz91gwXHo_zLOYtku2bjXLKEsI2bIdl_PUv2bpiOBnO54Wx1eXuLvJSyo/s640/IMG_0987+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN9GGMfxQINkzDf4IVfnTjVIBMKd3_OAhenZZQ-rxfLYs7BLXCIoeNB9h71Jm6_KKa8tucMA1v-v9giBIfxmP1A7GfcECvjzYbvHAylv0VUDr2J70jSaWTO_dUSf6N1Azsx-sN7Cm0D2z/s1600/IMG_0983+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN9GGMfxQINkzDf4IVfnTjVIBMKd3_OAhenZZQ-rxfLYs7BLXCIoeNB9h71Jm6_KKa8tucMA1v-v9giBIfxmP1A7GfcECvjzYbvHAylv0VUDr2J70jSaWTO_dUSf6N1Azsx-sN7Cm0D2z/s640/IMG_0983+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am always on the look out for the Face of Jesus be it in my toast , coffee froth or a pile of logs . I was disappointed this time but I came across South America from the times when it was still connected to Antarctica. ........ </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmchnEsSrs4RUWBTiazNHm9YC_5B5covkz8y7TLIQFSICPq4v8ySEJm8Reqpy8gJxp8Zit1mHFKpMo31Ev2NhNlSQWFK0ffhW8m3NQN0CbUITZLaWPJKBl9V0FQQV5cYxn-elDd9ZMa5x8/s1600/IMG_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmchnEsSrs4RUWBTiazNHm9YC_5B5covkz8y7TLIQFSICPq4v8ySEJm8Reqpy8gJxp8Zit1mHFKpMo31Ev2NhNlSQWFK0ffhW8m3NQN0CbUITZLaWPJKBl9V0FQQV5cYxn-elDd9ZMa5x8/s640/IMG_0986.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.....and Africa with Madagascar missing and a bit extra stuck on the west coast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
***************</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
P.S in case you wanted to know the face parts - Eyes, Rudbeckia maxima - Nose, Rostrincula dependens - Mouth an almost done for Dahlia. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
P.P. S Please do all you can to support Extinction Rebellion.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-86903396071090557142019-11-14T12:52:00.000-08:002019-11-14T12:52:08.797-08:00The Garden I Work In , Roundup Red, Garden Radio.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The garden I work in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the opposite of a Post Script or addendum? Whatever it is this is one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I wrote the words below on the twenty fifth of October and now it is the fourteenth of November . The frosts I was worrying about have come and not really done much damage but just given a little bit more urgency to lifting and bringing in the tenders and making sure we have cuttings of those plants too big to lift.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What has also happened since is that we have been given the go ahead by the NGS to open the garden one day next year. It is exciting news for us. It will be on the last Sunday of August. I will give you a reminder nearer the day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rather than give you a before and after I am doing an after and before so here are a couple of November afters - after the first frost that is - taken yesterday and the October befores are all the pictures after. Got that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u> November Afters</u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUSOs6NEYF26L1jKKlofg9nAG0Iyu39ew6UlMxIuaau_0I7nmb2p-EKuiySdDBRz-lFxoGKNnfS6BZtpl38xTWNJPuL0D2tWWPI1HRYZQbEwvVZLYsHdYwu5Lua1cWyXtpayfnsnE31J6/s1600/IMG_0880+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUSOs6NEYF26L1jKKlofg9nAG0Iyu39ew6UlMxIuaau_0I7nmb2p-EKuiySdDBRz-lFxoGKNnfS6BZtpl38xTWNJPuL0D2tWWPI1HRYZQbEwvVZLYsHdYwu5Lua1cWyXtpayfnsnE31J6/s640/IMG_0880+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The bananas are a bit burnt and the dahlias are soggy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RO4mXscuF3UCfPPcm5C8fNwk_7e8dZa_6gNxzXYgtxy4WbdXrIto0WCrvcDA8A66dWorFjn0Fbey5lpjHRLGLzBWzWkq8pfq1UZq1bk8cUZmDciD4HX0P28uOJ_BLYLXeBdhgq9Y_Ph_/s1600/IMG_0876+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1414" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RO4mXscuF3UCfPPcm5C8fNwk_7e8dZa_6gNxzXYgtxy4WbdXrIto0WCrvcDA8A66dWorFjn0Fbey5lpjHRLGLzBWzWkq8pfq1UZq1bk8cUZmDciD4HX0P28uOJ_BLYLXeBdhgq9Y_Ph_/s640/IMG_0876+%25283%2529.JPG" width="564" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Abutilons, Phytolacca, Alocasia and Tibouchina still holding up - just - though you can't really see them very well in this picture.. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUlc0lKsp7XhEEG5n19M7OQVf0zkIzBlgcrC6J2t4_-4cIcWIjdhLIYoH0wsOpo4ewGLWjXPyCckBtgOj2KPFBhyyqPD7T1V6T2asoLD2P8TLLRPXEvnq8XYSeGHK_xbUnLp92Ype8wOC/s1600/IMG_0878+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUlc0lKsp7XhEEG5n19M7OQVf0zkIzBlgcrC6J2t4_-4cIcWIjdhLIYoH0wsOpo4ewGLWjXPyCckBtgOj2KPFBhyyqPD7T1V6T2asoLD2P8TLLRPXEvnq8XYSeGHK_xbUnLp92Ype8wOC/s640/IMG_0878+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The yellowing leaves of Vitis coignatiae make this after look better than the before. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>The October Befores.</u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is the morning of th</span><span style="font-size: large;">e twenty fifth of October . It is a time of year that gets any one who grows half hardy and tender plants for summer display a bit twitchy . You know frost is inevitable sooner or later but you don't know just when it will arrive and you like to keep the display running as long as possible.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Mostly, unless some diabolically cold weather suddenly comes along, you know the first one or two frosts might brown things off a bit but don't usually kill them and that gives you time to drag them indoors and to double check that you have cuttings of all the things you are happy to lose to the cold for the sake of a slightly longer season. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjfD7BK6GaxSfpaWiPjAATM1rBoVp1gV88LKz1KzmBCXTxSyS-JNKn9vyoCHSgL15cSAaOTr-564nLo19EG0VJDUxBetqQBYmadNn7l3I0-rzsNB7FrtpMEQVi8n4EofbDh1mA73DZfkn/s1600/IMG_0456+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjfD7BK6GaxSfpaWiPjAATM1rBoVp1gV88LKz1KzmBCXTxSyS-JNKn9vyoCHSgL15cSAaOTr-564nLo19EG0VJDUxBetqQBYmadNn7l3I0-rzsNB7FrtpMEQVi8n4EofbDh1mA73DZfkn/s640/IMG_0456+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In this south facing corner of the garden there is a nest of tender beauties snuggled in trying to keep each other warm. Cold is not the only enemy of many tender plants. The wet can also be a threat so with the weather still holding up and no forecast of frost I decided the succulents have suffered enough from the recent downpours and are not likely to dry out now so it is time to bring them in and give their roots a chance to dry - a shame really because they are still looking good. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Tibouchinas are also still looking good along with Abutilon , Correa, Alocasia and the big Acacia baileyana Purpurea or 'Songlines' - I don't know which - </span><span style="font-size: large;">at the back ,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Any one grown A. baileyana out doors? This one stayed out in its pot last year, it is too big to keep shuffling it in and out of the greenhouse. Sometime in the next few weeks it is going to be planted out into the garden to takes its chance so any thought on its likely chance of survival would be welcome. It is in a sheltered garden in north Gloucestershire. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFD_SlB0M_mltbflN_N3sy5jyaBWAZhNWqfj5vHkDroybR7Oot5jg6DOgziL2wgHql1jgiACYx76du4TpRjejaJMd51Qf-h7wutH1hYQoMEXiUk1Tmg8svDO1D7Fn1aHLV7o4DCK7xyXn/s1600/IMG_0457+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFD_SlB0M_mltbflN_N3sy5jyaBWAZhNWqfj5vHkDroybR7Oot5jg6DOgziL2wgHql1jgiACYx76du4TpRjejaJMd51Qf-h7wutH1hYQoMEXiUk1Tmg8svDO1D7Fn1aHLV7o4DCK7xyXn/s640/IMG_0457+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Succulents , don't you just love 'em. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Middle back is a Euphorbia - the African version of the New World cacti,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-*-*-*-*-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We tried leaving some other plants out last winter and they all came through with flying colours . Most impressive is the red banana Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'. Free from the constraints of a pot it has grown very big as you can see below.......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD5IH9mla9zMG5QWIK-p0snCi79f_1zxm0jsRJAClx6UqLgWWP3AywtQBEYG6OhW1ningaUngW-ppYjW7qHhM9blRyhRnhDHDfpyw27CDJ5CeX82rpS_V5ztMAMZu7fy2CQ5uMNcwiyKg/s1600/IMG_0440+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD5IH9mla9zMG5QWIK-p0snCi79f_1zxm0jsRJAClx6UqLgWWP3AywtQBEYG6OhW1ningaUngW-ppYjW7qHhM9blRyhRnhDHDfpyw27CDJ5CeX82rpS_V5ztMAMZu7fy2CQ5uMNcwiyKg/s640/IMG_0440+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..... there is also Tetrapanax , a green banana ( I don't know which species / variety.) Dahlia 'Blue Bayou', some self sown Bidens ferulifolia, Salvia involucrata , Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor' and right at the back some of this plant below....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGi3MX_PisWKSA2Ha5GJqRVQPWJlpjW5CfbgsrM_otunw14xRLxFE5gNW5pHllZNRQP_KcOPhlV-FrouWInCAPu2FN63j96CbtnTgCe468B73oI_hOzH1wYqkr8WlOZGzZGZHNRUYkQ7TF/s1600/IMG_0426+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGi3MX_PisWKSA2Ha5GJqRVQPWJlpjW5CfbgsrM_otunw14xRLxFE5gNW5pHllZNRQP_KcOPhlV-FrouWInCAPu2FN63j96CbtnTgCe468B73oI_hOzH1wYqkr8WlOZGzZGZHNRUYkQ7TF/s640/IMG_0426+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">......it's Rostrincula dependens . In all my years of gardening how come I have only just found this plant?It has been out in the border for two years and always looks good at this time of year , September through to end October, a real treat. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizxCmq4S3he49bVZrrncSepy_syY9Z6zZSOPIT3cmhvMDL384YDzSXzOj0M-kMkJoHggXBOdc0n8pOa25JqI7WjufALHm7myjax5y5cDOiI13dJhSbRjV_lw9HJ6UKXbsyKPEos7oGopX/s1600/IMG_0437+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizxCmq4S3he49bVZrrncSepy_syY9Z6zZSOPIT3cmhvMDL384YDzSXzOj0M-kMkJoHggXBOdc0n8pOa25JqI7WjufALHm7myjax5y5cDOiI13dJhSbRjV_lw9HJ6UKXbsyKPEos7oGopX/s640/IMG_0437+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One plant that has been a real surprise regarding its toughness is the variegated Tradescantia in the bottom left of this picture. ( There is a better picture below.) It makes a lovely house plant but I never thought it would survive three winters outdoors and come up bigger and better each year . The Ricinus are self sown! honest! - gardening can be really good fun at times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHibiJSCGvzpnZ60l99PuIT3Jl04jcrizQX_BWKIp1r0_mU2fs6yWeX93QojoV6RbN5ttvrOJ8CGJrIf5rcJU4r5VdXmn8T_OpXgtOtqh640NTyriY3rXEb7BmY5wwkObBh8HJ2BF2oPRp/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHibiJSCGvzpnZ60l99PuIT3Jl04jcrizQX_BWKIp1r0_mU2fs6yWeX93QojoV6RbN5ttvrOJ8CGJrIf5rcJU4r5VdXmn8T_OpXgtOtqh640NTyriY3rXEb7BmY5wwkObBh8HJ2BF2oPRp/s640/IMG_0698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAQWCsaqGW1uynM35qt5Aej4DXCMJWg2R04_2zcT8nNsTrJRnFeGycbHfOffpgPD-MB0olAH0e3eKaToFPfiLhJPmCNbRuoj_Jsp48maUWLernRlP8X363UO0UAvBXUVf9YyyQQEkTlES/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAQWCsaqGW1uynM35qt5Aej4DXCMJWg2R04_2zcT8nNsTrJRnFeGycbHfOffpgPD-MB0olAH0e3eKaToFPfiLhJPmCNbRuoj_Jsp48maUWLernRlP8X363UO0UAvBXUVf9YyyQQEkTlES/s640/IMG_0702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have never quite understood why Eucomis bicolor is not grown more often. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is tough as you like and has a very exotic and unusual as well as slightly comical look to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This one is seeding itself around to the point of becoming a nuisance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> How can I grow the tall Eucomis without them falling over? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtwX-zeXqwLCkzsf-KzNloBR5pqt_0t-ECEEzDH-SP25nW2jLncaDTmHVOONuBhvwE102yOB_UbiSuDhXCSIWKHiaeknwqSuhYdXB-apTn6tcgqKGCIjp8CiaLhD-_9W_XqKkxIiBWfMm/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtwX-zeXqwLCkzsf-KzNloBR5pqt_0t-ECEEzDH-SP25nW2jLncaDTmHVOONuBhvwE102yOB_UbiSuDhXCSIWKHiaeknwqSuhYdXB-apTn6tcgqKGCIjp8CiaLhD-_9W_XqKkxIiBWfMm/s640/IMG_0687.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Less exotic plants are still looking good around the garden although with frosts on the way this week it might all look very different in a few days time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have championed this Aster before and I am going to again. It is just the best thing for this time of year. Aster lateriflorus 'Horizontalis' ( unfortunately it is now Symphotrichum lateriflorum var. Horizontalis - I have no chance of remembering that. ) It is on the middle right of this picture . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The golden leaf is Cornus Midwinter Fire, not necessarily the best winter stem colour Cornus - but by no means bad - and I did not know that when I planted the garden. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It looks good behind the black rods of Digitalis parviflora.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKUC8QWUullKv3AlckcdRIj4K4B2-Kuz5W06zhNACzTyCv0pzdZAJ9ZPzWFlawKd1i_xAg5xUYbC_Q3hmZPSNj5hzmgvGnwWHgMPEfBgZmOIwhPMsvRC0MBNyaCUl_oEzuHSaZAaqJ9Oe/s1600/IMG_0693+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKUC8QWUullKv3AlckcdRIj4K4B2-Kuz5W06zhNACzTyCv0pzdZAJ9ZPzWFlawKd1i_xAg5xUYbC_Q3hmZPSNj5hzmgvGnwWHgMPEfBgZmOIwhPMsvRC0MBNyaCUl_oEzuHSaZAaqJ9Oe/s640/IMG_0693+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aster lateriflorus 'Horizontalis with Hackonechloa and Bergenia - colour shape and texture - text book stuff.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxNkf4dNqzICapF-3WuVtaK-i_PZQ5aWfgJFBcVuALTBYfb9w78WSvN_MLjtPlSGc1OT_aanktl6ysJPjTbkulY4zAk7eC5LjjBALlACeUTcquBghayTLyjTdhbXiXPt6V3HW6aN27Zx2/s1600/IMG_0680+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxNkf4dNqzICapF-3WuVtaK-i_PZQ5aWfgJFBcVuALTBYfb9w78WSvN_MLjtPlSGc1OT_aanktl6ysJPjTbkulY4zAk7eC5LjjBALlACeUTcquBghayTLyjTdhbXiXPt6V3HW6aN27Zx2/s640/IMG_0680+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is all herbaceous planting so come late winter the ground is laid bare except the Paulownia but even that will be cut back to within an inch of its life , well at least to 18 inches - 45 cms - in late winter</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNla6yzarzXnEsw_6OFEUYba55LkNGJ_l2oIqk25uUWPriQ8OT2WoVMZ-KIMGz5lMCK3efFoC15v9_NsfMbEAL9HpG8sykpkLLw0pVcnDWaiU2ByGmucKbBy2ZnZTa0A65Mv00csxeD1t/s1600/IMG_0688+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNla6yzarzXnEsw_6OFEUYba55LkNGJ_l2oIqk25uUWPriQ8OT2WoVMZ-KIMGz5lMCK3efFoC15v9_NsfMbEAL9HpG8sykpkLLw0pVcnDWaiU2ByGmucKbBy2ZnZTa0A65Mv00csxeD1t/s640/IMG_0688+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have just checked out this plant on a few websites and I can't believe this but no one mentions its scent - it is sweet, heady and one of the big treats of early autumn. You will catch the scent when working elsewhere in the garden and wonder just where that intoxicating perfume is coming from - it is from Persicaria polymorpha. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One site remarks as if it is a major plus that it does not self seed around - it doesn't need to because in good soil it puts out some fairly hefty runners but please don't let that stop you growing it if you have the space. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">------------</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsLjOyqA_MDTW5xMb2Jofh7mzexRPwxaEsl9SKNrK8YzvRNLLcKPr_0xFrM95BC_hkBS1UF8C1_qjd4LitEqvbkP0eKfi521XoZ4cUYSUs5EqHDkVVKuqkrW2e8WRFTVOKeBXq-hCKJCi/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsLjOyqA_MDTW5xMb2Jofh7mzexRPwxaEsl9SKNrK8YzvRNLLcKPr_0xFrM95BC_hkBS1UF8C1_qjd4LitEqvbkP0eKfi521XoZ4cUYSUs5EqHDkVVKuqkrW2e8WRFTVOKeBXq-hCKJCi/s640/IMG_0422.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Any one else got purple snakes in the garden?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
**********************************<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>'Roundup Red'</u></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSVJ_goUfLnN3y0wNXaMM7Tr2x0RkKLVVcCvMDWd8H2LPRkNvDiMvMvMJ1c4j_oYYZKb7_YF8yTr9w4pPHeQzuBzfpr-UXI9Erkari428bXVplvrdNTdnjifn4PAe0NLtkWHN-lTcNaOV/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSVJ_goUfLnN3y0wNXaMM7Tr2x0RkKLVVcCvMDWd8H2LPRkNvDiMvMvMJ1c4j_oYYZKb7_YF8yTr9w4pPHeQzuBzfpr-UXI9Erkari428bXVplvrdNTdnjifn4PAe0NLtkWHN-lTcNaOV/s640/IMG_0651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Soon the countryside will be flooded with autumn colour as leaves drain out their green and take on their autumn hues but as a prelude we can warm our hearts with swathes of glowing 'Roundup Red' as the land is prepared for cultivation.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwYAYHhLjXbiDwDkbtJdx72Xt6_TC2RSzlxcFAQf721VYX-zAZ1Nl35Pj3WHRD1ezfPN38jf95P9d99tYxiOh4O-ZASNj6-fYV3AT9Tsq-iX-Ahqeb2rHeNqId1rNs2jFcJG_r5qz7IgY/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwYAYHhLjXbiDwDkbtJdx72Xt6_TC2RSzlxcFAQf721VYX-zAZ1Nl35Pj3WHRD1ezfPN38jf95P9d99tYxiOh4O-ZASNj6-fYV3AT9Tsq-iX-Ahqeb2rHeNqId1rNs2jFcJG_r5qz7IgY/s640/IMG_0650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
*********************<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Garden Radio</span><br />
I end on a sad note.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
No matter how keen you are an awful lot of gardening is fairly tedious so a radio should be part of your garden kit. I don't like to cut myself off from outside sounds with earphones so I carry around a beaten up old Roberts radio bought for me by my son what must be ten years ago . It finally gave out two days go but hey, guess what, they are still doing the same model. AM , FM and best of all Long Wave. Long Wave suits me best because you can't get FM ( nor DAB) everywhere I work but you can always get Long Wave, and therefore Radio 4. Down side is you can't avoid the daily service but the upside is you can get the test cricket loud and clear and I am learning to love the Shipping Forecast</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3Kd4ruC-UF0RAhJX78eUqJcKBVpYx3IEun9GeS7t6-IuPYQR8wZ_rTnsmb3hb1ckG6X1kZ3-ZPewykX4FL6l-sSTBprJOOM0aEPbRVPtrucxV9dShJEdaNKIjfgmK1K-Fq8oGxv1IGro/s1600/20191110_111700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3Kd4ruC-UF0RAhJX78eUqJcKBVpYx3IEun9GeS7t6-IuPYQR8wZ_rTnsmb3hb1ckG6X1kZ3-ZPewykX4FL6l-sSTBprJOOM0aEPbRVPtrucxV9dShJEdaNKIjfgmK1K-Fq8oGxv1IGro/s640/20191110_111700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Not surprising it eventually gave out with all the crud and grunge that had accumulated inside.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxOZwAhajoIM06SbUU4WgVp4xfoHfzx6LP_AShebUuNzkCFpMZ3zxucOiWzIVDI_p068-wVnNsRI_nMbvuQ6e0vkwbEeOHD_7hlN4ZqawSQNKHrVMebNTyrROJo3jmX2FrtTK87fJq6tY/s1600/20191110_112043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxOZwAhajoIM06SbUU4WgVp4xfoHfzx6LP_AShebUuNzkCFpMZ3zxucOiWzIVDI_p068-wVnNsRI_nMbvuQ6e0vkwbEeOHD_7hlN4ZqawSQNKHrVMebNTyrROJo3jmX2FrtTK87fJq6tY/s640/20191110_112043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Whoo hoo! Look at my new radio, and get this it was just £20 from Clarkes in Shipston on Stour - can't go wrong.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
Coming soon<br />
The Vineyards of Chipping Campden, fabulous foliage and fantastic fungi.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
PS I last posted in March 2018 , It opened with a short piece on B***T - who would have thought that that debacle would not be finished yet. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
PPS. Please do what you can to help Extinction Rebellion either financially or by other means of support.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
</div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-48713292747442987862018-03-12T13:18:00.000-07:002018-03-12T13:18:38.456-07:00Brexit, Face of Jesus and a Spring Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found this very old draft blog post sitting in the draft box. It looked surprisingly relevant so here it is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay lets get politics out of the way before we start. Brexit? In or out of the E.C?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I got up the other morning and even my breadboard was trying to tell me something other than 'Use your loaf '</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just remember, be cautious and don't put all your aggs in one brexit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMEcGY0WQEOL9BtEBNDDLq05G1ciGUtKqRLL6UOAappcIJNNYlK8tonV19sW_R1JD4RJNOr1hT6PBkHBrBYeQUC27M6li6-JR4wrhi4jm0bIKtrSnDEwJoWyZuvplNMtDGef151iHhql3/s1600/IMG_8178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMEcGY0WQEOL9BtEBNDDLq05G1ciGUtKqRLL6UOAappcIJNNYlK8tonV19sW_R1JD4RJNOr1hT6PBkHBrBYeQUC27M6li6-JR4wrhi4jm0bIKtrSnDEwJoWyZuvplNMtDGef151iHhql3/s640/IMG_8178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The face of baby Jesus</span>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jesus's face turns up everywhere, on a piece of toast, on a corn-flake, in the froth on your latte, it is definitely omnipresent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When Barbara is sewing cotton gets traipsed all over the house, even the bathroom floor. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry it's not the face of Jesus or may be it is but when he was young. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This silhouette of a sleepy young child's face was on the bathroom floor. Excuse the pubic hair on the left. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7N1M5Hxk30RscyRXT3-2Ynr01-CR6i7Sl2ziCpCv3k7dX2SOybdzsJ4uLxb_RHcspPcrJ8fulH60I-qKZjkr0yF77ASscj9ugTWEa4z1kH7K5O1DSH6sljbFU1hOD8KfP4NDJTyO_f07/s1600/IMG_8174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7N1M5Hxk30RscyRXT3-2Ynr01-CR6i7Sl2ziCpCv3k7dX2SOybdzsJ4uLxb_RHcspPcrJ8fulH60I-qKZjkr0yF77ASscj9ugTWEa4z1kH7K5O1DSH6sljbFU1hOD8KfP4NDJTyO_f07/s640/IMG_8174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
....................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Berberis darwinii</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin">Darwin</a> was a mighty guy if only for the fact that he discovered this plant, <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2105/Berberis-darwinii/Details">Berberis darwinii</a> in Chile in 1835 when he was travelling as a naturalist on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_the_Beagle">Beagle </a> . It was introduced here in the UK in 1849 by William Lobb of Vietch's nursery</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In fact I am not sure if it is straight B. darwinii or a hybrid with B. linearifolia called B. x lologensis ( after Lake Lolog in Argentina) variety Mystery Fire. Does anybody know?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Either way it is one of the best shrubs ever - my modest opinion!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am changing the garden at home so I am having to dig it up and move it and am crossing my fingers that it will survive the move. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I cut some for indoors and it looks absolutely stunning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With no disrespect meant to recent clients but when designing plantings I ask them if they have any colour preference you can guarantee that 90% will say no orange - well look what your are missing. Not just orange but shades of apricot, yellow and deep red all on a small leaved, evergreen shrub. It is fabulous. Maybe there is a god? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxAPF8RBet1-QgIIK5vC6xbLcScxATFX_rW8z-3vnm5h_h1qhe0aJGz9BTZsEJPDAhLnxVLEW4kDCCkeWHV8_WClUMBxqLv0E9XKCXECvfU81mex8EESkiynShs6piAqW2yyqoNXF-sdi/s1600/IMG_8217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxAPF8RBet1-QgIIK5vC6xbLcScxATFX_rW8z-3vnm5h_h1qhe0aJGz9BTZsEJPDAhLnxVLEW4kDCCkeWHV8_WClUMBxqLv0E9XKCXECvfU81mex8EESkiynShs6piAqW2yyqoNXF-sdi/s640/IMG_8217.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0W2nCP7bouIWck2gBWTxxqgdnYGQJurzqUkjo6jufpg2cv1zRT6IlXD2GhAHkYP1GN3jKSACgGCm-WAHhv79eMGazzg7lXLOCv50tfWtU_e8bpcn8hm1D0_XFvbsv2_hofsaASmuK4P3/s1600/IMG_8213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0W2nCP7bouIWck2gBWTxxqgdnYGQJurzqUkjo6jufpg2cv1zRT6IlXD2GhAHkYP1GN3jKSACgGCm-WAHhv79eMGazzg7lXLOCv50tfWtU_e8bpcn8hm1D0_XFvbsv2_hofsaASmuK4P3/s640/IMG_8213.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5967NxyTsQhdYGun87X_LrSuO1BhR19Sg0J5MD8LUx_Ni53ClYYybrNk9iZemFWPsyCLrR7AHhcEd_LCduftCUVxMN3gmGxqlQ4TBHFf2KCEMLhCS23vndU3Q29NuYNYnyOFRHVSkKYHD/s1600/IMG_8219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5967NxyTsQhdYGun87X_LrSuO1BhR19Sg0J5MD8LUx_Ni53ClYYybrNk9iZemFWPsyCLrR7AHhcEd_LCduftCUVxMN3gmGxqlQ4TBHFf2KCEMLhCS23vndU3Q29NuYNYnyOFRHVSkKYHD/s640/IMG_8219.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Berberis darwinii in an Adam Keeling pot from <a href="https://www.whichfordpottery.com/">Whichford pottery</a> ( Adam is the muscly guy in the Pottery website intro video) . The flowers are a much stronger orange than this picture shows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebrington">Ebrington</a> Spring Show</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I judged Ebrington spring show at the weekend, There was great support with plenty of top class exhibits in all classes. It was mighty close in the Narcissus classes so don't feel too miffed if you missed out on a prize it will only have been by a whisker. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUXrhjla8GePknlcnImOA6PBwuyX-OWY927-wThf-C-m1NxAiIVfgx3A5odarkZo4mihzYK71IEI7G3i-G9LjwjlWr5JVVMP4oy5Cac3YPy0WC4W2sRDFXtK-MWPf1e5r6snIhqYH7PgR/s1600/IMG_8187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUXrhjla8GePknlcnImOA6PBwuyX-OWY927-wThf-C-m1NxAiIVfgx3A5odarkZo4mihzYK71IEI7G3i-G9LjwjlWr5JVVMP4oy5Cac3YPy0WC4W2sRDFXtK-MWPf1e5r6snIhqYH7PgR/s640/IMG_8187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daffs and tulips ... and an official recorder.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxjMclAaEwhQFLfdQThyphenhyphenQ1HqI2XyvFc3lTx86mMTGDmijjDULmjKmtZ5WUj_21NXuqh7re1gGhuc3FaVN9LlT9uGW3GeDQVjIvucLM3AKBzsoFTHXpqML7s4lCH6RiDD91dDGeiH2oz4Z/s1600/IMG_8182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxjMclAaEwhQFLfdQThyphenhyphenQ1HqI2XyvFc3lTx86mMTGDmijjDULmjKmtZ5WUj_21NXuqh7re1gGhuc3FaVN9LlT9uGW3GeDQVjIvucLM3AKBzsoFTHXpqML7s4lCH6RiDD91dDGeiH2oz4Z/s640/IMG_8182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mixed stuff and Camellia flowers, some were enormous.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZefk-91rXpMjoHvuqWuX1iFBwybCoJnXxw05VZAy_j69pwuqZnOpG9W6hOvTe2SCCklracwrKSx8kppoAUW-FlwrPdpLPCtT4i_XM3u348uB63My8wsEnXSkU77-k4gXrbkTO4DGatkI/s1600/IMG_8189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZefk-91rXpMjoHvuqWuX1iFBwybCoJnXxw05VZAy_j69pwuqZnOpG9W6hOvTe2SCCklracwrKSx8kppoAUW-FlwrPdpLPCtT4i_XM3u348uB63My8wsEnXSkU77-k4gXrbkTO4DGatkI/s640/IMG_8189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bfUhFLeANJ8015DjtsUwQ_l4Cl-71xdxv1boIeslwshQJcKIUiiWWg0pVZ6zcQLOy5xwNYJAUIQ8KeKMEItRsRo3OpyID4L-N_HSgJ2Ow-XkRU804djSO-jMe96NXgkQSs8mbm7LaklJ/s1600/IMG_8196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bfUhFLeANJ8015DjtsUwQ_l4Cl-71xdxv1boIeslwshQJcKIUiiWWg0pVZ6zcQLOy5xwNYJAUIQ8KeKMEItRsRo3OpyID4L-N_HSgJ2Ow-XkRU804djSO-jMe96NXgkQSs8mbm7LaklJ/s640/IMG_8196.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Normally the pay for my duties is a bottle or two of wine or a box of chocolates but at Ebrington you get a generous veg box generously donated by the <a href="http://www.118118.com/ebrington/fruit-vegetable-growers/444420-d-e-d-m-drinkwater.html">Drinkwaters</a> who are local growers of veg and fruit and who have a very good farm shop in Ebrington. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-50874631602734045722017-04-06T13:38:00.000-07:002017-04-06T13:38:38.636-07:00Mindfulness? Barton House Kale and Sprouts, Ricin and Iran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you just like pictures you can skip this word heavy intro.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope this does not sound like pretentious twaddle but here goes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think no matter where you are if you have your eyes open when you are out and about then there is going to be something that should be looked at with more than just a glance. Obviously there will be times and places that offer more than others but it has to be a pretty bleak sort of environment that does not offer something that is visually exciting or that brings to mind an 'I wonder why or how'. The visual is very closely connected to the tactile and often subjects that are visually stimulating are begging to be touched. These visual stimulants do not have to be on the grand scale, in fact they are often on the small and mundane level- a bit of twig pressed by a boot into some soft mud - a plastic bag, caught high, flapping in the bare branches of a tree like a trapped bird desperate to free itself or abstract mud splashes on a rendered roadside house rivalling Jackson Pollack a persistent drip from a broken gutter staining a wall, a conjunction of different roof angles all in one tiny part of your field of vision . It is all there to be noticed and then properly seen by working thorough the detail of what it is that pleases you.It can be the contrast of shapes, the play of light, an incongruous juxtaposition, a satisfying blend or contrast of colours, a cloud formation or something inexplicable that fills you with a feeling of awe, wonder, amazement, intimacy or contentment - seek these things out. It is not laborious, your mind will think all these things through in micro fractions of a second. It is these, very often tiny, visual excitements that can lift any day above the routine and can make the whole of life more satisfying. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many of these highlights go by each day and mostly only you will have enjoyed them. They happen to me all the time and mostly </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
they are impossible to record and if they weren't they would probably mean little to anyone else because it was the moment as much as the subject which gave the satisfaction. However sometimes I have the camera with me ( no camera on my phone) and manage to record some of the bigger events. They are immensely satisfying to me because I have had the pleasure of the experience as well as being able to look back at the pictures but, at the risk of slipping into undue introspection I am never really sure why I feel the need to put the pictures and some explanation on a blog. Is it an attempt at getting a message across? Probably not because no matter what message I want to send the number of followers I have is not going to get that message out to more than a very few. Is it ego, is it the need to communicate ( a need which the smart phone seems to have us in its non-stop thrall. ), a desperate need to share (another recent phenomenon?) or is it the sheer challenge of trying to get noticed and if I had a million followers would I just give up?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I enjoy communicating but surely there are easier ways than this typing with two fingers stuff. It could be ego though the number of visits to this site will tell you that that is not being satisfied . Is it a need to share? Well someone who posts so occasionally can't be that desperate to share and surely Facebook would be more effective though I do feel that sharing is a part of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I enjoy getting things down on paper, it helps to organise and understand your own thoughts, I do enjoy sharing and communicating and I do enjoy seeing images with some text that shows a bit of insight so maybe this is just my harmless selfish indulgence and getting one or two extra followers now and then means perhaps someone does indeed share my way of doing things and they are my occasional bits of icing on the cake. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Having read the first part of this text back to myself the word mindfulness came to mind so I looked up what mindfulness meant and it was not a million miles away from what I was trying to say but rather than calming the mind I would encourage you to get excited over the visual detail of the mundane and overlooked and that might in some way actually be a benefit by distracting you from the heavier problems that are bearing down upon you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Phew, lighten up Williams!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;">New posts tweeted on </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;">@pwhorticulture</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
........................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
KALE and SPROUTS </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I live in South Warwickshire, its very southern tip, and a few minutes down the road we are in Gloucestershire and in the Cotswold AONB . It is sheep country and ideal sprout growing country, Brassicas such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflowers and sprouts like limey soil, at least growers like limey soil because its high alkaline pH helps keeps the fungal disease club root at bay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This colourful field caught my eye when I was driving past and I happened to have the camera so I pulled in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I thought it was red cabbage at first but as the owner happened top be on site he explained it was a red kale and that several varieties of kale filled the bottom end of the field . Sprouts grew at the top. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So with permission I trod carefully to take a look. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOzSqjcp8UNPRdaYXAhTQq3fkSHjCfaGasIDQwFY5T29t6MIt4OreBPOi_aGI_r_gcms_X1fq7KQl_pjZOi0VIHb7g1kRzT6zfyRLu6p4euJnkU1D5CuPYxsFSsbSmO_MgILWERCoiEZf/s1600/IMG_6783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOzSqjcp8UNPRdaYXAhTQq3fkSHjCfaGasIDQwFY5T29t6MIt4OreBPOi_aGI_r_gcms_X1fq7KQl_pjZOi0VIHb7g1kRzT6zfyRLu6p4euJnkU1D5CuPYxsFSsbSmO_MgILWERCoiEZf/s640/IMG_6783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you are thinking the two pictures below show what a lovely misty morning it was and how atmospheric it must have been early that day .......... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gvBItccNcdS41EHjcNd6Eym_XPH6QclpjdUaXYn36OtVrSPLWpRLrarIPmtB29MdmDgC8h_Lddyoc-oGBK6SYXsKoeNQ9zvVs6HoeSrOws0nKwIFLoXso0CzK-N_ASKWBT7HmI6XWaBK/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gvBItccNcdS41EHjcNd6Eym_XPH6QclpjdUaXYn36OtVrSPLWpRLrarIPmtB29MdmDgC8h_Lddyoc-oGBK6SYXsKoeNQ9zvVs6HoeSrOws0nKwIFLoXso0CzK-N_ASKWBT7HmI6XWaBK/s640/IMG_6761.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBVUgRMWNmZh8aDPeYRpqJM8-yKF5FrDG8vTThYcvKn8bBdXm2oocVIJ2Ylb-sJrMoYzkbuF1EJf-ak32ZwnZkPkgjFa31gGiyC97IJFHuhIec3rEloM3Avslf3iks1Y79qYOcb-a7sAR/s1600/IMG_6757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBVUgRMWNmZh8aDPeYRpqJM8-yKF5FrDG8vTThYcvKn8bBdXm2oocVIJ2Ylb-sJrMoYzkbuF1EJf-ak32ZwnZkPkgjFa31gGiyC97IJFHuhIec3rEloM3Avslf3iks1Y79qYOcb-a7sAR/s640/IMG_6757.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..........then you might be disappointed to know that it was simply that having left the camera in the van all through the previous frosty night that when I brought it out into the relative warmth of the afternoon the lens steamed up and I had not noticed. After a few minutes of acclimatisation the same picture became far less wistful and quite a bit more dynamic as you can see below</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_fKXBghxJdjyxj8bTsSik4PXEZT3MPkNhOOC1Mjm-mLK8HMeYbMXbvXRHO0KO9EpUeiaEdgTfl76mMTWEebO8mEB_2F5F7Q-LP4Nj0RztalBzCcwz4MDMeBWF-OWTMtXcfc0wgNru3IF/s1600/IMG_6762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_fKXBghxJdjyxj8bTsSik4PXEZT3MPkNhOOC1Mjm-mLK8HMeYbMXbvXRHO0KO9EpUeiaEdgTfl76mMTWEebO8mEB_2F5F7Q-LP4Nj0RztalBzCcwz4MDMeBWF-OWTMtXcfc0wgNru3IF/s640/IMG_6762.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0kx4d79H8oYmaf0l1Y2Owj51MSY4d50wHeQTcCO0fi2FWkDjPuVzKCwPwq4zffs33opiSfNmeqsw0hE7X0-K5oW85weMntsu-fMN8sBskCk-eRCGEZmqxKBSYHvdkEVn4SnTVOeCCT9f/s1600/IMG_6758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0kx4d79H8oYmaf0l1Y2Owj51MSY4d50wHeQTcCO0fi2FWkDjPuVzKCwPwq4zffs33opiSfNmeqsw0hE7X0-K5oW85weMntsu-fMN8sBskCk-eRCGEZmqxKBSYHvdkEVn4SnTVOeCCT9f/s640/IMG_6758.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOPk-9UJfQc2MPuCDYqFhxl36XXC-TigpaEc9fkzyLh9YkEZty8ebh3NIVpcRoqOrcLoTZJrQdCaF_CjaDS8xKG6KbAIWtlwFsBBX7CIl0ErpR1LnFQsKhJfaY9PZ8I0Yt8ERO-Bgwe5z/s1600/IMG_6763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOPk-9UJfQc2MPuCDYqFhxl36XXC-TigpaEc9fkzyLh9YkEZty8ebh3NIVpcRoqOrcLoTZJrQdCaF_CjaDS8xKG6KbAIWtlwFsBBX7CIl0ErpR1LnFQsKhJfaY9PZ8I0Yt8ERO-Bgwe5z/s640/IMG_6763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These crinkly kale were the best. With a bit of imagination you could see yourself looking down on the treetops of a tropical forest, albeit a very organised one. ( or possibly the back end of some over primped creatures at Crufts.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of them still held a touch of frost which added to their stiffness to the touch and gave them just a hint of sparkle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbMc1-ajT42HOmybSb0NCUeVa2Z4cqZj0o2jamIubuOqfdbMbbTIwgtCibp3xoOtHlhOXPcm7Rd7YTt6X-N4rnvWco9bUPIChUZMfBgTwIaGpsAbOYx5O7syYk6v3fsQeP7OHD_EeXsTQ/s1600/IMG_6765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbMc1-ajT42HOmybSb0NCUeVa2Z4cqZj0o2jamIubuOqfdbMbbTIwgtCibp3xoOtHlhOXPcm7Rd7YTt6X-N4rnvWco9bUPIChUZMfBgTwIaGpsAbOYx5O7syYk6v3fsQeP7OHD_EeXsTQ/s640/IMG_6765.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2Kho8iLuGCtgXWHSNRECwwOrNySYq8SBeN6oJ3QzswpnP0A_9OOOY9iQdZLrGQ8PchCYI3oOBwWDGBHxQ0wKHLjJjGePhApj8TMIi0YBjB5jzZJMExRbYOrCRNs_sv6S6X_UIzrR6DFU/s1600/IMG_6767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2Kho8iLuGCtgXWHSNRECwwOrNySYq8SBeN6oJ3QzswpnP0A_9OOOY9iQdZLrGQ8PchCYI3oOBwWDGBHxQ0wKHLjJjGePhApj8TMIi0YBjB5jzZJMExRbYOrCRNs_sv6S6X_UIzrR6DFU/s640/IMG_6767.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Harvested kale looking like some tropical storm has ripped through the north Cotwolds and laid waste to the forest trees. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAn-jp9VWjOtez2Zym3UaXiVZPVgypm-z4BJLB4P1XTJ9oWopF5V4SaxYBf6P50z2YXfC71imc1PsCA1svgMQEiBKC1-ADTsfmdhQGu3xmv6_fTzLVX9jQrEGGZPWybTo0NivoH6Cs9g4/s1600/IMG_6770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAn-jp9VWjOtez2Zym3UaXiVZPVgypm-z4BJLB4P1XTJ9oWopF5V4SaxYBf6P50z2YXfC71imc1PsCA1svgMQEiBKC1-ADTsfmdhQGu3xmv6_fTzLVX9jQrEGGZPWybTo0NivoH6Cs9g4/s640/IMG_6770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Great Colour</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO-GtVT_uGmpHy0GnB4yOOOBhMOjug_TshbKx8EkgIOsZdRLdoaKfKxUMl743vC1RD-0tb3qdpDnzgIEZeZH1p9y2uH5NE2GKorVZtJCpVHh3y7geyQXjPf6Ixo2WOZmWP5swMrnJc2IA/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO-GtVT_uGmpHy0GnB4yOOOBhMOjug_TshbKx8EkgIOsZdRLdoaKfKxUMl743vC1RD-0tb3qdpDnzgIEZeZH1p9y2uH5NE2GKorVZtJCpVHh3y7geyQXjPf6Ixo2WOZmWP5swMrnJc2IA/s640/IMG_6772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bluey grey brassica leaves were a perfect foil for their purple red counterparts. It is a colour scheme that also works well in the ornamental garden perhaps even with the same plants. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLmlSo_hk4f4AO6rwj82noJnAnBHtbUunvCmbMrk2_GyOglg6ZUDcF3PBSMFpT2F6JQRnPG26XTmbSs-lUYcKDfjulOEaz97l-cpNehaIGIyWtWLGfJG6yAy32j7iQBWAuonSFwZjDnh9/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLmlSo_hk4f4AO6rwj82noJnAnBHtbUunvCmbMrk2_GyOglg6ZUDcF3PBSMFpT2F6JQRnPG26XTmbSs-lUYcKDfjulOEaz97l-cpNehaIGIyWtWLGfJG6yAy32j7iQBWAuonSFwZjDnh9/s640/IMG_6776.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3Dr6y6xajN_N0te5rLX2R8gNJQg9nnm66d_BUbnqC_1t_6yJGlAaFa13ZYPTrvvZuh0UytzUknGfWVPIrhVvzj4tjpBheWWuTcOaRP1QQepJIBkOAxq9pXtQyyxY-3bEDystYXSn_gDA/s1600/IMG_6773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3Dr6y6xajN_N0te5rLX2R8gNJQg9nnm66d_BUbnqC_1t_6yJGlAaFa13ZYPTrvvZuh0UytzUknGfWVPIrhVvzj4tjpBheWWuTcOaRP1QQepJIBkOAxq9pXtQyyxY-3bEDystYXSn_gDA/s640/IMG_6773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Narrow leaved kale looking as tough as I have always found it when it comes to cooking it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPbE1xzNq9LnbiDiMnZLbuZmY4Fz4Tiqu87vTUiINjTqTFyYkdTpsT59gaJVq4ybi7lZvuyZXiv-qDM9loll4K_jBvlttN5if1oN4u-cfObgV4bRnosQzry2iaTlsRS8jiUi2f2zkNKcF/s1600/IMG_6782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPbE1xzNq9LnbiDiMnZLbuZmY4Fz4Tiqu87vTUiINjTqTFyYkdTpsT59gaJVq4ybi7lZvuyZXiv-qDM9loll4K_jBvlttN5if1oN4u-cfObgV4bRnosQzry2iaTlsRS8jiUi2f2zkNKcF/s640/IMG_6782.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walking between the spouts I was surprised to see so many on the ground. These had been the first picking which had been discarded when they were seen to have been to be damaged by the diamond back moth. The moth is a pest of all brassicas and though the first sprouts were hit the kales seemed to have escaped. Much higher than usual populations of the moth coming across from Mediterranean countries during the summer combined with pesticide resistance and a fast breeding cycle meant the moths were able to do considerable damage in some regions</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv1KyUbz8BtahG4IovDBcYwNQcxC2KpcrtB8_YwPmCjvAvxPgyawW3U4Xr7A9D1pI54a9TmvRRYJ7IKVZXijC7nbR_x5sIyrKykK6IkIKEYa8Ms_QD2fPE7-97PO_SPPRb2sBiOSztMnN/s1600/IMG_6781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv1KyUbz8BtahG4IovDBcYwNQcxC2KpcrtB8_YwPmCjvAvxPgyawW3U4Xr7A9D1pI54a9TmvRRYJ7IKVZXijC7nbR_x5sIyrKykK6IkIKEYa8Ms_QD2fPE7-97PO_SPPRb2sBiOSztMnN/s640/IMG_6781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The small caterpillars can bore into the sprout as well as strip leaves down to the veins . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">It looks like I have an E.T./ Kermit/Ninja Turtle hybrid by the back of the neck here</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">.................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> I have just been sowing some of these <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricinus">Ricinus</a> seeds and I could not resist a picture. They must be some of the most beautifully patterned seeds around and they are definitely amongst the most poisonous seeds if not the most poisonous. Be careful. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The grown plant makes a fantastic and dramatic foliage plant for large annual</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">displays.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbR2Pgp0LQQtXZOGVPmEsy-pxeVGmkiKerR36yAW5lv_RIeuW77BkDcjww8IsDlVNKhDSoip5CV6rVeY74KDXgsJQXAvkEzdR_37TVXbfg2DMT_HdPC4du_8A3HcHSUg5TOppXyRydE5A/s1600/IMG_8082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbR2Pgp0LQQtXZOGVPmEsy-pxeVGmkiKerR36yAW5lv_RIeuW77BkDcjww8IsDlVNKhDSoip5CV6rVeY74KDXgsJQXAvkEzdR_37TVXbfg2DMT_HdPC4du_8A3HcHSUg5TOppXyRydE5A/s640/IMG_8082.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
......................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Barton House, Barton On the Heath.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was invited to take a walk around <a href="https://www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/13725/">Barton House</a> last year just before one of its open days. Quite quirky mix of styles, plants, history and sculptures. Well worth a visit, next opening 28th May. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv_-oCApbR9ZWdokDHkoSZBvaeWSxedZx7UXL1CR2DYtLrrHrQ2qi6MF4z6G0GFnI1bWSBl7YKZS5PbS323p_JskzQibr2tFNEQyTi6BYGylehyho0YOtvD8lPf7uExn0Le8DboQbYp0y/s1600/IMG_4474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv_-oCApbR9ZWdokDHkoSZBvaeWSxedZx7UXL1CR2DYtLrrHrQ2qi6MF4z6G0GFnI1bWSBl7YKZS5PbS323p_JskzQibr2tFNEQyTi6BYGylehyho0YOtvD8lPf7uExn0Le8DboQbYp0y/s640/IMG_4474.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is not the way to punish your children.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwIHb7KTEYKE9Jdd6aGNWHYqZb0viOmqz6fK8gChBYLU2hyTLdngAU6xVr8eO_arpR9P0nBCu8L_XUO8OpeV7LT3NjrdLdQvnNsivdCR08dMC46hnoXCmX-epjap-hCNIe6AHaqg_lR8p/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwIHb7KTEYKE9Jdd6aGNWHYqZb0viOmqz6fK8gChBYLU2hyTLdngAU6xVr8eO_arpR9P0nBCu8L_XUO8OpeV7LT3NjrdLdQvnNsivdCR08dMC46hnoXCmX-epjap-hCNIe6AHaqg_lR8p/s640/IMG_4470.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A follysome pavilion</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0Mqm5acNu5mhbcnnbEgOYmSZLHZ6Okd9CoOZdNQYLhHAMcgVT_QHyFoTMFYfCQN9e8nbXcB_Fz3SSiyNN54bO2PKZHpcBEOTQYJN9d38AhXbvImBEFbdhqeMh6OcaswBEtad3YiKtUB6/s1600/IMG_4469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0Mqm5acNu5mhbcnnbEgOYmSZLHZ6Okd9CoOZdNQYLhHAMcgVT_QHyFoTMFYfCQN9e8nbXcB_Fz3SSiyNN54bO2PKZHpcBEOTQYJN9d38AhXbvImBEFbdhqeMh6OcaswBEtad3YiKtUB6/s640/IMG_4469.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdikJbTQ-D2ZtH37bgXLayHM-livBj8OpDvtGbWERdxzN9xPBoeahObrn7fuUL5z-DwrJ8C2XiQCLTY5A0LIzYwhmoiAfYvAr7YcHZ0Wag5tHPumktqiqfdgyxsUrDIEML3baHlc9nGOn1/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdikJbTQ-D2ZtH37bgXLayHM-livBj8OpDvtGbWERdxzN9xPBoeahObrn7fuUL5z-DwrJ8C2XiQCLTY5A0LIzYwhmoiAfYvAr7YcHZ0Wag5tHPumktqiqfdgyxsUrDIEML3baHlc9nGOn1/s640/IMG_4466.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A stem bent wooden bench by <a href="http://www.gazeburvill.com/#homepage">Gaze Burvill</a> in front of ................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2thH3xORA46CwWiGyX3vJBU8RJWUkSFNOnnd0QLx1AbgFCjmNDvKnMaxHeQKlkYkiDWJtQRFp8VkxaSSEJa0eYgcjgxzcUyjsbguJGYE5dXP1jreqkTAKnkq6bhOTf_MZFkT920G5rHE/s1600/IMG_4465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2thH3xORA46CwWiGyX3vJBU8RJWUkSFNOnnd0QLx1AbgFCjmNDvKnMaxHeQKlkYkiDWJtQRFp8VkxaSSEJa0eYgcjgxzcUyjsbguJGYE5dXP1jreqkTAKnkq6bhOTf_MZFkT920G5rHE/s640/IMG_4465.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a thicket of shrub I could not figure out, it might be hazel and ...........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCk4ASN2qU_MbJfs_gaePYO3ThmUCIbvntRp7ZgbxOyLlL08NgFosCT5PTnToZDbq7c0z0V80ROaCsNd4s-e30Tj05jYOGbfo21qgFYsZR7EWcbrTa42_b8Erv5c_8jeA2sjkuR5sr0og/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCk4ASN2qU_MbJfs_gaePYO3ThmUCIbvntRp7ZgbxOyLlL08NgFosCT5PTnToZDbq7c0z0V80ROaCsNd4s-e30Tj05jYOGbfo21qgFYsZR7EWcbrTa42_b8Erv5c_8jeA2sjkuR5sr0og/s640/IMG_4464.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
two South American stone figures or are they Eastern? Anyway they are playing rounders.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs6oXUboNPfrP4XScgBSxRWHx1BknShlxjCUR_9be3Mp9RJyX1152O1oK8ydCKylV0a7gN7_O68enOcfMGtODiIS5va8x931eXyeZP-UgECN-bswvqCMSlG8kVX2fah9YcZ7SEaik6H6G/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs6oXUboNPfrP4XScgBSxRWHx1BknShlxjCUR_9be3Mp9RJyX1152O1oK8ydCKylV0a7gN7_O68enOcfMGtODiIS5va8x931eXyeZP-UgECN-bswvqCMSlG8kVX2fah9YcZ7SEaik6H6G/s640/IMG_4441.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-HIboHj8pXoa8zPoaNXK2Zxw8Z7Aw7kZzdnuJvgXpT45pjCn9_-L9XZo9kvbJHXPtJA4abTyo4zlTxb5NmHlKi2bCs6obYQ8sLGPwdNCrbWdo3it7vXMzD-6aM0xkgrdVEWUc0YorNgx/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-HIboHj8pXoa8zPoaNXK2Zxw8Z7Aw7kZzdnuJvgXpT45pjCn9_-L9XZo9kvbJHXPtJA4abTyo4zlTxb5NmHlKi2bCs6obYQ8sLGPwdNCrbWdo3it7vXMzD-6aM0xkgrdVEWUc0YorNgx/s640/IMG_4444.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoKJ6sPzTPzo5O-6SmLN7B_K_tNVEAcFD5NIIHFzd6ZWhAVXkwP-NK9Ju4r2_mIjbSFlAISN3dt3Kqo4L4DMNNM23fDX07zXAtWe9wfG2_K51st558YYU9RRtVZA2_7RbD1KcDV3FMneQ/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoKJ6sPzTPzo5O-6SmLN7B_K_tNVEAcFD5NIIHFzd6ZWhAVXkwP-NK9Ju4r2_mIjbSFlAISN3dt3Kqo4L4DMNNM23fDX07zXAtWe9wfG2_K51st558YYU9RRtVZA2_7RbD1KcDV3FMneQ/s640/IMG_4450.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY5yLUZhA0enBjI38P5fty8FjdRBZbQsXKwHxqhNf_gOpy5TXdwXNEeyo2RCvjyVdmH3gQvsT3xOnrdhNEAmrFbyhf012pDDlxuAERS2WivE3LY3d5saiTUTseSTcMP4KK7IB0Zgpm44j/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY5yLUZhA0enBjI38P5fty8FjdRBZbQsXKwHxqhNf_gOpy5TXdwXNEeyo2RCvjyVdmH3gQvsT3xOnrdhNEAmrFbyhf012pDDlxuAERS2WivE3LY3d5saiTUTseSTcMP4KK7IB0Zgpm44j/s640/IMG_4453.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMPBkf9yOjqJHJcRf1tBAKkUl4zuWB2BtcxN_gKigTfRrENALGM2p7L5AVb7eLhyphenhyphenh9NbjrSlEyPfx1CuYAjbXprtlJDFI8-wpNiUEhyphenhyphenO2H61YF3IPO-d-aM-t5u8du2o_nfPf_TVBnAHk/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMPBkf9yOjqJHJcRf1tBAKkUl4zuWB2BtcxN_gKigTfRrENALGM2p7L5AVb7eLhyphenhyphenh9NbjrSlEyPfx1CuYAjbXprtlJDFI8-wpNiUEhyphenhyphenO2H61YF3IPO-d-aM-t5u8du2o_nfPf_TVBnAHk/s640/IMG_4455.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx1HjvWdLTamwjwDr7zynINzqjlwP4_eZlMWM3CA1pTb5xeVMZ1db_N1hkP8j4kt9Z-tyffPF8Q1GgXH2ZClJH7ZOoBt0CQbfCy-xt6lDtvH15FKczcjkARSQcp_VVQns61YRyejHIqoA/s1600/IMG_4461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx1HjvWdLTamwjwDr7zynINzqjlwP4_eZlMWM3CA1pTb5xeVMZ1db_N1hkP8j4kt9Z-tyffPF8Q1GgXH2ZClJH7ZOoBt0CQbfCy-xt6lDtvH15FKczcjkARSQcp_VVQns61YRyejHIqoA/s640/IMG_4461.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like I say , Worth a trip in May, If you happen to be down that way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">IRAN</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went to Iran in February. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Great country, great people, incredible history.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Great trip with <a href="https://www.uppersia.com/">Uppersia</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More pictures next time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5D3oqnpNnaaOsSPOGW9EJXofXtAXYVvOuFq4oRce7toLfG3k6ttk2ARopCTkNGjAk0bE0278gAZETc56P6_gjhye7hF348P1kTZMk_Msd27fvIDVRx0cWzLqIzGnOjStZWZWomDt0xGl/s1600/Iran+trio+feb+20017+plus+other+stuff+201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5D3oqnpNnaaOsSPOGW9EJXofXtAXYVvOuFq4oRce7toLfG3k6ttk2ARopCTkNGjAk0bE0278gAZETc56P6_gjhye7hF348P1kTZMk_Msd27fvIDVRx0cWzLqIzGnOjStZWZWomDt0xGl/s640/Iran+trio+feb+20017+plus+other+stuff+201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgYoz2I9oV0ttauuDp7a_LeMkeqqJIHkMT2SXnfTZdTKp-1BbQ9wvresRo1V5cjkpRf9-1dy5IiFVQZuX64SZtGB0OKU8v9KBnKEXvzHswjc_g_H9l4z7kuKYTWQh1MR-ht8mdyRMmH4X/s1600/Iran+trio+feb+20017+plus+other+stuff+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgYoz2I9oV0ttauuDp7a_LeMkeqqJIHkMT2SXnfTZdTKp-1BbQ9wvresRo1V5cjkpRf9-1dy5IiFVQZuX64SZtGB0OKU8v9KBnKEXvzHswjc_g_H9l4z7kuKYTWQh1MR-ht8mdyRMmH4X/s640/Iran+trio+feb+20017+plus+other+stuff+057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv11q5xtYH6eexbJ_mfh9hb9toE3DGBpqaXJ3L-I-UUGYa6keaOGcuWqFdLZuo8OQp72DKipXxDFExERW-Y9opYRdXoneQg3L-jhsHhIZeJTTWCzCo4AE6UnYmypOkFIptNIryauPOUWe/s1600/Iran+trio+feb+20017+plus+other+stuff+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv11q5xtYH6eexbJ_mfh9hb9toE3DGBpqaXJ3L-I-UUGYa6keaOGcuWqFdLZuo8OQp72DKipXxDFExERW-Y9opYRdXoneQg3L-jhsHhIZeJTTWCzCo4AE6UnYmypOkFIptNIryauPOUWe/s640/Iran+trio+feb+20017+plus+other+stuff+172.JPG" width="640" /></a>Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-48249815283621179622017-03-22T15:16:00.000-07:002017-03-22T15:16:53.685-07:00Bananas, Pots, Fun guy, Kiss me Quick, Grubby plants.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A wet and cold day at the office. I have just emptied the camera and here are today's pictures</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQdOFPBJDtAxN2ohuA5U1znEUqO8v0XvEkyg7oQ0L06Oc59P8-JTORF4ciGjaYNnbpek_O0uicLR2tVn7LJUVkV6PzO6VVsv4NZ-d_vJZc2PyGdpEvD9vh5UTcXV7FPCMfxN69tgkwlYQ/s1600/IMG_8001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQdOFPBJDtAxN2ohuA5U1znEUqO8v0XvEkyg7oQ0L06Oc59P8-JTORF4ciGjaYNnbpek_O0uicLR2tVn7LJUVkV6PzO6VVsv4NZ-d_vJZc2PyGdpEvD9vh5UTcXV7FPCMfxN69tgkwlYQ/s640/IMG_8001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Between the downpours I was up a ladder doing some late pruning of a climbing rose and turned back to look over the <a href="https://www.whichfordpottery.com/">Whichford Pottery</a> display yard.Everyone is getting ready for the <a href="https://www.whichfordpottery.com/whats-on">Big Half Price Sale</a> . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Bananas</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgf3ckC-8RxEUrOa7quDzW9UJ6Xi_5ForARkzmEb0Ux8czDqTgKZf5dOAH8JOe8Lgj0dax7c4VyVDMyvkxiAs-JUcFgqnYkC5tJsdSOQ4bdOMRMFIjwJ9dMm3W1REX7CYzHALiM7Njaol/s1600/IMG_7970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgf3ckC-8RxEUrOa7quDzW9UJ6Xi_5ForARkzmEb0Ux8czDqTgKZf5dOAH8JOe8Lgj0dax7c4VyVDMyvkxiAs-JUcFgqnYkC5tJsdSOQ4bdOMRMFIjwJ9dMm3W1REX7CYzHALiM7Njaol/s640/IMG_7970.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have several pots of banana species at the pottery and all are overwintered in an unheated poly- tunnel. If it gets very cold the plants are swaddled in fleece.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They have been getting taller over the years and it was time to cut them back. The growing point of bananas is set deep in the bottom of the plant and what looks like a trunk is just a build up of long leaf bases and though it may seem brutal and a bit scary they can be cut back very hard which gets rid of the pseudo trunk and leaves you with a shorter and neater plant. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These had their tops chopped off a week ago. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRRPRr9JYUujbhUN3HZhio-192fc8ncR3lLfedPpi-Qrt1LwKv6uupdGdnlM_4aMV_6qjy_nnGy1shWTFhmHS-kKNKtyv5e0rwFaV2hKS_tpX5C2LACibzKMEhReOVj2QUqsYyP9pMjqd/s1600/IMG_7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRRPRr9JYUujbhUN3HZhio-192fc8ncR3lLfedPpi-Qrt1LwKv6uupdGdnlM_4aMV_6qjy_nnGy1shWTFhmHS-kKNKtyv5e0rwFaV2hKS_tpX5C2LACibzKMEhReOVj2QUqsYyP9pMjqd/s640/IMG_7975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This growth had popped up within a couple of hours.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFTFhz0Jl8c_L95M46svifPEF3wpLRYbSCE1OWaFJVUBhBKvOwYyUPWJV6wJ3-JF3bSoSdbS4vqLWYzcmcnCJ9rASrlMcKyoIIjKrFsr9Z3bNyNLj-k39JCSQrTl6F7DX2-e5tvhBCgll/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFTFhz0Jl8c_L95M46svifPEF3wpLRYbSCE1OWaFJVUBhBKvOwYyUPWJV6wJ3-JF3bSoSdbS4vqLWYzcmcnCJ9rASrlMcKyoIIjKrFsr9Z3bNyNLj-k39JCSQrTl6F7DX2-e5tvhBCgll/s640/IMG_8033.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By today, a week after being cut back, they had shot up several inches. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUiat4xCu3H4HOtacKnLGwqqqy1MBxGu8IqTZOQsDWtFHQUGy4v0njl1HdjRPUUhVkHlOEzmcz7xro6aLvybRexOX_L2WXsFildI9BB6NXl-Bvmn-Iooe6fzZUNvhQSkO8Zv3mIF8qfIu/s1600/IMG_7967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUiat4xCu3H4HOtacKnLGwqqqy1MBxGu8IqTZOQsDWtFHQUGy4v0njl1HdjRPUUhVkHlOEzmcz7xro6aLvybRexOX_L2WXsFildI9BB6NXl-Bvmn-Iooe6fzZUNvhQSkO8Zv3mIF8qfIu/s640/IMG_7967.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Big cells,succulence, and interesting patterns in this cross section of the banana stem.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZetYtHfOOPdZEZmsB-_r2lLXZ1SA5BL5jCjt24vMX8nQ2aI5SBzUEo_XRl_FrPnxmPr3YUrlv6r-rDIbuEaCrInHFMpZ0MkQbVQ-RRzCXWSe9j-iQlwo2hiNBptprwUlolfyFYNbwSyJ/s1600/IMG_8011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZetYtHfOOPdZEZmsB-_r2lLXZ1SA5BL5jCjt24vMX8nQ2aI5SBzUEo_XRl_FrPnxmPr3YUrlv6r-rDIbuEaCrInHFMpZ0MkQbVQ-RRzCXWSe9j-iQlwo2hiNBptprwUlolfyFYNbwSyJ/s640/IMG_8011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a fun guy to be with. Geddit?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The setting sun in the bottom right corner is the edge a one penny piece just to give you some idea how small these li'l cuties are. They were growing on the compost of some dying plant in the greenhouse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Succulence</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9N6lY4PTdsGdFnWeMgqujkZCI3yd5VVtr9n8ttAwxTfKYN86DxT7gjYV8wy1TX9jZTI82FR3dwnWQ1qA0DsKR7_wZs_Fw4PVDlqSxv5q-XyvXyuhfOqhfoqCp_DxblqL_1VcpovQxw33/s1600/IMG_8023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9N6lY4PTdsGdFnWeMgqujkZCI3yd5VVtr9n8ttAwxTfKYN86DxT7gjYV8wy1TX9jZTI82FR3dwnWQ1qA0DsKR7_wZs_Fw4PVDlqSxv5q-XyvXyuhfOqhfoqCp_DxblqL_1VcpovQxw33/s640/IMG_8023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Does this plant say to you 'Please kiss me'? No? Then it must be just me who is a bit weird. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0BoiRO9qS1z73h-ZIvzGugW-JPMzzDWtlg3jInOJPJU1NlTMVGpXX02f2IZIiyo7hTuzgGJSdzCJN_N5Wn5DJ2mFP6oRyX6gGBvJfFCecDg8fRsF5N8RCdpTm83sS46mWBNV8cUUY28e/s1600/IMG_8024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0BoiRO9qS1z73h-ZIvzGugW-JPMzzDWtlg3jInOJPJU1NlTMVGpXX02f2IZIiyo7hTuzgGJSdzCJN_N5Wn5DJ2mFP6oRyX6gGBvJfFCecDg8fRsF5N8RCdpTm83sS46mWBNV8cUUY28e/s640/IMG_8024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No invitation to kiss here. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oxalis siliquosa</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGCHSfi-zL3-S2Fq6Zd8e0dLAsRSUDBflPm-Ld-LujdJ5NNAA0GGuawqzItkXUlhTXFj6sC9xGYWVTKnO2GJyAcxAgx22BYKceUbTo0FzXT9kfc2kR_Gq86SE9kABxtp2IcD0tvnL0oBw/s1600/IMG_8027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGCHSfi-zL3-S2Fq6Zd8e0dLAsRSUDBflPm-Ld-LujdJ5NNAA0GGuawqzItkXUlhTXFj6sC9xGYWVTKnO2GJyAcxAgx22BYKceUbTo0FzXT9kfc2kR_Gq86SE9kABxtp2IcD0tvnL0oBw/s640/IMG_8027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This photo does very little justice to the exquisite colour and character of the Oxalis siliquosa 'Sunset Velvet'. Even without its yellow flowers it is a delight with pretty leaves of lime and reds and every blend in between. It needs a bit of heat through the winter and makes a good house plant. Cuttings root very easily and small plants can be used in container plantings. They will make plants 20 - 30 cms across during the summer .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The different colours of the foliage means they will complement a wide range of other colours. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bush Tucker?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM5v53blcBcgm4RSOaDoEw9tbWuubZnfjinkojqCs6EKIW1R0WZK8epqF8Dzn6jor_cmaJ3der1TSEXbC5c3lfbCUfbZbd_VRa4pjGd5xnJ3QuvG6SZZu5tFxyF7SUXopO_n2rJ_LMzUA/s1600/IMG_7992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM5v53blcBcgm4RSOaDoEw9tbWuubZnfjinkojqCs6EKIW1R0WZK8epqF8Dzn6jor_cmaJ3der1TSEXbC5c3lfbCUfbZbd_VRa4pjGd5xnJ3QuvG6SZZu5tFxyF7SUXopO_n2rJ_LMzUA/s640/IMG_7992.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These succulent looking grubs came from amongst the roots of some Liatris spicata grown in pots. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know what they are yet but their size was pretty scary. Let me know if you recognise them.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxvKZa1NnMHsVic-OirwTia-iYOIindivy0ouTwMxO-jBO-9rh9qYmMs0Tq0Bh77Z2rYdCDFs5FUYXkWIhGwZVJOFVYTGCBerLW0NuAu3hr7hyphenhyphenGOYxDV6v1hpsHXq9V9VZucDOoLL5mYK/s1600/IMG_7993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxvKZa1NnMHsVic-OirwTia-iYOIindivy0ouTwMxO-jBO-9rh9qYmMs0Tq0Bh77Z2rYdCDFs5FUYXkWIhGwZVJOFVYTGCBerLW0NuAu3hr7hyphenhyphenGOYxDV6v1hpsHXq9V9VZucDOoLL5mYK/s640/IMG_7993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Grub's up!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-83159495384595667862016-04-29T23:39:00.001-07:002016-04-29T23:39:51.918-07:00M'aidez M'aidez - plant ident. Solanum ? Pelargonium? The Court House. Mystery picture - win a shilling. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Atchoo!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tcIng267bEP-YEnz8UhvmREYCiYsRf9IU79chmIPn8N4BxADMBsS5LK-kzlpbK9q3uCZyMmaNhKA-JnPJMo9t-F-jrw8KYW6uHkpYY9Wyv0LHpqpKi2_DcGATkC-RyqRBjReXc8Ap7AM/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tcIng267bEP-YEnz8UhvmREYCiYsRf9IU79chmIPn8N4BxADMBsS5LK-kzlpbK9q3uCZyMmaNhKA-JnPJMo9t-F-jrw8KYW6uHkpYY9Wyv0LHpqpKi2_DcGATkC-RyqRBjReXc8Ap7AM/s640/IMG_4694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Big, fat, red tulip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMp7_sdU5GCgh8nSloSSnrQ8Wl5_ZHDgErfWUBbqS7yWC4Z0YkJ9Y2K2LCPILYaaXee_D8R0AdFrJJHeQwJ6I04oNu08Bl4CoGjIbfe6nvTrgqV7FVFLDph-2QYYSJA-KX5tnjlTKp9jR/s1600/IMG_4567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMp7_sdU5GCgh8nSloSSnrQ8Wl5_ZHDgErfWUBbqS7yWC4Z0YkJ9Y2K2LCPILYaaXee_D8R0AdFrJJHeQwJ6I04oNu08Bl4CoGjIbfe6nvTrgqV7FVFLDph-2QYYSJA-KX5tnjlTKp9jR/s640/IMG_4567.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Planting and styling by Miki Tanaka, the Japanese powerhouse. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">--------------------------</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkyIxGs9Y1-mZJ07hR1_eiUiLGCQXc639DIqpWiS9gaIHFmR8Cw3zrJUL-Hu0VctiIhO8rHSS1loMoOUJhgmY8eJ87l6MKuE4vVYu0cgD-7qklIyrJ2P_CdWzZOr-XoNMM2mm5GmKq-c3/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkyIxGs9Y1-mZJ07hR1_eiUiLGCQXc639DIqpWiS9gaIHFmR8Cw3zrJUL-Hu0VctiIhO8rHSS1loMoOUJhgmY8eJ87l6MKuE4vVYu0cgD-7qklIyrJ2P_CdWzZOr-XoNMM2mm5GmKq-c3/s640/IMG_4634.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Water droplets on an Echeveria I had just watered. No photoshop or editing but quite unreal . Long live nature. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">--------------------------------</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's the 40 th birthday of the <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">pottery</a> this year and a big celebration was organised for the 4th March , food, demonstrations and general merriment in a marquee. A great time was had by all particularly the staff who had a shindig in the marquee after the visitors had gone home. Just as it was getting dark and out of the blue or black it started to snow and in a few minutes of big fat snowflakes it was starting to look very Christmassy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O-SFTqiYEIp6dOKv8f5AVWQnoV23MPFmN2d6zzwkSMO75iyLbvl6knF5BR6YnwNoKRd1kmTl_hlWg0nJnJ66DuIt0c_WgcAOg9glr-BPP78EPWs-o64T_kJfH7j0ZIToBUxW0fq9MClg/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O-SFTqiYEIp6dOKv8f5AVWQnoV23MPFmN2d6zzwkSMO75iyLbvl6knF5BR6YnwNoKRd1kmTl_hlWg0nJnJ66DuIt0c_WgcAOg9glr-BPP78EPWs-o64T_kJfH7j0ZIToBUxW0fq9MClg/s640/IMG_4279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRiTtyqlB7DTpK0UvZAV1CWLsJLwGrruIYhiHfXoO0KjXEaFh9CNAgIvpr23EACZDvC0XF28LQfp36ZvUJTBLwntnHqM7OxWTooB7zvjT-jNWeqYt_D7xfMXwPFmUtHCRfdF72BKvWSEA/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRiTtyqlB7DTpK0UvZAV1CWLsJLwGrruIYhiHfXoO0KjXEaFh9CNAgIvpr23EACZDvC0XF28LQfp36ZvUJTBLwntnHqM7OxWTooB7zvjT-jNWeqYt_D7xfMXwPFmUtHCRfdF72BKvWSEA/s640/IMG_4270.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDOT3WrPrU_-qqUltFbp08WN_E3AjeHW3LhbauGvA0zDDjGQIXO3oi1MVrOq830wRavwGdBXBCHB_JMauh8fF5IcvEw81nV8t1Ib2foGEdJMj8PgCcdUHYNK2EtdsWMDom_nulGu4j6I/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDOT3WrPrU_-qqUltFbp08WN_E3AjeHW3LhbauGvA0zDDjGQIXO3oi1MVrOq830wRavwGdBXBCHB_JMauh8fF5IcvEw81nV8t1Ib2foGEdJMj8PgCcdUHYNK2EtdsWMDom_nulGu4j6I/s640/IMG_4274.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lonesome Pine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mystery Picture</span></div>
<br />
Here's your chance to win another shilling.Any guesses what this is a picture of. It is surprising how intriguing the mundane can be.Here's a clue, its is not an egg custard, crème brulee or the surface of the sun. Answer way below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2TGxYbUWUqlfjOiNvvDmLK2HsjY3gT07JlgK3ECMqU7ho5Bt_r-l_SGIZ-mVLFqnmB-KqkB8KDpZ6dJp7EBx8q1XtqzAevudyiIDVOaWUbzgzA4PypfmUhCLcnUactND2ZzXvZMTV0cB/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2TGxYbUWUqlfjOiNvvDmLK2HsjY3gT07JlgK3ECMqU7ho5Bt_r-l_SGIZ-mVLFqnmB-KqkB8KDpZ6dJp7EBx8q1XtqzAevudyiIDVOaWUbzgzA4PypfmUhCLcnUactND2ZzXvZMTV0cB/s640/IMG_4313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/garden.aspx?id=30255">The Court House, Stretton on Fosse</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Warwickshire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Next opening 24 July</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7rP0rWtN97inr0LTpzR35jRu5qZOEK5O86Ni1LCMSAV5vRLiSaCuwSKcOA54lKJRZKOPBX7iRG3ebAnH2xU-8V_HtngsajxhnnZhMCsStOGTjGZ6BCAIPRdOpeHMm6sIkkDDpYOeBCVm/s1600/IMG_4237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7rP0rWtN97inr0LTpzR35jRu5qZOEK5O86Ni1LCMSAV5vRLiSaCuwSKcOA54lKJRZKOPBX7iRG3ebAnH2xU-8V_HtngsajxhnnZhMCsStOGTjGZ6BCAIPRdOpeHMm6sIkkDDpYOeBCVm/s640/IMG_4237.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I visited his small, unsung gem of a garden in what should have been the peak snowdrop time but with the winter being what it was they had all finished but despite the lack of snowdrops and grey cold weather there was plenty to be excited about. The use of beech as hedging and yew columns as markers in the hedge gives good winter effect and with the near silhouette of the pines it makes a shapely arrangement.......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82vnpzP08ptWRgifnvTNdYDF4QOgj05Ht6wc7gen_Kz-0QPqtysFCigFpD6NVoO9T7GPIi4zqznzldUOLbHC6R2aiX3dyFdOBFvquWu4tpPdVFKKL1JS0YAnswYh1FqrUNgfXCsLwks76/s1600/IMG_4231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82vnpzP08ptWRgifnvTNdYDF4QOgj05Ht6wc7gen_Kz-0QPqtysFCigFpD6NVoO9T7GPIi4zqznzldUOLbHC6R2aiX3dyFdOBFvquWu4tpPdVFKKL1JS0YAnswYh1FqrUNgfXCsLwks76/s640/IMG_4231.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
............ and throw in a wire fox for an initial look of surprise which gives way to a smile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRkDv-cp_qTsZC09MS0ndqtACfrmcxwqKHbQPN-W5-cCjxuyeEKxwdIKOPm2Pf3q0yA_j2cRXIOqgG76Otc_G1WayQG73UlyTb7dYD0HHt00Vgk1I-I3KpZrtGmX5phueVJu7OLVzdYJq/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRkDv-cp_qTsZC09MS0ndqtACfrmcxwqKHbQPN-W5-cCjxuyeEKxwdIKOPm2Pf3q0yA_j2cRXIOqgG76Otc_G1WayQG73UlyTb7dYD0HHt00Vgk1I-I3KpZrtGmX5phueVJu7OLVzdYJq/s640/IMG_4227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't seen this Ribes for a long time but here it was trying to disguise itself as a fuchsia on a sunny wall. Ribes speciosum is a very close relative of the gooseberry but more prickly making it a devil to tie in and train along the wall. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbCr4Ty2r2B1DZxO8F6-OpKid4jJ2mYobz3d5I9XzdxztTWfNYfh0cd3UjoTBoC_SqddDPUjpvKeEYWbW3vkRAzJNks__JLzltnzciHelxyKmNU3yEi8kIN-5kQLgd3RV2ZDRdPEn5Qed/s1600/IMG_4230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbCr4Ty2r2B1DZxO8F6-OpKid4jJ2mYobz3d5I9XzdxztTWfNYfh0cd3UjoTBoC_SqddDPUjpvKeEYWbW3vkRAzJNks__JLzltnzciHelxyKmNU3yEi8kIN-5kQLgd3RV2ZDRdPEn5Qed/s640/IMG_4230.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bit of less is more here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOyNo3a6W2DPJCtU-0jM0I2J4aWcf1h_rrB-T8xjiIr78dLcVdI-CcfqoILyILa8Tg8I86PEXNKtClFBiqGRidc0Tvhqy9VZiCTuC0dRbEnRoBp17mNoeVuB_is_zR9hD_M743UAXdAOr/s1600/IMG_4249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOyNo3a6W2DPJCtU-0jM0I2J4aWcf1h_rrB-T8xjiIr78dLcVdI-CcfqoILyILa8Tg8I86PEXNKtClFBiqGRidc0Tvhqy9VZiCTuC0dRbEnRoBp17mNoeVuB_is_zR9hD_M743UAXdAOr/s640/IMG_4249.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gnarled standard wisterias and formal box in the walled garden</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaS0g-3RaX2mTsKI3tfasd3cOborLZf9RKwp8SrXq47GJZPh_0sGUoODHaWhFUb_zIKlmXC9ik0oI8wrEoEvAu7yyvSTjaeSdfWjkaW8FRnGPQJUudnaf6Ya4-W-fYIdwWj465wsyg12Rp/s1600/IMG_4241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaS0g-3RaX2mTsKI3tfasd3cOborLZf9RKwp8SrXq47GJZPh_0sGUoODHaWhFUb_zIKlmXC9ik0oI8wrEoEvAu7yyvSTjaeSdfWjkaW8FRnGPQJUudnaf6Ya4-W-fYIdwWj465wsyg12Rp/s640/IMG_4241.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A pollarded Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' with evergreen purple Pittosporum.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplZk49aIZ6aeP7AbT6ei8xW5c8moSFeHHlW87dZtUfNOIjhWwOS2cujZE6-QVsnRGmxxONVZ6bLOWQ5tBtmms0f0AGlDglg3Mza-LF4OBp0VYfBuvyC09xNGOtSGQEAEB3K9-t3V-ujfo/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplZk49aIZ6aeP7AbT6ei8xW5c8moSFeHHlW87dZtUfNOIjhWwOS2cujZE6-QVsnRGmxxONVZ6bLOWQ5tBtmms0f0AGlDglg3Mza-LF4OBp0VYfBuvyC09xNGOtSGQEAEB3K9-t3V-ujfo/s640/IMG_4243.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The winter garden looking very good</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD57_sCk6T2yHpHdiNdrErMs7306xwy3fdCGY48U62gQ5a7gE7D9AOsKAgipyYSr5FUrgdDztHCf7NIatAag-kAe4EIgV4_LHWHNpVO_Vhf4Trl13JkhAWaca4-Px1LZ5Dco0MVs900Ciz/s1600/IMG_4247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD57_sCk6T2yHpHdiNdrErMs7306xwy3fdCGY48U62gQ5a7gE7D9AOsKAgipyYSr5FUrgdDztHCf7NIatAag-kAe4EIgV4_LHWHNpVO_Vhf4Trl13JkhAWaca4-Px1LZ5Dco0MVs900Ciz/s640/IMG_4247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A handsome house with a rocket to the left waiting to launch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Try to get and visit on the 24 July if you can, there is a lot of well designed detail. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Open under the <a href="http://www.ngs.org.uk/">NGS</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">--------------------------------------</span></div>
Pieces of Aeonium left on the greenhouse bench for a couple of weeks started throwing out roots. Plenty of will to live.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTyVM2s8xBqdFzChPJ8D2YA9WuSIE7umop_YlLeQxRuNb-4OzvltrX-UxhD6quDHp3rWHDLbDcsDxVxbkIc1pDMk49R9hCN3cAn3ZpWcNIG2mn5cV4Zu1QrJJD91eQTo7u7g5CS5uDyjT/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTyVM2s8xBqdFzChPJ8D2YA9WuSIE7umop_YlLeQxRuNb-4OzvltrX-UxhD6quDHp3rWHDLbDcsDxVxbkIc1pDMk49R9hCN3cAn3ZpWcNIG2mn5cV4Zu1QrJJD91eQTo7u7g5CS5uDyjT/s640/IMG_3944.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdaYNuLxXmA3Vi8zj46rGMpGbZrjyjD0714e1RENM85Puonpc6l-wjqVZ4ywxcRszKDaUl0X9j_3jda-uWFaIVuRLEtEi9XKl_yyyd_ooOZm1vTvaAJE_AHeK6BnitSZIznE0z2DQVnCF/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdaYNuLxXmA3Vi8zj46rGMpGbZrjyjD0714e1RENM85Puonpc6l-wjqVZ4ywxcRszKDaUl0X9j_3jda-uWFaIVuRLEtEi9XKl_yyyd_ooOZm1vTvaAJE_AHeK6BnitSZIznE0z2DQVnCF/s640/IMG_3946.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-----------------------------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">M'aidez M'aidez</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two unidentified tender plants below, any ideas what they are.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first looks somewhat like a pelargonium and the other is a Solanum but which one? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pelargonium specie?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCli0iu0Qk839SxGjrw0SxojnAsy1yladD-S-E0dib90c6JxsYhsJulGdXpW2Qqkba146SxggTm6r_BFbFq_zxVIt1vrJeWCmtiAlL2EliK4H7o4grc4HstDa02OroocJbOkAYTLlEY7C/s1600/IMG_4589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCli0iu0Qk839SxGjrw0SxojnAsy1yladD-S-E0dib90c6JxsYhsJulGdXpW2Qqkba146SxggTm6r_BFbFq_zxVIt1vrJeWCmtiAlL2EliK4H7o4grc4HstDa02OroocJbOkAYTLlEY7C/s640/IMG_4589.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x0fO0Lq64bdwc7vpkmLM90OC5Qv0puuNi2DBoEvrp4ctWK3irdmAkWOi_eLkq3CYW-AiBh1F0_HD6ZtcHYzWbP1kAGJGzojTrnQ3n7x1ogR8RcCHJ1v1hyotreQqdM89VQCJI5EEBea0/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x0fO0Lq64bdwc7vpkmLM90OC5Qv0puuNi2DBoEvrp4ctWK3irdmAkWOi_eLkq3CYW-AiBh1F0_HD6ZtcHYzWbP1kAGJGzojTrnQ3n7x1ogR8RcCHJ1v1hyotreQqdM89VQCJI5EEBea0/s640/IMG_4591.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBijeactVsJEnRxMxFibL1h8vrLfEhJqzeDQH7wE6c2KXXCPt22BZBbGtAPjmmdBDfRoepgFhkMrr00sepVPSQ0ler5AbB9SfCVMaUXMecT5fBhtmSlw6xPtjryHDg4ol7bKaHUMq83I7/s1600/IMG_4593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBijeactVsJEnRxMxFibL1h8vrLfEhJqzeDQH7wE6c2KXXCPt22BZBbGtAPjmmdBDfRoepgFhkMrr00sepVPSQ0ler5AbB9SfCVMaUXMecT5fBhtmSlw6xPtjryHDg4ol7bKaHUMq83I7/s640/IMG_4593.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Solanum specie?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_s0o3_CAqzFfHSblYNPBxWKFNUkyo6OqZbGg2odq6tULWbXfuLtc_UpCj35C3mAqN8GkLYFreS3aXgmQ52IV3OhMJeBz7m6TCf3mf6dQ5TkhX89IFOdE9DJcvlbpe-3doBq6jXJBG1SP2/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_s0o3_CAqzFfHSblYNPBxWKFNUkyo6OqZbGg2odq6tULWbXfuLtc_UpCj35C3mAqN8GkLYFreS3aXgmQ52IV3OhMJeBz7m6TCf3mf6dQ5TkhX89IFOdE9DJcvlbpe-3doBq6jXJBG1SP2/s640/IMG_4501.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBwOQGpLOBSV0aIS_vX48pvPWkoDRdwQPq-BHmkQ7UQhKtmvLIwBm7uxbzIcWiNH3DCaZXiJTo4cYDjNLvukgEedhCyFHlxQUcMNzYtmNTJCevDF3X71YQEJwaMlcE2drRm8-f5L_R39P/s1600/IMG_4498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBwOQGpLOBSV0aIS_vX48pvPWkoDRdwQPq-BHmkQ7UQhKtmvLIwBm7uxbzIcWiNH3DCaZXiJTo4cYDjNLvukgEedhCyFHlxQUcMNzYtmNTJCevDF3X71YQEJwaMlcE2drRm8-f5L_R39P/s640/IMG_4498.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRxg1yK_QykEl8OYRrMXloQTYc_0_XQe8yosQLye8tV_WGA99mxteSRUxX_w60tXWlj65LvmO_TQeCi5i1jJoqThgrSUIXxjLaGHdPyR7ntpuNXQsvCV4mongKjBoOn6TwYtjHz6EjaiV/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRxg1yK_QykEl8OYRrMXloQTYc_0_XQe8yosQLye8tV_WGA99mxteSRUxX_w60tXWlj65LvmO_TQeCi5i1jJoqThgrSUIXxjLaGHdPyR7ntpuNXQsvCV4mongKjBoOn6TwYtjHz6EjaiV/s640/IMG_4502.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">------------------------------------------------</span></div>
<br />
Who'd have though a slug could look so lovely with its cheery smile and its camouflage pattern?<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl1J1wKTeCQ3IcCMor-v67za08uRWTKtIgb3rANXvwgzipdrYS3H_MdaTQ4Xt2P62BriWzH1nBgsXSjzgK5UuiD0Tnll4bLmlzXkmdWdX6lFLereAYeG6mI9wjnuRMdONOi1TKpJWTV8v/s640/IMG_4216.JPG" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mystery Picture</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The mystery picture was burnt toast crumbs scraped off into a washing up bowl in the sink.Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-83607296183853914192016-02-27T06:34:00.000-08:002016-02-28T11:58:36.762-08:00Sheepish or Horny? Rhipsalis, Win a shilling, Pause for Santa Claus, seed grown succulents and late season Melianthus.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sheepish or Horny?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been one of those fabulous days which start with a frosty morning and follow with a whole day of sunshine. It has been cold but thoroughly enjoyable when working outdoors. We seem to have had far too few of these days this winter. It is almost instinctive to go for the camera on mornings like this, you can't help but want to take pictures. It was my day at the <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">pottery </a> today so here are some pottery themed pictures.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAVRaMwIibEpRszCdgk9rBBT721RqtH6ZIBeOSeBMlJM7rxnjrDjitCmWogapQ2gNH77nQzu76GJZtwYBR2L0l-rfir6noHSKKn_ZJy91NCA_R7Go57QlPlRP50crFF-RDxsaT7K1Y3Lc/s1600/IMG_4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAVRaMwIibEpRszCdgk9rBBT721RqtH6ZIBeOSeBMlJM7rxnjrDjitCmWogapQ2gNH77nQzu76GJZtwYBR2L0l-rfir6noHSKKn_ZJy91NCA_R7Go57QlPlRP50crFF-RDxsaT7K1Y3Lc/s640/IMG_4149.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sheep have been herded out onto pastures new since when they were put in the paddock only to find the real sheep took agin 'em and hoiked 'em over with their horns.<br />
The terracotta sheep were made by pottery owner Jim Keeling at the pottery and fired in the <a href="http://dev.wytham.ox.ac.uk/oxford-anagama-kiln-project-1/">anagama</a> kiln at Wytham Wood, Oxford. This is a wood fired kiln which gives variation of colour due to the different amounts of oxygen getting to the pieces and also the glaze caused by the wood ash passing through the kiln. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtII48dgO2VknmDx_Sg51eoV3AXwkY68TPZ4eWtuL0Wv38WlN1H2Wz8NZGu929lmI8QxLciIQ975JAS5WFswcEIUF2-7FkBwKh9kWC4GE-5Qd23ZPc4KzcjsNQDsCDDbH-T98MPdws3rux/s1600/IMG_4155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtII48dgO2VknmDx_Sg51eoV3AXwkY68TPZ4eWtuL0Wv38WlN1H2Wz8NZGu929lmI8QxLciIQ975JAS5WFswcEIUF2-7FkBwKh9kWC4GE-5Qd23ZPc4KzcjsNQDsCDDbH-T98MPdws3rux/s640/IMG_4155.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mmm, very nice hairdo.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ehh9n-ZjPUhmeHgH3JEFoCSB1jsL9_vxqjrwFNc1JKJXcWnkZqOwFbz_fMVVMXUE7auu06ZydneumEeTWK6CVpgD0B-ui0bmGK9-ATIT6nMZk3MC1BtMmwHr1Z9Y_4raBQYiVRoRcAUS/s1600/IMG_4172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ehh9n-ZjPUhmeHgH3JEFoCSB1jsL9_vxqjrwFNc1JKJXcWnkZqOwFbz_fMVVMXUE7auu06ZydneumEeTWK6CVpgD0B-ui0bmGK9-ATIT6nMZk3MC1BtMmwHr1Z9Y_4raBQYiVRoRcAUS/s640/IMG_4172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did no one ever tell ewe, sticking two croissants on your head is not a cool look. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELESkABRBH0IVRbDk0tUothTawX564n4u4jhHylcK5ZSl7PS4K3q4WLbrVuyEDEyFCbpkIYpZFkbC386f3To4844diCoZRarkA7zv6x79j0OHPilz8o6Gwe8mO2ZAkwp3ueg5-OgM8YEQ/s1600/IMG_4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELESkABRBH0IVRbDk0tUothTawX564n4u4jhHylcK5ZSl7PS4K3q4WLbrVuyEDEyFCbpkIYpZFkbC386f3To4844diCoZRarkA7zv6x79j0OHPilz8o6Gwe8mO2ZAkwp3ueg5-OgM8YEQ/s640/IMG_4163.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alice looking a bit frosty but at least she has her football rattle to warm herself up with..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9D7kq53lex8u3i8aO5V7zKEvoQ192JB6KGuSTRzkqcq2ZuJSyBfci4l2t55wq3iYsY4AOB6HfUgtAzCX0Wb5eA4e1KlrxatuqqanRHG7R2uA6l2l77V42bMcc9WBwvRandmtxg2zC3OZ/s1600/IMG_4165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9D7kq53lex8u3i8aO5V7zKEvoQ192JB6KGuSTRzkqcq2ZuJSyBfci4l2t55wq3iYsY4AOB6HfUgtAzCX0Wb5eA4e1KlrxatuqqanRHG7R2uA6l2l77V42bMcc9WBwvRandmtxg2zC3OZ/s640/IMG_4165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the Cheshire cat grinning just like er, well.... a Cheshire cat but all the more demonic for the frost spiked face.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD-RG9y43okc5-a9zNs5r9l00vI7A-kjvMXC1tkGtUx-liT6WrO7AMa7wBTscxkIwhO3qSo9nyQoE4Is_RY6FXOQjqzf-qrCzRSl4CqxFcuntrjmGSdudUzdMx53LLSiBRhSeP-mIBo-H/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD-RG9y43okc5-a9zNs5r9l00vI7A-kjvMXC1tkGtUx-liT6WrO7AMa7wBTscxkIwhO3qSo9nyQoE4Is_RY6FXOQjqzf-qrCzRSl4CqxFcuntrjmGSdudUzdMx53LLSiBRhSeP-mIBo-H/s640/IMG_4169.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep, a daffodil</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Qf1NzXf_gqOX_wDlt8mokcU6TTHxg624ZrMivQ0FTB4iZTqrYX-VsoY8Aja25kq8x6GLtEJw86_n2JgNB7HRH_kvBrmA2d2y_flB4SjuGiiEJwz6F4yC204elqtQ7ZASXY81DQ9_UXO/s1600/IMG_4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Qf1NzXf_gqOX_wDlt8mokcU6TTHxg624ZrMivQ0FTB4iZTqrYX-VsoY8Aja25kq8x6GLtEJw86_n2JgNB7HRH_kvBrmA2d2y_flB4SjuGiiEJwz6F4yC204elqtQ7ZASXY81DQ9_UXO/s640/IMG_4175.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
At first glance this is one of those tricky pictures where you are not sure whether the shadows are on the convex or the concave surfaces. The whole face is about three and a half inches across, that's about nine centimetres.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those of you who have been to the pottery you will know that the courtyard floor is patterned with odd bits of paving and curious pieces of old pottery. I was cleaning between some bricks when this face started to emerge from the soil and stones. It was slightly sinister. Fortunately there was no one around to hear because I felt I had to say hello to him or her to break some sort of spell. . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9EcLUrebPqn1mLoIo3oRmHxeAt52tPuOLfTgg2Jwz7uF7pTt2tDEuVCclmH-gFmDWbyzNj6HkwJyayzP2jU0WBf2HfEXU1czsxxEFcwp_siI4vMy5B1fizF4VcBEgdJZ4u6QcrJvLppe/s1600/IMG_4158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9EcLUrebPqn1mLoIo3oRmHxeAt52tPuOLfTgg2Jwz7uF7pTt2tDEuVCclmH-gFmDWbyzNj6HkwJyayzP2jU0WBf2HfEXU1czsxxEFcwp_siI4vMy5B1fizF4VcBEgdJZ4u6QcrJvLppe/s640/IMG_4158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One way to help reduce damage by snails and mice in the garden is to not offer them a perfectly snug home like this which was directly under a large plant pot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A square of bricks has been used to raise the pot and inadvertently provide winter protection to group of some thirty snails. Another two pots revealed over a hundred snails hibernating and quietly waiting until things warmed up so that they could just nip out to snack on the fresh shoots of spring and start their seasonal ravaging.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If there are just one or two snails I have no qualms about squashing them underfoot but more than that and I start to get squeamish and I can't bring myself to kill them so these got carted off as far as I could take them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.........................................................</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rhipsalis pilocarpa</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6fOGQh4IRm5yNKTHUsaFgIouNUMCsfbA0BsdXb7Hqhrk68wE58tURxbMbB0e23Sdc5KLuX4tZX7kEu94s79oOxPC9jQeG2X7R4QubDIzBECshRvqaWTQ3XNd9jM5oSxHI0dke9f6nO-7/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6fOGQh4IRm5yNKTHUsaFgIouNUMCsfbA0BsdXb7Hqhrk68wE58tURxbMbB0e23Sdc5KLuX4tZX7kEu94s79oOxPC9jQeG2X7R4QubDIzBECshRvqaWTQ3XNd9jM5oSxHI0dke9f6nO-7/s640/IMG_4006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This plant is a real treat in the middle of winter. It flowered over Christmas in the greenhouse and it obviously knew what it was doing because it has a distinctly Christmas character with the flowers hanging down like stilled snowflakes </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasZTfF4DSVAYtXmIcmJS3bEz79nhfM3puqJLm1mUCvMyY4Qj0sccArTtKMGapQj2Mqei7qv-wVo6ROsY7tjr5EreR-tD3mU_9sTYU1JvwglgMim-sJ_sd9RLckqVLeBpM_fE9cc6Nz7Ad/s1600/IMG_4000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasZTfF4DSVAYtXmIcmJS3bEz79nhfM3puqJLm1mUCvMyY4Qj0sccArTtKMGapQj2Mqei7qv-wVo6ROsY7tjr5EreR-tD3mU_9sTYU1JvwglgMim-sJ_sd9RLckqVLeBpM_fE9cc6Nz7Ad/s640/IMG_4000.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take a look at Mark Preston's ( British Cactus and Succulent Society) piece on the Rhipsalis <a href="http://www.bcss.org.uk/pom012014.php">here</a> to find out more about this Brazilian cactus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I grow it in glasshouse with the thermostat set at 12 C but that is only near the heater, further away the temperature drops off by a few degrees. I keep it quite dry during the winter. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...........................................................</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Win a shilling!</span></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">What do you think this is? It's not poorly jelly fish or a sci- fi book cover, it is not the Mississippi delta shining like a national guitar, its not running paint, its not modern art and it is not ceramic, hey, who said it's </span>gorilla snot? Answer at the bottom of the page.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndBaEtSC5nq5U8VJ3ELulotFWiEYoM5fZSUtWHhpFjUT_JHj-4YpnpCJnO6yQbZ5xksDvqZNZy626r3Xyldkn0CVRaXaEANX5YZ4r97ZCs8lWFDOsd7TMBlcxDPghMz163-D9ujrucUiK/s1600/IMG_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndBaEtSC5nq5U8VJ3ELulotFWiEYoM5fZSUtWHhpFjUT_JHj-4YpnpCJnO6yQbZ5xksDvqZNZy626r3Xyldkn0CVRaXaEANX5YZ4r97ZCs8lWFDOsd7TMBlcxDPghMz163-D9ujrucUiK/s640/IMG_4066.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIZGQEWKvkakH_dBx2mPCtylVz0Ru0O0ggMT7SZIE8HngxIMaswH4Dp14APs1g3YH7Dwr6hQMBnRLM-V0nD1ChPfSbHDPQn_99nxB1HfCVc1n-_NSXcbLgR6gzRqUkzCNgVdWfDRotIOM/s1600/IMG_4064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIZGQEWKvkakH_dBx2mPCtylVz0Ru0O0ggMT7SZIE8HngxIMaswH4Dp14APs1g3YH7Dwr6hQMBnRLM-V0nD1ChPfSbHDPQn_99nxB1HfCVc1n-_NSXcbLgR6gzRqUkzCNgVdWfDRotIOM/s640/IMG_4064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.....................................................................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Glazed over.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A0VOxKobVnpY8vEuhcwUCIuXu8ja_ycLb4d0RafuyWd7JFcw0JtdsQsPKM_O9IRNviGLT66az5z_Ohuwl3Wko64IaajZMvKD-xrRXGqUHxydjWXPEa2fpNSY1yIPR3eCmr2nNWyJrp4l/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A0VOxKobVnpY8vEuhcwUCIuXu8ja_ycLb4d0RafuyWd7JFcw0JtdsQsPKM_O9IRNviGLT66az5z_Ohuwl3Wko64IaajZMvKD-xrRXGqUHxydjWXPEa2fpNSY1yIPR3eCmr2nNWyJrp4l/s640/IMG_4072.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">I could not resist a picture of this trolley load of brightly coloured, glazed pots fresh out of the kiln and still warm at the</span><a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/" style="text-align: center;"> pottery</a><span style="text-align: center;">. They started off as part of that muddy pile of clay behind them! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTTUjhKFNXPaIy86jz72Atgw3WSAwcfXTYIoUOjgn39y5dRkK9x1O5ME09MA1QWfRrc3vmdU4ZlpjG3I-H5PlUZyoZj1PARF4nCEc3Wvp30TC5j1cRRpRXsAGldWGicufrjXsQ7L3TgJp/s1600/IMG_4079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTTUjhKFNXPaIy86jz72Atgw3WSAwcfXTYIoUOjgn39y5dRkK9x1O5ME09MA1QWfRrc3vmdU4ZlpjG3I-H5PlUZyoZj1PARF4nCEc3Wvp30TC5j1cRRpRXsAGldWGicufrjXsQ7L3TgJp/s640/IMG_4079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did not click the 'Impressionist' button on photoshop for this.( but I did get my own reflection in it - very bad technique.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.......................................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A pause for Santa Clause</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have strayed quite a way from the garden path in this issue but I felt sad for this little fellow. My mom, long since gone, gawd bless 'er, made this Santa some twenty five or more years ago for the kids and he finally bit the dust this year. Not only did he bite the dust he became it. His salty dough body finally gave out. It's sad, the other stuff in the loft will surely miss him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
( I wonder if he would have lasted longer if he had eaten less spaghetti?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lRYvJjZl_74SxgPRBwNhK16cDcDyNgzULKx53NjlzP1jJXqt3p-rNoL52FwYvRIcoUGGVS4WIHzZoGl9RxzES1I0YkdJ1PsdjQnzm78o2qgPeszo0QOKYpdYzLVMZtgtcTWKOOFw6OOm/s1600/IMG_4015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lRYvJjZl_74SxgPRBwNhK16cDcDyNgzULKx53NjlzP1jJXqt3p-rNoL52FwYvRIcoUGGVS4WIHzZoGl9RxzES1I0YkdJ1PsdjQnzm78o2qgPeszo0QOKYpdYzLVMZtgtcTWKOOFw6OOm/s640/IMG_4015.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh5ZKJ2JVLvOcuy5Wez268h8A9a3RZvUrupoZiAj2UKrovwCEWFhlE-NynCC_cGvwxenWzzOff-D8lT8Bbp4L64Xb1iQnT_OmNvb71MEVDjbpmikTJYqJvHkDwGoczrPNLVkASGWUvcQn/s1600/IMG_4018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh5ZKJ2JVLvOcuy5Wez268h8A9a3RZvUrupoZiAj2UKrovwCEWFhlE-NynCC_cGvwxenWzzOff-D8lT8Bbp4L64Xb1iQnT_OmNvb71MEVDjbpmikTJYqJvHkDwGoczrPNLVkASGWUvcQn/s640/IMG_4018.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5-q851yb0KA3IFbRLPv5PewqhS6hACbEJE_uAzIVE1Bz_77HEMdn9RIzUEDn5fE9yYbaCeSlg2wx2vPsQMBm1yiJVhM8-gPuaKc1qC3GAYy23XPe6tcHg_P0uytp5FHLfJr8Egwac-E3/s1600/IMG_4020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5-q851yb0KA3IFbRLPv5PewqhS6hACbEJE_uAzIVE1Bz_77HEMdn9RIzUEDn5fE9yYbaCeSlg2wx2vPsQMBm1yiJVhM8-gPuaKc1qC3GAYy23XPe6tcHg_P0uytp5FHLfJr8Egwac-E3/s640/IMG_4020.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRL-WQCqLbctOUfK98eUv7FEZWkRI_tGtabxplFQnWd5sgDwKxB7pGDUf9ufwYVR5viBkLDsSEbY_crED9Zw33dP4uN0aZEJHMUmVs8DIxBx8YzWn4dtEE3GNSJL35iJe8nEMuuQ5b_sc/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRL-WQCqLbctOUfK98eUv7FEZWkRI_tGtabxplFQnWd5sgDwKxB7pGDUf9ufwYVR5viBkLDsSEbY_crED9Zw33dP4uN0aZEJHMUmVs8DIxBx8YzWn4dtEE3GNSJL35iJe8nEMuuQ5b_sc/s640/IMG_4022.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While we are on Christmas - when I went to put tree away I was startled to find a Cyberman lurking in the box. He'll definitely find it lonely in the loft. <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">.................................................</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Soil prep and big planting project</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nhBQ5mum6mA3nNzUzzYb4YOHHSPDMYIN_tzxf4VsQmjO0KUs6nkeQ02vU4pvMzMXHU17qrVSE0gLMLw9vTP73SHZqbejnnyMSUCTpvFgndTD6HNbuYOGTnb_gR0w4ytv9NqypQHACX0v/s1600/IMG_4092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nhBQ5mum6mA3nNzUzzYb4YOHHSPDMYIN_tzxf4VsQmjO0KUs6nkeQ02vU4pvMzMXHU17qrVSE0gLMLw9vTP73SHZqbejnnyMSUCTpvFgndTD6HNbuYOGTnb_gR0w4ytv9NqypQHACX0v/s640/IMG_4092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJG7ZbweBw4oBBM_obpVlub9r1LIogAmSzryyJReb3BSWVB-bEFkSA2lHU5sx3_J26G5Yx8Hr2aAyHJtquE-AmhHn5THWz-9LfQXtlU4k78ZNl9A4NDOJ8MetPHE_1JZUccnptmHAI_Ol/s1600/IMG_4091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJG7ZbweBw4oBBM_obpVlub9r1LIogAmSzryyJReb3BSWVB-bEFkSA2lHU5sx3_J26G5Yx8Hr2aAyHJtquE-AmhHn5THWz-9LfQXtlU4k78ZNl9A4NDOJ8MetPHE_1JZUccnptmHAI_Ol/s640/IMG_4091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Part of a large planting scheme I am involved with requires adding a large quantity of organic matter. Here the girls can be seen practising synchronised shovelling.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoF8SBJi1ikP6MfLlIIf1IWaAmVJMpyD4I0pn2OnbpqF0VEkMRvkDuWaoCbKQZt5wpN-L8NfaXldc0HvP2kq4C0y7TsNMn-UIgqFR60jYV8CKwTYzdFpbREhkT8URzw5smFNL75xvXvdR/s1600/IMG_4095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoF8SBJi1ikP6MfLlIIf1IWaAmVJMpyD4I0pn2OnbpqF0VEkMRvkDuWaoCbKQZt5wpN-L8NfaXldc0HvP2kq4C0y7TsNMn-UIgqFR60jYV8CKwTYzdFpbREhkT8URzw5smFNL75xvXvdR/s640/IMG_4095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Shovelling took too long so here Barney delves into the fiery bowels of a huge heap of composted bark to load the barrows with a mini-digger. </div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">.....................................</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile back in the greenhouse .....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last year after the flowers of the Echeveria had faded I collected the dried stems with their shrivelled flower heads and they laid on a tray for several months until during a tidy up I thought I would just see if I could grow them from seed. Just after Christamas and with no great expectations I scattered the seeds of several varieties onto a seed tray of J.I compost covered with a layer of Perlite. Within a coup,e of weeks they had germinated like so much cress. I had sowed far too many so I pricked out the few you see below and threw away the remaining hundreds. I was very surprised how readily they germinated, I guess as they are plants from relatively arid regions if you give them some warmth and some water they are ready to race away and boy did they go. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF950KcliPq5PNEA3hRkp6LpBRi8OtcCqawYm52dwxjSura8XKI6m7nU7jdG-kc2B4hDdC-8u1jJ7qYUmNC-ig9P7is2We45QsELhhEhYtu6_CciErcZG7cM6z5syUWDSJRULB104j9aL/s1600/IMG_4212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF950KcliPq5PNEA3hRkp6LpBRi8OtcCqawYm52dwxjSura8XKI6m7nU7jdG-kc2B4hDdC-8u1jJ7qYUmNC-ig9P7is2We45QsELhhEhYtu6_CciErcZG7cM6z5syUWDSJRULB104j9aL/s640/IMG_4212.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Flowerts of an Echeveria species. ( The spotted leaves are not an Echeveria.)</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBWsB5MPKwzRIhhywgCaikqa_fbV0KBRk4WMbWAfWbTvdiIf_TFKBqeT9uxqY5aH6_-o-T4qwhLF-63ri0DiDgdKwOqlWFBQ6PpVUVOc4ueeh6UVwxsTUOFr8waO9apGvyZov7X5HJkGr/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBWsB5MPKwzRIhhywgCaikqa_fbV0KBRk4WMbWAfWbTvdiIf_TFKBqeT9uxqY5aH6_-o-T4qwhLF-63ri0DiDgdKwOqlWFBQ6PpVUVOc4ueeh6UVwxsTUOFr8waO9apGvyZov7X5HJkGr/s640/IMG_4207.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I pricked out three seedlings per pot. ( Should have done just one) Each seedling was tiny with tiny leaves and it was barely possible to get hold of them. As soon as I started watering them they shot away You can tell the two rows I gave more water to by way of an experiment, they have grown much bigger. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A similar tale with this Aeonium tabuliforme</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The plant usually grows for a few years, produces a tall head of yellow flowers and then dies (i.e. Monocarpic- having only one setting of seeds) . Mine produced no offsets so I thought I would try seeds and hey presto they germinated within ten days or so. This is in January, mid winter. They were in a greenhouse run at 12C. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is some cultural information<a href="http://www.tropicalbritain.co.uk/aeonium-tabuliforme.html"> here </a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNic04JEzWQGEpOuoY7hL-UEBNvLnuVGxOY-ZuKNW1tMhuJEgO2g4hLKBC1t6knUs-ghtJd2pZ61K-f2jqcMh3UrkxFCuAHtM2SzZCQInR8Y2Iym3OY2rfSJnP6U6wsbgF5jueI7m2G_LC/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNic04JEzWQGEpOuoY7hL-UEBNvLnuVGxOY-ZuKNW1tMhuJEgO2g4hLKBC1t6knUs-ghtJd2pZ61K-f2jqcMh3UrkxFCuAHtM2SzZCQInR8Y2Iym3OY2rfSJnP6U6wsbgF5jueI7m2G_LC/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aeonium tabuliforme before flowering. Because it is shot from directly above you can't tell but it is as flat as a pancake.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ8JZK3fUogoEU2AnfElP_dgQMhycJmb2-1YrIarTBGbLV5F8oLK7GCY5MobVpqfhcJGBxRKgp8kat-TYOjBuMaMOkG3U66cbsf8-2lpkTOjOJmagpK15JhPw83OJ7RrNelLdQwbODoMD/s1600/IMG_4209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ8JZK3fUogoEU2AnfElP_dgQMhycJmb2-1YrIarTBGbLV5F8oLK7GCY5MobVpqfhcJGBxRKgp8kat-TYOjBuMaMOkG3U66cbsf8-2lpkTOjOJmagpK15JhPw83OJ7RrNelLdQwbODoMD/s640/IMG_4209.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My dead Aeonium tabuliforme with cut down withered flower spike. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWyeyH3pRyWjUG-ht3pLkEeh0J_7cGztzeGvGQ9DXozz9vyWL0qHZ8l6V6aqEP0arP_6dpdiuYxVNnaBGyMixcEZpCWX3SgvQphrzgD2aIguxvQpmPCC8DbZYGgU12J_MvCTKZROJczw4/s1600/IMG_4208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWyeyH3pRyWjUG-ht3pLkEeh0J_7cGztzeGvGQ9DXozz9vyWL0qHZ8l6V6aqEP0arP_6dpdiuYxVNnaBGyMixcEZpCWX3SgvQphrzgD2aIguxvQpmPCC8DbZYGgU12J_MvCTKZROJczw4/s640/IMG_4208.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The compost is a soil based type with a layer of perlite on top. I sowed onto the perlite then watered the pot to wash the seeds into the perlite. I have blown away some of the perlite to better show the seedlings<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................................</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Persistent Melianthus.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSxg9JPahJYa1J6V-BcQD23M9C96B9DERPNBk8CIz69UOaoCnHvBssPzu636wAbRTZ5l8eH034946bO4uxQGbSR8G_TWI37L06O43zxJFKgzMicqeBYTZPT8F7PzcX5W_epJ9lvncUvqF/s1600/IMG_4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSxg9JPahJYa1J6V-BcQD23M9C96B9DERPNBk8CIz69UOaoCnHvBssPzu636wAbRTZ5l8eH034946bO4uxQGbSR8G_TWI37L06O43zxJFKgzMicqeBYTZPT8F7PzcX5W_epJ9lvncUvqF/s640/IMG_4185.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This picture was taken in late February. The Melianthus major plant, grown in a large pot, has remained green and healthy due to the mild winter and has obviously had enough warmth to keep growing gradually and produce the beginnings of a flower head. In the last two or three days the cold nights have meant it has started to look very straggly so it is time to cut it back. The cold weather has darkened the stems with a deep red and also edged some of the leaves the same colour. If it kept those red tints in the summer it would be an even more dramatic plant. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Answer to the mystery picture, It was some splashes along the side of my already dirty white van. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you guessed correctly then exceptionaly hearty congratulations are due to you but, sorry, I was only kidding about the shilling</div>
</div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-57110962996788779532016-02-06T12:35:00.000-08:002016-02-21T03:24:07.552-08:00Shear joy, Getting a grip, Weeping elephant statue, strapping woman and gelatinous ear'oles <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She. Where've ya bin? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me. Well, you know how it is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She. Don't you realise it was May when you last posted anything? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me. Yep. Sorry.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She. What about the people who hang on you every word and look forward to reading your stuff?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me. Well it has been a very busy time and you know how it is when you come in at the end of a day's work, you're a bit short of energy. Even more so in the winter - you just nod off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She. That's not really good enough, is it?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me. I have explained to the readers and they are okay with it, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She. Are they now?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me. Yes, they have been very understanding - both of them! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She. Well you better get on with something now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me. Okay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">New posts announced on twitter <complete id="goog_1949330116">@</complete>pwhorticulture</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...............................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Shear Joy</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have posted some pictures of this topiary before but the guy who clipped it came to me , very proudly , saying that it was freshly cut and I should get some pictures. Unfortunately it was a day of very bright sunshine and very difficult to get good pictures. Anyway here are the pictures and here is the plug I promised you a long time ago now Chris, sorry. If any one would like to use the finely honed clipping skills of Chris and his able assistant then contact them at info@beechwood-landscapes.co.uk </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUESBXOUnK3w9f8lZm9Ut4lXK5BVF1RGH4Ze1S0ShaU0IGov5oL_x-BCNSPqik95uqr4qt6sAF39Jb75dMDdVpHCMLEiBNl8qIb4s5KpS_AJJfRiTLpg7VlO2ecjhgD14HXlJ6aiMvMfcR/s1600/212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUESBXOUnK3w9f8lZm9Ut4lXK5BVF1RGH4Ze1S0ShaU0IGov5oL_x-BCNSPqik95uqr4qt6sAF39Jb75dMDdVpHCMLEiBNl8qIb4s5KpS_AJJfRiTLpg7VlO2ecjhgD14HXlJ6aiMvMfcR/s640/212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-EnMEOihibaNS4vjkhdiaOIJdzcqJNFy8yYbEQcKUmO6GxgLiC6zjaAjvJ-jswV5q5TtbPlIxqpH9MrjWgKBCGuTP4obIvRTeNpCj0yO4jRk0i2Kdb8FFl3EAzJesiH0ZSLvncKhPCJo/s1600/228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-EnMEOihibaNS4vjkhdiaOIJdzcqJNFy8yYbEQcKUmO6GxgLiC6zjaAjvJ-jswV5q5TtbPlIxqpH9MrjWgKBCGuTP4obIvRTeNpCj0yO4jRk0i2Kdb8FFl3EAzJesiH0ZSLvncKhPCJo/s640/228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIB671pzr6NnEsQdAqtHtEqSnpx9AgXFqOnwSDZM1NEIHxxR5k7CcoKIK_PH9McwKlUnF1WKZkExuWLnjfwpzwUMRITH62wH5JDaVXo5iXrqznmUNRM0IxP0Ku6d-ujO0IJsNeDRK1ZaY/s1600/219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIB671pzr6NnEsQdAqtHtEqSnpx9AgXFqOnwSDZM1NEIHxxR5k7CcoKIK_PH9McwKlUnF1WKZkExuWLnjfwpzwUMRITH62wH5JDaVXo5iXrqznmUNRM0IxP0Ku6d-ujO0IJsNeDRK1ZaY/s640/219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Does this make you think three friends coming home late from the pub?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhHhbaUJWDY8GBoCzOUI-fRjlE97l4LqdAe0gOTEFqIz5Ro6Lv6cuKBcqTjprp7HGXrgiNz7_NGV7xNpiU5g2cmU40f3O6k3IuzDAkcjRBbcLJE1ZJsmoSBauLub-rvvoar-SfXUffGjY/s1600/227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhHhbaUJWDY8GBoCzOUI-fRjlE97l4LqdAe0gOTEFqIz5Ro6Lv6cuKBcqTjprp7HGXrgiNz7_NGV7xNpiU5g2cmU40f3O6k3IuzDAkcjRBbcLJE1ZJsmoSBauLub-rvvoar-SfXUffGjY/s640/227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..........................................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Get a grip</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't know if you are a Formula One fan but if you are you will know that there was some hoo haa last season about the tyres ( I actually spelled that tires at first and didn't notice - tut tut) well I have found something that should do the trick. They are bound to last the whole 65 laps and if it rains, well, you are not going to worry, skidding won't be a problem</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here it is the Pirelli Slick Sure Grip................... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU6yqQG9YE5rRwnZB9MYH3QxebTkBzG_mGGwhAdhQHk5LP8o_lzghLIHqJJ32DvzRVCqflK6GyNFIh-LFOGGWwxeVB0gh8RVBsh_bqqVMDyAmS2OLfnw3rDM_O1BcuxCjR-5SwHwZJPIv/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU6yqQG9YE5rRwnZB9MYH3QxebTkBzG_mGGwhAdhQHk5LP8o_lzghLIHqJJ32DvzRVCqflK6GyNFIh-LFOGGWwxeVB0gh8RVBsh_bqqVMDyAmS2OLfnw3rDM_O1BcuxCjR-5SwHwZJPIv/s640/038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
....and here is a failed prototype!......</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gyf8dFMXe9yKZnxWoPtDQdUiwBX0O-a1TpCDmuIIJz_JRt4MA41biMgmEEHV6jdilwQFmq6huoRUv43BGkEFC4w8p4KwfLEYR1ENJJ62xeiTEtzoTJ_omMULuz4nXDsjGnuMUJEX8lMz/s1600/166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gyf8dFMXe9yKZnxWoPtDQdUiwBX0O-a1TpCDmuIIJz_JRt4MA41biMgmEEHV6jdilwQFmq6huoRUv43BGkEFC4w8p4KwfLEYR1ENJJ62xeiTEtzoTJ_omMULuz4nXDsjGnuMUJEX8lMz/s640/166.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.......you won't get this delaminating!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...........................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A bit edgy </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There seems to be a mechanical theme developing here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was at <a href="http://www.canwellshow.co.uk/">Canwell Show</a> in August last year and there was an exhibition of old garden machinery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Any ornamental gardener will tell you that one of the most time consuming and frustrating jobs is keeping the edge of the lawn looking tidy. If you are a bit nifty with a strimmer you can trim the grass edge and manage to flick the cut grass onto the lawn to be collected by the mower but it is noisy and you risk mangling any plants that lollop onto the grass. Edging shears are an alternative and I hate them with a vengeance, they seem to blunt so quickly (overnight in the shed even) and are so slow and awkward.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All this has obviously been a problem for a long time and one that has set many engineers thinking. Here are three of their solutions. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh-cLhY6i4gAOPCHd3s8707CMpG2eDW6vmbjiUkxrKYq0bd2KqXoOvaSYYR_5amRySDHmblDQ6Nmf0rYeT9OqKxzgU0OeIj1k3bDU0Pr1-ADDASIriMvjoQqlMA-seqAQbwyP5qOneRTk/s1600/158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh-cLhY6i4gAOPCHd3s8707CMpG2eDW6vmbjiUkxrKYq0bd2KqXoOvaSYYR_5amRySDHmblDQ6Nmf0rYeT9OqKxzgU0OeIj1k3bDU0Pr1-ADDASIriMvjoQqlMA-seqAQbwyP5qOneRTk/s640/158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This little beauty collects the cuttings as well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcwJ4EVYBG1sj-_eHy87soVvdwTXU1D2SCRFzGKZv8CkKc4w15k5tL8n8aziX0-olWmwD4FcO14aJS1yzA518S8AlqDTJLE8bjgHFizMc1Y-ZjZJwF3NE1tGrq6Acoy810DlMapttAZ2I/s1600/159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcwJ4EVYBG1sj-_eHy87soVvdwTXU1D2SCRFzGKZv8CkKc4w15k5tL8n8aziX0-olWmwD4FcO14aJS1yzA518S8AlqDTJLE8bjgHFizMc1Y-ZjZJwF3NE1tGrq6Acoy810DlMapttAZ2I/s640/159.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
'Scuse the disembodied arm, there was nowhere to </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
lean the the machine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv3YtIvay8d4kVc23r3MTYjdk5MtSQHAABoQYSjVZ_8etiSfyvBK0CFuit2JvMMP5U8-XvGOfr0eL_Kuy3keEt3aI5nZC-LOBgloMJYraRf_4HOPyi2dtCKq2mGg8NtFZLMrQqmbXT_nW/s1600/161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv3YtIvay8d4kVc23r3MTYjdk5MtSQHAABoQYSjVZ_8etiSfyvBK0CFuit2JvMMP5U8-XvGOfr0eL_Kuy3keEt3aI5nZC-LOBgloMJYraRf_4HOPyi2dtCKq2mGg8NtFZLMrQqmbXT_nW/s640/161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is pretty self-explanatory though if you squint it looks like a big eyed cartoon bird. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIp6REMHrhKka4bVglhnfnnco-S5gZiNNudyVnxs3G2f_jSEAy8AuUbSaHczwQNfenT-IJjKgvong922rVZVbFhQUuO0RjbGtq4E7RsZUYIdzC2_kJ3NR4Fgo1Nv5kpznywszcf8kEXsS/s1600/162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIp6REMHrhKka4bVglhnfnnco-S5gZiNNudyVnxs3G2f_jSEAy8AuUbSaHczwQNfenT-IJjKgvong922rVZVbFhQUuO0RjbGtq4E7RsZUYIdzC2_kJ3NR4Fgo1Nv5kpznywszcf8kEXsS/s640/162.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one acts like a very small cylinder mower on its side.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://kentshowground.co.uk/">Kent County Show </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At <a href="http://kentshowground.co.uk/">Kent County Show </a> there were some fabulous agricultural exhibits both ancient and modern. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZB20XVN9oAkchgn3RNYTIq9sz9LybeZuEvbqhe3L090e4CA00tx-mutF6thtPoUvwMG0WYJUaAHePFPpDIbiSZ4_FqWk4HygVSzg8bvylLxTJOJuurbvItia85caLjIFot-vwIKLTlmn/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZB20XVN9oAkchgn3RNYTIq9sz9LybeZuEvbqhe3L090e4CA00tx-mutF6thtPoUvwMG0WYJUaAHePFPpDIbiSZ4_FqWk4HygVSzg8bvylLxTJOJuurbvItia85caLjIFot-vwIKLTlmn/s640/064.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This strapping woman was a huge seed drilling machine though with a bit of sci- fi imagination it could just as easily be something waiting to suck your brains out - or Darth Vader's Mother</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViiWz5ieQlyH1i6R1ZgWXPfMtw-H05OqGNwnxZTWmyLaCEbTtDEJyx88Cz_eE_vwIoZoFAugXKeNXkIgk9RBHU3obuDllWsJ32o6haCd6uXu55z-P_wx44eYIKSAdL8SogF3BoIPSGlrN/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViiWz5ieQlyH1i6R1ZgWXPfMtw-H05OqGNwnxZTWmyLaCEbTtDEJyx88Cz_eE_vwIoZoFAugXKeNXkIgk9RBHU3obuDllWsJ32o6haCd6uXu55z-P_wx44eYIKSAdL8SogF3BoIPSGlrN/s640/062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The back end of a tracked tractor. What a shade of red this is! Lipstick for tractors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSGhuvq29vio49JmeUJAHBi1ifL5xFb08yUqysiM4sIyY8XB0pWPM01VggbDpE43V6zxCyTRVYTkm1pmX7STUuG9BFMZmZqx-piMZU309kroSHWMcnOJbVYk_yQ1ZdYNXrqvbJbIiuJO8/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSGhuvq29vio49JmeUJAHBi1ifL5xFb08yUqysiM4sIyY8XB0pWPM01VggbDpE43V6zxCyTRVYTkm1pmX7STUuG9BFMZmZqx-piMZU309kroSHWMcnOJbVYk_yQ1ZdYNXrqvbJbIiuJO8/s640/023.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzGat70Cu4WQy27EtavxT3lxp9diRoBBq4eAHFUH09GSNfeBstwK7YvAQkJ5uiwSKMCM-b_9bMgW_X9yXq3ilSuzODZ7YJ7Pgp0-X0iX_flAzMLPONVDPPalb9EujoSgFqFRJdMzl_gtD/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzGat70Cu4WQy27EtavxT3lxp9diRoBBq4eAHFUH09GSNfeBstwK7YvAQkJ5uiwSKMCM-b_9bMgW_X9yXq3ilSuzODZ7YJ7Pgp0-X0iX_flAzMLPONVDPPalb9EujoSgFqFRJdMzl_gtD/s640/020.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't remember what this implement was but again what a colour. Maybe there is a special palette of colours for tractor enthusiasts - let me know. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">......................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Weeping Elephant</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
( or maybe it just had a runny nose)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7ggv73LuK51JsTmR_jLzLT7HSh21MEuHHUwK6U6KD3TCWoPxhwJyZLjhX3u81pizF5ZFrBn7N4Na_tNJmmsBvaQamL2oNkJQeT8g1Y87l8Jbl8zWVbYQ-fwf6lJU5GsS7xEfGvJWxBCt/s1600/205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7ggv73LuK51JsTmR_jLzLT7HSh21MEuHHUwK6U6KD3TCWoPxhwJyZLjhX3u81pizF5ZFrBn7N4Na_tNJmmsBvaQamL2oNkJQeT8g1Y87l8Jbl8zWVbYQ-fwf6lJU5GsS7xEfGvJWxBCt/s640/205.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I work at <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">Whichford Pottery</a> where they produce traditional handmade terracotta pots but also terracotta elephants in a range of sizes. During a dry spell in the summer I noticed this sad looking elephant had what looked like tears dripping from its trunk. I was worried we might have a crying Maddona sort of thing going on, you know how it is with manifestations, and that we might start getting hordes of pilgrims arriving if I told anyone, so I didn't. Not that I was convinced it was a miracle anyway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..............................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">'ear! 'ear!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
An unknown fungus on Buddleja<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50-Fb1YEGG595dWaTr_j23-Z2q0XQDqNM62_1Zz6v7fbnkmXnFwNeLEW9GcA-dd_3hyphenhyphentpZj4R7jKSD6-RpT7uassvsElJsLfyEdkLqIZeQRoWL6QEzTEwOlKYFUvtP-uIR94t-_TX08aV/s1600/IMG_4024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50-Fb1YEGG595dWaTr_j23-Z2q0XQDqNM62_1Zz6v7fbnkmXnFwNeLEW9GcA-dd_3hyphenhyphentpZj4R7jKSD6-RpT7uassvsElJsLfyEdkLqIZeQRoWL6QEzTEwOlKYFUvtP-uIR94t-_TX08aV/s640/IMG_4024.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzAGNEGILLa3mNOhae3HWbaDfJPY3X5ii4d72SoSCEWSalv1W6HAy3i5RnGXd7cEDGazJ5sbMBBIPEpEzUutWr28swZE8gT7vgpIlAykvyXBJER5aOEHea-vCKnUpiJgwEuM0bGM3v8JG/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzAGNEGILLa3mNOhae3HWbaDfJPY3X5ii4d72SoSCEWSalv1W6HAy3i5RnGXd7cEDGazJ5sbMBBIPEpEzUutWr28swZE8gT7vgpIlAykvyXBJER5aOEHea-vCKnUpiJgwEuM0bGM3v8JG/s640/IMG_4029.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That reminds me, must buy more Q-tips</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Thanks for reading.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-37679022119877282282015-05-19T14:12:00.000-07:002015-05-19T14:12:58.251-07:00Marc de la Torre, Box growers gird your loins, box rust, teeny weeny incy wincy and Coop typo. <br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">New posts announced on twitter @pwhorticulture </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.delatorre.co.uk/index.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Marc de La Torre</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZGbZeV8R_K80V2P-ZVOBdPqGh1Gchpvteiab2tFey_B-mcMBE3YGdW20h2CIMC-BejAvWe2AX61T2vD80IlOFu04O9sncvOmyA0G3MRDvfqbZk9lF-POnHN9tuZATU_3QYUHxIXJtwuY/s1600/69430005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZGbZeV8R_K80V2P-ZVOBdPqGh1Gchpvteiab2tFey_B-mcMBE3YGdW20h2CIMC-BejAvWe2AX61T2vD80IlOFu04O9sncvOmyA0G3MRDvfqbZk9lF-POnHN9tuZATU_3QYUHxIXJtwuY/s1600/69430005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was preparing a talk on my time at Bourton House recently when I dug out this picture. It goes back some 25 or so years and is still a favourite of mine. The ceramic pot is by Mark de la Torre - a man who does not like to stand still and who has a vast creative energy which he sends off in all directions. His partner Clare and son Luis are also stoked full of the craft maker's urge to design and create. To appreciate the broad spectrum of this trio's capabilities and how much imagination and ingenuity can be crammed into one household go take a look at their work at <a href="http://www.delatorre.co.uk/index.html">http://www.delatorre.co.uk/index.html</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">.......................................</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHdzKP-5GcKW8lSWJqUqWZiZqbU4JGdjKyRha162t2rr4vNQIMWZnsIbJnrBMiGUSRxy1njaKbT2sNYBIGKkHPQzbs7T36Huu40dRvAkOTZrj55s7N4ouYk2eHMVrvGKNU-ROSKAQk3It/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHdzKP-5GcKW8lSWJqUqWZiZqbU4JGdjKyRha162t2rr4vNQIMWZnsIbJnrBMiGUSRxy1njaKbT2sNYBIGKkHPQzbs7T36Huu40dRvAkOTZrj55s7N4ouYk2eHMVrvGKNU-ROSKAQk3It/s1600/002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have bought a new camera and somehow managed to set it to black and white and took a few pictures before I noticed. I am glad I got the settings wrong because I think this black and white picture says a lot more than the colour version below. Shapes and shadows become much more important. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More of this garden even belower.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4YQ7AF7r3ZT74kHo6gfD9dlU8SKoKWmB8uMZuCry1zkBQwLMt_PRVhP5nTE8jOOwVbtc0ZO_yFm8rDiXnirYUMozemXYeo6FInVS4H8TxwPNGBvgCtVZ-4nZarOcPW4Nzp-MP3S99e6o/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4YQ7AF7r3ZT74kHo6gfD9dlU8SKoKWmB8uMZuCry1zkBQwLMt_PRVhP5nTE8jOOwVbtc0ZO_yFm8rDiXnirYUMozemXYeo6FInVS4H8TxwPNGBvgCtVZ-4nZarOcPW4Nzp-MP3S99e6o/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">........................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Teeny Weeny Incy Wincys</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKfay9fhTLA4ioj2ZXDBWqCRpzFEUCMGxCNi6vp1te1b_skYiKuFY-bV8aI5T1GELwVj6GhsxWrGVAofPb-I2f0aKl1a_DQILeDEblRnEO4GxeSJ66V9tEv67V-Ph7cv6YZWJxPSqL80O/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKfay9fhTLA4ioj2ZXDBWqCRpzFEUCMGxCNi6vp1te1b_skYiKuFY-bV8aI5T1GELwVj6GhsxWrGVAofPb-I2f0aKl1a_DQILeDEblRnEO4GxeSJ66V9tEv67V-Ph7cv6YZWJxPSqL80O/s1600/135.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Startled baby spiders scurrying up and down their webs to escape predation</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy17kiLzGkWkSCgbnTcvcqJSmk7tZgnE8hKQa5DL-SDf-rSNoBEZcrSVBMor4fm-HjIKKLQXpuMP43-stz0V2j6iKnjLqikz6EhJmELRNGxQ5VELOvCmIt2vOl2295cquBX5liC-CUG7fE/s1600/131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy17kiLzGkWkSCgbnTcvcqJSmk7tZgnE8hKQa5DL-SDf-rSNoBEZcrSVBMor4fm-HjIKKLQXpuMP43-stz0V2j6iKnjLqikz6EhJmELRNGxQ5VELOvCmIt2vOl2295cquBX5liC-CUG7fE/s1600/131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">...................................................</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVWhnypBORe_uuIXdH_CtYeFEHMfeDWck03oXinzowLDO-Z3uGurLmnaKgiFicrSJ50zk7T8E_lN6OZqMDchZt43qCZmtjpRedBwMtZ5nzYWbCznoDrSleV9j7OM6PaC_hv5M-K96DNml/s1600/155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVWhnypBORe_uuIXdH_CtYeFEHMfeDWck03oXinzowLDO-Z3uGurLmnaKgiFicrSJ50zk7T8E_lN6OZqMDchZt43qCZmtjpRedBwMtZ5nzYWbCznoDrSleV9j7OM6PaC_hv5M-K96DNml/s1600/155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flower of an unknown succulent plant</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YISInDWKvs3AoebD8y075_Wb1osWRERCM7zkPgbd-Lh4zR5TJE4nGthvKq3o3H7NJBLqch7VzIE2U406k4bBYQ3ABpricI_XcUupiuQHwqxxoHRBaqejCxD6oyg-F22rXCyHKumTr1or/s1600/171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YISInDWKvs3AoebD8y075_Wb1osWRERCM7zkPgbd-Lh4zR5TJE4nGthvKq3o3H7NJBLqch7VzIE2U406k4bBYQ3ABpricI_XcUupiuQHwqxxoHRBaqejCxD6oyg-F22rXCyHKumTr1or/s1600/171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yet another flower of an anonymous succulent with my grubby mit looking like it is made of wood.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>..................................................................</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Box Rust</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7yHRE6xixVcaAsqB3b9QPCGi7JhMuCZ4Uxf73Fi93E7TNHVIT8oeagIkicLXGrKZVwXOMTmv93qOSjan_vM4rK6MmSsgUI-moKys146TqcoCi1dZX1nwHGQE2DmtLusMg8X1JnXEieFD/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7yHRE6xixVcaAsqB3b9QPCGi7JhMuCZ4Uxf73Fi93E7TNHVIT8oeagIkicLXGrKZVwXOMTmv93qOSjan_vM4rK6MmSsgUI-moKys146TqcoCi1dZX1nwHGQE2DmtLusMg8X1JnXEieFD/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSXK3k3mmKqprnIw1CopwpZUXfZT_V-Ugy7-Nkw-fiZOQOoOWRh2TWD8IrutkRGrnKHGTr6iMLX78e_aENBfUG-BApO87IwrMYV3wV6GIAf1RVG25KIS2hYHEhrt-Sa6-wWxkKzz8ITry/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSXK3k3mmKqprnIw1CopwpZUXfZT_V-Ugy7-Nkw-fiZOQOoOWRh2TWD8IrutkRGrnKHGTr6iMLX78e_aENBfUG-BApO87IwrMYV3wV6GIAf1RVG25KIS2hYHEhrt-Sa6-wWxkKzz8ITry/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was cutting back some box plants a few weeks ago and spotted these little black blobs. Turns out they are the spore producing pustules of Box Rust, Puccinia buxi. They appear in autumn and persist through winter to spring. They did not appear to be harming the plant and nor were they particularly disfiguring. No treatment necessary. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">..........................................................</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Box growers gird your loins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
No matter how tight you clip your box hedging sooner or later it will creep beyond a size that is suitably balanced and proportional and there comes a time when loins have to be girded, bullets bitten and a bit of serious clipping embarked upon. Sometimes it takes a client with a bit of nerve and a degree of blind faith to take the leap and start the process of regeneration. Fortunately I have such a client who can see beyond the immediate and relying on my previous experience of successfully renovating overgrown box plants we started clipping If you look at the pictures below you will see a bit of before and after and see we have been quite drastic. In fact now my only concern is that we have not been drastic enough and we might end up with some dead twigs with a base of fresh shoots on the long low sections of the hedge. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We did this in mid April. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDorTk7j9M_DYsRnZHs72ALOERVQIHIJiJeQLwPYtyboEeGnM0ggIyS3126pCqf5H3NhrxYC-dj8FvMRiYgZF435Q4e-cjJvRqcjpNwCDPl54edfX275UowoJEQSVMacM8xbBO9WVWm-jo/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDorTk7j9M_DYsRnZHs72ALOERVQIHIJiJeQLwPYtyboEeGnM0ggIyS3126pCqf5H3NhrxYC-dj8FvMRiYgZF435Q4e-cjJvRqcjpNwCDPl54edfX275UowoJEQSVMacM8xbBO9WVWm-jo/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+008.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hREPdkqIAQl5SiXn8R0m5ZFDUd5DdMoRF7_J7chEbGL9BY8c4YRrmp3k4TGBeLylmAkYgSpBOM3675D23lhH1LQYwphJ4waB9dHIaZCdOgB_XQ6-QJYUGSBdDPEQeZoihPXN7TGNu7YI/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hREPdkqIAQl5SiXn8R0m5ZFDUd5DdMoRF7_J7chEbGL9BY8c4YRrmp3k4TGBeLylmAkYgSpBOM3675D23lhH1LQYwphJ4waB9dHIaZCdOgB_XQ6-QJYUGSBdDPEQeZoihPXN7TGNu7YI/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1WMfRtM4eHnF-7dk6aV20Cmhx9LDO1uB-XU4fV8lBltCSZJiPIazuDLUTaSZ8H1CWGeZZit0P5asZsqBscD46tmsbDk6oiww4jJX-Xv0a9j5PZ5JcS36ibi2sQ-H_gqwJiC4uN7cbMw6/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1WMfRtM4eHnF-7dk6aV20Cmhx9LDO1uB-XU4fV8lBltCSZJiPIazuDLUTaSZ8H1CWGeZZit0P5asZsqBscD46tmsbDk6oiww4jJX-Xv0a9j5PZ5JcS36ibi2sQ-H_gqwJiC4uN7cbMw6/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP9SCOVYM7yqNv2s1Wy8ZJiMkEM4X5qO1pW3NozbDN8c5FIx0H1bMeK-p4LcTZcfebQcBhJChU3UgG0M5Vlh8eZ25_5YKds7C4opFPmQhKzxHrO_8vvOF9XfinCb_9O2JP0xDFMErZXMY/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP9SCOVYM7yqNv2s1Wy8ZJiMkEM4X5qO1pW3NozbDN8c5FIx0H1bMeK-p4LcTZcfebQcBhJChU3UgG0M5Vlh8eZ25_5YKds7C4opFPmQhKzxHrO_8vvOF9XfinCb_9O2JP0xDFMErZXMY/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJQQjtb41xLK87GUdLR5stxVm9SsCIcL13sqscZmN0PDlLB4KSgUfrCovk-hlhWobKqXODDHw9BuVooYL-toA1s4mEeJxT9lfEzUYMREyhmx49SZelhwdeNQOefZEmrgJaF4NneF8t8oJ/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJQQjtb41xLK87GUdLR5stxVm9SsCIcL13sqscZmN0PDlLB4KSgUfrCovk-hlhWobKqXODDHw9BuVooYL-toA1s4mEeJxT9lfEzUYMREyhmx49SZelhwdeNQOefZEmrgJaF4NneF8t8oJ/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+010.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The weapon of choice. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The clippings catcher proves mighty useful when it comes to tidying up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8OdlVU_VMbMAnrryCz8d59hfIbs-NNfiKwM_iDL9Gef5gCElMbrdsO-McFo_3Ukv9sGowrPq4u4okXRboGXY9bf_36HLGe-js52eT9m4By0pQ6fWje5u1e2rwdGceuy-FKQD1mKaK_66/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8OdlVU_VMbMAnrryCz8d59hfIbs-NNfiKwM_iDL9Gef5gCElMbrdsO-McFo_3Ukv9sGowrPq4u4okXRboGXY9bf_36HLGe-js52eT9m4By0pQ6fWje5u1e2rwdGceuy-FKQD1mKaK_66/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As scary as it all was there was a reassuring number of shoots already sprouting in the depths of the old twigs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf6Ykwi82Xd-nc07pyybsM6OhY3D6nnd_NKATmRQYqGhsjFsp97cd3hiwVgqgd0lfz4XHgukGUyzb4-8nYP2Gh9_2-ne2ojKM7LmnbhilFwhH4fd05oUAISDS_zhtMASdJfmrQZ7kq3ny/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf6Ykwi82Xd-nc07pyybsM6OhY3D6nnd_NKATmRQYqGhsjFsp97cd3hiwVgqgd0lfz4XHgukGUyzb4-8nYP2Gh9_2-ne2ojKM7LmnbhilFwhH4fd05oUAISDS_zhtMASdJfmrQZ7kq3ny/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+026.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I guess these tiny shoots would have withered if they had not been given the light that cutting back offered them,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>.............................................................. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Spot the typo on this packet of Coop hot cross buns.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_rCjFdu1058Q2htSOAmyiTnTPVfzyGj_tu1OhMgGyxXSI_v4nKtmPbQxRZlJFh1wUFNEkF6TyicbD7Xqqn97Nspf0sJIYY8YS5nfjZcukirdopzppKlj1WOtWrNvBIaMH2GmVZ6kCWZZ/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_rCjFdu1058Q2htSOAmyiTnTPVfzyGj_tu1OhMgGyxXSI_v4nKtmPbQxRZlJFh1wUFNEkF6TyicbD7Xqqn97Nspf0sJIYY8YS5nfjZcukirdopzppKlj1WOtWrNvBIaMH2GmVZ6kCWZZ/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yes I know I should get out more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>.................................................................</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aaaah, how cute. - that's </span><span style="font-size: large;">cynicism</span><span style="font-size: large;"> by the way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TdNWcM3O-BQetSmQlexpCJMn4s1MiM1wCKV4U7Et8H6114-d4x9u2ClTObzFZmt4VmoGVdROpqU8rPxBcjR_j9rFCQ7LoC9b_sSY89PW5cmTo2pS8gDr2QyoB1dQ7vRA26Y5bWf2g4ZX/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TdNWcM3O-BQetSmQlexpCJMn4s1MiM1wCKV4U7Et8H6114-d4x9u2ClTObzFZmt4VmoGVdROpqU8rPxBcjR_j9rFCQ7LoC9b_sSY89PW5cmTo2pS8gDr2QyoB1dQ7vRA26Y5bWf2g4ZX/s1600/Box,+seed+sowing+053.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is one of the Silkweeds, Asclepia speciosa I think, parachuting its seeds into the wind.. </div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-5371026444746332952015-04-08T10:48:00.000-07:002015-04-16T12:27:16.980-07:00Great Dixter , Star Rot, Mystery Chinese writing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">New blogs announced on twitter @pwhorticulture</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoR81AHnYroAxEwk63WRThNxWLpirXUkg1ffZo8O6_3pvfmFbNelYjr6NHuePmdcldMo4eJtbEsmgjLlRpaXPYudO0zr4AY4Ws0uE7y4MwMYViFURjIZt0n90cSEP_o6U-c2RNEXLYFnO/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoR81AHnYroAxEwk63WRThNxWLpirXUkg1ffZo8O6_3pvfmFbNelYjr6NHuePmdcldMo4eJtbEsmgjLlRpaXPYudO0zr4AY4Ws0uE7y4MwMYViFURjIZt0n90cSEP_o6U-c2RNEXLYFnO/s1600/044.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not the moon but my best shot of the eclipse. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.......................................</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mystery characters.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwoyf7_QsJlWoC_sng8y8Q2qRSO5iN1VGhYh6BkDTLBcLCvw49GICxZWPqfDmcNaunQaQ5ii7sRNtCAbUclgxoWmd6keytQPM6JCppdtTKizBRXYfwiUtj7NykSgqKxqW27bdDvG8G3pa/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwoyf7_QsJlWoC_sng8y8Q2qRSO5iN1VGhYh6BkDTLBcLCvw49GICxZWPqfDmcNaunQaQ5ii7sRNtCAbUclgxoWmd6keytQPM6JCppdtTKizBRXYfwiUtj7NykSgqKxqW27bdDvG8G3pa/s1600/014.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I was planting some trained hornbeam panels which had been splayed out on a bamboo frame when I spotted these Chinese symbols on one of the bamboos stems. I am pretty sure they <span style="background-color: black;"> are upside </span>down but I am intrigued as to what they say. Are they a stock count, a makers name or perhaps just a bit of Kilroy was 'ere? Are there are any Chinese readers who know what it means? I am sure it will be something mundane but it might be a 'Hey I am in incarcerated in this bamboo factory please get me out of here' though that might be pushing it for the number of characters there are.<br />
And just out of interest what do you think he/she might have cut it with? It is very dexterously done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLvjJj1IL3kTpMKb02Hh3UGWyv1FiOSqLQqOLHqoV8bJeEGW7k_Re5Bd0Bi-WoN4ti0FMCNeJapntq-8E8D_kAjQdVfVJUCiXkcZYekwUtbmb-_7RlFBI5QBCGwBo2mU8I_KEVBE5Wpqe/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLvjJj1IL3kTpMKb02Hh3UGWyv1FiOSqLQqOLHqoV8bJeEGW7k_Re5Bd0Bi-WoN4ti0FMCNeJapntq-8E8D_kAjQdVfVJUCiXkcZYekwUtbmb-_7RlFBI5QBCGwBo2mU8I_KEVBE5Wpqe/s1600/018.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrytEjW7Z1Gqz2rPvhaxA-FQBep1v-lsEryKLAJbiIV1g7PlAlg_3uID7-1WBEyYcLcoac7nrMwd94kRridl0n8RV5C6DoYV4QeOLxiwnNjRLl0H1lnzyLsclKvEORf6Dui5ZO3h7k7Ei/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrytEjW7Z1Gqz2rPvhaxA-FQBep1v-lsEryKLAJbiIV1g7PlAlg_3uID7-1WBEyYcLcoac7nrMwd94kRridl0n8RV5C6DoYV4QeOLxiwnNjRLl0H1lnzyLsclKvEORf6Dui5ZO3h7k7Ei/s1600/019.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">........................................</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Early Iris</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTxINrjf4U6YjSjH43ZpYBUVT57iptrWBByV9FDQagQmP1Pdwg4r9qkUJtYA82TiiPeCoouTWthsfsAcmqpdzo-shV9Dcjuu1QobIsvBwND_KdIe2U-hmavwKT1Ppz-TaXJgPNrLfDM3s/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTxINrjf4U6YjSjH43ZpYBUVT57iptrWBByV9FDQagQmP1Pdwg4r9qkUJtYA82TiiPeCoouTWthsfsAcmqpdzo-shV9Dcjuu1QobIsvBwND_KdIe2U-hmavwKT1Ppz-TaXJgPNrLfDM3s/s1600/032.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each spring I get completely bowled over by the exotic look of this hardy Iris . It flowers regardless of frost but looks far too colourful,and brilliant to be flowering in March. This particularly variety is Iris histrioides 'Katherine Hodgkin'. which I have seen colonise large areas of a rock garden to brilliant effect. It is just a few inches/ centimetres tall but boxes well above its height. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">.........................................</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/">Great Dixter</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8ZTMo7jitKhDdEVVRU7XCpghO8WBSbkhE5rA6H7MZmCPl8EVfsw8wWQ8iMA67541oDlN2gdyFm4iNtRL3dV4y8X_306tBObRfE8kqWZx1gjfNxkj_kHH2FXePL3f0cptj5QvhUpdoreH/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8ZTMo7jitKhDdEVVRU7XCpghO8WBSbkhE5rA6H7MZmCPl8EVfsw8wWQ8iMA67541oDlN2gdyFm4iNtRL3dV4y8X_306tBObRfE8kqWZx1gjfNxkj_kHH2FXePL3f0cptj5QvhUpdoreH/s1600/071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went to Great Dixter on a day out arranged Garden Media Guild. The first thing I noticed was this view out from the car park away from the garden. This building stood very solitary but also very purposefully in the middle of this sloping field. I hope to have a few shots of the garden itself in the next issue.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you have never been it is well worth every effort to get there in the summer ,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWme8EBzl1e4Kh0lTBdXD1fOBV1bWqWYzgoVnE5lJ4HWHmoOebsyRjbFqfz8TjsOuFPv-I5UJuyYrqwKA39JzjrUT8ifStLitOcL3FNCQcPfQvwBCS6sh7aAmB0W4AcBVTf9Kz7bLpZri8/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWme8EBzl1e4Kh0lTBdXD1fOBV1bWqWYzgoVnE5lJ4HWHmoOebsyRjbFqfz8TjsOuFPv-I5UJuyYrqwKA39JzjrUT8ifStLitOcL3FNCQcPfQvwBCS6sh7aAmB0W4AcBVTf9Kz7bLpZri8/s1600/087.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Great Dixter has fabulous border displays some of which rely on exotic, tender plants such as Dahlias and if you think their over-wintering tubers are stacked neatly in tiered trays think again. Here they all are stacked in the cellar in plastic bread trays (tut - tut) , polystyrene boxes and whatever else comes to hand. It make<span style="text-align: center;">s a great if ramshackle sight as you peep in through the cellar door.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYtazTkcIF1-nLF916hkDFQbw-4HeKbSlP4-Hsj2OnBB4-lvFDWmW_uC0JDAjiZQqI_u7TRshwspFqmYoSEoqq1wP4frlK07SRry5hooTWN_rFTG5MENB7ktyfyYb9Zv8upYAcV2jjJnE/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYtazTkcIF1-nLF916hkDFQbw-4HeKbSlP4-Hsj2OnBB4-lvFDWmW_uC0JDAjiZQqI_u7TRshwspFqmYoSEoqq1wP4frlK07SRry5hooTWN_rFTG5MENB7ktyfyYb9Zv8upYAcV2jjJnE/s1600/136.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The wood working shop in the great barn is a sight to behold. The garden produces hurdles, gates, and outdoor furniture from its own woodland and with its own staff . There is a strong tradition of training and the sharing of knowledge and experience not only in the woodwork department but throughout the garden .<br />
The enthusiasm and energy creates an ethos you can almost feel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..........................................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_jelly">Star Rot</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItupUzEUWPC_b2CQQtpTZAUgXeM7pNm_RAT1vt9c-FMagcEENxnei93JMedccOALlNM5ci-iCAAV6oMgL8oBbrzcaGmSns22R1vNfgHghhJ68-NHieCFDWb-RO-rttxxmG3qp1akMD_Ac/s1600/189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItupUzEUWPC_b2CQQtpTZAUgXeM7pNm_RAT1vt9c-FMagcEENxnei93JMedccOALlNM5ci-iCAAV6oMgL8oBbrzcaGmSns22R1vNfgHghhJ68-NHieCFDWb-RO-rttxxmG3qp1akMD_Ac/s1600/189.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I came across this blob of what looked like dense frog spawn almost in the water on the edge of a lake where I was working. I got quite excited because I had no idea what it was and you always like to think you have found something new or rare. On my way home I called in for petrol and was explaining this stuff to the guy on the till <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stour-Valley-Wildlife-Action-Group/511008895608684">Phil Clayton</a> who said, oh yeah that is star rot, almost nonchalantly. I was deflated. He asked was there just the one blob because there are usually two and of course he was right there were two about a foot apart. He explained that it is frog spawn from a frog that has been eaten by a heron or other predator and that because the spawn is very <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygroscopy">hygroscopic</a> the animal rejects it otherwise if it ate it it would swell up inside it using the moisture from the animal and might well kill the predator. Of course once the spawn gets into the water it can swell to its hearts content. The spawn is produced in two sacks either side of the frog hence the two 'blobs'.<br />
It was thought to be dying stars that had fallen to earth at one time and there still remains a mystery about some of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_jelly"> jelly like blobs</a> that get found on the ground.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62pt9FNf_gcdM9KUhpjmIk2DCT8WEVZzVHX4R7umpGSLqKMNR-3hw4TyHAZXdaWTUDBdukd1BA48X67lo1OImXWplMFp-wkUD0k0icc-zsPDaFgGmkNaKtVF4xGnRvu2olcqUSY1FV-iP/s1600/192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62pt9FNf_gcdM9KUhpjmIk2DCT8WEVZzVHX4R7umpGSLqKMNR-3hw4TyHAZXdaWTUDBdukd1BA48X67lo1OImXWplMFp-wkUD0k0icc-zsPDaFgGmkNaKtVF4xGnRvu2olcqUSY1FV-iP/s1600/192.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was quite stretchy and sticky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's all for now. </div>
<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-56935400885724749092015-02-23T12:13:00.000-08:002015-02-23T12:13:12.805-08:00Dancing Ladies? Blue Terracotta. Pine away. Potato omen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dancing Ladies?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA7wAF0UwTFw420NjQm-EqXFHSLMevDVAOj4aj5aDMBvePlsCNZ5cKNLsuZkjWimn1RvPiAIOkfRXRM12o-NCw8qgjII__X8SnMFHkxkHEq8233E9UKDNX_xHKKvskJ9IlyFwztRWzLKI/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA7wAF0UwTFw420NjQm-EqXFHSLMevDVAOj4aj5aDMBvePlsCNZ5cKNLsuZkjWimn1RvPiAIOkfRXRM12o-NCw8qgjII__X8SnMFHkxkHEq8233E9UKDNX_xHKKvskJ9IlyFwztRWzLKI/s1600/086.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Barney Vick, the head gardener at East Court,was cutting back these herbaceous borders and tied up the Miscanthus, which were starting to collapse, to help keep them out of the way.The result was these glorious figures; dancing? drunk? laughing? head banging? pogo-ing? or maybe just having a chat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxseIz89Za6Ubiz6lARSoKDbECBlD_XP1EKUv6GYE_RNXljJ9GXgkUzmAYmH2wasyclgub3u20E7LdGCHkf0sd7boNhT7IoC9dLUDMa8SEZKo19J9bgmBJ_uDhtfcuXMPKYAlZ7ne__oq/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxseIz89Za6Ubiz6lARSoKDbECBlD_XP1EKUv6GYE_RNXljJ9GXgkUzmAYmH2wasyclgub3u20E7LdGCHkf0sd7boNhT7IoC9dLUDMa8SEZKo19J9bgmBJ_uDhtfcuXMPKYAlZ7ne__oq/s1600/081.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Three Grasses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFk8Tfe7Ezhg339x4TCXHNrbEpX80wMYsWNg7Qi79dTyxqsOq-Bp8vXXwkISiZg_PqAfBntZ6L1BIyGQl6grgtE8ej9eLhqqbFqZJyVh7CZAO98JP7nOuVoUgwYBrf7KQa4PfYCtHWZq6R/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFk8Tfe7Ezhg339x4TCXHNrbEpX80wMYsWNg7Qi79dTyxqsOq-Bp8vXXwkISiZg_PqAfBntZ6L1BIyGQl6grgtE8ej9eLhqqbFqZJyVh7CZAO98JP7nOuVoUgwYBrf7KQa4PfYCtHWZq6R/s1600/085.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A perfect complement in colour and texture these willow spheres by <a href="http://www.rachelcarter.co.uk/index.html">Rachel Carter</a> sit amongst the </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
herbaceous plants during winter.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4qtOUek_b_o7501aWl6hWsGdNWN1-NdDlbgbcms3HzjHAKIlLlr1tidjS-QYff4Ad2Cz7vKIS13hVFhafvN3i4JQMENYNAiLz8RV__uW0gimCeSAbqg-vLVioxCzSZZuGFjN-Jp30obk/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4qtOUek_b_o7501aWl6hWsGdNWN1-NdDlbgbcms3HzjHAKIlLlr1tidjS-QYff4Ad2Cz7vKIS13hVFhafvN3i4JQMENYNAiLz8RV__uW0gimCeSAbqg-vLVioxCzSZZuGFjN-Jp30obk/s1600/090.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the ball.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">....................................................................................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Succulent flowers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDiWg_17oUpZfFY3RVRULOUQo6SmUiS2ihw385gaB3CFas8ffL6D00WmjKr_q_tezZEOXL8Tbha0iQMm2SZQfNjH2melS-ElVIGZBfNMMnk0BsCX2ALpAeN4wZ2Oa4arZ8twfTKpVVY3H/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDiWg_17oUpZfFY3RVRULOUQo6SmUiS2ihw385gaB3CFas8ffL6D00WmjKr_q_tezZEOXL8Tbha0iQMm2SZQfNjH2melS-ElVIGZBfNMMnk0BsCX2ALpAeN4wZ2Oa4arZ8twfTKpVVY3H/s1600/061.JPG" height="480" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nature, doesn't it just wow you every time?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These succulents are flowering now in the greenhouse at the <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">pottery</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXeCMVM2UYsjo0OVkHv6Vb08NbFVcZznaRwmDgRjX_HK3gsbiIzqzNBg8QLea811Sp5oJQnbx0LAzCCIeakfYtc8EOSZh1FlFtHSYyXCC5NqAVkgIYJHIdkCN05-oOAsmYjCPvxKgmDTm/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXeCMVM2UYsjo0OVkHv6Vb08NbFVcZznaRwmDgRjX_HK3gsbiIzqzNBg8QLea811Sp5oJQnbx0LAzCCIeakfYtc8EOSZh1FlFtHSYyXCC5NqAVkgIYJHIdkCN05-oOAsmYjCPvxKgmDTm/s1600/048.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">These are straightforward flowers where it is easy to see the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">functiona</span><span style="font-size: large;">l parts.The pollen producing anthers are the fluffy looking structures ringed around the flower. The dark structures in the middle are the p</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">istil which is the female part of the plant. The pistil is made up of the stigma w</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">hich is the narrow sticky end that catches the pollen, then the style which is the tube that the pollen grows down to the ovary to fertilise the seeds. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLUZf5EoAduGoTwr0IoM7N7CrsqemWDfzOfadBsVA_3FdLtE4ZOOs4c8smvb-PXdNmLdPLBkLcd3LdvlbVvVeZwuTI2TfjGvJz7xj3I4btCmpVJoNyOcIyLp-oWFZaNqIdrn4hooFng8X/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLUZf5EoAduGoTwr0IoM7N7CrsqemWDfzOfadBsVA_3FdLtE4ZOOs4c8smvb-PXdNmLdPLBkLcd3LdvlbVvVeZwuTI2TfjGvJz7xj3I4btCmpVJoNyOcIyLp-oWFZaNqIdrn4hooFng8X/s1600/067.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...................................................</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Heart felt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcuXfsMYP2vyGzUGNUtC9jI3Co0uznCPrl9lK1wwPVGLKp31QSrEYnkpnhfJygfU25O_B2gofyJAoZLj22bVd2eM_5lC3KdLdypDLsTgp5TVbV23gUc7thG5VFf9j6MEdb1HmrE5xHv8u/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcuXfsMYP2vyGzUGNUtC9jI3Co0uznCPrl9lK1wwPVGLKp31QSrEYnkpnhfJygfU25O_B2gofyJAoZLj22bVd2eM_5lC3KdLdypDLsTgp5TVbV23gUc7thG5VFf9j6MEdb1HmrE5xHv8u/s1600/056.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing doing for me on St Valentine's evening so I cooked up some supper. <span style="font-family: inherit;">First out of the bag of potatoes was this heart shaped little fella. Maybe a sign of better things to come though</span>t I. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8wzUR2-pii-_uBfaBsaOcZVMszvXWSrgz_SrA60z69SFYYn3AGwAaYltXjH0P35T3m9XUAgSfwhyphenhyphenJXp-4bziljtBsoMarr28VxzXL0-OpLxdcTwbk6X_NJcQSTyyDiJR68RS1zCI2SUT/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8wzUR2-pii-_uBfaBsaOcZVMszvXWSrgz_SrA60z69SFYYn3AGwAaYltXjH0P35T3m9XUAgSfwhyphenhyphenJXp-4bziljtBsoMarr28VxzXL0-OpLxdcTwbk6X_NJcQSTyyDiJR68RS1zCI2SUT/s1600/057.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also thought it looked far more interesting this way up. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.........................................................</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blue Terracotta Pots</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68NCfqE-NjveD0jKBaDeMLdUGml_mzlPlt1LiigAWDQZs7ESGiQriWJT-VhRrEaidQ56PrC2u4wdIlAOw_3R5LR5lvybokaLPyeIkqXFe33VoSFFGQtxGPJ1SeN-3StivqcyYylzBlHd7/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68NCfqE-NjveD0jKBaDeMLdUGml_mzlPlt1LiigAWDQZs7ESGiQriWJT-VhRrEaidQ56PrC2u4wdIlAOw_3R5LR5lvybokaLPyeIkqXFe33VoSFFGQtxGPJ1SeN-3StivqcyYylzBlHd7/s1600/030.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have just installed these terracotta pots from <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">Whichford Pottery</a> in a local garden.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think they look rather smart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsGkiXM6_sW_dCdsQGLANIg3MGTag1fF8GGAtyw2fTm17rmEghuzLwCrZZl61dqeADi_jnncejjtbco3OegH8qNXnFdfr4SIv3G0FoMqv7io5GYVKVaHWs0PA_47urggVEyExwRhmvdEv/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsGkiXM6_sW_dCdsQGLANIg3MGTag1fF8GGAtyw2fTm17rmEghuzLwCrZZl61dqeADi_jnncejjtbco3OegH8qNXnFdfr4SIv3G0FoMqv7io5GYVKVaHWs0PA_47urggVEyExwRhmvdEv/s1600/037.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are thinking the gravel looks a bit too pink to go with the blue and black your right but it is just a coat of stone dust covering the grey chippings and will wash off in the first rain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSvq05kt9zzKEkp0AlL3M5YX-z1JrNOW3BtnQ1mtSQtvRXsXo10IPyISBuJjipEqfKi_8J3wPps0u1TbRV_QdYziLlNZFe8bwk4Bq6R4-WUZemQMr0Q-BFZeVdwiHuBttFpXDbUpbExA7/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSvq05kt9zzKEkp0AlL3M5YX-z1JrNOW3BtnQ1mtSQtvRXsXo10IPyISBuJjipEqfKi_8J3wPps0u1TbRV_QdYziLlNZFe8bwk4Bq6R4-WUZemQMr0Q-BFZeVdwiHuBttFpXDbUpbExA7/s1600/039.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">............................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pine away.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFuzNACOLNMRo16TvSCAKaUxYM_dNw65Qv4ILDie7Paftr6vIqXZUprQGlpSR8ni1ANdU1ypRKERkU2wI4Ut5ajfaCMsiCwAGI9tZTtnMhE0gLYg2hijjyMUPI76dVADUqgmpsER-LxCT/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFuzNACOLNMRo16TvSCAKaUxYM_dNw65Qv4ILDie7Paftr6vIqXZUprQGlpSR8ni1ANdU1ypRKERkU2wI4Ut5ajfaCMsiCwAGI9tZTtnMhE0gLYg2hijjyMUPI76dVADUqgmpsER-LxCT/s1600/003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Many years ago <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">Whichford Pottery</a> used a 'gnarled' pine on one of their Chelsea stands. After the show it was taken back to the pottery and stood against the office wall where it settled in nicely. Over time it grew bigger and, inconveniently for those in the office, it blocked out the light to the window.The roots have run out of the bottom of the pot anchoring the tree but this winter it blew over cracking the pot.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBAB8g_UskRa6aV90SgkQi-A6YsE8T5DuvcSM7XtyscCWNKgITNqCxuiA7OG6fA8WAoNYIm1u7qOhzAT3IEWINqCkVfB0wXD3yCwr4z_YwoXHiHC_2sgT1aye1xTn6kJ2ijP29x6bqlo8/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBAB8g_UskRa6aV90SgkQi-A6YsE8T5DuvcSM7XtyscCWNKgITNqCxuiA7OG6fA8WAoNYIm1u7qOhzAT3IEWINqCkVfB0wXD3yCwr4z_YwoXHiHC_2sgT1aye1xTn6kJ2ijP29x6bqlo8/s1600/005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are replanting this border so it was a good time to get the pine out. It was not possible to dig out all the roots but it was important to get out as many as possible to give the pine the best chance of surviving the move. A pot this size full of tree this size is heavy but fortunately there is a good strong crew at the pottery. The guys and gals managed to lift it out wholesale and place it into its new hole. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qs3SU6bfqtRI83nNMDb-jUeA8oRJbdfI6_TPOq-D4pFa4QdzAEEb6qXPZ9k8ihWR-3KV0ZxcBVCGQ3fl8BrU3YmQvLX7EmpY_rMUpqm-EmsgQZZuG9Ja6_T_oG4cFeTFoCz7JnTkpTGA/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qs3SU6bfqtRI83nNMDb-jUeA8oRJbdfI6_TPOq-D4pFa4QdzAEEb6qXPZ9k8ihWR-3KV0ZxcBVCGQ3fl8BrU3YmQvLX7EmpY_rMUpqm-EmsgQZZuG9Ja6_T_oG4cFeTFoCz7JnTkpTGA/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To help with stability and also to hopefully contain the roots to slow down growth the pot was left on but buried to about half its depth. It might look a bit odd until the planting around it gets established. Here is Will filling in around the pot. The pallet is temporarily taking the weight</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9NThdiBmeyCQHXVslvYuGIIjUSnfW8X65x1-92iidOCKh717rY5hTm1jgwjjx1KUhYI5DPJQuvw_0-Q2Pg6JYbhAjO_qnZx30VHqXcyn7PMjP5u8BWENyUeBg5YC5qJyWxC183vjXTK8/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9NThdiBmeyCQHXVslvYuGIIjUSnfW8X65x1-92iidOCKh717rY5hTm1jgwjjx1KUhYI5DPJQuvw_0-Q2Pg6JYbhAjO_qnZx30VHqXcyn7PMjP5u8BWENyUeBg5YC5qJyWxC183vjXTK8/s1600/016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The plan now is to pinch and prune the pine into shape, first to help balance out the growth and then to keep it compact and restore its windswept look. Anyone have any idea when is the best time to reduce some of the tips? G.T? My instinct is to do it now before the new growth in the spring. .The planting beneath will be simple, a carpet of Hakonechloa macra and maybe a rock or two. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.............................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stinking Hellebore</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9WmYfdxHU0-h_D42AAIqqhF0qbWAyS-nwt7tHQ1hNOurPnTL-O04uneTuPPSnhu91n5yWpPutSm6gmhzem13oJljB0hOczBEJGXLlPxHCFpCx658ppze9z-2VuZbPsY2YhLu7zP-YQrs/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9WmYfdxHU0-h_D42AAIqqhF0qbWAyS-nwt7tHQ1hNOurPnTL-O04uneTuPPSnhu91n5yWpPutSm6gmhzem13oJljB0hOczBEJGXLlPxHCFpCx658ppze9z-2VuZbPsY2YhLu7zP-YQrs/s1600/036.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Not a particularly good picture this. In the flesh it looked very bright in the winter sun. The pink flower stems have a crystaline, glinting sparkle to them. It is a more colourful form of our native stinking hellebore ( Crush the leaves and take a sniff - it really does stink.). It comes from a plant known as Helleborus foetidus 'Wester Flisk' ( Sounds like a region in the shipping forecast but is a place on the River Tay in Scotland.) These red tinted stinking hellebores are now known as the Wester Flisk Group , I guess because there is quite a bit of variation between plants but all have red tinted stems and leaves and a red/maroon rim to the flower petals. With me they are prolific self seeders, this plant is a self set seedling some fifteen metres from the parent plant which has since died. Be ruthless with the seedlings and hoe them out. It is very easy to end up with a dense patch of scrubby seedlings. The leafspots you can see in the picture, they have become worse since the picture was taken, are a bit of a fact of life with Hellebores and while there are various sprays both organic and chemical which may or may not be effective I just enjoy the flowers and if the leaves become unbearable I just cut them off though when they are at their worst there is plenty else going on in the garden to distract you.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-R8Sq3vwyFROBfztHhHFDPBBzmVBqqEjqHeQVY_JJse2y1eDsQprjHoWEYXNNw7rKo6t9zeGoxSiNybsJWmrqI7uTg90zFx2u5t1flxthXDdnQrUc__hz1NH-fSGJJoH-7-5fpEBBa5X/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-R8Sq3vwyFROBfztHhHFDPBBzmVBqqEjqHeQVY_JJse2y1eDsQprjHoWEYXNNw7rKo6t9zeGoxSiNybsJWmrqI7uTg90zFx2u5t1flxthXDdnQrUc__hz1NH-fSGJJoH-7-5fpEBBa5X/s1600/044.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
Hellebores are members of the Ranunculaceae family which means, somewhat surprisingly, they are very close relatives of the buttercups, Aconites, Clematis, Delphiniums, Anemones and Nigella. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-25612120996268871452015-01-30T09:23:00.000-08:002015-02-19T09:31:10.776-08:00Sexy succulents.Hokusai versus the Paint Tray.Bright blue fungus. Squirrels?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just before I start I would like to say if you like this blog and would like to be notified when a new one is published you can subscribe to one of the feeds that lets you know though I have no idea how you do that but I do send out a tweet on @pwhorticulture as a reminder. I am not a regular tweeter and I am almost ashamed to admit that this is a blatant recruitment drive. I have a son who is setting up a food business and keeps telling me how many Twitter followers he has gained each day which brasses me off and I don't want to let him beat me, at least not without a fight - how sad is that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Excuse the gratuitous blog title but sex sells. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..........................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sexy Succulents</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was raining at the <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/main/">pottery</a> the other day so I thought I would spend some time in the greenhouse with the camera. We have an interesting collection of succulents most of which, when it comes to names, I don't know more than the genus and not always that so if you recognise any of the species or varieties please let me know. It is one of my missions this year to get as many of them named as possible There are Echeverias, Graptopetalums, and Kalanchoes amongst them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR35lzBnpaqtYhVsbaHuYZJsGtuAMMJTiE3K_3KAcqj1AF4hciIW6x-c7OtTz8ZJ_RzrkuBLhwpkBBBagrjf9twPukwjAfQv1uifhUf3hN9FbST-Dtpf571m0KKVq25BCEI2zzi8OrnF5D/s1600/021+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR35lzBnpaqtYhVsbaHuYZJsGtuAMMJTiE3K_3KAcqj1AF4hciIW6x-c7OtTz8ZJ_RzrkuBLhwpkBBBagrjf9twPukwjAfQv1uifhUf3hN9FbST-Dtpf571m0KKVq25BCEI2zzi8OrnF5D/s1600/021+(2).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4PIl8-Ifk5aK-HaJaDurkfO27SbJrrnnzMJyHgw5JAUVrADZZUC0sU_w0BsfyBXwxv6sQnpLRoZo6FsX8B9B00turMltpy2vPI4j7SblBISbbRoP27zfx8R_svDD00y2AHcefhi-ahC3/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4PIl8-Ifk5aK-HaJaDurkfO27SbJrrnnzMJyHgw5JAUVrADZZUC0sU_w0BsfyBXwxv6sQnpLRoZo6FsX8B9B00turMltpy2vPI4j7SblBISbbRoP27zfx8R_svDD00y2AHcefhi-ahC3/s1600/022.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one I do know, Aeonium tabuliforme. The picture gives no idea as to how flat this rosette is. It is some 180 mm across and probably no more than 15 mm high. It is monocarpic so it flowers just once from the centre of the rosette which then dies out. It can be propagated from seed or offsets ( baby plants) which sometimes appear at the base of the flowering stem. It can also be propagated by tugging off and rooting the individual leaves.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXckUNa8OhwK0GWUtt25uAKs0NaTnTx8UxJqJFSDQ1VFN6LLUCLolwx80fu2u5er5d_bJd4uCoWdlvjjVlxhLdBRcopGee0O9rhMd9VcpSR_A14L_SufN8loa24xio9__dT9Tv35nt0Wyp/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXckUNa8OhwK0GWUtt25uAKs0NaTnTx8UxJqJFSDQ1VFN6LLUCLolwx80fu2u5er5d_bJd4uCoWdlvjjVlxhLdBRcopGee0O9rhMd9VcpSR_A14L_SufN8loa24xio9__dT9Tv35nt0Wyp/s1600/026.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NIhyphenhyphenXEHUAnj5HEtu3n3XQ_OY1vugbP9YiA16Q1CwWaQvPqfNv95G9Uq-b5upLlDiRoj8ivNuQFbxNJmYIAUazzEkn9JBwg3_wWF17grWrHZdAspyXXYxw4athpbMF-e_kKRfzmVxROuL/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NIhyphenhyphenXEHUAnj5HEtu3n3XQ_OY1vugbP9YiA16Q1CwWaQvPqfNv95G9Uq-b5upLlDiRoj8ivNuQFbxNJmYIAUazzEkn9JBwg3_wWF17grWrHZdAspyXXYxw4athpbMF-e_kKRfzmVxROuL/s1600/049.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dtggxLLqzuTg0Thto_0exJvTMAteH34WkTMukywGTQ48UWW9Y-wuTT1KlIbkQhL4w8D-oBgTZNuFTPTZxxtbel8B0lGwpTKP3f8k7-BjRL6QOmyFxIMKim9zjWGstM6yhoegBop_zdKy/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dtggxLLqzuTg0Thto_0exJvTMAteH34WkTMukywGTQ48UWW9Y-wuTT1KlIbkQhL4w8D-oBgTZNuFTPTZxxtbel8B0lGwpTKP3f8k7-BjRL6QOmyFxIMKim9zjWGstM6yhoegBop_zdKy/s1600/036.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBBaeqOJMZJDDlSzMlXe_RapU0C4s0qMEKEQ53ER_bnCVvuq6O54HBLIcbs7nzOjePTggnE8ktBvDyX2csLwXORAKnXyQZtJmhtOO0ra_I4z7-6_6g7Cym4l1aHS1-baS8BFOeVs6-Wch/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBBaeqOJMZJDDlSzMlXe_RapU0C4s0qMEKEQ53ER_bnCVvuq6O54HBLIcbs7nzOjePTggnE8ktBvDyX2csLwXORAKnXyQZtJmhtOO0ra_I4z7-6_6g7Cym4l1aHS1-baS8BFOeVs6-Wch/s1600/028.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a Kalanchoe.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4pmmmmoY03WnlDb-hOFniN07dDVCsbCXAVkWTZFbSV-8CnPueE4o2RhIZU-1oNN4FrexkpOX3fHmCuNxxVTpSb7JVswj8f8srlW4fGa-QLpHZdF4cOgLsghluAx1KcvmVa_tClax54Gy/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4pmmmmoY03WnlDb-hOFniN07dDVCsbCXAVkWTZFbSV-8CnPueE4o2RhIZU-1oNN4FrexkpOX3fHmCuNxxVTpSb7JVswj8f8srlW4fGa-QLpHZdF4cOgLsghluAx1KcvmVa_tClax54Gy/s1600/032.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakvFknLgRY97-F9wga9fXYa6oSbgm5YW-n0F9J6_qQtmkhihgJw940vEyYCOTXo_S-AbTcMcOrVscITbMPKXV4Jd76Iiw7id_LivG9V4KZhxMT0FyzB84uThCVWwI9_xHLTJNkdoj9u0P/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakvFknLgRY97-F9wga9fXYa6oSbgm5YW-n0F9J6_qQtmkhihgJw940vEyYCOTXo_S-AbTcMcOrVscITbMPKXV4Jd76Iiw7id_LivG9V4KZhxMT0FyzB84uThCVWwI9_xHLTJNkdoj9u0P/s1600/052.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4mrH27uizYszIZ_VyZS0TJkO-wSl-bqk5nm2SI066eaf-tZpvttcgCEdiRZw0-GEzInrNMyNty3x0O_QqK14RjRJq6MW2k_YO97x0W2EfonC8jWdBu0zT_L551A-oywAMJD03n-rEL0n/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4mrH27uizYszIZ_VyZS0TJkO-wSl-bqk5nm2SI066eaf-tZpvttcgCEdiRZw0-GEzInrNMyNty3x0O_QqK14RjRJq6MW2k_YO97x0W2EfonC8jWdBu0zT_L551A-oywAMJD03n-rEL0n/s1600/054.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxbfxbFlc4xMbWPQVbnihUOBbT-KFBkZZgynQtKbjndEhlBlp8rgFE16iXcWEH4d-mG0HApdTf2vNygb4KagUonp7ZlWCW0zQ7TXrLobUhkvHFPe0yJo4nLWUfgRaFekPMiDrR6gQxTpN/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxbfxbFlc4xMbWPQVbnihUOBbT-KFBkZZgynQtKbjndEhlBlp8rgFE16iXcWEH4d-mG0HApdTf2vNygb4KagUonp7ZlWCW0zQ7TXrLobUhkvHFPe0yJo4nLWUfgRaFekPMiDrR6gQxTpN/s1600/055.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytxpmhBu0f2Seo0UzTkgvzJYuWhcUhwhOf4TaKLuUYEduAmtAK4o_3y_jVVMN7S739exip6pxQQJIE0BoqoWTxHXcM_pGiKYRqVqoRVQpLGfPnji1XLOFCJ_Cceyjbp59ozuHkS5UnRrX/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytxpmhBu0f2Seo0UzTkgvzJYuWhcUhwhOf4TaKLuUYEduAmtAK4o_3y_jVVMN7S739exip6pxQQJIE0BoqoWTxHXcM_pGiKYRqVqoRVQpLGfPnji1XLOFCJ_Cceyjbp59ozuHkS5UnRrX/s1600/038.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgRvW2s9foTn-jm08Uk21VWvckoAZpjyjzq-CfPepjjZVq4rhb6dG9VWl3NRGJTc_VlH-OjgVT7Nqe49GxdtDJcGPBSR0zJ4IQCpt-J4MiL0RQnh4CBwz9PmcPVWBmaDYeR9svWmLMZ2v/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgRvW2s9foTn-jm08Uk21VWvckoAZpjyjzq-CfPepjjZVq4rhb6dG9VWl3NRGJTc_VlH-OjgVT7Nqe49GxdtDJcGPBSR0zJ4IQCpt-J4MiL0RQnh4CBwz9PmcPVWBmaDYeR9svWmLMZ2v/s1600/045.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a feeling this is also a Kalanchoe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflzLm43Yk519MbYuSkaBZMRs1T1qo9vZKtfHt8VSClVWRK53gjgdY_GQpGizFKgsBI23pDDSAt8il1Dgz56U0bZV56eyM020fHBlwYTUJxd8v2xQVAB6T4nFweDcpCjDRKVosG9Z-q2KF/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflzLm43Yk519MbYuSkaBZMRs1T1qo9vZKtfHt8VSClVWRK53gjgdY_GQpGizFKgsBI23pDDSAt8il1Dgz56U0bZV56eyM020fHBlwYTUJxd8v2xQVAB6T4nFweDcpCjDRKVosG9Z-q2KF/s1600/056.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pachyphytum oviferum - this sends me into paroxysms of drooling delight. The sexiest of sexy succulents. Do you remember, in fact now can you even get, sugared almonds ? Experience more paroxysms below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt8miKD2iNpEfqBECXegvWIdi5vUiN_TKkIKaPswKekBVAHX5zbTod11WvxmQTe-X8fMAyYqSW0t9TXsr5k1KS3Owdvbtiocw2gZ0ktcDejEVycyeyZg_yBYNHROV5B8UG7Vn1rdtHaN3/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt8miKD2iNpEfqBECXegvWIdi5vUiN_TKkIKaPswKekBVAHX5zbTod11WvxmQTe-X8fMAyYqSW0t9TXsr5k1KS3Owdvbtiocw2gZ0ktcDejEVycyeyZg_yBYNHROV5B8UG7Vn1rdtHaN3/s1600/057.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH1a_aSbt5xyS_jB2m0hCD86TvscUBz2oeKdK1ck1Kqzqjkv6TzFFLgcXgzdqL9Clz-8r1KYwL9ApnmJ7n5AEYcD5q2E0_ZrGpFm14ZPLsOba7FdVFmuGQPdZGLypts_fOgXeLN6MkJaW/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH1a_aSbt5xyS_jB2m0hCD86TvscUBz2oeKdK1ck1Kqzqjkv6TzFFLgcXgzdqL9Clz-8r1KYwL9ApnmJ7n5AEYcD5q2E0_ZrGpFm14ZPLsOba7FdVFmuGQPdZGLypts_fOgXeLN6MkJaW/s1600/071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN-WMBXvAFYWe9KoI67vyY9USteflWKHXyPNliwEcqr1HRpbz4aAMGMWC1BQ0eC9eN7uft5bUZyfqdNBE9aZYEbUZkU9PzEfG4vhgpaiVTjrwH8loM-K_of_PpTQN1MT-8qt_k1crAYSs/s1600/069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN-WMBXvAFYWe9KoI67vyY9USteflWKHXyPNliwEcqr1HRpbz4aAMGMWC1BQ0eC9eN7uft5bUZyfqdNBE9aZYEbUZkU9PzEfG4vhgpaiVTjrwH8loM-K_of_PpTQN1MT-8qt_k1crAYSs/s1600/069.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ups- a - Daisy! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tG0jSoJ8kae5VUoqnV7MfhZajEy_-zFWdpn2-RNRpEDYX5_gsboHfMQKp-SzSYC3j90A_UtnA4l8YaXSqWnqw0tMdZdDS-2utxA7PfJq2IEsM4ZsqLV4dvYQKbvIHYejLz-ElqermufM/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tG0jSoJ8kae5VUoqnV7MfhZajEy_-zFWdpn2-RNRpEDYX5_gsboHfMQKp-SzSYC3j90A_UtnA4l8YaXSqWnqw0tMdZdDS-2utxA7PfJq2IEsM4ZsqLV4dvYQKbvIHYejLz-ElqermufM/s1600/078.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I planted this narrow bottomed, top heavy, 70cm tall, terracotta pot just before Christmas, knowing at the back of my mind that it had every chance of blowing over while at the same time thinking 'No it will be okay'. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well it wasn't. The very strong winds of mid January up-ended it but surprisingly without a chip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The wind must have toppled it over but rather than falling on its rim as most pots would, its rounded ellipse shape allowed it to roll as it fell and it went with enough momentum to turn it completely upside down. ( 'Well, how about that!' I hear you say.) It didn't do much for my 'elegant' planting of Cornus 'Midwinter Fire' twigs, rosemary sprigs ( Did you ever know her?) and dead seed heads of Sedum 'Matrona' but I was so taken with the elegance with which that the pot must have rolled over during the night that I was not too put out that my planting was squashed flat on the terrace ( I live in an old council house so read patio.).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(If you are thinking of buying such a pot they come with a stone plinth and a bolt for attaching it to the base of the pot to stop such disasters happening, it is just that I was too lazy to use mine.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">............................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Funny how even a hint of frost makes us get the camera out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wIdpwq97R59g_SoqqXq8hncZ9yu8h8kCvi0PgahJv_mZQouSoSuRbfxUOsVO1I6drYMYXinDjYF9Z8mRlmAvJyxZ0egrkPT3-jpKsTp-osGUMZm45WaveJRMF5lUOFbGcbhbNDtN2eQV/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wIdpwq97R59g_SoqqXq8hncZ9yu8h8kCvi0PgahJv_mZQouSoSuRbfxUOsVO1I6drYMYXinDjYF9Z8mRlmAvJyxZ0egrkPT3-jpKsTp-osGUMZm45WaveJRMF5lUOFbGcbhbNDtN2eQV/s1600/083.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I like what might be called wallpaper shots. No particular subject or focus but just an interesting interplay of shapes, shades, textures and colours. Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' - with frost.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...................................................</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Glorious Days</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd32JXb7NlhIBC5OBtd7r2jVWhfIzYbuaI5r2JBerkN6nOUA-MbxK8c1-IccGVTzV2UUzIUjvTq6z2hzYiEH95T-PTcxjKY42T_T0WEZVMiavT-XsXAJmLd8B1vN2-N7-4DM6isRUURad/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd32JXb7NlhIBC5OBtd7r2jVWhfIzYbuaI5r2JBerkN6nOUA-MbxK8c1-IccGVTzV2UUzIUjvTq6z2hzYiEH95T-PTcxjKY42T_T0WEZVMiavT-XsXAJmLd8B1vN2-N7-4DM6isRUURad/s1600/087.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The great pleasure of working in other peoples garden is that you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
get the chance to enjoy moments like this, Moments which you could never get in your own garden at least not if it is on the modest scale that mine is. This was taken on the same cold day as the Ophiopogon picture above which was taken early morning at home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-EA63wb5mKM-JYlRYsPV8DRyQWgV-6WqaOve6ls_xSg3o-0TudcKQBTaO9Z89k1cupn91wPr-B73F86D0qrvx8MObVziWheORMM91BBEw6fjuhW9zr29nq_3NudKYZ4ECxLgaaaTu3_k/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-EA63wb5mKM-JYlRYsPV8DRyQWgV-6WqaOve6ls_xSg3o-0TudcKQBTaO9Z89k1cupn91wPr-B73F86D0qrvx8MObVziWheORMM91BBEw6fjuhW9zr29nq_3NudKYZ4ECxLgaaaTu3_k/s1600/095.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel that a cartoonist with a sharper wit than mine could come up with a very funny caption for this picture. Any ideas? </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuHGbLKWO2bubRN3jzaBvXWbX_cCawwkHCpc9rVGmAx5Pvv7epeHIiAAxhXQSQIMlf7XkZMSaxJ8kC3TeDchOYOhO6PfO1mQxlWtjpFb-H64eQEaOK4u-yxbh3nl_qaSLktPPQRbY2KI_/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuHGbLKWO2bubRN3jzaBvXWbX_cCawwkHCpc9rVGmAx5Pvv7epeHIiAAxhXQSQIMlf7XkZMSaxJ8kC3TeDchOYOhO6PfO1mQxlWtjpFb-H64eQEaOK4u-yxbh3nl_qaSLktPPQRbY2KI_/s1600/099.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life was good this day.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz2BtlvoEFahn4e2v4gHBb_2NdGMPte1WPXQON4j9BSjoGc8BrTEXUOyD9PzgOp2K1dRpEJPkp3Zll9ZN65mbA3BYjb_egk6EZOT8KUrJFNvPNrh0dY14wDabCF2kwPkpco4VBbZ4kE5h/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz2BtlvoEFahn4e2v4gHBb_2NdGMPte1WPXQON4j9BSjoGc8BrTEXUOyD9PzgOp2K1dRpEJPkp3Zll9ZN65mbA3BYjb_egk6EZOT8KUrJFNvPNrh0dY14wDabCF2kwPkpco4VBbZ4kE5h/s1600/104.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Knowing that there is a Ha Ha either side of this gate makes it look less pointless than it might otherwise seem.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxj3rGFqbWOoOCDJC7zgppW7Z3C8YCTfeONP_EBFv_QBLGXoUHmViGYnOSql9zYdXAEqZbNpZ4oUMxDiYZcY8tCj2TXFNU8ttnH0LFDaY1BtC1zgf7E_Z4jML06PgE30CohaxnAOaN9pz/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxj3rGFqbWOoOCDJC7zgppW7Z3C8YCTfeONP_EBFv_QBLGXoUHmViGYnOSql9zYdXAEqZbNpZ4oUMxDiYZcY8tCj2TXFNU8ttnH0LFDaY1BtC1zgf7E_Z4jML06PgE30CohaxnAOaN9pz/s1600/109.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
The same garden but now a much less harmonious picture. It is an almost ugly picture but with a great mix of angles and rounded nature, old buildings and an incongruous energy saving light bulb that made a picture that brought a smile to my face. Twenty past ten: nearly break time.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Frosted Post Tops</span></div>
I enjoy the frosty patterns on these fence-post tops. They would have been even better had the focus been a bit more crisp but they fit well enough into my wallpaper category for me to enjoy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMVPlZog59dL_h7cDdRvOwii19SeRwoVrM5U7OW7PGrYQ5T7lWLX-Ko4PAJGlDC0WeYlmH5zTvIOKtA-HAuixdSMhTPb1h-yhrv5mdUnFjN005Zr0FYodzlosLROelXimtESNLIRrlJxT/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMVPlZog59dL_h7cDdRvOwii19SeRwoVrM5U7OW7PGrYQ5T7lWLX-Ko4PAJGlDC0WeYlmH5zTvIOKtA-HAuixdSMhTPb1h-yhrv5mdUnFjN005Zr0FYodzlosLROelXimtESNLIRrlJxT/s1600/116.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3W4ZYeoiiSkcA0YNPHrrMncIaCuQZJ8fjPpNzGHbnhSk1MYAbyHKFLlk2DeqPbpbU1f_OqvTNqaviiSErWVAD3nDXoO13WIyzHlmsEoqTUj2pRtmLyGa3XdO8o0VEseT7q9hO7zsVUX-/s1600/132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3W4ZYeoiiSkcA0YNPHrrMncIaCuQZJ8fjPpNzGHbnhSk1MYAbyHKFLlk2DeqPbpbU1f_OqvTNqaviiSErWVAD3nDXoO13WIyzHlmsEoqTUj2pRtmLyGa3XdO8o0VEseT7q9hO7zsVUX-/s1600/132.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln52JgRvZ0lYaS9Uoei-9-9IqYqaIT2NbG33fVBTRkEUvcxx-MDA6KIkBUB0JjgnLKMGdW6dFfVNGSHswXJQrqqqV4koB5kSxkvmZaLL9IxCm63x-t2clXcxVKulpuUzCJd6Rhmi6aPx0/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln52JgRvZ0lYaS9Uoei-9-9IqYqaIT2NbG33fVBTRkEUvcxx-MDA6KIkBUB0JjgnLKMGdW6dFfVNGSHswXJQrqqqV4koB5kSxkvmZaLL9IxCm63x-t2clXcxVKulpuUzCJd6Rhmi6aPx0/s1600/121.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0byX9lyFwP3VdvpsQV9_wvx7s4fAnc_YFTphko2UCTSGSs0gt2yTei-3LM1elvq2zWGiAaKokYaGeispR6ukisi8LzT-MjFs09ByYfVNDQDkEmzz7nqFrBjjbehNH432-TCBprZzyQP4Y/s1600/125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0byX9lyFwP3VdvpsQV9_wvx7s4fAnc_YFTphko2UCTSGSs0gt2yTei-3LM1elvq2zWGiAaKokYaGeispR6ukisi8LzT-MjFs09ByYfVNDQDkEmzz7nqFrBjjbehNH432-TCBprZzyQP4Y/s1600/125.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How is your imagination? Do you see an old oak tree in full leaf on the left? And a sort of ploughed field that somehow goes into the sky maybe with a galloping horse in there as well? No? Then take more drugs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..........................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">More aliens?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxSHuAhAgWjV7YdwWjkv4IBwxbw5txtGEaQBq8Z1v_YyzHAUARI9iTL12MQqey4bPle6eJZIErX2csC9xwZkOyVLCcU8Hqp-ugavSz8UsAVedGM2rjC1jouqvMncnX4Lb-B2K49RksObv/s1600/IMG_4912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxSHuAhAgWjV7YdwWjkv4IBwxbw5txtGEaQBq8Z1v_YyzHAUARI9iTL12MQqey4bPle6eJZIErX2csC9xwZkOyVLCcU8Hqp-ugavSz8UsAVedGM2rjC1jouqvMncnX4Lb-B2K49RksObv/s1600/IMG_4912.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heavily pruned Limes ( Lindens) on the high wolds of the North Cotswolds make a fabulous sight in late winter. Years of annual pruning has lead to these gnarled and knobbly branches which, depending on your outlook, looking scarily sinister or just leprous. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyNA5SK8TuD8NklENOsHSsRv3rfxz_Hp-OQqgCAic_CJM-vwYXuCmZG3Pbcs6uC_epF-uNPEbInLAO8cswWeYiknFvJsS-7Cph-IP0CZRgGkyW5RJFlqd5nkAqbsJkykwxvRqX1q4Y5PQ/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyNA5SK8TuD8NklENOsHSsRv3rfxz_Hp-OQqgCAic_CJM-vwYXuCmZG3Pbcs6uC_epF-uNPEbInLAO8cswWeYiknFvJsS-7Cph-IP0CZRgGkyW5RJFlqd5nkAqbsJkykwxvRqX1q4Y5PQ/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each branch-end with its crowded top knot of cut back branch stubs looks like an alien head waiting to stretch out and take a snap at you in an unguarded moment. Is there the hint of a <a href="http://isthisthewaytoamaryllis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/lichen-or-lichen-earth-starwildlife.html">face of Jesus</a> in the middle there?</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKoIYhljuPneehrmX_RUFXrR4qZIe7dU0bjlgjiX8LTnSoB-yxgrEU4UiyL5H-ghwTX9hwctd4ZJVrm7UR5EybEN6bDaJNJZXeSfq2heRLeoda_pSmirXezgwAerZk_6zzanM5ZhOBr_/s1600/IMG_4910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKoIYhljuPneehrmX_RUFXrR4qZIe7dU0bjlgjiX8LTnSoB-yxgrEU4UiyL5H-ghwTX9hwctd4ZJVrm7UR5EybEN6bDaJNJZXeSfq2heRLeoda_pSmirXezgwAerZk_6zzanM5ZhOBr_/s1600/IMG_4910.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walking beneath these sinister shapes as the late winter sun sinks towards the horizon brings on a feeling of unease. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.......................................</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another of natures surprises</span>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPJJD8uGAvP0A21P7G4MWo774gZYUokedgFM6r7UzGA1EwOp-TpwCXJ9wLbQlFviYgC38LKQFt0aMtZoeWs05ptSt880iqGFWik5BMCKKBKHIUBwPtLVxGTmbyaM19X7DngFcL4YC4fHp/s1600/Jan+19++2014005+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPJJD8uGAvP0A21P7G4MWo774gZYUokedgFM6r7UzGA1EwOp-TpwCXJ9wLbQlFviYgC38LKQFt0aMtZoeWs05ptSt880iqGFWik5BMCKKBKHIUBwPtLVxGTmbyaM19X7DngFcL4YC4fHp/s1600/Jan+19++2014005+(2).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was tidying up the garden and moving some Hazel hurdles which had stood in a damp corner for a couple of years when I was dazzled by this brilliantly coloured fungi. The picture does not do justice to the brightness and intensity of this blue fungi. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a word on Hazel hurdles; if you want a quick screen that you do not expect to last long then use hazel hurdles. To ensure they don't even last that long make sure they are resting on the damp ground, ideally amongst moist leaf litter where bacterial and fungal decay can break them down at their quickest. For a screen that will last a reasonable amount of time use something else. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................................</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hokusai versus the Paint Tray,</span></div>
I am sure you are all familiar with the Hokusai picture below 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa': mountainous waves, Mount Fuji in the background and three boats each with what must be eight of the most mighty scared oarsman and passengers. Further below is a series of more abstract images of the paint tray from which I was rollering emulsion onto the walls. At first I was just taken by the patterns but then I had a Hokusai moment and thought I would photograph them for posterity.<br />
If a pile of bricks can do it why not a tray of emulsion paint - look out Turner Prize here I come!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<img height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjpf2ukztT7DHkUqZhQ_W8hVPzGyIQ8VGaUmXoB2I5iMbXPVDElgVsTtXv4tdNBGgtiO4sYbvHWWDm7C2K-OnDC2kAX5DXNzkCTQr07n9hb9DJMiAKJMqlUiVwX0LUICURZmbuii2uas451NHkEWvP7eUahwdcVwaUqkSux4Sb_9YujvYIErJ92F999U7TqkvztPElAhJc=" width="640" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_JNA1hlE6askpgpIrQK7kFr8dxSCYuTvRHc0989l2C_6ni_2p5pwSYSRi8pms2g5lMe2lUR2SC9bzeyEsva8H-ho4qY4gefEz2Mti92z5GzZotAfDz9IFOgpflOL0HalhWNRaFGIz2ss/s1600/Jan+19++2014009+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_JNA1hlE6askpgpIrQK7kFr8dxSCYuTvRHc0989l2C_6ni_2p5pwSYSRi8pms2g5lMe2lUR2SC9bzeyEsva8H-ho4qY4gefEz2Mti92z5GzZotAfDz9IFOgpflOL0HalhWNRaFGIz2ss/s1600/Jan+19++2014009+(2).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVFwbBfOBnhuQ1jVygFQov-JxrkQ9PsxJgIbfEudGuBJ_cI6b6KpfJfvfPIB9W3u9V9ggU2EgicZj0pkM0c5iFFh8BwSkR4LWF7-kpEY8cNEQUQgZy5F3YhUQbxRA-Ta1-4GQ-o-CdMqp/s1600/Jan+19++2014008+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVFwbBfOBnhuQ1jVygFQov-JxrkQ9PsxJgIbfEudGuBJ_cI6b6KpfJfvfPIB9W3u9V9ggU2EgicZj0pkM0c5iFFh8BwSkR4LWF7-kpEY8cNEQUQgZy5F3YhUQbxRA-Ta1-4GQ-o-CdMqp/s1600/Jan+19++2014008+(2).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLH0Yrh9TuNQqkvTaSrsp4LQgNO8eAFCH9B4Xrut0eLySwUjqUTD99KZezH-vn36nYPwjCN-6rd4woaSxYNHg_lM0_HZKeMbJGON7MHyU3MpY4bB8oCI4rZ9uVm1aAIdyTLZY0_ldNi66/s1600/Jan+19++2014012+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLH0Yrh9TuNQqkvTaSrsp4LQgNO8eAFCH9B4Xrut0eLySwUjqUTD99KZezH-vn36nYPwjCN-6rd4woaSxYNHg_lM0_HZKeMbJGON7MHyU3MpY4bB8oCI4rZ9uVm1aAIdyTLZY0_ldNi66/s1600/Jan+19++2014012+(2).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I lichen thee to a summer's day. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWOG2A6jxbhMTAXqbWD_7eoDv0sjEcoxFBDhmGh4pMNm2O4RSgmwJKAQKtbkaKJploBEJOc2oxEatQX79aiWYV68eeakkncQ79nMr92aOunTbgKPZs0irrZoj7fWK3JHlqpzPAmh4pnE1/s1600/Jan+1++2014007+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWOG2A6jxbhMTAXqbWD_7eoDv0sjEcoxFBDhmGh4pMNm2O4RSgmwJKAQKtbkaKJploBEJOc2oxEatQX79aiWYV68eeakkncQ79nMr92aOunTbgKPZs0irrZoj7fWK3JHlqpzPAmh4pnE1/s1600/Jan+1++2014007+(2).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was tidying a mixed border and came across this very late carnation flower. I had already cut back the plant but could not bring myself to throw it in the barrow without recording some of its beauty. I threaded it into the lichen covered lattice of a nearby metal bench. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.............................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehaOAPG5RvLdi-i_jOI_1WRsC2YTg3jmO8w_P1T2olP-dbLYgyrbc_3R0MCSWTYYrLny6n0pe5QTy7Vy-KzGmeNuDGA7FXIuuNxUu6MHi-dF_jYLlLcS8id7IFcg7uT8NVY-q6z-Qsuc9/s1600/June+21+2014029+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehaOAPG5RvLdi-i_jOI_1WRsC2YTg3jmO8w_P1T2olP-dbLYgyrbc_3R0MCSWTYYrLny6n0pe5QTy7Vy-KzGmeNuDGA7FXIuuNxUu6MHi-dF_jYLlLcS8id7IFcg7uT8NVY-q6z-Qsuc9/s1600/June+21+2014029+(2).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's a teaser for the tree guys ( and gals). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This aluminium tag was fixed to a tree. Originally it bore a number which was recorded on a plan.In an effort to correlate the trees on the plan with those on the ground I went to check which tree was which only to find that the number on this label had been gnawed? at. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It certainly looked like some creature had had a go at it and the only animal I could imagine that would have been able to get at the soft metal tag was a squirrel. The marks looked like teeth marks but I have no idea whether they are the marks of squirrel teeth or some other animal, and further still why would it take so much effort to gnaw away at this tag. Do squirrels suffer from aluminium deficiency of as their own reflection too much to bear? Let me know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's all folks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until the next time.................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fa%2Fa5%2FTsunami_by_hokusai_19th_century.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjpf2ukztT7DHkUqZhQ_W8hVPzGyIQ8VGaUmXoB2I5iMbXPVDElgVsTtXv4tdNBGgtiO4sYbvHWWDm7C2K-OnDC2kAX5DXNzkCTQr07n9hb9DJMiAKJMqlUiVwX0LUICURZmbuii2uas451NHkEWvP7eUahwdcVwaUqkSux4Sb_9YujvYIErJ92F999U7TqkvztPElAhJc=" -->Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-46687934549166533522015-01-18T12:22:00.000-08:002015-01-29T08:15:58.750-08:00 Fabulous Topiary, Not dead but berried, Nerdy Gurdy Man, Outer Magnolia and is THIS the way to Amaryllis plus a bit of Kracow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM0Yi4ztt8kyBjZiMb14nQjOvO3zQnUFGYoeK9EhQDc2yJSXbmZp1llRczOkfLxIUZe5_C1EasVmZMFHWtSJFxb2k4VmsvYn2bCFEKKUsozyWPLsKTJ9cFIxJ5BKmPcUqRq8Pq6KtLe1h/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM0Yi4ztt8kyBjZiMb14nQjOvO3zQnUFGYoeK9EhQDc2yJSXbmZp1llRczOkfLxIUZe5_C1EasVmZMFHWtSJFxb2k4VmsvYn2bCFEKKUsozyWPLsKTJ9cFIxJ5BKmPcUqRq8Pq6KtLe1h/s1600/001.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Ever since this blog has been called what it is we have never had a picture of Amaryllis so its time to put that right. I have never really thought of amaryllis as cut flowers but I was given a bunch of this fabulous dark red variety for Christmas and boy were they good. They came as tight buds and gradually blew out to these huge, rich, powerful blooms. Had I given this picture a bit of forethought I might have moved the tray of eggs and the plastic shampoo bottle but take a look at the shape of that yellow gourd and hey the browns and blues of the egg tray do a nice job of complementing the jugs and teapot. The teapot is a salt glazed pot by Toff Milway and it is a great shame it is hidden by the plastic bottle so take a look at <a href="http://www.toffmilway.co.uk/">Toff's pots</a> here.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">......................................................</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB39vFkIpPbLDB87IaiNXsboj7YMk1SZXTGBY9JWq1cgfWl6FpFwr2qCoFSnGqSE3Wj7A11zsUQEmMkNBHv0MRIdxN3lPMqfSiUGLKbZ4yw-d-n3b-Gojqu3O5qjqd_UrQskw379Pa9hes/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB39vFkIpPbLDB87IaiNXsboj7YMk1SZXTGBY9JWq1cgfWl6FpFwr2qCoFSnGqSE3Wj7A11zsUQEmMkNBHv0MRIdxN3lPMqfSiUGLKbZ4yw-d-n3b-Gojqu3O5qjqd_UrQskw379Pa9hes/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Succulent berries from outer space..... well of course they are not really from outer space but they look like they could be from an alien world.The plant is a common enough Dogwood, Cornus alba 'Spaethii', grown for its brightly variegated foliage; any berries are a bonus.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0k2uC_n_xrcN6KexEbr8T6lRMe48N8-Y4FGGtpOcgPH4GhW-CDx-e8fRnQE-uv5ULZhSN4LQ0pp1_QbqaJw8U7ZjtpxWpQi9buaTtXhzaq-GVdxEQqtW5u51EtAAggtUPueAJGiXuqBZ/s1600/nov+20110084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0k2uC_n_xrcN6KexEbr8T6lRMe48N8-Y4FGGtpOcgPH4GhW-CDx-e8fRnQE-uv5ULZhSN4LQ0pp1_QbqaJw8U7ZjtpxWpQi9buaTtXhzaq-GVdxEQqtW5u51EtAAggtUPueAJGiXuqBZ/s1600/nov+20110084.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
....and while we are on berries let's hear it for the Cotoneasters or at least until the birds get to them. The large leaved evergreen and semi- evergreen species including C. salicifolius, C.bullatus, C x watereri and C. frigida all make large shrubs with very good berries. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4ofl0fN29fsxXkiu3DovuoFMcKtYxE4Zwbv4e-Io5rmhp90i6rV6uhJQIeysqD764VHrT8T_CCxGNNEHx3Tss8CZQbj3Czn_V3g7-GftNiE5HVSJ0PzBIoYdYcXuiq2YpEaFYL6lAmxT/s1600/nov+20110106+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4ofl0fN29fsxXkiu3DovuoFMcKtYxE4Zwbv4e-Io5rmhp90i6rV6uhJQIeysqD764VHrT8T_CCxGNNEHx3Tss8CZQbj3Czn_V3g7-GftNiE5HVSJ0PzBIoYdYcXuiq2YpEaFYL6lAmxT/s1600/nov+20110106+(2).JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No name on this Sorbus but the leaves are too big for S. vilmorinii and the fruits too small for S. cashmeriana. Name or no name Sorbus are great value for money with good flowers, bright berries and very often rich autumn colour.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdvFPQ1ultkRMs8KxP4P40SdAMRXxb1SYbIkIA8__Xi9Ix3bRmTiBjf96wBGiKvaN77dZrNNVFy449TaDWV0HPaX9zSirzWKn6mUXtid6KNTtXXWW99JxMbH1J7fY_-VNAQdQNQcSpNd6/s1600/nov+20110018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdvFPQ1ultkRMs8KxP4P40SdAMRXxb1SYbIkIA8__Xi9Ix3bRmTiBjf96wBGiKvaN77dZrNNVFy449TaDWV0HPaX9zSirzWKn6mUXtid6KNTtXXWW99JxMbH1J7fY_-VNAQdQNQcSpNd6/s1600/nov+20110018.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These fleshy delights always look so tempting hanging in straggling strings through the dankest of hedges in winter.In summer the flowers are small and unremarkable but the heart shaped (heart shaped if you have a pointy heart that is.) foliage is unbelievably shiny like a coat of spray-on lacquer. Black Bryony, Dioscorea communis is a poisonous, hardy herbaceous climber which crops up as a wild plant in hedgerows across the UK and Europe. It is never recommended as an ornamental plant but it is very shade tolerant and I am happy to let it grow through the hedge under my old willow tree. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOdT3HV6ghZfwjz1diMujU2y5ZfkVKj84SrxIF4MsPZkHqcniq7CX13IwpEG8cXqqEXdb3sM0nz4vbJQT11mfLCPR0AqF8DuNgjB_RQFtBPbDmPy_pYRi9-Q-BrEpnj1x2dmAy5uaa_rJ/s1600/OCTOBER+++20110042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOdT3HV6ghZfwjz1diMujU2y5ZfkVKj84SrxIF4MsPZkHqcniq7CX13IwpEG8cXqqEXdb3sM0nz4vbJQT11mfLCPR0AqF8DuNgjB_RQFtBPbDmPy_pYRi9-Q-BrEpnj1x2dmAy5uaa_rJ/s1600/OCTOBER+++20110042.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't really grow this climber for its berries which are a small bonus in late summer. I grow it for its magnificent foliage which is aptly describes by its specific epithet, Ampelopsis megalophylla. The leaves are 30 to 60cm long and split into several leaflets. They are deeply veined and shiny. It climbs by means of grasping tendrils and really need quite a bit of space in fact far more than I allow it along my garden fence and I have to cut great lengths off it in the autumn. It roots quite readily from hardwood cuttings taken in autumn. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog8AG9na61QS_tMzH7kMjr02SR_JIcf3k05R47VZFI9Qc05tWqhD8am1szLDuGrNsa3Pj9kTtVrJ2Xo2-WO_1o2eMBSZQBFOr1dOojgmJOfUYNqxcI3TpfY9WZ-M8TSfaT24tmt4acXoh/s1600/september++20110010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog8AG9na61QS_tMzH7kMjr02SR_JIcf3k05R47VZFI9Qc05tWqhD8am1szLDuGrNsa3Pj9kTtVrJ2Xo2-WO_1o2eMBSZQBFOr1dOojgmJOfUYNqxcI3TpfY9WZ-M8TSfaT24tmt4acXoh/s1600/september++20110010.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I took this picture of what looked like elderberry fruits on a low growing plant near the Olympic Park in London. It is not an elderberry but I don't know what it is. Any ideas?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">...........................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Kracow</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is supposed to be a garden slanted blog so I have to fight hard against myself to stop me putting non gardening stuff in and particularly holiday snaps. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
However it doesn't always work and sometimes I lose my battle against me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went to Kracow in Poland for a few days recently and there were so many opportunities for good photos that I couldn't resist sneaking a few in here. I am big fan of patterns so these old doors were irresistible. The door with the gold flowers was at the university where Copernicus studied in the 1500s. Copernicus realised the planets all went around the sun rather than the earth. Some of his original instruments were on display - brill!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyG8J5FeY5BKGXsMwuO-t760El1HOgmSWCHmFjAE1CGs-3_hWFGgvhagnpYhpF6Wun2v-JDmLeUoYfhj-TzTJIlc2R5YW4eE6rJ6g35fBd8qUX7-clyndHocXsmPBKqibuzLxQJRTY-6_/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyG8J5FeY5BKGXsMwuO-t760El1HOgmSWCHmFjAE1CGs-3_hWFGgvhagnpYhpF6Wun2v-JDmLeUoYfhj-TzTJIlc2R5YW4eE6rJ6g35fBd8qUX7-clyndHocXsmPBKqibuzLxQJRTY-6_/s1600/067.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvsRFZ5CB7Xf6y0ZsXPN9C7T1giUKia4LwRoEYJrEX2OMwu186jDwsuARVj7dYebWUSqbdVFM5a5-bUGFRJdJOZ50oi-h_g5Jh0VtDY09H5gE48j5Pm11-87BEd_CeqPEhgwvqz2LmEHW/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvsRFZ5CB7Xf6y0ZsXPN9C7T1giUKia4LwRoEYJrEX2OMwu186jDwsuARVj7dYebWUSqbdVFM5a5-bUGFRJdJOZ50oi-h_g5Jh0VtDY09H5gE48j5Pm11-87BEd_CeqPEhgwvqz2LmEHW/s1600/068.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtyAeu9eVib6OYzdX1H4EGIjP5O2lzBsWR6VVJYMFdGiQTHkAhuynA-vfhzIm9x8x9uhb6PVWuzrhPyoRGeneSl_g649Sj1eBRylDdT0F9YL7RDsMC8oNLxFo3WL7K3nSdyntLc2EYPZT/s1600/150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtyAeu9eVib6OYzdX1H4EGIjP5O2lzBsWR6VVJYMFdGiQTHkAhuynA-vfhzIm9x8x9uhb6PVWuzrhPyoRGeneSl_g649Sj1eBRylDdT0F9YL7RDsMC8oNLxFo3WL7K3nSdyntLc2EYPZT/s1600/150.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cathedral door.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnDRkTXAdX6nQId8GbHkFr4FyYfAP-byKyriOhxQPzrccyfSbMHvTFB34ZeN-F1Z4gW-M5uH0KZ3bPuml9PmraRW34ZL-Wbd3FFFHuVN3_Tb23SxCY99hna6zQ7F7AFVtIxklqCxDduAc/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnDRkTXAdX6nQId8GbHkFr4FyYfAP-byKyriOhxQPzrccyfSbMHvTFB34ZeN-F1Z4gW-M5uH0KZ3bPuml9PmraRW34ZL-Wbd3FFFHuVN3_Tb23SxCY99hna6zQ7F7AFVtIxklqCxDduAc/s1600/136.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...more door</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">...................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nerdy Gurdy Man</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplZlnuuhZUFEamTO0tqWjrWxBIXprQ7Tt_H0knUJ_lIi7w8qqvrB803AdG77P1DTrg5sc1LiZMEre6DdTdsJImb-ZEQwqUwex01xl59JIXnMQghuS64q_YM489Um1YIc8BThkMBzSttNd/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplZlnuuhZUFEamTO0tqWjrWxBIXprQ7Tt_H0knUJ_lIi7w8qqvrB803AdG77P1DTrg5sc1LiZMEre6DdTdsJImb-ZEQwqUwex01xl59JIXnMQghuS64q_YM489Um1YIc8BThkMBzSttNd/s1600/075.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I find it hard not to notice the practical and the mundane particularly when they are as good as this. These are cables that run from the surface straight down a hundred or so metres to the bottom of the <a href="http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/">salt mines</a> we visited in nearby Wieliczka. A hundred metres of heavy duty cable is going to weigh an awful lot and obviously you have to have then clipped to the wall for tidiness and safety so what if you can devise a clip that not only holds them neatly against the wall but also takes the weight of on each clip and grips more tightly the more weight is put on the clip. These clips do just that. The tapered design of the pegs and brackets causes the cables to be gripped by the wood and so support the weight. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZr8_89zhpHkdSjGhT8iC_p2pKilj8UeO4NFr1dia9lGnwBPyOTfzwSC6cGl2AdbuNC88r1CbrEuNeRFr-18m8kk3rlEd2AVphWhhX31nzt2wVtxbUu_C-dL-N4mSq6lpLVtHcRHJnExr/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZr8_89zhpHkdSjGhT8iC_p2pKilj8UeO4NFr1dia9lGnwBPyOTfzwSC6cGl2AdbuNC88r1CbrEuNeRFr-18m8kk3rlEd2AVphWhhX31nzt2wVtxbUu_C-dL-N4mSq6lpLVtHcRHJnExr/s1600/109.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many intricate and detailed carvings have been made in the rock salt during the mines seven hundred year history. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCUsbKyNhmUFtYWbsosp5cgY7hhkeSFT1pjukx4R9PAkU64bmsm4XKer_O5kq-m1bcuO3LyVasQmk80ptc3uF5XTnhewUQu_woVAd9MGvmHPTHmk4PX9Wm7NcOdMwP8fUrMnpAR7abye6/s1600/111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCUsbKyNhmUFtYWbsosp5cgY7hhkeSFT1pjukx4R9PAkU64bmsm4XKer_O5kq-m1bcuO3LyVasQmk80ptc3uF5XTnhewUQu_woVAd9MGvmHPTHmk4PX9Wm7NcOdMwP8fUrMnpAR7abye6/s1600/111.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A huge amount of heavy duty timber was brought into the mine over the years to support some of the larger galleries. The timber workers were held in high regard because the safety of the mine workers depended on their skills. In case you were wondering, yes the chandelier is a recent addition. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sK6BaZ7xP_EvNXotDJafwlUpQDXIRTmi1k6n8AoLGKO_dOjDG9isEXMZhIu6GWPon8kT26HsC1aZxf8dBSzYwtGk0JcCIiYopRZMerhnc8wXbALUI2Iu7LDEMjrSRr8Fk1M6E6pD6U_c/s1600/114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sK6BaZ7xP_EvNXotDJafwlUpQDXIRTmi1k6n8AoLGKO_dOjDG9isEXMZhIu6GWPon8kT26HsC1aZxf8dBSzYwtGk0JcCIiYopRZMerhnc8wXbALUI2Iu7LDEMjrSRr8Fk1M6E6pD6U_c/s1600/114.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlY_pCvQgaKd_-RRCSM4qQvhMkZE7KqCxbhjT6vSm1akkS8bbKoqKSv6r7Zm7TrK3BnR0ducBKm-q8x6mMz2cohH8Nwf1rQsrKNI4WEYHFhWRwB7yukK9-Upbyn8sBjbhoPktQqYNbdWC7/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlY_pCvQgaKd_-RRCSM4qQvhMkZE7KqCxbhjT6vSm1akkS8bbKoqKSv6r7Zm7TrK3BnR0ducBKm-q8x6mMz2cohH8Nwf1rQsrKNI4WEYHFhWRwB7yukK9-Upbyn8sBjbhoPktQqYNbdWC7/s1600/117.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Depending on the geology of different parts of the mine not all galleries needed support. For scale you can see the railings along the walkway at the top right of the picture. Could have been a set from the latest Hobbit film.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">................</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.............................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Topiary</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am fortunate enough in my work to visit various private gardens a surprising number of which have some very exciting features. The garden as a whole may not be particularly special but many have a particular detail that stands out and that the owner can rightly be very proud of. I recently came across this fantastic piece of topiary in the Cotswolds. What I particularly like is that rather then the usual rounded 'cloud' style of clipping this has been clipped, at least this year, with flat facets which raises it way above the ordinary. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXfTxH-kOhjWtE4wX36fmjK-Xo1ZrmvtpbXnpj_x07FtdloNpe5h6kRfgtsLp2VmDCiN-0R8pVvYoYs98wq0XZofgNO9JuaNnR5NG8h4waYeiSmSxpQoWofbhDPIB34r6cmmOYL20nKzQ/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXfTxH-kOhjWtE4wX36fmjK-Xo1ZrmvtpbXnpj_x07FtdloNpe5h6kRfgtsLp2VmDCiN-0R8pVvYoYs98wq0XZofgNO9JuaNnR5NG8h4waYeiSmSxpQoWofbhDPIB34r6cmmOYL20nKzQ/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Suggestions of the <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao">Guggenheim</a> in Bilbao?</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVjPcl7Rft7T0e8p6FVsbnswJmMoVgBlkZvL-yRV17F-2WH_X9MDoxsNg_8bZIP0cvjeL9xXBmiIGy0pDecyG9_ifKH2rClreL6FL199mifaB41nW4LNUc84L0M-D_Z3TeJA18Ni6Vful/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVjPcl7Rft7T0e8p6FVsbnswJmMoVgBlkZvL-yRV17F-2WH_X9MDoxsNg_8bZIP0cvjeL9xXBmiIGy0pDecyG9_ifKH2rClreL6FL199mifaB41nW4LNUc84L0M-D_Z3TeJA18Ni6Vful/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5qUSv2CNVbpzSWRJM9whGW4IV6jPpcPrP_i6n5hYKIWJRl63sgp0e5YChWGK7nKOJnL0kcj8e69r4_xJLHhTrI1PfK19R-JaTPmvEIHy0_MurtVEdTnqHKVd8cKYbxH8RRF5Da01kk7c/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5qUSv2CNVbpzSWRJM9whGW4IV6jPpcPrP_i6n5hYKIWJRl63sgp0e5YChWGK7nKOJnL0kcj8e69r4_xJLHhTrI1PfK19R-JaTPmvEIHy0_MurtVEdTnqHKVd8cKYbxH8RRF5Da01kk7c/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Very often old topiary can be seen to have come from say a couple of old box plants or, if the plants are in a line, the remnants of an outgrown old hedge but these seem perfectly random<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tBSsxjRFnCWH4KaTlMC7tny9AbrJo7FpiyJUe_KVCFYV3nK2n-dDTnqAA_kVWB6g9Aq0MBqW3HT485FMwC_5WD05cCth342jGA6aIqKdWEj9h-KuiFHnANmIhQN_a9JH4ZCkY95_r74a/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tBSsxjRFnCWH4KaTlMC7tny9AbrJo7FpiyJUe_KVCFYV3nK2n-dDTnqAA_kVWB6g9Aq0MBqW3HT485FMwC_5WD05cCth342jGA6aIqKdWEj9h-KuiFHnANmIhQN_a9JH4ZCkY95_r74a/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip33n2mH5Eh8rkzeE4o1ehuPp2uVRSHM6hptN9t2KGUFzBjwgUuPBde4064w6OGomCvl3HTBx3lbfV4hBYjlkjxZHhRevfs6ank5Uqo2bQXEUp811FqnI5ewYh1YiPwNdxsI-dbwIas92f/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip33n2mH5Eh8rkzeE4o1ehuPp2uVRSHM6hptN9t2KGUFzBjwgUuPBde4064w6OGomCvl3HTBx3lbfV4hBYjlkjxZHhRevfs6ank5Uqo2bQXEUp811FqnI5ewYh1YiPwNdxsI-dbwIas92f/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXGHHaVyhePBzGQdbtC-JmyLCi7BlhEhZoUIHP9lE7P-49hIb6LB2tcgPp691edURY0F2CiytIDJDHcEfq7rn7e_KhARrBZo814ebDv6ylNrFV_Xe8CiFnvcD489W95gcnC38uVBp8Pit/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXGHHaVyhePBzGQdbtC-JmyLCi7BlhEhZoUIHP9lE7P-49hIb6LB2tcgPp691edURY0F2CiytIDJDHcEfq7rn7e_KhARrBZo814ebDv6ylNrFV_Xe8CiFnvcD489W95gcnC38uVBp8Pit/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRKCA2YWEajzTNijKCWbC2UFpRcrL6ztPUOYVeZx7RCUHDXqTfhJ4u2BiMmLVJikn0vEMR-SRpPQfHI4JcRKE6ORHcTSq6X3TS0yrx0gkKBMLwO8cBY8RkY4ioS53W33V33ksj7PwmM5/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRKCA2YWEajzTNijKCWbC2UFpRcrL6ztPUOYVeZx7RCUHDXqTfhJ4u2BiMmLVJikn0vEMR-SRpPQfHI4JcRKE6ORHcTSq6X3TS0yrx0gkKBMLwO8cBY8RkY4ioS53W33V33ksj7PwmM5/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Below is another garden I visit and if the drive was a canal you could easily be tootling along the cut in another country, France perhaps, or is my imagination getting a bit too stretched? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVubXTNg4fHpiLjO81MAkzRkcZH4vSQ5mJSxUcxjqOZl01XOmdqLPSYsjSGVZxhUwqju_bPoBRRtLPE6lFvPqFbsrEe343ThRwvtM_jzv00dRy5d6G7dlVDMo5VG9PpFffaGEN_tOWhjrV/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVubXTNg4fHpiLjO81MAkzRkcZH4vSQ5mJSxUcxjqOZl01XOmdqLPSYsjSGVZxhUwqju_bPoBRRtLPE6lFvPqFbsrEe343ThRwvtM_jzv00dRy5d6G7dlVDMo5VG9PpFffaGEN_tOWhjrV/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...........................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Outer Magnolia.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QRQpOTiupsGseYTvKQNbbX3kecphS47ggu9DMHMINEDkwW_rur6WMD-NWOWxGYVz231-DROmU6nJC0vwxlX9Nr5jhyphenhyphenBc4gMu0y6QHX1gWdqASpoNtP6jFI9iasb2StY3IPP6LD-8BXZ6/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QRQpOTiupsGseYTvKQNbbX3kecphS47ggu9DMHMINEDkwW_rur6WMD-NWOWxGYVz231-DROmU6nJC0vwxlX9Nr5jhyphenhyphenBc4gMu0y6QHX1gWdqASpoNtP6jFI9iasb2StY3IPP6LD-8BXZ6/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The botanists tell us that Magnolias are fairly primitive plants and were one of the first plants to develop flowers, flowers which it would seem did their job well enough for them not to need to evolve into anything more complicated,. Whatever the case this Magnolia grandiflora produced some large, dramatic flowers which were followed by these beginnings of seed pods. Kinda cute and cuddly ain't they? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9_pMSCCJwIlO07owrVYE631qAdGUA49R_NwIKvNllg_0QCFmDc2haWizjiu0lSShAYiw-ckFUfbNNJQat2kCp3HQjnvTM_ndt1aM7A4wrO0P3dPvYrap5k_V8qJqw74wDmqpLCT9YOVo/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9_pMSCCJwIlO07owrVYE631qAdGUA49R_NwIKvNllg_0QCFmDc2haWizjiu0lSShAYiw-ckFUfbNNJQat2kCp3HQjnvTM_ndt1aM7A4wrO0P3dPvYrap5k_V8qJqw74wDmqpLCT9YOVo/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just as cute and cuddly is this seed pod of a climbing plant which I am guessing is part of the cucumber family and was flowering in yet another garden I visit. Any ideas what it is?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.............................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's it for a while.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-33611994093500711202014-11-21T01:40:00.000-08:002014-11-21T01:40:03.622-08:00Painted pots. Tractor and Actea. Rain dear?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have resolved my problem over my lack of resolve and made a resolute resolution to get more blogging done from now on so here are some pictures and notes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My big news of the last couple of months is that I have taken on the garden at <a href="http://www.whichfordpottery.com/">Whichford Pottery </a> in the very southern tip of Warwickshire. I am doing two days a week usually Monday and Thursday so if you fancy coming in and saying hello those are the days. Even if you don't fancy saying hello come in and have a coffee and a cake or even a luscious lunch at the recently opened Straw Kitchen Cafe. It's fab. But beware, it is closed on Monday and Tuesday for the cheeriest staff in the world to have a well earned break.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some pottery pictures </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had a bit of fun painting some pots. Take a leaf or flower to B& Q - match the colours with the chart and get a sample pot of emulsion - it will be enough to do several large pots - apply it to a clean dry pot - sponge on a pattern if you want - let it dry then plant it up. Hey presto, a bit of cheer against the drear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCVm5zilbzADg77DB4ZOn0KzjVyx3X2BUU80bEzfyPM4jFN0WHgD-6bwhkBPGufvHwFTPFLUe54IrIUxBInaXB0uazitsUp_ZyelJ9i-K010KWdC_gdgNtcHwQLqlWINzCHhrKqTQVb5v/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCVm5zilbzADg77DB4ZOn0KzjVyx3X2BUU80bEzfyPM4jFN0WHgD-6bwhkBPGufvHwFTPFLUe54IrIUxBInaXB0uazitsUp_ZyelJ9i-K010KWdC_gdgNtcHwQLqlWINzCHhrKqTQVb5v/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grassed up!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I did the same with the leaf of this Phormium but I broke the pot that matched the grey green so perfectly so I used the green that I had spare</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and while I admit it's not quite there </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not too sure that I really care.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
P.S. None of them are grasses, so there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQofWkxEuf431RopimD7GLR1_b_KCzMJ37d4npiCNl-xrRpbInKH-vsbiWVFQnPJ2-6Fy2ZoyS4bJ8y49pE1cZ8SYeEI9IG8UBjv1E-tbaRwLgfZ4aurPwhGNpxF9kQZ6NzOal1DW9wEC/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQofWkxEuf431RopimD7GLR1_b_KCzMJ37d4npiCNl-xrRpbInKH-vsbiWVFQnPJ2-6Fy2ZoyS4bJ8y49pE1cZ8SYeEI9IG8UBjv1E-tbaRwLgfZ4aurPwhGNpxF9kQZ6NzOal1DW9wEC/s1600/015.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No need for paint here, this pot comes off the pottery shelf already this colour. Blue skies and white clouds. The variegation is white and there is just enough grey/ blue in the leaf of the Euonymus to make this work </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVqu1ybeBDt8K-weRM_W7SQP8Jf-90uORs8cxwekhAp6k7P98gRS5tQpVHsG1Dof8de_QizOBosC0uBsP56BJs-f5Bd0TG8LSHEk8IDEuGeWTepMNYFV8ixHC-yMpuXM6ejLf4b4FtteQ/s1600/021+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVqu1ybeBDt8K-weRM_W7SQP8Jf-90uORs8cxwekhAp6k7P98gRS5tQpVHsG1Dof8de_QizOBosC0uBsP56BJs-f5Bd0TG8LSHEk8IDEuGeWTepMNYFV8ixHC-yMpuXM6ejLf4b4FtteQ/s1600/021+-+Copy.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can't see the Violas around the edge but they work nicely with the Ajuga and Festuca when seen in the flesh. Natural colour,low pan style terracotta pot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMte3M_NDePB4Jz8oMg2hdAOnwqn0I6V4KRznnUeDjruCaRWH5dbRhud3_yG12pMe_a7F7m6l3bJ8G6XwrPkcJ6H28IpgFs2i8DG2bQAxEtr070o02R434wVyhRUtafZi73TdcrYzX1eLe/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMte3M_NDePB4Jz8oMg2hdAOnwqn0I6V4KRznnUeDjruCaRWH5dbRhud3_yG12pMe_a7F7m6l3bJ8G6XwrPkcJ6H28IpgFs2i8DG2bQAxEtr070o02R434wVyhRUtafZi73TdcrYzX1eLe/s1600/019.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Large flowered pansies, one of the several million varieties of Heucheras and an elegant grey pot - no painting, it is part of the range. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2l28Riq9s7P-T874IL2QspSUkyYu31RWsE0zAzePy6Ra3lqUoNJHbk60_9VllPvHS7QNKDtEOFN1yhwuyPW9kXxFGhCpjagfxgrVYY7x-9M7AMwmr3zbzFq88FqLItMdvqf_2SEr7tJj/s1600/018+-+Copy+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2l28Riq9s7P-T874IL2QspSUkyYu31RWsE0zAzePy6Ra3lqUoNJHbk60_9VllPvHS7QNKDtEOFN1yhwuyPW9kXxFGhCpjagfxgrVYY7x-9M7AMwmr3zbzFq88FqLItMdvqf_2SEr7tJj/s1600/018+-+Copy+(3).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you were wondering where all your snails went -I've got 'em.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXPKWOvqpBp8kMWm7wfE9YVt2TAXmGbNu41XRpMw8i8WB-fq63YaxFculJ4nJ9GViZ3-7Jp45PhU91WjUKd_g_UVRD0PgULzgWT30eHid_rOa5SnxH-XFHABEfJEbsaf1qMsRbiw4fmEK/s1600/426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXPKWOvqpBp8kMWm7wfE9YVt2TAXmGbNu41XRpMw8i8WB-fq63YaxFculJ4nJ9GViZ3-7Jp45PhU91WjUKd_g_UVRD0PgULzgWT30eHid_rOa5SnxH-XFHABEfJEbsaf1qMsRbiw4fmEK/s1600/426.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mother nature is a great chum because she always has something just round the corner to make you smile.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This Echium seedling was growing between some upright slabs and the roots were as flat as a pancake. Tenacious li'l critter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExs81s0OxVrHzD_4DIsyW_30150JlihBgX08O7Cp2k7iPvLPyOZgDHWbbNN3e2Cmhe6a_QWi2lbaVewQP6AWNY9BOpM6CrP8sJsefXl0p6uJ0llWb682w9qkdXCc65emh6pdZDKewjFz-/s1600/429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExs81s0OxVrHzD_4DIsyW_30150JlihBgX08O7Cp2k7iPvLPyOZgDHWbbNN3e2Cmhe6a_QWi2lbaVewQP6AWNY9BOpM6CrP8sJsefXl0p6uJ0llWb682w9qkdXCc65emh6pdZDKewjFz-/s1600/429.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFNkQ67vx3CLBM56-zSaNWNZrThW-Jz2IOPAZBLIYYHMsBfAG5lXih8LJRUith-LF2ADfyQR7xluejBDg77rLPmlij_ybK3WQzDq9x0p1YRDJEXEgLt3L9EkJj0rCAKtvr5kHKOR5o5wL/s1600/427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFNkQ67vx3CLBM56-zSaNWNZrThW-Jz2IOPAZBLIYYHMsBfAG5lXih8LJRUith-LF2ADfyQR7xluejBDg77rLPmlij_ybK3WQzDq9x0p1YRDJEXEgLt3L9EkJj0rCAKtvr5kHKOR5o5wL/s1600/427.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">------------------------------------------</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://kentshowground.co.uk/">Kent Show </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Earlier in the summer I did a garden Q and A </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
at the <a href="http://kentshowground.co.uk/">Kent Show .</a> and then had a wander about.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhAlE-zjXxrmtC1Nj_u1slQTAN1Dfi3PZjAWsr5lZIk4Pi8mlZOqNv_LC3YidxIZI0AFLAS7FVdIHTv1QlllDibr0-N8SS3c35Q7BdPSYtSAf1cj6r-tVXDbWXLJT02F_muCSdMjMYB9b/s1600/14+8+20005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhAlE-zjXxrmtC1Nj_u1slQTAN1Dfi3PZjAWsr5lZIk4Pi8mlZOqNv_LC3YidxIZI0AFLAS7FVdIHTv1QlllDibr0-N8SS3c35Q7BdPSYtSAf1cj6r-tVXDbWXLJT02F_muCSdMjMYB9b/s1600/14+8+20005.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
''Do you think its going to snow , honey?''</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
''Well, its too cold to rain dear.''</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was surprised how small reindeer are but absolutely amazed at </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
how big their antlers can be.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unusual attraction.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three wheel tractor. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMMyfKAOQOW5smLewCo9Jk86-QZD9hoT6Z6S1tu2vOJBgfOnDZCXy5MGg5xR5KGc4CAV7YuKKLEMyYg9Ic2v4oC27BBiBdxqnup_2bVW9taXTllat639PdGPWm78WuLyfFklB4BBB5qhn/s1600/14+8+20018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMMyfKAOQOW5smLewCo9Jk86-QZD9hoT6Z6S1tu2vOJBgfOnDZCXy5MGg5xR5KGc4CAV7YuKKLEMyYg9Ic2v4oC27BBiBdxqnup_2bVW9taXTllat639PdGPWm78WuLyfFklB4BBB5qhn/s1600/14+8+20018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MgEKdDH92_BSFnorKsD6WO33fZyoDxtGZvjPl97HsIRztDaAHXf7cwiUp6pU1yiBx2Av4G3u6dVWWPXt3V7Tvj0CRfaN63PnjiJBOFHGF9g8x8BRNCy7wqM9MmpRwlRkZkTWznP6tesY/s1600/14+8+20016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MgEKdDH92_BSFnorKsD6WO33fZyoDxtGZvjPl97HsIRztDaAHXf7cwiUp6pU1yiBx2Av4G3u6dVWWPXt3V7Tvj0CRfaN63PnjiJBOFHGF9g8x8BRNCy7wqM9MmpRwlRkZkTWznP6tesY/s1600/14+8+20016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Very old school but no punctures on this one........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7FfBcR2WF-Vc0mRMQaDrxwEQWR6tl_pqpCgOvA6SKkyYLLC2ELSG0vmZx91XiQESXdsicJ4CheKnOO8CPUoxztmBxVELleQVPuRKzZlYYYkxUzU_DCro-XPMFsUZvQ1qNNbcbVdZ-2BQ/s1600/14+8+20014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7FfBcR2WF-Vc0mRMQaDrxwEQWR6tl_pqpCgOvA6SKkyYLLC2ELSG0vmZx91XiQESXdsicJ4CheKnOO8CPUoxztmBxVELleQVPuRKzZlYYYkxUzU_DCro-XPMFsUZvQ1qNNbcbVdZ-2BQ/s1600/14+8+20014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZbiiTO1ZeuVhbBs47lf__7g4F7IRUFp5BB4GuwSXNMr6kUmEnMjaWmnujxNj1HDVO78GVhHGRx_F8UcEjERm8bYeTD9EJ9WjBbLIXY9V3PfUJ8Wn4ig_AauZqmiZBX88UOjsnfur_wdH/s1600/14+8+20010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZbiiTO1ZeuVhbBs47lf__7g4F7IRUFp5BB4GuwSXNMr6kUmEnMjaWmnujxNj1HDVO78GVhHGRx_F8UcEjERm8bYeTD9EJ9WjBbLIXY9V3PfUJ8Wn4ig_AauZqmiZBX88UOjsnfur_wdH/s1600/14+8+20010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
..or this one....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJonTmmlJjNRjSAN5qVEjFp8JWhi4KGsGwQ2VBjd_RoSZe0qy_nq3wsxixf7bGhIEia3jSz9eQ0jlYSfkZuPvLNflXjQq5iVnZs5TU3euWNWyBx6Wuo-Sag61dgfGxfOf4akebl_n5-wI/s1600/14+8+20007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJonTmmlJjNRjSAN5qVEjFp8JWhi4KGsGwQ2VBjd_RoSZe0qy_nq3wsxixf7bGhIEia3jSz9eQ0jlYSfkZuPvLNflXjQq5iVnZs5TU3euWNWyBx6Wuo-Sag61dgfGxfOf4akebl_n5-wI/s1600/14+8+20007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..or this one!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
--------------------------------------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwsTmHJ7PfFOQQN2lon2J6Ge8171hbBmymesD515KzTZEjSDsk5nq26JcVlf1a3AtyRwyMQ24bk39NUffZTpNNf6p1EyOkdwUZuYM6st0WADtOJ_KjO3q8CK8hnsbFaJt8cNzW0Vmt8bR/s1600/14+8+20152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwsTmHJ7PfFOQQN2lon2J6Ge8171hbBmymesD515KzTZEjSDsk5nq26JcVlf1a3AtyRwyMQ24bk39NUffZTpNNf6p1EyOkdwUZuYM6st0WADtOJ_KjO3q8CK8hnsbFaJt8cNzW0Vmt8bR/s1600/14+8+20152.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Very hard to sneak up on this little alien - too many eyes watching you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the Acteas, might be A. pachypoda, not sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------------------------</div>
<br />
Beware th<span style="text-align: center;">e leaf cutter bee. Oval pieces to line the bee's tubular 'nest' and round pieces to plug the end. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3KQhfDEzfeolmY7nNWOV1E1yjQIJT0ke-S3QAeAyduHD8494tY8nbL7M8Kmf0ivUHOJA8IN6SPpFW6LRx7ZthyyeYCViNLKfeGxj86ohxHxbTMs7BBPiu-tGEH_vLN5e-cROo0_3ZpMr/s1600/14+8+20147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3KQhfDEzfeolmY7nNWOV1E1yjQIJT0ke-S3QAeAyduHD8494tY8nbL7M8Kmf0ivUHOJA8IN6SPpFW6LRx7ZthyyeYCViNLKfeGxj86ohxHxbTMs7BBPiu-tGEH_vLN5e-cROo0_3ZpMr/s1600/14+8+20147.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6DSJ0KzNg2g2b_1nMTR8tE2ck-aGLwewKiLaHAEpMeduDAv_mooHtH2WLPraY2CvSug9Urr7F-V1uOUjc-GT0pRBDPlSs5ABuwrYRrmXHUKHjo4sDFMzuhpWEZYLbKuE84NSaCF_VRsC/s1600/14+8+20149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6DSJ0KzNg2g2b_1nMTR8tE2ck-aGLwewKiLaHAEpMeduDAv_mooHtH2WLPraY2CvSug9Urr7F-V1uOUjc-GT0pRBDPlSs5ABuwrYRrmXHUKHjo4sDFMzuhpWEZYLbKuE84NSaCF_VRsC/s1600/14+8+20149.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------</div>
<br />
Sometimes pastels just don't mut the custard and you need a bit more of an in your face kinda colour. The pots were painted to match the lighter green veins of the deep purple red, almost black foliage which was very prominent before the lipstick pink begonia flowers showed themselves. 'Get in there' as they say. It is easy not to like this combination but I cant resist it. Many of my clients fight shy of bright colours insisting pastels are 'cool' but they miss out on a lot of excitement. These begonias, some bright double flowered Echinaceas, Yucca Golden Sword and some warm orange Ostepermums which survived outdoors from last year give me a warm welcome when I get home from work each day. A close look will show a need for dead heading and some frazzled petals where I haven't got round to watering for a day or two during the hot weather. The red bike , filing cabinet, and set of ladders in the picture all show up my lack of professionalism when it comes to taking pictures. Photographer friends would cringe at my lack of preparation <i>and no doubt my use of colour.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERO1b4OyYFr06eqPcRzCpI4q72ghwetGH_uF8ycBBPPTPH9xGhGssPWnY4tNa2WNqDH6EUovS36b56-RHz7Q0xCDSHCzh4y7VZVBnT3-vV8CVSRtkP-qMAzqk48IaM9Ov4uGTaR_HD4c8/s1600/14+8+20157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERO1b4OyYFr06eqPcRzCpI4q72ghwetGH_uF8ycBBPPTPH9xGhGssPWnY4tNa2WNqDH6EUovS36b56-RHz7Q0xCDSHCzh4y7VZVBnT3-vV8CVSRtkP-qMAzqk48IaM9Ov4uGTaR_HD4c8/s1600/14+8+20157.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------</div>
<br />
Took this picture before the first frosts when I was 'taking in'. A barrow load of succulent jewels.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenaRON1TSl3tKt6wpV0j1iHyn12idLxqLA-Nbazrrp-sc4rRIsy1ZX_T6WNEIWX1Bq3EVE05NrktjL1zgugZh0U02zu2v6QCzWCO9BudlD5Lmtj19mnZ-PZ65Tyq0hprq331Xd8DzLZgy/s1600/286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenaRON1TSl3tKt6wpV0j1iHyn12idLxqLA-Nbazrrp-sc4rRIsy1ZX_T6WNEIWX1Bq3EVE05NrktjL1zgugZh0U02zu2v6QCzWCO9BudlD5Lmtj19mnZ-PZ65Tyq0hprq331Xd8DzLZgy/s1600/286.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZJl43L6NmJfLtCQageNHEKC8d8Y3xE6R6ZjY7gJLv9lfBOPER7c6ale17BzCuQN55lJYAzqSR4MBlUJzKDNQFuaSwR8QH-6u0OyVfs9z-x4ZJ0muGbRsTxdfRKNrm677fAPtksytFuDN/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZJl43L6NmJfLtCQageNHEKC8d8Y3xE6R6ZjY7gJLv9lfBOPER7c6ale17BzCuQN55lJYAzqSR4MBlUJzKDNQFuaSwR8QH-6u0OyVfs9z-x4ZJ0muGbRsTxdfRKNrm677fAPtksytFuDN/s1600/002.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
My son on his mobile foam. Ha , ha ,aha, ha, ha, aha, ha, ah. Ya gotta 'av a larf aintcha?<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-67731262146276422882014-04-12T10:58:00.003-07:002014-04-12T10:58:34.245-07:00Bryans Ground,Earth Tongue and Dead Man's Fingers. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've published no blogs for a long time but hoping to get back to it soon. This is a post I prepared in late October so it definitely isn't current but it had one or two interesting pictures so rather than bin it I thought I would put it out. Imagine you are back in late Autumn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Earth Tongue.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was pulling out of a garden drive recently when I saw these odd looking black things poking out of the ground. They were growing in thin grass on a</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
sloping patch of well drained ground. I had no idea what they were so I took a couple of snaps and put them on <a href="http://www.ispotnature.org/uk-and-ireland">ispot </a> ( Run by the Open University and Opal, the Open Science Laboratory</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SY1Z_MIBLFrpJhzuHKkChxViHGPgwjB5ayHpwwAJC9PBIH8XDKG5yt6jd0J8d0M6PHBvA6tZjkcm1VB-KG1rNbHY5pIoLlUjBOKd1d0Zb_hybvDFJsM3ZDKSekH7lFuu1thGo_biiyYe/s1600/October+2013029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SY1Z_MIBLFrpJhzuHKkChxViHGPgwjB5ayHpwwAJC9PBIH8XDKG5yt6jd0J8d0M6PHBvA6tZjkcm1VB-KG1rNbHY5pIoLlUjBOKd1d0Zb_hybvDFJsM3ZDKSekH7lFuu1thGo_biiyYe/s640/October+2013029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNzayOaBbH2A3daOksIHhuAkkVex8dy-DYpOHC7jtWWfltgKnl7HkwOwppi8i5tMr7AnXwrG3fk1C50RWfvIgGcsqvUAFQc3rD5JNAvWVZaH3wjK2fCGGw6ZrOzu5Km1qiCG9vP8qdyXW/s1600/October+2013030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNzayOaBbH2A3daOksIHhuAkkVex8dy-DYpOHC7jtWWfltgKnl7HkwOwppi8i5tMr7AnXwrG3fk1C50RWfvIgGcsqvUAFQc3rD5JNAvWVZaH3wjK2fCGGw6ZrOzu5Km1qiCG9vP8qdyXW/s640/October+2013030.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are a species of Geoglossum. Geo - earth, glossum - Greek for tongue, therefore Earth Tongue. There was something a bit sinister about them. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..................................................</div>
<br />
<br />
This sticky bun is a Brown Roll Rim ( Paxillus involutus). No one really knows why it only grows near dead hands. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP8ZVtUa5L5NSXimyMjraZ7uo7EwX-IjYyx4taeolyYGM2SqIIsR10rOp32H_M2SLUp5mMbH1sHpI19Xjek8_gGyyTxeR1EzBfASqGZWG4mrhgnkLj7tlvYL2-K53s1iDE-ZIJC5Jr4L_/s1600/October+2013039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP8ZVtUa5L5NSXimyMjraZ7uo7EwX-IjYyx4taeolyYGM2SqIIsR10rOp32H_M2SLUp5mMbH1sHpI19Xjek8_gGyyTxeR1EzBfASqGZWG4mrhgnkLj7tlvYL2-K53s1iDE-ZIJC5Jr4L_/s640/October+2013039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
.................................</div>
<br />
This most delicate of fungi was growing in a large patch in thin grass.and if you could adjust the scale it had something of an Ewok village about it. It is a species of Coprinus growing <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCz-IUs1tbinSfLKoshbU8lFzKMHgZKaAlzP2MFimdpQ1olKxuJTI_0CT2tjz6qsdhFJOOSk-X-bv8RQrFif1-NYsYsoRA86-m7KlUOo2waeA8py8Mh1WPytSVAuOmECO8q9duiRkECrS/s1600/October+2013009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCz-IUs1tbinSfLKoshbU8lFzKMHgZKaAlzP2MFimdpQ1olKxuJTI_0CT2tjz6qsdhFJOOSk-X-bv8RQrFif1-NYsYsoRA86-m7KlUOo2waeA8py8Mh1WPytSVAuOmECO8q9duiRkECrS/s640/October+2013009.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGRmzuDCKL4qaYSO-HCQ1bmTxKO_tvgRwSwlpiXx24CSJHOaKcELgfIelVP9l6aP4xmQHwrwDfWn4XMlnBsOHuLJKKZ_GJ1qpJE-IotHY4OsXVO2omVOFB1OJZ6gacnFJw6a2ROTg929f/s1600/October+2013007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGRmzuDCKL4qaYSO-HCQ1bmTxKO_tvgRwSwlpiXx24CSJHOaKcELgfIelVP9l6aP4xmQHwrwDfWn4XMlnBsOHuLJKKZ_GJ1qpJE-IotHY4OsXVO2omVOFB1OJZ6gacnFJw6a2ROTg929f/s640/October+2013007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
..............................................</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A neat effect with a variegated Ivy on an avenue of Lombardy Polars in a north Oxfordshire garden. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1I21YaVGQz2snu_qrVYVcTLhoXj8b2yO3K0LmAIY3HrKij6L9Vtt_IXWXPa7ziqUAUjtpnUwd_biRN2mKR_xMYFiZaYDE97FA00wvXw-NX0o6MkX8cDdcE4q2XJgd24lO0jJ7JLNGk19/s1600/October+2013067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1I21YaVGQz2snu_qrVYVcTLhoXj8b2yO3K0LmAIY3HrKij6L9Vtt_IXWXPa7ziqUAUjtpnUwd_biRN2mKR_xMYFiZaYDE97FA00wvXw-NX0o6MkX8cDdcE4q2XJgd24lO0jJ7JLNGk19/s640/October+2013067.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
........................................</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a great day out in mid October to the garden at Bryan's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ground. This is the garden of the two people who run the quarterly garden journal <a href="http://www.hortus.co.uk/">Hortus</a>, David Wheeler and Simon Dorrel. It is situated in the hills around Presteigne which is north west of Leominster in Herefordshire. The garden is in England but its lower boundary runs along the border with Wales. It is very easy to fall in love with the countryside of Herefordshie as you twist your way along its roads. It is a rolling country side made softer by the lack of stone walls so dominant back at my north Cotswold home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a gloomy day with the drizzle just easing off as we arrived at the garden.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was very much the back end of the gardening season but I knew it was a garden with plenty of interesting design elements and there was the hope of some good autumn colour in the arboretum below the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First stop of course was for a cup of tea and a piece of cake so past the display of found objects and a display of halved watering cans and a show of Sedums that looked remarkably good for the time of year, to get our tickets, pot of tea and sizable slice of cake. You can never have too much or too large a slice of cake and despite what they say you can have your cake and eat it too.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjuaUafYdn0U_BPo_vhBGmNJ-_uGYoVUjtrt0N9jxHil_FsbE_Ks0PVTePsB9TZT7ml5efMbx94gZ9of6q2WY7Dg0k3ZwoW85e0L5sr66g9dIppGqK6dA2Sz-lq8V0BFi2yziVMfOfmf6/s1600/October+2013178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjuaUafYdn0U_BPo_vhBGmNJ-_uGYoVUjtrt0N9jxHil_FsbE_Ks0PVTePsB9TZT7ml5efMbx94gZ9of6q2WY7Dg0k3ZwoW85e0L5sr66g9dIppGqK6dA2Sz-lq8V0BFi2yziVMfOfmf6/s640/October+2013178.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is a dolls house quality to this collection of pieces. Its like looking into cluttered rooms full of things you wonder why you keep.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdrsyhiL1sNbXuwzWtQ1CGPx7dqhw2B7hCGjOOWUBtBzvpMCSF-JuZcpyisX9tOY-sJN_CIZOQg93AJ8djXglG3QpNIZAKNQx2QwsPxOZ6I6NxSvRHhP-FJHdnVlE9MTgRqzCIZnoXlEH/s1600/October+2013176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdrsyhiL1sNbXuwzWtQ1CGPx7dqhw2B7hCGjOOWUBtBzvpMCSF-JuZcpyisX9tOY-sJN_CIZOQg93AJ8djXglG3QpNIZAKNQx2QwsPxOZ6I6NxSvRHhP-FJHdnVlE9MTgRqzCIZnoXlEH/s640/October+2013176.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Simple is often best.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAdtRecp0gZeYW20kHSihmiujmPwTvVFAfE0P91_mRJ9ZPeVQgBWw699tcLmhufpmG9061Cj9t8Yp3mjwvnyR5WggR868Vcs24NRPomisBuoRhQ0jZYM5QP4WC2CmqoaEotZB149hQBUz/s1600/October+2013114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAdtRecp0gZeYW20kHSihmiujmPwTvVFAfE0P91_mRJ9ZPeVQgBWw699tcLmhufpmG9061Cj9t8Yp3mjwvnyR5WggR868Vcs24NRPomisBuoRhQ0jZYM5QP4WC2CmqoaEotZB149hQBUz/s640/October+2013114.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We had already had a glimpse of the garden as we made our way from the car park to the 'ticket office'. This wavy edged canal was exciting. It was spotted with raindrop rings as I got the camera out but was perfectly smooth by the time I was ready to snap and the sun had come out all in a matter of seconds. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zur_qxhjK6JqpgFxqjAZQk5YZnLjyvUFBwKotcVcUdmlhAfDKRy1lTsQeCO4ReinZfXg_mc0lnrHTAkxK_25y1Qc8k3VXsANchLKGApy5S-uOU4rZBB9STaF7WABYWFXWZsLy0Tk9vt/s1600/October+2013130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zur_qxhjK6JqpgFxqjAZQk5YZnLjyvUFBwKotcVcUdmlhAfDKRy1lTsQeCO4ReinZfXg_mc0lnrHTAkxK_25y1Qc8k3VXsANchLKGApy5S-uOU4rZBB9STaF7WABYWFXWZsLy0Tk9vt/s640/October+2013130.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The same canal seen from the house.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJlsbykuPq1DT-B4jm5yvZ8y6lWuS7kQtQ2Eq_wDd37v9Jnt4N6mCUV-MUwNowg4ZxKtpCTpgbovDMcynaTOBsOwEzPySJW1_fCmiKsAD4opKi4xs3-f1W8GKYnoE55CJs8Ld7hYEVfiK/s1600/October+2013117+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJlsbykuPq1DT-B4jm5yvZ8y6lWuS7kQtQ2Eq_wDd37v9Jnt4N6mCUV-MUwNowg4ZxKtpCTpgbovDMcynaTOBsOwEzPySJW1_fCmiKsAD4opKi4xs3-f1W8GKYnoE55CJs8Ld7hYEVfiK/s640/October+2013117+(2).jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This gorgeous building overlooks the garden</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1MMSlW5rShz_T3KN2ghqacNbvZCrVwz45A6RNd1e3WMDOr6GXSUnjzF4H734967owJqlC231UIPOp3PT7Xud5ItAnxLw9laFSPEXVDiqpWL89ljgigiWI7SvabvTkUfVIDV8embLOWP1/s1600/October+2013118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1MMSlW5rShz_T3KN2ghqacNbvZCrVwz45A6RNd1e3WMDOr6GXSUnjzF4H734967owJqlC231UIPOp3PT7Xud5ItAnxLw9laFSPEXVDiqpWL89ljgigiWI7SvabvTkUfVIDV8embLOWP1/s640/October+2013118.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
A set of candle flames. Hawthorn if I remember correctly.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADqNd5ZACjr4yuyqxnHhyphenhyphenC8tAWo5QE1XOvyIP1XtqUBRBzEqn3zPimoAflq9mjDN2MelM1Q0GCLhGyStjAxtaIjsod-2LvncGLJCelgzSmklY5CJjmGiHXN4ANuQjzkTADJLQrB4hs0u/s1600/October+2013120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADqNd5ZACjr4yuyqxnHhyphenhyphenC8tAWo5QE1XOvyIP1XtqUBRBzEqn3zPimoAflq9mjDN2MelM1Q0GCLhGyStjAxtaIjsod-2LvncGLJCelgzSmklY5CJjmGiHXN4ANuQjzkTADJLQrB4hs0u/s640/October+2013120.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a growing collection of Hydrangeas in the arboretum. No labels, so you tell me which one this is. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0hvyxUtfF_du6fnuXJKKg7ccpUFWh8RzoyN5y56LyAIwYU8e97pn0OPKDM2OlH3p2G9bml_0ekRZx82b1097bDIDGA_q8lA93vOKfG33KfStdWtd1mWYCLULP9D9xe541KQTFMLtP8Wa/s1600/October+2013123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0hvyxUtfF_du6fnuXJKKg7ccpUFWh8RzoyN5y56LyAIwYU8e97pn0OPKDM2OlH3p2G9bml_0ekRZx82b1097bDIDGA_q8lA93vOKfG33KfStdWtd1mWYCLULP9D9xe541KQTFMLtP8Wa/s640/October+2013123.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yellow hearts of Cercidiphyllum japonicum. They smell of burnt sugar when they have fallen to the ground. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnSRGRlLqEHib5VmLATMgkmzG6u9AEKLhZM5BdUdGskxm1NnOlFgIaUBsBrnLpGc_cFtphWlzxyFS8WPWOSHnlmpX4qQV8FKVDQaMuRYnsfOSEHBRarc3Ntvmxo0btM26Ase3I2ohYzUK/s1600/October+2013125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnSRGRlLqEHib5VmLATMgkmzG6u9AEKLhZM5BdUdGskxm1NnOlFgIaUBsBrnLpGc_cFtphWlzxyFS8WPWOSHnlmpX4qQV8FKVDQaMuRYnsfOSEHBRarc3Ntvmxo0btM26Ase3I2ohYzUK/s640/October+2013125.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I imagined I was looking out the window while flying over a snow blown Siberian landscape but it was just the bark of a Poplar. How wonderful. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WncjuDKudhLJkz5m7X_Z9syYVmLjU79O7KZYJVQMdmZVmpMRh-Q8IQmjE6w_w527hc95prx6st0fBh1qeJzXX1Z674zbGDsElezm5KPkAswyGF7tWYU5Gi8-zeOU0uvEf9sl0kWQaMX6/s1600/October+2013127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WncjuDKudhLJkz5m7X_Z9syYVmLjU79O7KZYJVQMdmZVmpMRh-Q8IQmjE6w_w527hc95prx6st0fBh1qeJzXX1Z674zbGDsElezm5KPkAswyGF7tWYU5Gi8-zeOU0uvEf9sl0kWQaMX6/s640/October+2013127.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbXT0Tp8ivmE19gIBYJEM-B9H2tIxtiiyofSLice9NLsgJGQy4-1Byxdz6qEZ6OKm3DAHxFanGzYem9kfmJJitUT9fM1k2Uz_MwroIeqskJQKBsIauwc8WPkuXw7OSZkJj-FPXB2kIcRv/s1600/October+2013128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbXT0Tp8ivmE19gIBYJEM-B9H2tIxtiiyofSLice9NLsgJGQy4-1Byxdz6qEZ6OKm3DAHxFanGzYem9kfmJJitUT9fM1k2Uz_MwroIeqskJQKBsIauwc8WPkuXw7OSZkJj-FPXB2kIcRv/s640/October+2013128.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Down by the lake</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zur_qxhjK6JqpgFxqjAZQk5YZnLjyvUFBwKotcVcUdmlhAfDKRy1lTsQeCO4ReinZfXg_mc0lnrHTAkxK_25y1Qc8k3VXsANchLKGApy5S-uOU4rZBB9STaF7WABYWFXWZsLy0Tk9vt/s1600/October+2013130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTAnKBXexKQtDGYn54pFfnqwqFvxCPToxeCjZm6bf3y-TzqPiQJIP-uLRqmsvxHKB-cN7Zz4nxu88GGWCO5-3WcwYWSXe8n9E9JIYiHvhXp1vBLB4wsS1rRhmRsg9B3nhYQ-Ude67yNnq/s1600/October+2013136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTAnKBXexKQtDGYn54pFfnqwqFvxCPToxeCjZm6bf3y-TzqPiQJIP-uLRqmsvxHKB-cN7Zz4nxu88GGWCO5-3WcwYWSXe8n9E9JIYiHvhXp1vBLB4wsS1rRhmRsg9B3nhYQ-Ude67yNnq/s640/October+2013136.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An Eastern influenced greenhouse interior.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sInAJJwfQkggtTBPU0vAaj5Hqe5uCm25HrVixYeOBPsEYkMn-uD9AfaCt-K2oKGDlgLbuzNLYUMwVX6vylcJXyPAuR5cECLYfEP8uUClSK5rDaKahT3bs40nJj0flh0jPoVJhtRdNN2o/s1600/October+2013139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sInAJJwfQkggtTBPU0vAaj5Hqe5uCm25HrVixYeOBPsEYkMn-uD9AfaCt-K2oKGDlgLbuzNLYUMwVX6vylcJXyPAuR5cECLYfEP8uUClSK5rDaKahT3bs40nJj0flh0jPoVJhtRdNN2o/s640/October+2013139.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheer up.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwbolFnTPNC3509cVJtzjvig36CcBY9atThE5uJyxRDDEKv640JMcQqDFVGGDms-VokcD8OaU9uJzn6p3oks70Yri1I7JPQTVL30LfEaboPGRXQU62XR3HWEH87eDSYFW_1u1FQsVg88P/s1600/October+2013140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwbolFnTPNC3509cVJtzjvig36CcBY9atThE5uJyxRDDEKv640JMcQqDFVGGDms-VokcD8OaU9uJzn6p3oks70Yri1I7JPQTVL30LfEaboPGRXQU62XR3HWEH87eDSYFW_1u1FQsVg88P/s640/October+2013140.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2zGkmmeydfS5f_RONaJRw7lI_C3nomHkCUtuEFulvYq_iT7HDWd35dmAa4FUGmJFWqWCkC88GNLEistuQ8NCCIqeZ-jERdEDsS-eYp8LhZMHw3RLKjtn5Yl4v7ahvHODexh8nEaARxQq/s1600/October+2013143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2zGkmmeydfS5f_RONaJRw7lI_C3nomHkCUtuEFulvYq_iT7HDWd35dmAa4FUGmJFWqWCkC88GNLEistuQ8NCCIqeZ-jERdEDsS-eYp8LhZMHw3RLKjtn5Yl4v7ahvHODexh8nEaARxQq/s640/October+2013143.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
'Its no good looking like that you started all this bondage stuff''<br />
'Its not bondage it's jewellery,'<br />
'Oh'<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTklvpSgYz9qmod-pm4xUlwbqGEZSd5D-W6GUo4eqNtm3aJs4qNt8R9FkZDL1Mie7aRlMhUgiRjxaLiGHUhYi5lFv6Woi7ipNqqS8erhj3sjAgNLdml0ViO5YHF7m9ShyjGz807RljPAD/s1600/October+2013144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTklvpSgYz9qmod-pm4xUlwbqGEZSd5D-W6GUo4eqNtm3aJs4qNt8R9FkZDL1Mie7aRlMhUgiRjxaLiGHUhYi5lFv6Woi7ipNqqS8erhj3sjAgNLdml0ViO5YHF7m9ShyjGz807RljPAD/s640/October+2013144.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
'Whatever it is, it is all very tedious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxAjRARR0YdB9hYnrHk5v00tBLj0t21doMoAaeMB8xcyKpOR-wtysCk9xijuuUTYqShYcA-UkwKAWnNCCC3VC7GTXdK1d60gOxyI2dVpYdRst1jg76_mGYZ08ZfAqSW5I8nE45vrM8OR5/s1600/October+2013142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxAjRARR0YdB9hYnrHk5v00tBLj0t21doMoAaeMB8xcyKpOR-wtysCk9xijuuUTYqShYcA-UkwKAWnNCCC3VC7GTXdK1d60gOxyI2dVpYdRst1jg76_mGYZ08ZfAqSW5I8nE45vrM8OR5/s640/October+2013142.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The bigger picture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3MViBY8Yti_Mv34wHolBBD7HtbBOQe6nxIDAS2A08KN2q_e23RFVuIyYuHzXo8r5KOsNsZauvAaozAT8WxmXyz2he6E_ISeCkvt2vEq3miU3_bAJdDBRbpeTZy__UrP8er4KsM1UCO1N/s1600/October+2013145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3MViBY8Yti_Mv34wHolBBD7HtbBOQe6nxIDAS2A08KN2q_e23RFVuIyYuHzXo8r5KOsNsZauvAaozAT8WxmXyz2he6E_ISeCkvt2vEq3miU3_bAJdDBRbpeTZy__UrP8er4KsM1UCO1N/s640/October+2013145.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what have we got here? From the left; a bit of chain, one old oil can, the bit of metal that the mole has to dislodge if you are to catch him in your trap, looks like a metal roman numeral from a clock, a cast metal thingy with its top broken off, another old oil can of superior quality, one of those things that stops leaves going down you drainpipe, a spanner , a gargoyles arm and belly button.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmjCDxUDhePqf0gcWFb5GusKIGyhC_QZZEaB9DZ-0kZUEIP6WpEhJV9iVjASYsYfB03ZbWs9FnK33e_MMSyfoFi6zPS3HNreG8dZA-xhyc7BMim0Ov5aQ37JbCMJa9oOlw7GdtadzH7hq/s1600/October+2013146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmjCDxUDhePqf0gcWFb5GusKIGyhC_QZZEaB9DZ-0kZUEIP6WpEhJV9iVjASYsYfB03ZbWs9FnK33e_MMSyfoFi6zPS3HNreG8dZA-xhyc7BMim0Ov5aQ37JbCMJa9oOlw7GdtadzH7hq/s640/October+2013146.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this is where they go to die.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OHLJ9SO8n9lJ2tMWQVa8NSA5ZtlnrreH1Of7cH5HgJ34Uv-So3cC6z_CbiuQ6BFMLGPa9_-Olm9sIe3SMMP6q_YdgfCDNfb9NbyG2j_p7pY9eLH9P5tj6ICaZpIFxpxc6pguVBIGZ-Zh/s1600/October+2013147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OHLJ9SO8n9lJ2tMWQVa8NSA5ZtlnrreH1Of7cH5HgJ34Uv-So3cC6z_CbiuQ6BFMLGPa9_-Olm9sIe3SMMP6q_YdgfCDNfb9NbyG2j_p7pY9eLH9P5tj6ICaZpIFxpxc6pguVBIGZ-Zh/s640/October+2013147.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They don't make them like this any more if they ever did - maybe it was made by a Boy Scout trying to get his Meccano badge.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuQdyo6iojyjcrcEt3F3nNqt86DSmppIP4Fj6lQ2HKCQszw4q76iwhTXprxGp4Sc6zIjiAAEqRXGvmalDBeOcsxyM1ujvX4LgRxzqsk-hsDlFX5HK4n4o6fLAmJj6BlpUdL38bSWuqtU9/s1600/October+2013154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuQdyo6iojyjcrcEt3F3nNqt86DSmppIP4Fj6lQ2HKCQszw4q76iwhTXprxGp4Sc6zIjiAAEqRXGvmalDBeOcsxyM1ujvX4LgRxzqsk-hsDlFX5HK4n4o6fLAmJj6BlpUdL38bSWuqtU9/s640/October+2013154.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9Ls1emJS-6GeToieFi88_ASGvBMyy8xQT57Y-0HKyXBCbtq7YT51YSCouCT4FJDRvWB378Jxm0mqVLI3cPlU9jbeaL5RYQH7Cl-iaxBmP6ypc9rke4hPxW2rbj2KZyw0yXpUrfLnum_k/s1600/October+2013161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9Ls1emJS-6GeToieFi88_ASGvBMyy8xQT57Y-0HKyXBCbtq7YT51YSCouCT4FJDRvWB378Jxm0mqVLI3cPlU9jbeaL5RYQH7Cl-iaxBmP6ypc9rke4hPxW2rbj2KZyw0yXpUrfLnum_k/s640/October+2013161.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bit of atmosphere..........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8Y8KxV8gZvoacum9802fJgSsV2t1784d3rAXLTtUAGDhOVgTeLoOaLgTD0Y97MODUG_mgzZIaDlrBRQ5fdyeOyRudM_QXK57tl0AWqGGmgkqaeM9q-Z-XXzByyxqLhhfSuoiAl4awv4D/s1600/October+2013164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8Y8KxV8gZvoacum9802fJgSsV2t1784d3rAXLTtUAGDhOVgTeLoOaLgTD0Y97MODUG_mgzZIaDlrBRQ5fdyeOyRudM_QXK57tl0AWqGGmgkqaeM9q-Z-XXzByyxqLhhfSuoiAl4awv4D/s640/October+2013164.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sun gets low toward the end of a great day out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY4Xn5G2aHPxkhXZeovXNt8ff3gFbsxw5FyMIYS0HcgXOM4Ux6HJyxtPMCtXEhKYiCnef9oBtAGNIIeCWzqLSVeovndywaPOVUmiaPaFt50lP9Uc-R_Q-XE7jZWy7T7ptwpqENSG9gKxB/s1600/October+2013171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY4Xn5G2aHPxkhXZeovXNt8ff3gFbsxw5FyMIYS0HcgXOM4Ux6HJyxtPMCtXEhKYiCnef9oBtAGNIIeCWzqLSVeovndywaPOVUmiaPaFt50lP9Uc-R_Q-XE7jZWy7T7ptwpqENSG9gKxB/s640/October+2013171.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
............................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is one of my favourite Hostas. 'Praying Hands'. It doesn't always put on such brilliant autumn colour but this time it did. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2qjH5rJqOVAdOt2GKeZXeU8ISW169Js8F3UCMt3Mqd2bjpnOHR6A1rFvl3pjMSy4w3V1cQV9sib1HHyY5H-GG9pson7Skn3jABvDwGTisJrpDa6ZHwH9SA5mEinIhyphenhyphenWq2ihu0ZpIaDV1/s1600/October+2013194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2qjH5rJqOVAdOt2GKeZXeU8ISW169Js8F3UCMt3Mqd2bjpnOHR6A1rFvl3pjMSy4w3V1cQV9sib1HHyY5H-GG9pson7Skn3jABvDwGTisJrpDa6ZHwH9SA5mEinIhyphenhyphenWq2ihu0ZpIaDV1/s640/October+2013194.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
......................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Animal, vegetable or mineral?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiyc2e1_jwSxtWfqD77TH-UKpE_LstnV99wzk1gnj57gi25RCCil15yMUD2AUCbdBnC1vD4ZMHpT5h1YLQ20Q_s2C-jAlc6z3MThNraU5KhpY6C2fJ08f25UtY4B0RYmTLHfnj9fSx-o1/s1600/october+20130001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiyc2e1_jwSxtWfqD77TH-UKpE_LstnV99wzk1gnj57gi25RCCil15yMUD2AUCbdBnC1vD4ZMHpT5h1YLQ20Q_s2C-jAlc6z3MThNraU5KhpY6C2fJ08f25UtY4B0RYmTLHfnj9fSx-o1/s640/october+20130001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bit reptilian, a bit sluggish.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrxf7Q61WBa4MsKAcVxHxrwBxHvPuJd8KikqHXQBgndYIu1QfAJzezM-Hsff1Yk4GFWntYQSUg-PWtyTfdUKlMJpLHrBrgGmwu7BLEK3lRQ_7KJIw4kL2GHOCrIK1IF90uUKGn1MkRjv7/s1600/october+20130006+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrxf7Q61WBa4MsKAcVxHxrwBxHvPuJd8KikqHXQBgndYIu1QfAJzezM-Hsff1Yk4GFWntYQSUg-PWtyTfdUKlMJpLHrBrgGmwu7BLEK3lRQ_7KJIw4kL2GHOCrIK1IF90uUKGn1MkRjv7/s640/october+20130006+(2).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It is a seed pod of Decaisnea fargesii. A hardy shrub from Asia bearing clusters of these blue seed pods and surprisingly little seen. . I have never touched a dead mans fingers but the size, colour and the gentle give to the skin when touched, for me , gives authenticity to the common name for this shrub, Dead Mans Fingers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JWOfhErlvzwYySPjqO52_MOYK1XXLOFptReQ16oHMgcPvLq_ld3Vcq4TeXy7ctXaz_1FTURZgabc8FTUf7XFewr2xlhYqazjFSYhrLEvmMt5qcaY1NP3A_k0C8I5MYIWoZRMwjpaf2be/s1600/october+20130006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JWOfhErlvzwYySPjqO52_MOYK1XXLOFptReQ16oHMgcPvLq_ld3Vcq4TeXy7ctXaz_1FTURZgabc8FTUf7XFewr2xlhYqazjFSYhrLEvmMt5qcaY1NP3A_k0C8I5MYIWoZRMwjpaf2be/s640/october+20130006.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
Which reminds me, I must check up on my dental hygiene. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-29391497994086491992013-10-08T13:27:00.000-07:002013-10-19T06:08:26.917-07:00 Bindweed, ground elder and late summer flowers.Does my bum look big in this? Mites and nodules.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Hello Everyone, This is a quick post just to keep things going. Look out for a bumper issue next time when hopefully time there will be time to prepare a fuller read. Don't forget new posts are announced on twitter at @pwhorticulture</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Does my bum look big in this? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF1578xqZ0YO7thKzKzcNVBE8a11qqQEvrXXbBoxQxfsfzC31RhImHu2wRBqkI3MdP6rpCoF9ytmxF6ZpyaX-Z6Ny8JL8YpoB-7zvSYykI97_Th3V8rZKKujf7Ped7Vkp6MrpS-x7u9hQ/s1600/September+2013049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF1578xqZ0YO7thKzKzcNVBE8a11qqQEvrXXbBoxQxfsfzC31RhImHu2wRBqkI3MdP6rpCoF9ytmxF6ZpyaX-Z6Ny8JL8YpoB-7zvSYykI97_Th3V8rZKKujf7Ped7Vkp6MrpS-x7u9hQ/s640/September+2013049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Not so much beyond the pale but more between the pales. A very rosy looking Golden Delicious apple has squashed itself between the palings of my garden fence. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hQ1T80Z3PLX5Q7kqkyOYUhPvz3szSPiHvtQ9evFuuMLIC4qXeGtB4tONVan7Hd3mZ_eX6X12AAZcj8XDntFvwL2qxkqRbtsXzm0MJ0VuNKoiHC-iEWi03lgK45hAx2VJNfiS3rCn374Q/s1600/September+2013050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hQ1T80Z3PLX5Q7kqkyOYUhPvz3szSPiHvtQ9evFuuMLIC4qXeGtB4tONVan7Hd3mZ_eX6X12AAZcj8XDntFvwL2qxkqRbtsXzm0MJ0VuNKoiHC-iEWi03lgK45hAx2VJNfiS3rCn374Q/s640/September+2013050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bondage in the orchard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The flowering shoots of this espaliered apple developed their fruit inside a squirrel proof bird feeder.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.........................................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Bindweed</span></div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAW1J8KlSQnz69MshmUsEY_ba7F8zQNfa9SDeEYiOuO-2cOBorhgZSvhpIsJgsbbiAb0jJSbiofi5E8uT2segwajET3lajmuqM1grRmgnoGHC_gwgCvYAgvSfzyAJD2tenVyV_XMebc6C/s640/September+2013013.JPG" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There can't be many gardeners in the UK ( and maybe around the world) who don't recognize these roots. They are of course the roots of Bindweed, Calystegia sepium. They strike fear into the heart of any serious gardener. They grow very deep and they are packed with stored energy which means even very small pieces of root have sufficient reserves to push up a new shoot from even deep buried fragments. They always look uncannily white and ready washed when they come out of the ground and look temptingly like an ingredient for a crunchy stir fry. Not sure if they are toxic so I am not going to try it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is difficult to eradicate but with patience and persistence it can be got rid of but you need to be sure it is not going to be running back into the garden under your neighbour's fence. Nor is a wall necessarily a good defence as the roots will make their way under or through a stone wall though a brick wall with footings can be considered secure. If the ground is otherwise clear of any plants you want to keep let the bindweed grow a good cover of leaves across the ground and then before it flowers spray it with Glyphosate ( Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup but there are other brands to be found.) Glyphosate is a translocated herbicide which means it is moved around the plant to kill all parts of the plant so the greater the leaf area the more herbicide you get into the plants system and the greater will be its effect. You are wasting your time if you spray the first few leaves that appear. Always remember that this weed killer is just as happy killing your favourite plants as it is killing the weeds so take great care when spraying. Using a low pressure on you sprayer will give you a bigger droplet size and help avoid spray drift but you should not spray on windy days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are very vigilant and persistent you can wear it down by removing every new shoot that appears and the plant will eventually run out of energy and die but such is its store of energy that this can take years and you might run out of energy before it does. Chickens might have the required stamina - a friend moved his large chicken run around his garden over period of a few years and killed, by pecking attrition, every bit of bindweed, ground elder and creeping thistle in his garden. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi418YiqBgioYDywmOXgA1fv2LeVqT0CvG_eIE7hbSIXWYeNxWgcVYsQXlNEQL2ZhF9_fbefiMK6Npn_mY96kV2yi9dQdAwsj6hxwg3A5megfijjCWOhz2_whPuJqUS86zMVbHdo_DV1FV3/s1600/july+2013_004_05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi418YiqBgioYDywmOXgA1fv2LeVqT0CvG_eIE7hbSIXWYeNxWgcVYsQXlNEQL2ZhF9_fbefiMK6Npn_mY96kV2yi9dQdAwsj6hxwg3A5megfijjCWOhz2_whPuJqUS86zMVbHdo_DV1FV3/s640/july+2013_004_05.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bindweed is at it worse when it is established among herbaceous plants and shrubs. Training it up canes gives you a chance to keep it clear of the plants you want to keep and allows a good leaf coverage to build up before you spray. When it comes to spraying cover the plants around the canes with polythene sheet and beware of run off from the bsheet. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">More often than not, Ground Elder, another extremely pernicious weed, gets mentioned in the same </span><span style="text-align: left;"> breath as bindweed. It is one of the terrible trio of weeds , Bindweed, Ground elder and Horses tail. (Equisteum) . Everyone is keen to tell you Ground Elder was brought into the UK by the Romans ( So that is what the Romans ever did for us. Hmm? ) and was used as a salad and cooking herb by monks. It is also often said to be a cure for gout as its scientific name implies. Aegopodium podagaria. Aegopodium = goat's foot from Greek aix, goat and pous, foot. Podagaria = used to treat gout or arthritis. More of this sometimes desirable plant below........</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Bretforton Manor</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcg_JrtxH6Q4LFwV2xEKarf-O5DoNalBXbZBpesz9YmY0dHUR0Td9pBx3PlJVLQypttcojf2yST8cARlbCxOEJwcwgxkNWiRwRIe08ahcr2nyTQeU2Yvr8H-829fJX6LjPzUIDy106r_Gz/s1600/september+20130029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcg_JrtxH6Q4LFwV2xEKarf-O5DoNalBXbZBpesz9YmY0dHUR0Td9pBx3PlJVLQypttcojf2yST8cARlbCxOEJwcwgxkNWiRwRIe08ahcr2nyTQeU2Yvr8H-829fJX6LjPzUIDy106r_Gz/s640/september+20130029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A few years ago I was involved with the early stage development of the gardens at <a href="http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/gardenfinder/garden.aspx?id=25428">Bretforton Manor</a><br />
One of the most awkward parts of the garden was this yew covered walkway which leads to the back gate and to the private gate to the church. It was gloomy and the ground was dry and shady. Very little would grow there so I decided to take a bit of a risk and plant the variegated selection of the grow anywhere Ground Elder. It was a risk taken with some understanding that not too much could go wrong. There were thick stone walls on both sides and at the far gate end and a thick yew hedge where you enter the walkway so the ground elder could not escape into the garden proper. I went back to visit the garden recently and I was very pleased that my experiment had worked. Congratulations have to go to the owners for letting me plant such a rampant spreader in the first place and to Jon Heath , the head gardener for managing this so well and stopping the plain leaved Ground Elder from taking any hold. One way to keep the plain leaves at bay is to make sure that the flower heads are not allowed to seed because seedlings may well come up plain green. Also any shoots reverting to green need to be dug out as soon as they appear. Because the plain leaves have more green in the leaves than the variegated type they will be more vigorous and start to overwhelm the 'ornamental' type. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
................................................................</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">''It's late September and I really should be getting back to school......................''</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love late September in the garden. Things are far from over and the flowers that are still showing off seem to have their colours enriched by the low sun. There is no great mystery in getting a good display in early autumn. The picture below was taken in the last week of September in north Gloucestershire and none <span style="text-align: center;">of the plants are difficult to grow. This is quite a deep border, the front to back dimension of a border is important if you want to get a meaningful interplay of height and shape between plants. This is just a small part of a longer border but the same effect can be had in a border of lesser proportions by just using fewer plants of the individual varieties. The plants from left to right are, at the back Datisca cannabina .I know I bore you to death with my regular references to this plant but it is only because I love it so much, a few late flowers of Hemerocallis, a Sedum (but I cant </span>remember</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
which)<span style="text-align: center;">, Echinacea purpurea, more grassy Day Lily foliage at the front ( It is always worth considering the effect of the foliage a plant provides because most often it is on show for far longer than the flowers), The blue is Aster amellus 'Monch' and in front of it is Crocosmia 'George Davison '. Some stray Verbena bonariensis seedlings, Miscanthus gracillimus and Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' complete the arrangement. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMKH5YN2tus40IrusceXBFmZHUxVWgoq5P7wcpMNOgvjJq1BxQ3OsNiWCW_ZAtVIVxhRGLWRuJ5Hp4zwp1KnDMc1f58H7lbI5HdrSlVFRjRJ8UqVb9cwzJ4Egbg7Xg4taU77rUepV2cn8/s1600/September+2013045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMKH5YN2tus40IrusceXBFmZHUxVWgoq5P7wcpMNOgvjJq1BxQ3OsNiWCW_ZAtVIVxhRGLWRuJ5Hp4zwp1KnDMc1f58H7lbI5HdrSlVFRjRJ8UqVb9cwzJ4Egbg7Xg4taU77rUepV2cn8/s640/September+2013045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMsf2HilWyupNHHhD6yOSigyKCAAkxPdRuVlBJH_JGseD824-4X6AIn2vR4mobbEZTlrWdJFxrB_TYsUWGsPJH94q7NtulVhGrUswsDsK-20N8OTj-qPyaguN9LgjzY6tHST53YeZr3Bu/s1600/September+2013025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMsf2HilWyupNHHhD6yOSigyKCAAkxPdRuVlBJH_JGseD824-4X6AIn2vR4mobbEZTlrWdJFxrB_TYsUWGsPJH94q7NtulVhGrUswsDsK-20N8OTj-qPyaguN9LgjzY6tHST53YeZr3Bu/s640/September+2013025.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Another late September arrangement now in its second year is made up of Miscanthus 'Flamingo',- the near grass, Euphorbia myrsinites, the foreground grey, Ajuga 'Black Scallop' - dark foliage in foreground, Portugal Laurel as repeated evergreen structure midway throught the border. The Heuchera is Cherry Cola.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqxccYlDmupfwBkGtswq7vhD8fil4Qiz1ZBXb558RKJUw3p7b4BTN3zGGWl5q46iaIgtNL4IlDpLaySGduO5OHBfSzmGfmvg3AMARn9aNzBekBU9e29yCLDzMy19mBbJJhfqmzIWgl7P2/s1600/September+2013054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqxccYlDmupfwBkGtswq7vhD8fil4Qiz1ZBXb558RKJUw3p7b4BTN3zGGWl5q46iaIgtNL4IlDpLaySGduO5OHBfSzmGfmvg3AMARn9aNzBekBU9e29yCLDzMy19mBbJJhfqmzIWgl7P2/s640/September+2013054.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
In this new woodland garden we took care to make sure the spikes of toxic ( but who in their right mind is going to eat them) berries were not knocked about. Very often the wind and other vegetation conspire to bend and break the stems or dislodge the berries and spoil the very dramatic affect that can be achieved if they can be kept whole.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv1AIpb_uPM-4NwG0NNn9Zaj7H5S42-PF5Yej4Ji3jSYRdzIqE55RTOaunVnNcfuGb1jW0wi_TzMJ4IVFLNAGaw0ALF7LJ-11OvqTIdoJIdA4cc0HcUBNyqg09r3q_DOGfOCEY8xBB0qI/s1600/September+2013053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv1AIpb_uPM-4NwG0NNn9Zaj7H5S42-PF5Yej4Ji3jSYRdzIqE55RTOaunVnNcfuGb1jW0wi_TzMJ4IVFLNAGaw0ALF7LJ-11OvqTIdoJIdA4cc0HcUBNyqg09r3q_DOGfOCEY8xBB0qI/s640/September+2013053.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The pinky ,purple , silvery grey leaves of the Japanese Painted Fern ( Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum') make an unlikely companion to the red berries of Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum'. I am surprised the marbled leaves have not yet started to show through, whennthey do they provide some of the best winter ground cover available. The grey stone ball is a piece of sculpture by <a href="http://www.davidharber.co.uk/%E2%80%8E">David Harber</a> and is one of three in this part of the woodland garden. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNbVcxuPxJj773eNbsVh_gDXSf7FZLms6l6tpTTuMrFGOOwxsqKwCA-3pnOgEfRnIw9fL-SEbuPZ9ZUF69ljbfPeA3Diw9tGQnQdWCX92oVjFikqKxfn6n4_3O269yyiynYVbl_OxDorM/s1600/September+2013076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNbVcxuPxJj773eNbsVh_gDXSf7FZLms6l6tpTTuMrFGOOwxsqKwCA-3pnOgEfRnIw9fL-SEbuPZ9ZUF69ljbfPeA3Diw9tGQnQdWCX92oVjFikqKxfn6n4_3O269yyiynYVbl_OxDorM/s640/September+2013076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
Another<span style="text-align: start;"> late season treat is this Tricyrtis ( Toad Lily)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDXN9LAkq_Z1i_2e1VcvnbbDPxYUMbEekT9RGWGfqrGkiBc-G9JvCrRJabX6RyavaF7C7YxqcWLt_4k3g5hBL1I-c0y4ylQ-esJv1pKFSCbgj7yVbaBn6IWzl4xR-6-J55eNRTGHP2Hsa/s640/September+2013075.JPG" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">.....................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Rust free Hollyhock.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I am not sure where this fits in botanically with the plants we all know as Hollyhock but it has the same effect as the more flamboyant varieties but is much later in flower. Unlike the traditional hollyhocks it does not have the rust problem. In the case of normal Hollyhocks the effect of the rust can be minimised not by treating it with chemicals but by growing your Hollyhocks towards the back of a border so the diseased leaves are never seen but the towering flower spikes are. This variety flowers much later than most and is flowering now in the first week of October. It has slightly double flowers but its true value lies in its slightly dirty </span><span style="text-align: center;">pink colour -very</span><span style="text-align: start;"> Farrow and Ball. Perhaps the colour could be called Flamingo's Breath. That is a joke, ( after Farrow and Ball's Moles Breath) for those who thought I might be going all unduly arty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I have this growing against a purple smoke bush which sets it off perfectly. It rises to a couple of metres and is rust free. </span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> Alcea 'Parkfrieden' from</span> <span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.specialplants.net/" style="text-align: start;">Special Plants</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb0Exv1O5Pcuiauie8Dx-Q38J_pP6ythecliHlY_j42-DfeM5-bQKTiAouhQniUdDLQQoMGzmeqO5CRTjJjexhLVamG6sAcZEC8mIvjkOaFjegTA2Wtkpqky9K5XxYgqy7iQa5AgL9OPv/s1600/september+20130014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb0Exv1O5Pcuiauie8Dx-Q38J_pP6ythecliHlY_j42-DfeM5-bQKTiAouhQniUdDLQQoMGzmeqO5CRTjJjexhLVamG6sAcZEC8mIvjkOaFjegTA2Wtkpqky9K5XxYgqy7iQa5AgL9OPv/s640/september+20130014.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nNV2jq_bpZAp_mdYUn-IlzuGMfnwzu9GuRsT-cJaBGI0XGg3gh6VigNmu1eH8vDFNp70fbYMYGjwP1CfjUUY3C3Sg1K173fkgV7wR0v5R2xaqy553B5hV7dvdXGZBZzWZgEav8aT87sa/s1600/september+20130013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nNV2jq_bpZAp_mdYUn-IlzuGMfnwzu9GuRsT-cJaBGI0XGg3gh6VigNmu1eH8vDFNp70fbYMYGjwP1CfjUUY3C3Sg1K173fkgV7wR0v5R2xaqy553B5hV7dvdXGZBZzWZgEav8aT87sa/s640/september+20130013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.......................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Name that plant 1. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Presuming you don't know what the plant below is and I asked you to guess its name what would you say?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been flowering for several weeks through September, it is herbaceous, has survived the last few very cold winters ( That is UK Midlands very cold and please no sniggers from Canadians or Greenlanders. ), it forms a gradually spreading clump and has very narrow leaves on stems some 75 to 90 cms high. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Would you say Lobelia? Well you should because it is Lobelia laxifolia var. angustifolia. It has survived several years on my very ordinary soil in a site neither protected nor a particularly exposed. It is one of the most exotic looking hardy plants in my garden. It is from Mexico.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6iKQ2p0IIET4iRc7LoQyAvCnp3EAAZcPoFpPF6lZY0jG0EHImiNnc06f01IFAo9W-3OTucdYZyts9Ref3wxRn3vOjetFlBq_L3V5vcaqjJjTcsnUIBRUFYOU7R0NfdJrUPE4U6_rO3s9/s1600/september+20130024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6iKQ2p0IIET4iRc7LoQyAvCnp3EAAZcPoFpPF6lZY0jG0EHImiNnc06f01IFAo9W-3OTucdYZyts9Ref3wxRn3vOjetFlBq_L3V5vcaqjJjTcsnUIBRUFYOU7R0NfdJrUPE4U6_rO3s9/s640/september+20130024.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Name that plant 2.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is another one that is so atypical that if you don't know it you are unlikely to be able to guess from its shape and colour. It is an Echinacea, honest, It is a variety called Southern Belle,which doesn't bode well for its hardiness but I am going to give it a try. It is not so much the flower shape that appeals to but its bright lipstick colour. I have no idea what I am going to pair it with but maybe that is the point and it will just stand on its own as a very bright show-off. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq8G1XyOkkabWM57kprZhmv4jb8dT-qYNjTQpUeoOql7wlUnB9bgMIfQibldUpTY9iXA_umqgmafKLw4ZBjprdJ10w8O1Ksg_QJe5xVZYRT774p8bC8ugW3vnSuMMgJJTGCagVpWaPGlb/s1600/september+20130011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq8G1XyOkkabWM57kprZhmv4jb8dT-qYNjTQpUeoOql7wlUnB9bgMIfQibldUpTY9iXA_umqgmafKLw4ZBjprdJ10w8O1Ksg_QJe5xVZYRT774p8bC8ugW3vnSuMMgJJTGCagVpWaPGlb/s640/september+20130011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..........................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Greenhouse red spider mite ( Then again it might not)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoDOIMafuNHJAzFL1ReFF__DA_61s1unwVm2e4B3Na4jI4VYBGMneJqc8-s4WZFpHpMWEI0mzvHVM4XCdQQg7fS6yj3XzLrx-GMgMQXd1N-0Nsldd1eXgGJKfDjU3s55V0HrZkBC6Hlhu/s1600/September+2013078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoDOIMafuNHJAzFL1ReFF__DA_61s1unwVm2e4B3Na4jI4VYBGMneJqc8-s4WZFpHpMWEI0mzvHVM4XCdQQg7fS6yj3XzLrx-GMgMQXd1N-0Nsldd1eXgGJKfDjU3s55V0HrZkBC6Hlhu/s640/September+2013078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The warn dry weather we have had in the UK during the summer has encouraged Red Spider Mite to establish itself outdoors on plants you would not usually see affected. This is Leycesteria formosa showing the typical speckled leaf effect caused by the minute mite sucking sap from below. A fine webbing can usually be seen on the underneath of the leaf and helps to further confirm an infestation. You will need to look carefully unless it is a severe case when the whole plant can be enveloped and distorted by dense webbing which can eventually kill even large plants such as Dahlias<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..................................................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Has bean...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGFPrmJEuTgwKTG2sjzOg80I8tPb-jC1yqq1F44iq57_vlM1R-b10mZyouIjpbvR3m_dGaHPp2mKT2SQtYZp8Q5uKDSqbxqWr8LI9aK4JLubW-wBEazBckxX8udaw5mMY8f0Q03Kl58dl/s1600/September+2013048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGFPrmJEuTgwKTG2sjzOg80I8tPb-jC1yqq1F44iq57_vlM1R-b10mZyouIjpbvR3m_dGaHPp2mKT2SQtYZp8Q5uKDSqbxqWr8LI9aK4JLubW-wBEazBckxX8udaw5mMY8f0Q03Kl58dl/s640/September+2013048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I was digging out my French beans and I noticed these nodules on their roots. These are a common feature of leguminous plants ( What was known as the Leguminosae family is now the Fabaceae) but are also found in other genera, Alnus ( Alder) is a a well known one. There is a symbiotic relationship between a bacteria and the plant whereby, very simply, the plant provides nutrition to the bacteria and the bacteria provides nitrogen to the plant. The bacteria in the nodules fix nitrogen from the atmosphere ( In a good soil there is plenty of air between the soil particles.) This is particularly useful for the plant where it is growing in a nitrogen poor soil. You might have noticed how clover in your lawn stays green even when the rest of it is looking undernourished, it is because clover, ( a member of the Fabaceae) has these nodules helping it to get its nitrogen. as a side note , you might have noticed that your clover leaves close up at night. This is called nastic movement and happens in a quite a lot of plants, some movements are quite dramatic. I hope to take a look at nastic movement in a bit more detail in a future post. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..................................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tidying up.</span></div>
I like tidying up in the garden because it gives you a chance to get close up to your plants and you see them in more detail then when just enjoying them from afar. I was pulling off the seed heads of Stipa arundinacea ( In know it now has a new name but I haven't caught up with it yet.). They have a soft feel but are slightly spiky as well and a great armful weighs nothing. They were still looking good but these were flopping over the path and they are prolific self seeders and I can do without any more seedlings. I found the touch and the colour of the pink and sere tinged stems both visually and tactilely ( is there such a word?) very stimulating.<br />
The pictures don't really capture the sensations of touch and texture but if you have pulled these out and bundled them up the pictures will jog a memory. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmWHrM5SjLGGeaMrpocpYnQs-IQq9RTCk-jAQfJtcakQrOaPQ1oWw_8NRFMA_c6FqQD6OqhhvOeEOG_P78ZMS2YalPCv1akXZIVg8NiLAHMlgYX7_1a4Tub1ia8JCf_1epkzRWDNSmqN4/s1600/September+2013083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmWHrM5SjLGGeaMrpocpYnQs-IQq9RTCk-jAQfJtcakQrOaPQ1oWw_8NRFMA_c6FqQD6OqhhvOeEOG_P78ZMS2YalPCv1akXZIVg8NiLAHMlgYX7_1a4Tub1ia8JCf_1epkzRWDNSmqN4/s640/September+2013083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ1NxZ2NUCGpJeEEN13B703fDFT5VYcYQKRCYyGlruiC6fCdoXonTSalWvaoojuqXJ2Gd70lJTBf5X3alF8bbQQAkadhHbQciIMt8d_zY4biq3I45WEwTU0CaRosDfLeXfcfIljDJbTUF/s1600/September+2013082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ1NxZ2NUCGpJeEEN13B703fDFT5VYcYQKRCYyGlruiC6fCdoXonTSalWvaoojuqXJ2Gd70lJTBf5X3alF8bbQQAkadhHbQciIMt8d_zY4biq3I45WEwTU0CaRosDfLeXfcfIljDJbTUF/s640/September+2013082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MgaTphRY2SrnR_PJPrLXdTx2iZsj7-IiSnBFAuSsNiVwYFVQVR-otEHk4iNSpwbDbPdFgwLYKBZJAXyKMnTmsmU5iumgbEY6myBk9BLFKI5eXLR-IOE9xpkY8RnthjgbOnd8Q8ZvOPiz/s1600/September+2013086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MgaTphRY2SrnR_PJPrLXdTx2iZsj7-IiSnBFAuSsNiVwYFVQVR-otEHk4iNSpwbDbPdFgwLYKBZJAXyKMnTmsmU5iumgbEY6myBk9BLFKI5eXLR-IOE9xpkY8RnthjgbOnd8Q8ZvOPiz/s640/September+2013086.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Knotting the fluffy stems means you can get more in the barrow but also makes for a sculptural effect. (Would have been better on a plain background. Ed.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.....................................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWD6iKH615Lzczr915TaR_vEEP82u3BTE6zWCPMopNUEglB7umZXURIQceU9_LdQZplSR-FVo8QYGoBAvc4t-11nfUxpmeLfFSxZP9RggCCehr1ietyWiCjHC1HUBeAS-nq2ruFHDSRyV/s1600/september+20130031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWD6iKH615Lzczr915TaR_vEEP82u3BTE6zWCPMopNUEglB7umZXURIQceU9_LdQZplSR-FVo8QYGoBAvc4t-11nfUxpmeLfFSxZP9RggCCehr1ietyWiCjHC1HUBeAS-nq2ruFHDSRyV/s640/september+20130031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a picture of Euphorbia rigida showing a very fancy foliage arrangement to which some people immediately shout Fibonacci! I was going to explain why but it takes a bit of maths and good deal of explanation and I have run out of time so look out for it in the next issue. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
......................................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thatching </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is not gardening but it caught my eye when I was waiting for my wife to finish her judging duties at a local show. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
On a day out at <a href="http://www.moretonshow.co.uk/">Moreton Show</a> I came across <a href="http://www.touchgloucester.com/business/list/bid/7168030">Dan Quartermain</a> thatching a dog kennel to demonstrate his skills. It is obvious still a very traditional craft but small improvements such as stainless steel wire and screws and nails make the thatch more long lasting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He is thatching this dog house with straw rather than reed.Traditionally thatching would have been carried out with whatever material was local to the area and long ago this was very often grass. Now reeds get transported across the world to satisfy demand. </div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/gardenfinder/garden.aspx?id=25428"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7WkKlwiJE2Moz6Mq1azXPfWkLlK1zr3el7WUXPM9Zg7PDyuprivqWMpp0Wpu-iO1AdvhA7bdMzEj7DDW2A2PJ3gB31tkga6q_Fcx6EYMhB1WLJZItXNQVn7Bftds2HcTsNoTwwFiFd7q/s1600/September+2013007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7WkKlwiJE2Moz6Mq1azXPfWkLlK1zr3el7WUXPM9Zg7PDyuprivqWMpp0Wpu-iO1AdvhA7bdMzEj7DDW2A2PJ3gB31tkga6q_Fcx6EYMhB1WLJZItXNQVn7Bftds2HcTsNoTwwFiFd7q/s640/September+2013007.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFn_Zap46fzhg56A5hEjgIvqsWHMC7EwGGmYoY4L7Vh5cQKOO9j5tglK_QYHJpD-hTvy9O8qjE5wNLonv3ErrpPyP0wXaV5jBL3FkNQ2t8FKpDQrZmm0bAuimVJfm5jxFNL6V0qDkC0bag/s1600/September+2013008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFn_Zap46fzhg56A5hEjgIvqsWHMC7EwGGmYoY4L7Vh5cQKOO9j5tglK_QYHJpD-hTvy9O8qjE5wNLonv3ErrpPyP0wXaV5jBL3FkNQ2t8FKpDQrZmm0bAuimVJfm5jxFNL6V0qDkC0bag/s640/September+2013008.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Judging by the seed heads this is barley straw. The wire is twisted with a ' wire twister' - I am sure it has a more interesting name really - which pulls the strips of wood holding the straw tight and holds it secure. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...........................................................</div>
That's all folks Au revoir.Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-43394018427998031752013-09-08T10:59:00.000-07:002013-09-09T11:21:52.189-07:00Honey Fungus, Pretty Pictures, The Old Lawnmower Club, Giant Hogweed, Bakewell tarts and puddings, Coffins and Cheeses of Nazareth.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been a while since my last post so here's hoping absence makes the heart grow fonder. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know this is a garden blog but I could not resist opening with this. It is something you don't see very often.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was driving down a local lane when I passed first a woman on a sit up and beg bike with the regulation wicker basket hanging from the handle bars and just up a head was a guy on a penny farthing struggling with all his might to get up a very steep hill. It worried me that if he lost his balance as you eventually do when you go slower and slower on a bike, he would come a tidy old cropper. Giving him a wide birth I drove by in amazement but determined to get a picture of him. There was nowhere to stop in the narrow lane until the next junction about a quarter of a mile down the road. It was a junction with a much busier road and I thought that would offer a chance for a chat and a photo when he stopped for the traffic. I pulled up and waited. Eventually the lady on the bike came into view and I asked if she had seen a man on a penny farthing. As I asked his head bobbed into sight from a dip in the road and gradually the rest of him and his huge wheel appeared.She was his companion and explained that he had designed and built this bike himself and having stayed at the local pub overnight they were now making their way back to Silverstone some thirty three miles away. But just as he hove into view he swiftly hoved out of view, the road was clear and no way was he going to dismount if he did not have to so it was quick wave from him and quick jog alongside from me try to get a quick snap and he was off with his 'support team' in swift pursuit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U0yINOPkVlKkW308HCY_pVtE_5zU5rIlJ6bNksPQ9xaR5AymVNDhOFFfn43FH72Cn_bjVXRllp60cESu6_uIJHblWBe8AgHML9TKi9XOJmY42jUEwHBwp49g7wN-Fv9rTFaaD1gKiXtN/s1600/july+2013_001_09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U0yINOPkVlKkW308HCY_pVtE_5zU5rIlJ6bNksPQ9xaR5AymVNDhOFFfn43FH72Cn_bjVXRllp60cESu6_uIJHblWBe8AgHML9TKi9XOJmY42jUEwHBwp49g7wN-Fv9rTFaaD1gKiXtN/s640/july+2013_001_09.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclSgB2cm4sRwT6tbLVpKHCcm92MZqT3DT7TpDVLNEGcq0mowljD64CsonxXBgsEfZ2jxQ-mkza2YRn53bB_1_66ZU-Cv-K8bgisWKGAhQMK664oBwhY0heJfHTCDpfoHSO8BMOzD3aBf1/s1600/july+2013_002_08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclSgB2cm4sRwT6tbLVpKHCcm92MZqT3DT7TpDVLNEGcq0mowljD64CsonxXBgsEfZ2jxQ-mkza2YRn53bB_1_66ZU-Cv-K8bgisWKGAhQMK664oBwhY0heJfHTCDpfoHSO8BMOzD3aBf1/s640/july+2013_002_08.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...........................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty pictures</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a letter from Mathew Pichu in Peru and he said the last issue was a bit too biased towards the nastier side of gardening with all those pictures of pests and diseases and how about more pictures of gardens. Here are few 'pretty' pictures of plantings I have designed but sorry Mathew more death and destruction to come.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first planting is a mix of purples and silvers with Sambucus 'Black Lace', Buddleja ( Where are we with the spelling of Buddleia? )'Morning Mist', Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' , Nepeta 'Six Hills' and Allium 'Purple Sensation'. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIRROxNJ2K7kop9ZmuOUc_HdoQlJ52GaUulkX04SKsZ3D_NX5b5TknGnh7NYcWTNjOr5SUQ-FGMM5gKjks_AUjNAbUu0o7pSo8flQ_oEM0PBTkmPL8yWLWKJ7M4pFu3LHmGgVajPydqLD/s1600/1+June+2013_006_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIRROxNJ2K7kop9ZmuOUc_HdoQlJ52GaUulkX04SKsZ3D_NX5b5TknGnh7NYcWTNjOr5SUQ-FGMM5gKjks_AUjNAbUu0o7pSo8flQ_oEM0PBTkmPL8yWLWKJ7M4pFu3LHmGgVajPydqLD/s640/1+June+2013_006_02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiK-jovtk8FieWZeo-OiBArPDHYEzoHGzhFI08g91Soc2LaJlGFh1Wjm4PfCCy4DBhhyphenhyphen0iEseu3BdpEPmK2Mkbbcv5nA1i8jCPiERkLxoFi-R9ccgQzBHdv8OAWJ7cS3uZTZfbJQIm95o/s1600/july+2013_036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiK-jovtk8FieWZeo-OiBArPDHYEzoHGzhFI08g91Soc2LaJlGFh1Wjm4PfCCy4DBhhyphenhyphen0iEseu3BdpEPmK2Mkbbcv5nA1i8jCPiERkLxoFi-R9ccgQzBHdv8OAWJ7cS3uZTZfbJQIm95o/s640/july+2013_036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A collection of pots with Abutilon, Ostespermum Discia Scaevola, Plectranthus argentatus Echeveria, Pelargonium Lady Plymouth and another pelargonium with a trailing habit and very dark flowers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hxk6q945nyCX5NZqyYO1H5N25oT8vdfuEiZPWJA4TVlaWEbAmtI7SbCylk94k8K3ILxiU2bg_EESicOLLWPP2u6ODjlm983Wli7C5VbX4U9w6SnapmImLmFQOtKXmdSJMXfA3zlZBNCr/s1600/july+2013_037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hxk6q945nyCX5NZqyYO1H5N25oT8vdfuEiZPWJA4TVlaWEbAmtI7SbCylk94k8K3ILxiU2bg_EESicOLLWPP2u6ODjlm983Wli7C5VbX4U9w6SnapmImLmFQOtKXmdSJMXfA3zlZBNCr/s640/july+2013_037.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Nestling in the containers above is this Diascia variety. It is the most fabulous dusky, dirty, greyey purpley, blue. and not done true justice by the picture. I don't know the name of the variety but it is one I am going to get some cuttings of and use it again next year - only for my own use of course just in case it carries Plant Breeders Rights! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D-IsvQDqQRmP4jmx4gH00kjlwjIFW3lmTzWAv2FTGl37JWtpHAtSsx03uA-c5-JYfx-ljZkQXodxiB3cpOYxWkNxPjSZ1_VsUvUiaKA4MquQRomQZUwvR5Gdc0LbA9K_SqzHxM38jVG6/s1600/1+June+2013_039_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D-IsvQDqQRmP4jmx4gH00kjlwjIFW3lmTzWAv2FTGl37JWtpHAtSsx03uA-c5-JYfx-ljZkQXodxiB3cpOYxWkNxPjSZ1_VsUvUiaKA4MquQRomQZUwvR5Gdc0LbA9K_SqzHxM38jVG6/s640/1+June+2013_039_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The seed heads of Pasque flowers, Anemone pulsatilla run through an upright Euonymus. Too bright a day for a really good photo but it does have a sort of sparkle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz098y1mR2fB6qz8WJMbzlBPCPagnACNl2l9qIU4T237wXrj6zVkZwGnhV3WCOXdfK17k9wbbD3E34qqIm6LdITQccvfhcY1Q2RYV57ayLEn25ttNvHdXavFo2UJmJw9hyphenhyphenl5-_lxeMTEdT/s1600/1+June+2013_037_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz098y1mR2fB6qz8WJMbzlBPCPagnACNl2l9qIU4T237wXrj6zVkZwGnhV3WCOXdfK17k9wbbD3E34qqIm6LdITQccvfhcY1Q2RYV57ayLEn25ttNvHdXavFo2UJmJw9hyphenhyphenl5-_lxeMTEdT/s640/1+June+2013_037_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While we are on a green theme, just along from the planting with the Pasque Flower above I tried out is this green and cream arrangement. Cammasia leichtlinii 'Alba' with a yet to open fully Stipa gigantea but looking just right. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_HtiFNaMNc96_n7HSKyeOS31FutUFV5pIovruayhl9AWNQym-9BsmBAESR4ut6xRklVRnAeATCPtVVR1TNtQlu-KR_ku1yHgXI03L_pLhdvGBKnH9ok4CezXuBDQI2i_TgonWMfb-uAU/s1600/aug+28+20130002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_HtiFNaMNc96_n7HSKyeOS31FutUFV5pIovruayhl9AWNQym-9BsmBAESR4ut6xRklVRnAeATCPtVVR1TNtQlu-KR_ku1yHgXI03L_pLhdvGBKnH9ok4CezXuBDQI2i_TgonWMfb-uAU/s640/aug+28+20130002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the same Stipa later in the season when its flower heads had opened up and were shimmering in the breeze - lovely. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDgaiEnA-zex1riUWMx4PC8K_N0nngJ36OBwJicCTbd2pwRkQBHBJUGU2B_b0qYGM7fTOt-XblVu9D2V4n7DCllLQnRiDx-Se_dTK4zAr-RqZnQTBPO4RYZF6jZ_ZA2z3qgsl9tck-yRU/s1600/1+June+2013_045_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDgaiEnA-zex1riUWMx4PC8K_N0nngJ36OBwJicCTbd2pwRkQBHBJUGU2B_b0qYGM7fTOt-XblVu9D2V4n7DCllLQnRiDx-Se_dTK4zAr-RqZnQTBPO4RYZF6jZ_ZA2z3qgsl9tck-yRU/s640/1+June+2013_045_02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More of the same but different.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATMbrz76EHb_dEMuiiZtEKUtGVKPSqkgRe3aDFTo4L4-t7-f5rXyXk90Lvlmddw0u6XI63Muvyg7QP2vox3aKAeBsW_8EVCeiXv-uESSngt-jEKSn3C6HhBaToG0WFKGPxCOW2M9vAhDt/s1600/No+6+August+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATMbrz76EHb_dEMuiiZtEKUtGVKPSqkgRe3aDFTo4L4-t7-f5rXyXk90Lvlmddw0u6XI63Muvyg7QP2vox3aKAeBsW_8EVCeiXv-uESSngt-jEKSn3C6HhBaToG0WFKGPxCOW2M9vAhDt/s640/No+6+August+2012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I tried out this combination of Heuchera 'Marmalade' , Carex buchanani, Cosmos atrosanguinues and some tagetes in a galvanised tub in the jumble of my greenhouse. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGOCNzaeMJA4jfR9zz_rPCwcVMga43IbOtjU-onj_nNNzDjgRmS8Wb3zmOGemjy1rwDdeU8SnLhXp0yVWWg42exmuyhufSKI1SYv-u4UqHTajJX5dNY8nZqzYBDJv_ENVORl0XypfL3Bz/s1600/DSCN1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGOCNzaeMJA4jfR9zz_rPCwcVMga43IbOtjU-onj_nNNzDjgRmS8Wb3zmOGemjy1rwDdeU8SnLhXp0yVWWg42exmuyhufSKI1SYv-u4UqHTajJX5dNY8nZqzYBDJv_ENVORl0XypfL3Bz/s640/DSCN1520.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Two large clumps of Pulmonaria 'Diana Clare', some Heuchera,a Hydrangea paniculata and a purple smoke bush make a lively combination on a shady bank.( no, not Lloyds.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DuXJXUWb1_pZkw7i5giYR-BlqcZ2FXOeORDZ0EJgphx4xNieE28nDAX7XFQAsHofEk5JeBDKT3FhTuqX3Lb5pfMA86uqFAtJWcSbGONgmkfT2_-ZSSuBX1U4UHXFAwd1N1_d3AmS9d4X/s1600/1+June+2013_014_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DuXJXUWb1_pZkw7i5giYR-BlqcZ2FXOeORDZ0EJgphx4xNieE28nDAX7XFQAsHofEk5JeBDKT3FhTuqX3Lb5pfMA86uqFAtJWcSbGONgmkfT2_-ZSSuBX1U4UHXFAwd1N1_d3AmS9d4X/s640/1+June+2013_014_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More green but this time not mine. These are Nectaroscordum siculum subsp. bulgaricum reaching for the stars over a sea of Hosta leaves at <a href="http://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/">Kiftsgate Court</a> garden. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU2TrjwsL5PwTF2bjPGBUt_9EMjl1jCe72SlNkN-ftydWXjmZc6hRr_m6HErEK8Si1LOCb5Aea8S7XBJfq9u3EjQln5ciFzYzdknrMy4y5bDKZi0TrJRF3bxfvZWWnOG1_DrpAjrP9JOS/s1600/1+June+2013_010_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU2TrjwsL5PwTF2bjPGBUt_9EMjl1jCe72SlNkN-ftydWXjmZc6hRr_m6HErEK8Si1LOCb5Aea8S7XBJfq9u3EjQln5ciFzYzdknrMy4y5bDKZi0TrJRF3bxfvZWWnOG1_DrpAjrP9JOS/s640/1+June+2013_010_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A bit more Kifstgate. The 'new' garden where the tennis court used to be. All very stylish. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_ljkRPQy98wPyHeynOVcmQiDF_25Y1OyNK2N7_MK1qvfxIBKeZOLutH0qnUc9N9OWtSxwLJls_DuWqBRc5TCOcUnKl_O4FxL3O_czTruGTaaVHdWmzVPUXFjNBDgzABxHDNS2U251GMO/s1600/1+June+2013_012_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_ljkRPQy98wPyHeynOVcmQiDF_25Y1OyNK2N7_MK1qvfxIBKeZOLutH0qnUc9N9OWtSxwLJls_DuWqBRc5TCOcUnKl_O4FxL3O_czTruGTaaVHdWmzVPUXFjNBDgzABxHDNS2U251GMO/s640/1+June+2013_012_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A closer shot of the metal leaf sculpture. The leaves periodically drip water on a timed system </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cwvtCQq_FX2NHS1ROw_IPilRqcPi7-r2QrB7zXkbbk88_N1k-JfJ93YyQ4o-MmnFf4-Gr6FRgJrFJ6btDWTjRXVDDmFiq5P_1Vu-v6Bk5yAe2QC2YQQfqU79UI2IcO14qpqgg3JJ05oI/s1600/july+2013_005_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cwvtCQq_FX2NHS1ROw_IPilRqcPi7-r2QrB7zXkbbk88_N1k-JfJ93YyQ4o-MmnFf4-Gr6FRgJrFJ6btDWTjRXVDDmFiq5P_1Vu-v6Bk5yAe2QC2YQQfqU79UI2IcO14qpqgg3JJ05oI/s640/july+2013_005_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
I tried this for the first time this year. I bought it as Zigadenus nuttallii but it does not tally exactly with the images on Google. My nutallii is nicer. Right name or wrong name it is a little charmer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNc5scS_KgWm0ACV25xqmbdmhQZw8PMnSt00Hx2QXQxRLcnLX7tKd72FqoCh6GtwF1lhTsltzH-fTH6-5xzA1PRsX6EsohQ50Xx6xJyFZrtxp3ZCQ7xUX2Ksy7ivvLHGE0edYzYTbikxN/s1600/1+June+2013_043_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNc5scS_KgWm0ACV25xqmbdmhQZw8PMnSt00Hx2QXQxRLcnLX7tKd72FqoCh6GtwF1lhTsltzH-fTH6-5xzA1PRsX6EsohQ50Xx6xJyFZrtxp3ZCQ7xUX2Ksy7ivvLHGE0edYzYTbikxN/s640/1+June+2013_043_01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
A group of box balls patiently waiting to have their hair cut behind a sea of Marmalade - Heucheras.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesSRlekbybOi1nm17M4FeVvVIeMGbsOlP_bOkv_5QqZ13E9zIjhmsOQKB7R6w-BPj9HQBdGbWvjOoKsmWjksu2PzZR17JRUW2VokM9RWk2nrCgz78nEb_qgS4x3AnjNXD-8-ROfi_GG7L/s1600/july+2013_039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesSRlekbybOi1nm17M4FeVvVIeMGbsOlP_bOkv_5QqZ13E9zIjhmsOQKB7R6w-BPj9HQBdGbWvjOoKsmWjksu2PzZR17JRUW2VokM9RWk2nrCgz78nEb_qgS4x3AnjNXD-8-ROfi_GG7L/s640/july+2013_039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Just a nice mix of Heuchera , Carex and a viola that fades through a whole range of colours one of which matches the Heuchera to perfection.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..................................................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">News from our agricultural correspondent Ivor Field. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wrote....</span><br />
Hello Ivor, I am getting a new blog ready to go. Any chance of a few words on the current state of play in agriculture. Any quirky pests popped up this summer? There seems to have been fields being ploughed up right through the summer this year rather than the usual autumn after harvest ploughing. Good year for aphids? I imagine the warm weather got them going. Roses have been relatively free of fungal diseases because of the dry weather, has it been the same for agricultural crops?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ivor wrote.....</span></div>
Hi Paul, Yes a lot more fallow fields this year in the South Midlands! This is a direct follow on from last years wet summer and autumn. Many fields had deep ruts and damage to the soil from heavy harvesting equipment last year and so the only way to rectify the problems were to wait until the soil dried up this Spring or Summer and then rectify the compaction issues with subsoiling. Also there has been a lot of drainage activity going on in fields where previous drainage schemes have become dilapidated/blocked. You may have noticed areas in fields (particularly Winter wheat and Rape) where the crop was sprayed out and killed in June. Areas of orange/brown appeared in the green crops like patchwork quilts - this is where farmers sprayed off crops as they were infested with weeds - mainly Blackgrass, whereby the weed has become resistant to the herbicides used and the only way to control it or reduce the weed seed numbers is to kill it off with glyphosate and sacrifice areas of the crop also. This year there has been much more spring cropping (barley, spring rape and beans and Linseed) due to the wet autumn and cold winter and the fact that the more usual winter crops could not get established last autumn. Harvesting the spring barley and wheat is now underway and the yields are respectable. Fortunately there has been a lot more sunshine this year and the harsh winter and late spring has meant fewer pests and diseases managed to survive this and cause major problems to the crops in the field. By the time the warm spells occurred in June and July bringing with them an increase in aphid populations - many agricultural crops were beyond the stages where the pests cause economic damage or harm. The one thing that seems to have thrived is wasps and sitting here outside tapping this blog on my phone, I am being harassed - perhaps their natural predators failed to survive and with the abundance of fruit on the trees (a result of the very late spring flowering with no frosts or pests to kill off the blossom) they are not short of food. Enough is enough, it's now war!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.......................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Giant Hogweed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Heracleum mantegazzianum<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(After Paulo Mantegazzi, a liberal Italian neurologist and supporter of Darwin. ) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not one for the naked gardener this, the sap causes serious blisters and long term scarring. Its a biennial and a serious self seeder. Up to four or five metres high with cartwheels of umbelliferous flowers. Queen Anne's Lace on steroids. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2xhFiuTJTPVZPE8Qg7Sk58KFdZntvhnVH2lPOVzLnV_uVy8O1aQUqgAqjRSXgcjZ5bLf6zuFSGpNgpWbeSqE7MEo1-YrQfV9Qk4AaezAyIE-Na_3Rxj5r9f3XxHPmr5QotL-cGqiJidr/s1600/1+June+2013_017_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2xhFiuTJTPVZPE8Qg7Sk58KFdZntvhnVH2lPOVzLnV_uVy8O1aQUqgAqjRSXgcjZ5bLf6zuFSGpNgpWbeSqE7MEo1-YrQfV9Qk4AaezAyIE-Na_3Rxj5r9f3XxHPmr5QotL-cGqiJidr/s640/1+June+2013_017_02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Such is its majesty that I did not have the heart to dig out this dramatic plant. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2SJsUfHP82hUPYkYReEvUChW3-eNoQ4VkAWurRCGvivBiM6scJ0eieCK4_nbCbxLrhEvI1GF00bb_54itBZ3RCoLteeob0YFkSf0eU0uRXjTyyU5taIZH8QeihYko84j5yN850qNPKpl/s640/1+June+2013_018_01.JPG" style="text-align: start;" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jagged leaves and purple stems - all as toxic as you like!<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7ER9jmCbXKltd6tDSCCHI8TZ1wBjzxXrcZEJBE3PCIeI1A-4Jxtel5hjfH4KAF-n_pYE1Y75ChBwX0SHzbb7ZpuzPZFMGx6XN6TPj68XFCWoL1t23UkRHlLs1OcB4cxp1janQJaUd9kL/s1600/july+2013_034_03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7ER9jmCbXKltd6tDSCCHI8TZ1wBjzxXrcZEJBE3PCIeI1A-4Jxtel5hjfH4KAF-n_pYE1Y75ChBwX0SHzbb7ZpuzPZFMGx6XN6TPj68XFCWoL1t23UkRHlLs1OcB4cxp1janQJaUd9kL/s640/july+2013_034_03.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOy7IbCO2muzF3nOwW9oOcZ8uUtHATlnhNT3dQVkjfBP_D8WnFJ_JlOs1-VMR7IVQMVHNshPQjTABcGMQq-ry2a92Hen8jjDaPIQlxi8hBBB88cJOE0hwnzv8gs6p_f82of3OV3Q1pFa4L/s1600/july+2013_033_03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOy7IbCO2muzF3nOwW9oOcZ8uUtHATlnhNT3dQVkjfBP_D8WnFJ_JlOs1-VMR7IVQMVHNshPQjTABcGMQq-ry2a92Hen8jjDaPIQlxi8hBBB88cJOE0hwnzv8gs6p_f82of3OV3Q1pFa4L/s640/july+2013_033_03.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you want to eat again don't be tempted to make peashooters out of the hollow stems. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Honey Fungus - a tale of woe.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have long known about honey fungus but never knowingly seen it in action. It is one of those fungi that strikes terror into the hearts of a gardeners. It can kill large trees and a tree dying of honey fungus arouse fear that th whole garden is suddenly going to be struck down but often just one tree will go down and that is it , no more problems. Sometimes though it will spread and other nearby plants will be affected. Research has shown that there are what appear to be species and strains that are more virulent than others. It spreads underground by strands or rhizomorphs ( Rhizo = root. morph = shape so 'root like' structures. ). The rhizomorphs infect the plant through living bark on roots or at the root collar then the fungus kills the phloem (conducting tissue) and the cambium ( growth tissue) and so preventing the movement of fluids up into the tree. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The mycelium spreads as thin white sheets underneath the bark. This white mycelium becomes black with time. The fungus penetrates the dead wood and shows as thin black veins through the decaying wood.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The fungus can be recognised by its strong mushroom smell and and it produces a wet rot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The pictures below are taken from a garden I work in. It is a garden that had become neglected and when we started work there were one or two poorly looking plants which eventually died over a period of a season and a half, notabley a Rosa glauca, Viburnum davidii and an Escallonia. I put some of this down to poor growing conditions, a cold winter and an acceptance that sometimes things die and you are never quite sure why. There were none of the obvious honey fungus symptoms ( to this day there has never been any of the honey coloured toadstools in the garden and the books say their spores are not a very likely source of infection.) though I did not suspect honey fungus and can't say I looked hard for symptoms so I might have missed something.The plants we condemned to the bonfire. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shrubs were put in to replace them and all was well for a year then this year a Hamamelis, Rosa Nevada and Wiegela all died and and now a Magnolia stellata is looking sick. They all deteriorated slowly. Subsequent investigation has shown a dead Leyland cypress in amongst a hedge of Prunus laurocerasus near what seem to be one of three sites of infection. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is nothing that can be done other than to remove as much as possible of the infected roots so as to remove the food source for the spreading mycelium. Unfortunately one of the stumps I need to dig out has since had a low retaining wall built over half of it so a barrier of stout plastic will seal off the part of the stump that cannot be removed. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsqoZyVHCwbWjNyWCgISokG6OvXHTjiMhYGljo-q4p3y2FLpBVSQWMwexdwMfU0r7-7iLDtr6QJ3Oi9AXwlA7x5H_ZVDUnH04Ms14LvejxVLnxapKsWA1hM1lkIVoh9_E29nAnjnwAZWZ/s1600/july+2013_008_06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsqoZyVHCwbWjNyWCgISokG6OvXHTjiMhYGljo-q4p3y2FLpBVSQWMwexdwMfU0r7-7iLDtr6QJ3Oi9AXwlA7x5H_ZVDUnH04Ms14LvejxVLnxapKsWA1hM1lkIVoh9_E29nAnjnwAZWZ/s640/july+2013_008_06.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This close up of infected wood shows the wet decaying wood, the sheets of white mycelium and the black 'marbling ' typical of honey fungus. This was found in the middle of a decaying tree stump that had been covered over and lay as a prime source of infection right next to where I was planting new shrubs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The soft decayed tissue is easily dug out and was burnt. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyHVpZB2LJqTV5WGVw8lks32NS8QSZ_whRuUQ7GIuCuzW_lbuuUQgF4kgw5uuncZC_ER0gXJrOcIPXtQ_CsCSrjM0IBoLaHfoDcdahN4lxW5NGbYmkRS6PAaJunSk1pg-s8pGXusUkfj2/s1600/july+2013_078_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyHVpZB2LJqTV5WGVw8lks32NS8QSZ_whRuUQ7GIuCuzW_lbuuUQgF4kgw5uuncZC_ER0gXJrOcIPXtQ_CsCSrjM0IBoLaHfoDcdahN4lxW5NGbYmkRS6PAaJunSk1pg-s8pGXusUkfj2/s640/july+2013_078_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Peeling back the bark at the base of the stem on this young Hamamelis revealed sheets of white mycelium working their way up under the bark<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9k-UXljkN1ZZxSimNy0_JXpHHVC3wnSAltDQHzVSNEDLnwJNXsYF9Wj4D7tms26ERh2m3QDUFZZMl5Ch2pYZSKH56bLBQjKVEoORKAVX0qy8gDa4z_U5XNAy93VDqZI9hscaxlOjnEGWv/s1600/july+2013_077_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9k-UXljkN1ZZxSimNy0_JXpHHVC3wnSAltDQHzVSNEDLnwJNXsYF9Wj4D7tms26ERh2m3QDUFZZMl5Ch2pYZSKH56bLBQjKVEoORKAVX0qy8gDa4z_U5XNAy93VDqZI9hscaxlOjnEGWv/s640/july+2013_077_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another shot of the damage to the Hamamelis which limped along for several months before eventually giving up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsw001VYXKjWrup_Z8zJGxE9q6hQxyy2aMsY77UC8U3TpDwu8sWJDRFGjwB2Xk60-mG6G78a1zuCDoGEN4UkN_fTRYtI5B7Zw2hqwYCMCDKRvSymifyRjDpO8MPTJdtiaSlhFuhBW_Yxj/s1600/july+2013_006_06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsw001VYXKjWrup_Z8zJGxE9q6hQxyy2aMsY77UC8U3TpDwu8sWJDRFGjwB2Xk60-mG6G78a1zuCDoGEN4UkN_fTRYtI5B7Zw2hqwYCMCDKRvSymifyRjDpO8MPTJdtiaSlhFuhBW_Yxj/s640/july+2013_006_06.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A piece of decayed root showing black mycelium penetrating the decaying tissue, and white sheet of mycelium </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipwFBdjwqGw6xGlTYqkFuemFEcKIygMnzy0Rsk3g1_cpIEweM5d43EuxnlJFBrxy5EyhbJJM-DTesrUtFYy9zzmUS4zjwkOwmWD2vKVvm0NANJjV-4mOp035tvKU2mlmf2O8Ov7zuN7si/s1600/july+2013_065_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipwFBdjwqGw6xGlTYqkFuemFEcKIygMnzy0Rsk3g1_cpIEweM5d43EuxnlJFBrxy5EyhbJJM-DTesrUtFYy9zzmUS4zjwkOwmWD2vKVvm0NANJjV-4mOp035tvKU2mlmf2O8Ov7zuN7si/s640/july+2013_065_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The base of this Leyland cypress showed signs of attack by mycelium and smelled strongly of mushroom. It is in a long hedge of Cherry Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus which is showing no signs of damage and is fortunately on a Forestry Commission list of trees thought to have a useful degree of resistance. </div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Datisca cannabina.</span><br />
I have written about this plant before. It is dioecious - having the male and female flowers on separate plants and comes from the Greek oikos meaning home Monoecious is where the male and female flowers are on the same plant i.e. one home, and dioecious they are on separate plants i.e. two homes. (Ecology has the same derivation) but I had never seen the male plant. The first two pictures below are the females and they are elegant with long and open tassels ( the herbaceous stems are some three metres tall)<br />
It is not possible to know what plant you have bought unless you know the nurseryman who propagated it and if it is a division you will know what you are getting but if it is an un-flowered seedling you could get either male or female. They are fairly easy to raise from seed. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbK3WLf1Z1uRcGf9hVDifuv9GhgegFybjO2VgogR1Z6PphddHI-y_YRmfeqTbrzbm58wZqn2nsKYRBWfl1yggG73VCn1Q1jNH3L-iAIFY4RcGHrVmkmVef2x5azEDZMMpL7LCUy3ieUc8/s1600/july+2013_032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbK3WLf1Z1uRcGf9hVDifuv9GhgegFybjO2VgogR1Z6PphddHI-y_YRmfeqTbrzbm58wZqn2nsKYRBWfl1yggG73VCn1Q1jNH3L-iAIFY4RcGHrVmkmVef2x5azEDZMMpL7LCUy3ieUc8/s640/july+2013_032.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMcCweGkYhjVlekFLrGgmtM9OpjLJcWf8mC1xbD2N9i7bJto5iVdqSa6vpPchJS7jPpltCVh_tM9W0WWZNgwAX04ujOE1sgd20V1gNQL-lIN2WgWUXYANY9QfdlhDqoLnAX4D8YK4bxN6/s1600/july+2013_026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMcCweGkYhjVlekFLrGgmtM9OpjLJcWf8mC1xbD2N9i7bJto5iVdqSa6vpPchJS7jPpltCVh_tM9W0WWZNgwAX04ujOE1sgd20V1gNQL-lIN2WgWUXYANY9QfdlhDqoLnAX4D8YK4bxN6/s640/july+2013_026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The long female tassels swirl elegantly in the wind<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyTMr7T-L-503-pqh-utJ88IimOv9IytH_rVHymPvy9w0WvsFCtZ3DNHbXbRNee3VmYFok1jqbp8I9lwcPEYhsVF1nhhvzno0rLl9iUOXXnKmu3RPPUhpH35CJjmwtzFZk_vbqX1Ntjs6/s640/july+2013_029.JPG" /><br />
Male plants looking more like Goldenrod .....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVPA6mGdPVJrcXT95CdppaLBnkIpFztJGb1z3EjJNKeKtd8wbEcoqPxI1zQrWzUg233PWuRBibfyslx8uk_5YQDtyoLeAvIJBfccnxoA6fs8Nnb4sLVdZriNsyF9erSvlrVvt1KQi0L2Z/s1600/july+2013_028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVPA6mGdPVJrcXT95CdppaLBnkIpFztJGb1z3EjJNKeKtd8wbEcoqPxI1zQrWzUg233PWuRBibfyslx8uk_5YQDtyoLeAvIJBfccnxoA6fs8Nnb4sLVdZriNsyF9erSvlrVvt1KQi0L2Z/s640/july+2013_028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
.... and not looking as elegant as the females.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..................................................................</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bakewellshow.org/">Bakewell Show</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was at two shows with our Gardening Question Time Road-show a few weeks ago and came across some great stuff. </div>
The first show was in Derbyshire at Bakewell. Here in the UK everybody goes oh yeah, Bakewell Tarts (it is a kind of small cake/ dessert) and tries to cast some slur on the women of Bakewell which is downright rude of course. Others say 'but what about the Bakewell Pudding and are the things Mr Kipling produces anything like the original Bakewell Tart?'I tried to sort out the tart pudding thing while I was at the show. Apparently the modern, somewhat sanitised, Bakewell Tarts we get offered in the supermarkets are tarts and the icing and cherry on the top are new additions and were not part of the original tart. They all have a pastry case with an almond paste and strawberry jam filling but the original pudding has a flaky( that might be puff, I can't remember) pastry case and a filling which according to the <a href="http://www.bakewellpuddingshop.co.uk/">Original Bakewell Pudding Shop</a> has a secret ingredient. Anyway here is a picture of two small puddings and as you can see from the grease soaked bag and dollops of jam they are a very healthy dessert. They are extremely sweet, so sweet in fact that I would struggle to eat more than six at a sitting. They definitely call for a strong cup of tea or some not too sweet custard - crème fraiche might be an idea if not a very traditional one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qwcIdI4UQJsVn_JvQ8a_LPXUuY8QwytW4JjvG0oP6ct4HMyCp3OIrhQ2J4kiZmuog_1j7SjOg0fHymYlJCeaLby2XcsjdmFdBVJr0YSDEwhEuAJoZuCaK-TwKjIDdE3qmdvhVtsBfwoj/s1600/july+2013_060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qwcIdI4UQJsVn_JvQ8a_LPXUuY8QwytW4JjvG0oP6ct4HMyCp3OIrhQ2J4kiZmuog_1j7SjOg0fHymYlJCeaLby2XcsjdmFdBVJr0YSDEwhEuAJoZuCaK-TwKjIDdE3qmdvhVtsBfwoj/s640/july+2013_060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am always envious of vegetable growers and I can only guess at the commitment it takes from these allotment holders to produce such magnificent crops. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ijNOt-nGPxJ8vLwpwFUwgcD8OvXpPA6CfEU9CF5jaK9NDEeAx2SXrhhkNpMnYOLvpDUkuQkVJ9SaHviTxyqzoVP8BSTBXU1DOvS83iEJy_alwuDIUjDYo2cJUmOfFBAKHEzzGPZxb980/s1600/july+2013_018_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ijNOt-nGPxJ8vLwpwFUwgcD8OvXpPA6CfEU9CF5jaK9NDEeAx2SXrhhkNpMnYOLvpDUkuQkVJ9SaHviTxyqzoVP8BSTBXU1DOvS83iEJy_alwuDIUjDYo2cJUmOfFBAKHEzzGPZxb980/s640/july+2013_018_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..............................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cooperative Funeral Care. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.co-operative.coop/funeralcare/contact-us/">The Cooperative Funeral Service</a> sponsored the heavy horses and carriages classes which displayed in the main arena. What I was dying to see was the display of coffins which offered an odd mix of sobriety, lightness and quirkiness to the show.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2liYfToKVWZHF6WvAZXrpm95TkeeMuByaBRUX-P7avdaW3TNjRIpLMTjWqAuA1XN18nwfd3e3HTqQF70spEQ0nF8Bf5aNFoOigfK3PTsYqAoxudG7w_Z1We1KYdKPGPegdXFNvgEvLfDR/s1600/july+2013_043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2liYfToKVWZHF6WvAZXrpm95TkeeMuByaBRUX-P7avdaW3TNjRIpLMTjWqAuA1XN18nwfd3e3HTqQF70spEQ0nF8Bf5aNFoOigfK3PTsYqAoxudG7w_Z1We1KYdKPGPegdXFNvgEvLfDR/s640/july+2013_043.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
This as green as you are going to get - a wicker coffin pedaled to the grave side. I am afraid it does conjure up images of a rainy day and a bike bogged down in rather sodden ground.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFjTEyQWNDFvm5HZdqSgIhUF3YaYbIVk1XdZADdq3riPYjr_oGggHtcgvE9l5gId-ecXkD5PwOvNkK3Xui3m7P4YQ8hqPH0Yilcv82UgL_p-D7zFYWuYz0lu0LyNcpZtWvonvTomUarsx/s1600/july+2013_042_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFjTEyQWNDFvm5HZdqSgIhUF3YaYbIVk1XdZADdq3riPYjr_oGggHtcgvE9l5gId-ecXkD5PwOvNkK3Xui3m7P4YQ8hqPH0Yilcv82UgL_p-D7zFYWuYz0lu0LyNcpZtWvonvTomUarsx/s640/july+2013_042_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This looked so cosy I was tempted to get in for a short snooze. A felted coffin, it was hard to resist the temptation to stroke it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfw5U7I2yFxOFhmFTPCCT7p6Qrr__q6r5vxR6z47Hl1wffikp5pyTYA21fJVNBtcfyJ-u7mJQa3XR31r8t0HjBMItGjl4yVaGMfJq8vxRCbB60Shz1JC8q5SJH1Cg0pUg4HbyjDaqzx0R/s1600/july+2013_040_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfw5U7I2yFxOFhmFTPCCT7p6Qrr__q6r5vxR6z47Hl1wffikp5pyTYA21fJVNBtcfyJ-u7mJQa3XR31r8t0HjBMItGjl4yVaGMfJq8vxRCbB60Shz1JC8q5SJH1Cg0pUg4HbyjDaqzx0R/s640/july+2013_040_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You would have to be careful where you parked this Japanese style Buddhist temple hearse in case you ended up with queue for 99s</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFek6WKpBPiA1lNTDnNBAzC-8M1Hq9nEWqNwNXVEcrVRFAnmFY0F9J8xFMU9R-LS1T6-NTdFhO8OzZqWvOUuPXlF-mAdeWv4awq82p6e5xIGef-qZLDUHQqXKVLbj8MOX1e_lmT20-a0f/s1600/july+2013_041_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFek6WKpBPiA1lNTDnNBAzC-8M1Hq9nEWqNwNXVEcrVRFAnmFY0F9J8xFMU9R-LS1T6-NTdFhO8OzZqWvOUuPXlF-mAdeWv4awq82p6e5xIGef-qZLDUHQqXKVLbj8MOX1e_lmT20-a0f/s640/july+2013_041_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A very plush interior. Why would you want to go floating off to heaven when you have this? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Pink.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The display of pinks for judging was just so lovely with near perfect flowers and in colours I never thought I could like but I did. Sorry about the pictures being a bit fuzzy. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD64MYWBIaRbhRaM16V17sgQCCnQ44zGuCxyvk8hp-uaLLm277TQ143ee0pMh2sp3RkgfNBhK_sa6kiQWb69pv4FywuLn0KJDeQhimc7qZM1s_364yCuSdY7x-KrFATJ9yIE5SqQUG1bhh/s1600/july+2013_057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD64MYWBIaRbhRaM16V17sgQCCnQ44zGuCxyvk8hp-uaLLm277TQ143ee0pMh2sp3RkgfNBhK_sa6kiQWb69pv4FywuLn0KJDeQhimc7qZM1s_364yCuSdY7x-KrFATJ9yIE5SqQUG1bhh/s640/july+2013_057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6E6-edCSvWLk8oC1BR2lRm80gw3ubNAqhxLXBMYoThdsT9vd62hOq_NByTIofKlk878E00gsgWvgcDvApb4-RYlsqCjdv8dBGkdwKfejhbFV99U17u-sVx_VMIDE5JgUD9xyGkuPVA2d/s1600/july+2013_055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6E6-edCSvWLk8oC1BR2lRm80gw3ubNAqhxLXBMYoThdsT9vd62hOq_NByTIofKlk878E00gsgWvgcDvApb4-RYlsqCjdv8dBGkdwKfejhbFV99U17u-sVx_VMIDE5JgUD9xyGkuPVA2d/s640/july+2013_055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpt4iQRZ9yWuCfZnv0cAobU01XvEJqAee_E_YDB7eC43YFsHw2ik0KIA4DrXjHg-qMHg4I8ZSw30em0Sj14-tAwXMpF-s_0OpWzboavzuODchj0b_Qdcg2t7P_0Z4cKQPjicso3xp3ehz/s1600/july+2013_051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpt4iQRZ9yWuCfZnv0cAobU01XvEJqAee_E_YDB7eC43YFsHw2ik0KIA4DrXjHg-qMHg4I8ZSw30em0Sj14-tAwXMpF-s_0OpWzboavzuODchj0b_Qdcg2t7P_0Z4cKQPjicso3xp3ehz/s640/july+2013_051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YfWIq3PY5X2jTpJ2niT6JvvluUPwt1vBPktVzxRcWCKlJIw-oimtGXH_4sHybDP5IVZxNxJCOvjvEXbCWujMigR8jv62-IhWyPnIhYhSlBVs66OduSwXS4u5Yrvz1AG65AEkmyujpYrA/s1600/july+2013_053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YfWIq3PY5X2jTpJ2niT6JvvluUPwt1vBPktVzxRcWCKlJIw-oimtGXH_4sHybDP5IVZxNxJCOvjvEXbCWujMigR8jv62-IhWyPnIhYhSlBVs66OduSwXS4u5Yrvz1AG65AEkmyujpYrA/s640/july+2013_053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_ax6BncwlrcK8g8bPc4tkG8u91lHWUuyPmpzwSPZcJsGHytww6GHE2aD-RazcIhM59eVl4llHHXIlD9pdG7cDJ_mvFNvr0X9xfAyxAiijzuXcHFx9twxxbxCEmc8oWhtTRTHvHberllJ/s1600/july+2013_047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_ax6BncwlrcK8g8bPc4tkG8u91lHWUuyPmpzwSPZcJsGHytww6GHE2aD-RazcIhM59eVl4llHHXIlD9pdG7cDJ_mvFNvr0X9xfAyxAiijzuXcHFx9twxxbxCEmc8oWhtTRTHvHberllJ/s640/july+2013_047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..................................................</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Show Bench</span>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r0_GdkPmPWLrX7ALe8rqy0HGcvUbbUjXYjp9984DuC7qC92SJ_hrXPNZeBFMADfuvDS5-rQmWzNEbZNYNKB12KY8Ob2Pjz4ecoupF8MFQd2Xw6dFrGEhO2ych_UESP8Y1G7rco77_vts/s1600/july+2013_046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r0_GdkPmPWLrX7ALe8rqy0HGcvUbbUjXYjp9984DuC7qC92SJ_hrXPNZeBFMADfuvDS5-rQmWzNEbZNYNKB12KY8Ob2Pjz4ecoupF8MFQd2Xw6dFrGEhO2ych_UESP8Y1G7rco77_vts/s640/july+2013_046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The mixed veg class impresses me most because you have to show your skill across a range of produce. Anyone who can grow good caulis gets all my admiration.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4KC_Wg2ECv3iv5cv12_8jhr9a-uVt2sbGuZmZ8QzolrJYSzBg_M7oM8h-5sv2kOKHYdQ-qpfxwDuhjutH43J4oL5E5QC5SgczUy_qZ15ZYtkhcRjcj7_FtVMtouFxCSsnitSvTuVyw0a/s1600/july+2013_045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4KC_Wg2ECv3iv5cv12_8jhr9a-uVt2sbGuZmZ8QzolrJYSzBg_M7oM8h-5sv2kOKHYdQ-qpfxwDuhjutH43J4oL5E5QC5SgczUy_qZ15ZYtkhcRjcj7_FtVMtouFxCSsnitSvTuVyw0a/s640/july+2013_045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What can you say!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iLyentMjHZ6mXuaEcUduuf1PNg-RPcTxIr1J3CNj9gsO7O9ZA4lweGxKF8ZUraJFWCRGUjZXQ1LXy8jwZNpakxUs7yM7eh0AMR1rTt_DaohFhC3Gc87ZcgGL-EVVUI7jgzv-GNRsCaHm/s1600/july+2013_044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iLyentMjHZ6mXuaEcUduuf1PNg-RPcTxIr1J3CNj9gsO7O9ZA4lweGxKF8ZUraJFWCRGUjZXQ1LXy8jwZNpakxUs7yM7eh0AMR1rTt_DaohFhC3Gc87ZcgGL-EVVUI7jgzv-GNRsCaHm/s640/july+2013_044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Preened roots a horse would be proud to have as a tail. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a bit of hard Cheddar.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am struggling to find a reason to include pictures of cheeses in a garden blog but to be in the cheese tent was an experience you couldn't help but to want to share and a couple of the cheeses have plant connections </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEhXII4xFfwTxg38XHAC2gaso1t-DgLxjZZaSpe1edMKVfhi1FDLMjriQpdQf5zzSKdb3Fpi5WO8iTlU-LPv-ASByG0AWynZWgl8mq0xUzc-LfHpNqa0UuIQ95X4BNx7egPCs_-qIJiAG/s1600/july+2013_036_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEhXII4xFfwTxg38XHAC2gaso1t-DgLxjZZaSpe1edMKVfhi1FDLMjriQpdQf5zzSKdb3Fpi5WO8iTlU-LPv-ASByG0AWynZWgl8mq0xUzc-LfHpNqa0UuIQ95X4BNx7egPCs_-qIJiAG/s640/july+2013_036_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
I don't have the words to describe the feeling I had seeing these cheeses. The colour, the smell, the weight and somehow a timelessness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg02qsmpm4ziUqmX8xGIQW6PtaMwNQeH2rZfAm9FYOjlk5GOXDsCSGpP5wevA__fHWw58lPY2VDrA6TG8sqTfB2TPwQaIX-R_PN9abK6NJa3jPGY0fDN3NjWMOhjGccFX2fYGCbP-3Gp6/s1600/july+2013_035_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg02qsmpm4ziUqmX8xGIQW6PtaMwNQeH2rZfAm9FYOjlk5GOXDsCSGpP5wevA__fHWw58lPY2VDrA6TG8sqTfB2TPwQaIX-R_PN9abK6NJa3jPGY0fDN3NjWMOhjGccFX2fYGCbP-3Gp6/s640/july+2013_035_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
New satellites have given us some fabulous close up pictures of the suns activity and particularly the sunspots. They could have saved some money and just sent a camera to Bakewell show cheese tent. Conspiracy theorists may well say that's just what they did.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmeBusiMbMUfR98JeHv1ZKJXw_i327q3JLeBcSfTwv12Q41sE7-KfMz-ihTodv8X45Itbgx7bljPvXCNhDqLWsHYzxB4ViNeNseoWRNLgOW42aJmkHVkE6XfxvcD0cDPyO-uXYaHtUw9s/s1600/july+2013_029_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmeBusiMbMUfR98JeHv1ZKJXw_i327q3JLeBcSfTwv12Q41sE7-KfMz-ihTodv8X45Itbgx7bljPvXCNhDqLWsHYzxB4ViNeNseoWRNLgOW42aJmkHVkE6XfxvcD0cDPyO-uXYaHtUw9s/s640/july+2013_029_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We all know this cheese. It's Yarg from <a href="http://www.lynherdairies.co.uk/">Lynher Dairies</a> and it is wrapped with nettle leaves. How could you bring yourself to cut it? Yarg sounds like some ancient word dragged up from the depths of time but this a relatively new cheese, early 1980s and first made by Alan Gray </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and who just turned his name around to create this great sounding name. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi6O1zUYVxhBI77_-YiNz1i5pDZhbwEZaKy7Mx33oLD8OzgprMN9berbtJsAx6dedzG3nQFq6g5QnqSdoRoT2xdwOkDFhPOn9ejU3BgnRrYR4-V4ZgEhky87tAP2QoHXB8W7kw_wy6HZN/s1600/july+2013_032_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi6O1zUYVxhBI77_-YiNz1i5pDZhbwEZaKy7Mx33oLD8OzgprMN9berbtJsAx6dedzG3nQFq6g5QnqSdoRoT2xdwOkDFhPOn9ejU3BgnRrYR4-V4ZgEhky87tAP2QoHXB8W7kw_wy6HZN/s640/july+2013_032_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yarg</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcum5ni-uADOT3beCZ5L6K6_eJynxp8AJ6MhxQidoViFqE-OfeagSlLQ1sTNoEUCz0TKo9zTocECAY31k0jIKbHExhiP4d3-iN8xDLSAGM8Wvlb2ft-92Kd_buc-ngRw9QHsX-Jd1eZqC/s1600/july+2013_034_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcum5ni-uADOT3beCZ5L6K6_eJynxp8AJ6MhxQidoViFqE-OfeagSlLQ1sTNoEUCz0TKo9zTocECAY31k0jIKbHExhiP4d3-iN8xDLSAGM8Wvlb2ft-92Kd_buc-ngRw9QHsX-Jd1eZqC/s640/july+2013_034_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A cheese by the same maker but this time wrapped in wild garlic leaves.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCmda7hGoGTBcPrtOUqjnwOvf5ucp8ixkJpQPuHdiJXM0RtA30njOU2xi31PMiwc1eS3EyIaqdtV6cUUPScz9LcUv9jHOy-LkiIBgkkjmn6v4GDPkKolVZXmdqflSVAroe29QZoTMIl3B/s1600/july+2013_030_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCmda7hGoGTBcPrtOUqjnwOvf5ucp8ixkJpQPuHdiJXM0RtA30njOU2xi31PMiwc1eS3EyIaqdtV6cUUPScz9LcUv9jHOy-LkiIBgkkjmn6v4GDPkKolVZXmdqflSVAroe29QZoTMIl3B/s640/july+2013_030_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheese mould. Very similar colours to many of our lichens.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2goSSChWIXedBzb6hX3g1_hpuLb3AkwR4LUhxP9f4NOIvQqWGiv2nH7qK6wgr8ms59krvqEPdC3lDCPLxgL07STIIlPhfJ4JBKyUIIw6ldsc5mTAutms1RHfxmncobJCaVD2YfCqHWmZ2/s1600/july+2013_023_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2goSSChWIXedBzb6hX3g1_hpuLb3AkwR4LUhxP9f4NOIvQqWGiv2nH7qK6wgr8ms59krvqEPdC3lDCPLxgL07STIIlPhfJ4JBKyUIIw6ldsc5mTAutms1RHfxmncobJCaVD2YfCqHWmZ2/s640/july+2013_023_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A blue continental cheese making a run for it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.......................................................</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
No words needed. <a href="http://www.newclosefarmshop.co.uk/">New Close Farm Shop</a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGvbrrUQaJwxGPx8HDzeGhH3xkBfpBty6r0FblIdHGWnEbNB91ltzE-vJNlVy6EmWppe1_yynnOy18GLOq065NyzrRTEiqvF8GAg9ctTH_EFm9DFoExK3OsH37KvUVAF3bUsqT1rhQew1/s1600/july+2013_038_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGvbrrUQaJwxGPx8HDzeGhH3xkBfpBty6r0FblIdHGWnEbNB91ltzE-vJNlVy6EmWppe1_yynnOy18GLOq065NyzrRTEiqvF8GAg9ctTH_EFm9DFoExK3OsH37KvUVAF3bUsqT1rhQew1/s640/july+2013_038_01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28-BRKnsTkfUiAzKvtamxDGJY_8q2XQ87StVOduHrjRaylRo0zafCooSGK7gSxrlc7LbrKyKFygax6szwI2ghSRnfRDQ2eVc-FLe9p0JL_Cv06Ke1Qxde0ugBxbcxun1uuLcYaYyDWGBf/s1600/july+2013_037_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28-BRKnsTkfUiAzKvtamxDGJY_8q2XQ87StVOduHrjRaylRo0zafCooSGK7gSxrlc7LbrKyKFygax6szwI2ghSRnfRDQ2eVc-FLe9p0JL_Cv06Ke1Qxde0ugBxbcxun1uuLcYaYyDWGBf/s640/july+2013_037_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's the end of the food section.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.canwellshow.co.uk/">Canwell Show</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Canwell Show is a great one day show in the UK Midlands. Very friendly and hospitable.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjYVkrIe4e6wFCgGFg3RyuFkT4jTYMBNMZ3Xmc67ZDQuEmVagsJzN1dr4cvm0BfFBgVLPbpE0kzCL-XZiuoyjqdijG7JInn_jkGNDrI-U1KruHVuI4UZXn1tdmDFlEqM1yhcT6PB2I6sL/s1600/july+2013_075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjYVkrIe4e6wFCgGFg3RyuFkT4jTYMBNMZ3Xmc67ZDQuEmVagsJzN1dr4cvm0BfFBgVLPbpE0kzCL-XZiuoyjqdijG7JInn_jkGNDrI-U1KruHVuI4UZXn1tdmDFlEqM1yhcT6PB2I6sL/s320/july+2013_075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
French beans for judging. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/club/about"><span style="font-size: large;">The Old Lawnmower Club</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the horticultural tent apart from all the judged classes was a display of old garden implements including a range of lawnmowers and turf care equipment. </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jfpLrprqoyPr6rhygfk8hgraitqn7nWq2uryiQr9JXcCf8vBI1E01uj2ck892a3zTaUm_AmQEWMUE9RC4bOMJI-Vt0FDTw2CuJ00zS7p761Uxnp34WcKYpWOGOf_8XlNYkmsd5ANjzCI/s1600/july+2013_074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jfpLrprqoyPr6rhygfk8hgraitqn7nWq2uryiQr9JXcCf8vBI1E01uj2ck892a3zTaUm_AmQEWMUE9RC4bOMJI-Vt0FDTw2CuJ00zS7p761Uxnp34WcKYpWOGOf_8XlNYkmsd5ANjzCI/s640/july+2013_074.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This lawn edger was engineered to last. The metal tray on the side would collect the trimmings as you went along. . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEYNvgEa1mGePw0L1PgNxaHdwG-DNSidVybDwvnEFA7gD9c2_MdlKj8OHVHAXucotldlc_5nJXsk5Cg_E7BaNVUNOBm84dVRkshPPCd3u4b7zBco72daiF_Zudtw0sLLo0qF_UIydvEw7/s1600/july+2013_073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEYNvgEa1mGePw0L1PgNxaHdwG-DNSidVybDwvnEFA7gD9c2_MdlKj8OHVHAXucotldlc_5nJXsk5Cg_E7BaNVUNOBm84dVRkshPPCd3u4b7zBco72daiF_Zudtw0sLLo0qF_UIydvEw7/s640/july+2013_073.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
I am a sucker for old metal and patterns and symmetry so this riddle or sieve took me to a seventh heaven. The detail and accuracy of the work was astonishing. It was made of steel so had rusted over time but for me it just added to its appeal.. The name on the wooden rim was that of a malt suppliers but I have no idea what part of the malting operation would have involved a mesh so fine.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHtWil1WvWukgpAWPIb7lVYqkoqyJkmAdCpxQumM-ignxBWpxx9VBQXee7mFZ0s9bTgn40l2uWD8XHTNwi0fATsLW1ztp0x_JCCOJYmsPdNQTf_F2T7LoScqDXt1gjpi9k-hG0OnUifxx/s1600/july+2013_071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHtWil1WvWukgpAWPIb7lVYqkoqyJkmAdCpxQumM-ignxBWpxx9VBQXee7mFZ0s9bTgn40l2uWD8XHTNwi0fATsLW1ztp0x_JCCOJYmsPdNQTf_F2T7LoScqDXt1gjpi9k-hG0OnUifxx/s640/july+2013_071.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7OzlddcMOnv31QEp1rGcWZcGgScSWKZhBOMUMAwtEqbD44fVLBp7FLnnA0fKrxqMHCWsc-QJJ5cyMfn0HHfP0Y8c7hVInjo6shDTBnslTN0V9lF8AIwyw_PhJlM1s0XlcApIDdfmy6Po/s1600/july+2013_067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7OzlddcMOnv31QEp1rGcWZcGgScSWKZhBOMUMAwtEqbD44fVLBp7FLnnA0fKrxqMHCWsc-QJJ5cyMfn0HHfP0Y8c7hVInjo6shDTBnslTN0V9lF8AIwyw_PhJlM1s0XlcApIDdfmy6Po/s640/july+2013_067.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Of all the old tools this tiny lawn mower took my heart. It was so solidly built and as sharp and efficient as you would want. Here it is turned upside down so that you can see the rotating blades and the fixed bottom blade. It has a cut of about three inches. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VObxKyzDu734_HD-IuF6BOHhBcEcrBlsorId5yEZcyTnlAuw1E3slrbDl1V2Zr4pfWvrqQDsJLOLMoSUyqYU-xmahKJVt4HZonmMxLO4rTVXlZzbp2juvJU-7UxVgUf5FsbdNibovrZ3/s1600/july+2013_064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VObxKyzDu734_HD-IuF6BOHhBcEcrBlsorId5yEZcyTnlAuw1E3slrbDl1V2Zr4pfWvrqQDsJLOLMoSUyqYU-xmahKJVt4HZonmMxLO4rTVXlZzbp2juvJU-7UxVgUf5FsbdNibovrZ3/s640/july+2013_064.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It is just pushed along with one hand and the wheel drives the blades around. The make is Tudor who were also makers of kitchen appliances and I seem to remember my mom had a pressure cooker made by them though it might have been a Tower.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbzXN8BlLQwVlsGLe1biedYgRmrXNQPohBNb9m7boWVM1_IKYGjOOQHqBtjeDJEu6hPgKC8C_awSvSRF8Fl3dP1MbyO5Nyj97D6SWfOTUWeQ50n_bg9AdOkHMfAqU8GwUKNgiBUEdazIf/s1600/july+2013_065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbzXN8BlLQwVlsGLe1biedYgRmrXNQPohBNb9m7boWVM1_IKYGjOOQHqBtjeDJEu6hPgKC8C_awSvSRF8Fl3dP1MbyO5Nyj97D6SWfOTUWeQ50n_bg9AdOkHMfAqU8GwUKNgiBUEdazIf/s640/july+2013_065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The mower is upside down here showing where the clippings are thrown out. Look how thick the metal is.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qum6ZG8Xnr5PEFRGbkSkvjeywYp5WCKCjyjDG3ubvgSS1eqRi1z0u6PUOSohGVIJm0jeu7dK3IlFq3NFQxv6xuOOfpnEK065NRw_N5jkT_wCqVXMy5h5uoOXWSQR_LS7qjsroogsi2BR/s1600/july+2013_062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qum6ZG8Xnr5PEFRGbkSkvjeywYp5WCKCjyjDG3ubvgSS1eqRi1z0u6PUOSohGVIJm0jeu7dK3IlFq3NFQxv6xuOOfpnEK065NRw_N5jkT_wCqVXMy5h5uoOXWSQR_LS7qjsroogsi2BR/s640/july+2013_062.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg-YYbICtL3cSh4FX9sz5unDeZnTHxtaYaDE1qOfajbc52k8NgpoXYw2XQw2iG5SXtR98WdeeWBdjG8Jeoa3yDi871yqf0Uh_drg4HZCfmaqFvtVGYbzZD7_h7rCDptP2-TAK2hR8_epU/s1600/july+2013_063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg-YYbICtL3cSh4FX9sz5unDeZnTHxtaYaDE1qOfajbc52k8NgpoXYw2XQw2iG5SXtR98WdeeWBdjG8Jeoa3yDi871yqf0Uh_drg4HZCfmaqFvtVGYbzZD7_h7rCDptP2-TAK2hR8_epU/s640/july+2013_063.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I had a really good chat with Dave ( I hope I have remembered you name right it has been a few weeks ago now.) and he told me about his collection and collecting and also about <a href="http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/club/about">The Old Lawnmower Club</a> which brings together enthusiasts at annual rallies and via the website. He demonstrated the mower and it cut to perfection even on the bumpy grass of the show-ground. There was whole range of tools which I could have photographed had I not been nattering away for so long. One item was a three pronged flat bladed fork cum spade but with the blade ends joined with a pointed, flat piece of metal which if you stood the fork upside down looked like a house with a pointed roof held up by the three flattened prong. Suggestions were that it was a ditcher's fork and would be used to dig ditches in heavy soil and the open spaces between the blades would let air in and reduce the 'suck' you get when trying to dig wet clay.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">LA FIN -</span> that's for our French readers.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S Anyone looking for the reference to Cheeses of Nazareth there isn't one it was just a cheap gag. P.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-90385095911943573602013-07-23T14:03:00.000-07:002013-07-24T10:12:52.813-07:00Shady goings on, aphids, midges and mites, spectacular Darwinian evolution and buttercups to licorice.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello Everyone. Here it is, the usual mix of bits and bobs in no real order. Hot weather here in the UK. My garden is looking the worse for it. Everything drooping and cracks in the ground big enough to lose a barrow and an under-gardener down but I can't bring myself to put the sprinkler on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;">New postings announced on twitter @pwhorticulture.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dobies or Suttons?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where does your loyalty lie? Would you rather buy your seeds from Dobies ...........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TY6hGDSh0xfSR9rWB4ivp0bsEYfZjlZssWWwshPYLYMva_XtWVdZS7dxiWisFf3_q1TcOdKF8aQJa7jWhLaqb4ybojHRETHqili1NFf-WXttvWAj0DrFdZw8Tpw1eu4C_dd2qBBalwO5/s1600/july+2013_002_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TY6hGDSh0xfSR9rWB4ivp0bsEYfZjlZssWWwshPYLYMva_XtWVdZS7dxiWisFf3_q1TcOdKF8aQJa7jWhLaqb4ybojHRETHqili1NFf-WXttvWAj0DrFdZw8Tpw1eu4C_dd2qBBalwO5/s640/july+2013_002_02.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">......or Suttons Seeds?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2J5ufeJ_RkrfkBzoxz05J8NkgAs9sWE7uQPI7HDCAZ1o_QoqUWqrAZPIvFV4rT92PY7cgfzRhSBaBz7jIeI1nK0-4TFElVfREZPBGI0NEhU6EkTRSRtumE9UPuipmS7-4qny6JgT_hI1/s1600/july+2013_001_03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2J5ufeJ_RkrfkBzoxz05J8NkgAs9sWE7uQPI7HDCAZ1o_QoqUWqrAZPIvFV4rT92PY7cgfzRhSBaBz7jIeI1nK0-4TFElVfREZPBGI0NEhU6EkTRSRtumE9UPuipmS7-4qny6JgT_hI1/s640/july+2013_001_03.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Field Woodrush.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtvRNivVa8oP9shN4PUE2R0h9lwO82St5OCKxqOcWSFhBk_vaB19aVz_S7ckVcsi2pHv-otPCOrA58Pt2gbhDXoq3TvXVmFBrWSQJjp3zXbYFfMkUIz_aTyQA4ygVVv3z-hToDO4QXGZo/s1600/DSCN2672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtvRNivVa8oP9shN4PUE2R0h9lwO82St5OCKxqOcWSFhBk_vaB19aVz_S7ckVcsi2pHv-otPCOrA58Pt2gbhDXoq3TvXVmFBrWSQJjp3zXbYFfMkUIz_aTyQA4ygVVv3z-hToDO4QXGZo/s640/DSCN2672.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a small woodrush ( Luzula campestris) which managed to escape the blade of the lawn mower and when I bent down to see what had had he temerity to stand up to the whirling mower blades I saw this fantastically colourful cluster of bristles,stigmas and anthers on a short grassy little plant. . And if you were wondering , yes, 'The anther was blowing in the wind' </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">More incey winceys.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykSsbzu4rlvMZEXsRPcosXTwfe0Pw60roN_1GqfBwp3uHCuqC1EXRPUWfJMZ2nO4swMemI5-d_P4hinu-ldMHquWnRKueH7R7wPm2rVJJrG_U9WXagmWdE4UwEk1qVXsFF2KK5mhWSm2N/s1600/1+June+2013_046_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykSsbzu4rlvMZEXsRPcosXTwfe0Pw60roN_1GqfBwp3uHCuqC1EXRPUWfJMZ2nO4swMemI5-d_P4hinu-ldMHquWnRKueH7R7wPm2rVJJrG_U9WXagmWdE4UwEk1qVXsFF2KK5mhWSm2N/s640/1+June+2013_046_02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have no doubt that I have said this in every blog I have written but when you are working in the garden, even if you have your eyes only half open, you will be bombarded by a never ending procession of wonderments either visual , auditory or olfactory. I was trimming a box hedge recently when there was this tiny explosion of newly hatched, minute spiders all scurrying away from, I'm guessing, the protection of a communal nest</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chelidonium majus. Greater celandine</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DbOoi9yAPh3gqxvwjybQ-PRaMWyGAqjXJV7h60bvbEFZwGKoSgNz25nnlQ9tsLJgtIuvmamWbvLV_hoSCJyWSHE5PRcmOiZnkdLr9ThlPD-axTJdHv-pjcEhrKFTl6abgpGVv-ulHwdN/s1600/DSCN2683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DbOoi9yAPh3gqxvwjybQ-PRaMWyGAqjXJV7h60bvbEFZwGKoSgNz25nnlQ9tsLJgtIuvmamWbvLV_hoSCJyWSHE5PRcmOiZnkdLr9ThlPD-axTJdHv-pjcEhrKFTl6abgpGVv-ulHwdN/s400/DSCN2683.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Greater Celandine is rather an exotic looking UK native wild flower. It is a member of the Poppy family whereas the more common Lesser Celandine which is low growing and a bit of a garden weed and really looks nothing like it apart from having a yellow flower, is a member of the family Ranunculaceae, the Buttercup family. Both however are in the order Ranunculales so there is a kind of relationship albeit a bit of a way back in the family tree.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The foliage is light green and a bit ferny but really not like anything else. It has a lightness and open style that makes it very pretty and you feel it would have served particularly well as an ornamental plant in medieval times before more exotic looking plants started arriving from abroad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qVGPfuz85Tn58wxaKUM-TKLeMB_R_2y6KG6sq6kiKPBJrD0MkxBBinnUqTy8Bnabp-aaBLkCwpswSDZVRV7Qdxd5fD2oMDu1L31VFRIsxgyon3TruXYNMjRS50mEk2HjsLaQdd0i61x7/s1600/DSCN2693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qVGPfuz85Tn58wxaKUM-TKLeMB_R_2y6KG6sq6kiKPBJrD0MkxBBinnUqTy8Bnabp-aaBLkCwpswSDZVRV7Qdxd5fD2oMDu1L31VFRIsxgyon3TruXYNMjRS50mEk2HjsLaQdd0i61x7/s640/DSCN2693.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sap turns a vivid orange when exposed to air and is variously described as a cure for cancer and a serious irritant but whatever it is it is certainly an eye catching colour.</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Buttercup.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF1YL97jAnqsXGsr3CAtRXji9CarLVmp2Go5AJiHB5agMgRz2iQnpHd8e7zC0RjohsFpxoGVYwDAQvqd8leYMfPlyNazBzEZ9t8nJoDu7PRkJtYp3IbFrDc6VFG9CDLoAiGFyEVrTEDpy/s1600/DSCN2827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF1YL97jAnqsXGsr3CAtRXji9CarLVmp2Go5AJiHB5agMgRz2iQnpHd8e7zC0RjohsFpxoGVYwDAQvqd8leYMfPlyNazBzEZ9t8nJoDu7PRkJtYp3IbFrDc6VFG9CDLoAiGFyEVrTEDpy/s640/DSCN2827.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently sprayed some herbicide onto some creeping buttercup in a lawn and it wasn't until the buttercups started dying and turning yellow that I realised just how regularly it was spreading. It made a very definite straight line away from where it started in the middle top of the picture. The stolons (Stolons run above ground, rooting and putting out leaves at the nodes whereas rhizomes run underground and put up a shoot from the nodes.The rhiza part of rhizome is the Greek for roots and will be recognised in the genus Glycyrhiza which is the licorice plant. The name of the genus comes from the Greek 'glukurhiza', 'sweet root' (<i> is the gluku bit the derivation of glucose?)</i> and this went through, bastardised, into old French as licoresse and so, slightly less bastardised, into English as licourice or licorice. The plant licorice is Glycorhiza glabra, a one metre high member of the legume family, it is hardy and has pale bluish flowers and as chance would have it it spreads by stolons not rhizomes. The root is where the sweetness is.)(That must be the world's longest bracket.) run across the grass rooting as they go and very soon colonise quite large areas of lawn.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Back to licorice. I remember eating things called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontefract_cake">Pontefract cake</a> or, as the Normans would have said, Pomfret cakes. which were like thick but pliant coins stamped with a picture or logo and made out of licorice. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/jul/30/liquorice-pontefract">Yorkshire</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Herbicide damage.</span><br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWwV8pSz4TovmE32Vl3Hm27stpW7lv5zOLgQz8dty1TvbyxNvUmGWCYv_8yLoq55qp5wXtczw_4gkzD59hxnQqdAh33nR1p4Gk_x-ToXMmx4vQmMDY9Y8rpJx9x0vbvhTG4HVCh5Ra6rv/s640/DSCN2839.JPG" width="450" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been trying to eradicate Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium), the bane of many gardeners's lives, from a garden and I have been using the systemic herbicide Glyphosate. I was trying an idea suggested to me by someone who swears it works but I had my doubts. The idea is to put the spray strength mix of herbicide in a jar or bottle and secure it so that it wont fall over and then take as many bindweed stems as you can and cut off the tops and put the ends into the weedkiller solution. In theory the weedkiller gets taken up through the stem ends and kills the plant. Well. my plants just went a bit yellow and that was it - not much killing going on. Maybe I need to refine my technique. What did surprise me though was that the following season the Euphorbia griffithii over which the bindweed was growing showed classic symptoms of herbicide damage. I have no idea why unless there was a spillage of herbicide at some stage but it does show why you have to be careful with weedkillers. As well as this being a lesson in being careful with weedkillers I also put the picture up to show what weedkiller damage looks like. People have sent me parts of plants asking me what disease is affecting their plant , often roses, and it has been herbicide damage not a pest or disease. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">SHADY GOINGS ON</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was having a general poke about on gardening blogs when I came across the American <a href="http://www.juniperhillfarmnh.com/">Juniper Hill Farm</a> blog and what a blog it is too. It is mightily well presented and there are some very impressive guest writers, some big names in the garden world worldwide.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But what particularity caught my eye were pictures of a garden structure that I had built many years ago and it prompted me to dig out some old pictures of my own from the late 1980s. The structure was in the garden at <a href="http://www.bourtonhouse.com/">Bourton House </a>and was built to provide shade so that a wider range of ornamental plants could be grown. Very often the shady parts of a garden are in the dry and rooty soil under trees and shrubs and not conducive to growing good healthy plants so we decided to build some artificial shade from a pattern, with modifications, spotted by the garden owner on a trip to Canada. The garden is in the Cotswolds and has alkaline soil so we took the chance to build up some acid soil in the shade house so an even greater range of woodland shade lovers could be grown. </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxGIKUYXfJVXZv6DRwzVC3eXL8YFXijdYwTmC43s3KfV28zJpgekhWnTsyrqfBtl7nfsii88hGw_ozXuQXqiYoujJvca3ZoKmh1w7ZAcZZs-ErD1Ky6YCUX6LhGi11U6WbBnEnOlKR5oe/s1600/69430018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxGIKUYXfJVXZv6DRwzVC3eXL8YFXijdYwTmC43s3KfV28zJpgekhWnTsyrqfBtl7nfsii88hGw_ozXuQXqiYoujJvca3ZoKmh1w7ZAcZZs-ErD1Ky6YCUX6LhGi11U6WbBnEnOlKR5oe/s640/69430018.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
A curious but innocent enough looking garden feature until, that is, you go inside on a sunny day and ....... <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FDCvlCxeztF-UuTVg0IyuhmVn2wAltOgs4MqFxfn0cGsJA-6bKGzj7v105ibd_IQsfkPIC6eqDxzrP67Ow7QxgnAff0jJiR10nR3RO9PMByteNliD_WE1su-rt4dWY4yOszW7jfez4vM/s1600/69430022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FDCvlCxeztF-UuTVg0IyuhmVn2wAltOgs4MqFxfn0cGsJA-6bKGzj7v105ibd_IQsfkPIC6eqDxzrP67Ow7QxgnAff0jJiR10nR3RO9PMByteNliD_WE1su-rt4dWY4yOszW7jfez4vM/s640/69430022.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
........you begin to think did someone slip something in my tea at lunch time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae0ZvpEsMF93Iat_wQZYg-dDhSkaeo5xGKVhUeZFDkT1aphtAGDR7aNkwgUE_ewPcNhthDfjCLLPAmmQCu2CsIx_O3UEd1Un5jvw5b1XtSLcTeqfjtpj_igej7yHVaFdwHWOUhJKVMMn_/s1600/69430023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae0ZvpEsMF93Iat_wQZYg-dDhSkaeo5xGKVhUeZFDkT1aphtAGDR7aNkwgUE_ewPcNhthDfjCLLPAmmQCu2CsIx_O3UEd1Un5jvw5b1XtSLcTeqfjtpj_igej7yHVaFdwHWOUhJKVMMn_/s640/69430023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Zig Zag ain't in it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1Bkn9UqBHIwdlgCXUTOzwEoZdzU8tzBIJhMPiQWGxD1oLtKN2TT6VwWyU6_sTam14ooNoobfVjy68dq4-9gefgQbfTKoZ4c12bdeaHZJZPDGRnjULZaGFh5wJGVKNrlWduNgih3zxbQx/s1600/69430021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1Bkn9UqBHIwdlgCXUTOzwEoZdzU8tzBIJhMPiQWGxD1oLtKN2TT6VwWyU6_sTam14ooNoobfVjy68dq4-9gefgQbfTKoZ4c12bdeaHZJZPDGRnjULZaGFh5wJGVKNrlWduNgih3zxbQx/s640/69430021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Later in the evening, as the sun begins to set, things became a little more ordered.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What surprised me most was that the structure is still standing some twenty odd years on with, as far as I know, no major repair. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Twayblade. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPF8QkWJWT8OzJ5N8InLd5z0LViCVwNcvekCuNpEpBsyqlWjIEo4bqh_mSdCtKgLOhYWM5YfRPCXLlQcjx8Ge7feT_Gd_9qPRKhxXTNf6lV5dk7ZMaG-1Baw25dede58aoImcWqVV04VY/s1600/1+June+2013_002_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPF8QkWJWT8OzJ5N8InLd5z0LViCVwNcvekCuNpEpBsyqlWjIEo4bqh_mSdCtKgLOhYWM5YfRPCXLlQcjx8Ge7feT_Gd_9qPRKhxXTNf6lV5dk7ZMaG-1Baw25dede58aoImcWqVV04VY/s640/1+June+2013_002_02.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
A discreet member of the orchid family.It is not easy to spot amongst the grass because of its green flowers but it is a curious thing to see and a real treat when you stumble upon it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Aphids1</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRNDEespA8IGiclKmTfXeuVfDbdU6xCBU3wQkGGWZs7Qo0bEdiz1WbkymMvTH2NARy9d7gJ6_gvbDW8Bt8ib_e3B24dW3FwjhE8MKaJIZrBfY0cG6NuZHfse_b5W_E8DhRdgpaxm5Tf5v/s1600/1+June+2013_008_04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRNDEespA8IGiclKmTfXeuVfDbdU6xCBU3wQkGGWZs7Qo0bEdiz1WbkymMvTH2NARy9d7gJ6_gvbDW8Bt8ib_e3B24dW3FwjhE8MKaJIZrBfY0cG6NuZHfse_b5W_E8DhRdgpaxm5Tf5v/s640/1+June+2013_008_04.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
At least these aphids had the decency to be of a colour that compliments the host plant, Thalictrum aquilegifolium, that they are destroying.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Aphids 2 </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz8ZVMsd4PQTd1_x24Q9xEQ6fdF1GdWO3z4LfXHhLREJKj__pJKgi4dRQRjSaCHEnxyI9xU1gCupWW_yCN4VKwhIxSm6myigjRZ060aP_tFdk0Ewa9ZBoEo05tVKOcVfUZ26jT-PYO8kk/s1600/july+20130102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz8ZVMsd4PQTd1_x24Q9xEQ6fdF1GdWO3z4LfXHhLREJKj__pJKgi4dRQRjSaCHEnxyI9xU1gCupWW_yCN4VKwhIxSm6myigjRZ060aP_tFdk0Ewa9ZBoEo05tVKOcVfUZ26jT-PYO8kk/s640/july+20130102.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> Black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, on the underside of a broad bean leaf. Aphids are great!They have some interesting life styles. For instance this one overwinters on the Spindle Tree , Euonymus europeaus and some Viburnums. Eggs are laid on the winter twigs after winged males and females have had sex on the winter host plant. The eggs hatch in late spring and when they mature they fly onto the summer hosts which can be beans and some weeds such as Fat Hen, Docks and Poppies. Many wingless young are produced parthenogenetically, ie without sex taking place, during the summer. Also during summer winged females will be produced and these migrate to other plants to start new colonies. As winter approaches winged males are produced and they fly off along with winged females to the winter host where they mate and the female lays eggs for the next years generation. In warm summer conditions each aphid can give birth to several young a day and each young has young within it. The young aphid matures in a week and starts producing mor</span><span style="text-align: center;">e young. It has been estimated that if all the young produced from one aphid from the start of the summer survived then by the end of a season there would be over a million tonnes of aphids from just that one aphid. Stand back! ( I have heard a figure of ten million tonnes in a hundred days of breeding in the summer.Whichever is right either is a staggering statistic.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi_Ks_kI52kWuH0ECg9OWyBKAAcsPOxqcZrqGG6LqHl4XDUJcb8AoRNWI4WcsxV2vi1Ll5mzRh_sX6hhas-MGyP3WZRhgMG0Mz8ui-YZxovTb_sY4goLGbd_MxcH8EYzxOWna1xqkJVyF/s1600/july+20130112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi_Ks_kI52kWuH0ECg9OWyBKAAcsPOxqcZrqGG6LqHl4XDUJcb8AoRNWI4WcsxV2vi1Ll5mzRh_sX6hhas-MGyP3WZRhgMG0Mz8ui-YZxovTb_sY4goLGbd_MxcH8EYzxOWna1xqkJVyF/s640/july+20130112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Black bean aphids shooting up off the main veins. Aphids get their protein from the sugary sap of the plants they live on. They suck up a great amount of sap to get the protein they need and much of that sugary sap is squirted out of their back ends and given the unduly charming name of Honeydew. It is this sticky Honeydew that coats the leaves beneath and on which the black Sooty Mould grows. Sooty Mould is often seen on plants with infestations of sap sucking insects such as scale insects and aphids. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you look carefully at the picture you will see what look like white skeletal aphids. These are the shed skins of the aphids which as they get bigger shed several skins much like snakes do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Control the aphids by rubbing them off when you first see them and by pinching out the infested tips when beans start to form. They can be sprayed with fatty acids but you need to start early before colonises start to develop. Also keep host weeds under control. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/">Kiftsgate Court</a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6qvhQe2MnQgLyRP3IgpOQlfgT4r0iEJtQ45HLRgKyPb2BQ6wWrIlj-2guHP_6vhoDVLa2k1N0bU0cY8wJNKUDBviLKLW-kRNg4vMKfhRkAqH9Y3W1CUXiQvuDILDyTj3N_kdWNY47yoS/s1600/1+June+2013_009_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6qvhQe2MnQgLyRP3IgpOQlfgT4r0iEJtQ45HLRgKyPb2BQ6wWrIlj-2guHP_6vhoDVLa2k1N0bU0cY8wJNKUDBviLKLW-kRNg4vMKfhRkAqH9Y3W1CUXiQvuDILDyTj3N_kdWNY47yoS/s640/1+June+2013_009_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Solar System or Death Star?</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RqEfkgeEnSdm1bn5Ob_XF6f8P3r16zWoUpGY4NBRTj4OSs-Ncdp8goQhR0K8DV42gjfA0LvMMjvHJwKhrLzYnjvivJ-LbrmYS42bKRd85k8H4GuDLMAvCLwUfBeODJQIOY6e13ytt9ii/s1600/1+June+2013_051_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RqEfkgeEnSdm1bn5Ob_XF6f8P3r16zWoUpGY4NBRTj4OSs-Ncdp8goQhR0K8DV42gjfA0LvMMjvHJwKhrLzYnjvivJ-LbrmYS42bKRd85k8H4GuDLMAvCLwUfBeODJQIOY6e13ytt9ii/s640/1+June+2013_051_02.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spotted this Allium trying to show how the solar system was formed or was it trying to do a </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Death Star impression? Hard to know. </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oriental Poppies. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEhBQTOvuIUqVnmixXrV7Y8aNOPNrkTpxYV0dYWSYMQq82Bq_3nrh6RQH94-qZ9I9pqj4rx40FUEWUwc_7aX2Jo88oQ2AChLWCR3vKeQKsnOiUPImL1xVxF8vPYzcqS1uhArMwCI3ywOx/s1600/1+June+2013_028_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEhBQTOvuIUqVnmixXrV7Y8aNOPNrkTpxYV0dYWSYMQq82Bq_3nrh6RQH94-qZ9I9pqj4rx40FUEWUwc_7aX2Jo88oQ2AChLWCR3vKeQKsnOiUPImL1xVxF8vPYzcqS1uhArMwCI3ywOx/s640/1+June+2013_028_02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An unreal sparkling glint like crinkled red foil. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpEM1GVITgXTcZ9LfNKDY0OB2Wku2DKCM5ib-Ce73MQYHXUsbWV982cvmde16pslmetNg7wC3yLEjSxWtISZtORUzlGmXkfSVyHwnAJFzzaIz7Tstr516z6e6BIj2d4gJ_0W13bRmzD8g/s1600/1+June+2013_040_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpEM1GVITgXTcZ9LfNKDY0OB2Wku2DKCM5ib-Ce73MQYHXUsbWV982cvmde16pslmetNg7wC3yLEjSxWtISZtORUzlGmXkfSVyHwnAJFzzaIz7Tstr516z6e6BIj2d4gJ_0W13bRmzD8g/s640/1+June+2013_040_02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pink. tissue.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCcFDnCNYpJ4dnqCrJ5kw-bVi5d3QCAgRdIBbZHVT5v6rfo1mp-WtwUb7FgCtCLqJJwQlDr85P0bM-Wn5FVSwE5PaZyuPjpWV0wgduV1X2lr4UHlhzJ6qimQMOlCNPuFDPT4NGtb2iuTZ/s1600/1+June+2013_038_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCcFDnCNYpJ4dnqCrJ5kw-bVi5d3QCAgRdIBbZHVT5v6rfo1mp-WtwUb7FgCtCLqJJwQlDr85P0bM-Wn5FVSwE5PaZyuPjpWV0wgduV1X2lr4UHlhzJ6qimQMOlCNPuFDPT4NGtb2iuTZ/s640/1+June+2013_038_02.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of these poppy flowers are huge.</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwpkLD5szxG8jr8v7wcze65vQQCDu9kkeYArUici4LTaC4RVu_AcRBi4t42CFiXIdKQw8kr46Vm6j7E5h7Vnoe-pxmho_HW2J4BcRuBtkIaW5JPlfd6jDIG6U2cZE57QDC4RwAizLYy3d/s1600/1+June+2013_042_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwpkLD5szxG8jr8v7wcze65vQQCDu9kkeYArUici4LTaC4RVu_AcRBi4t42CFiXIdKQw8kr46Vm6j7E5h7Vnoe-pxmho_HW2J4BcRuBtkIaW5JPlfd6jDIG6U2cZE57QDC4RwAizLYy3d/s640/1+June+2013_042_02.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo or painting?</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Helter Skelter</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKu3370F9txZzoWuQUJ7zTXtgl1cpyzBuJd8CY9ait0LubMEUA_xB_UNBmQPFxl03I2RPCdZMriLxYsYjU-fnkFZnMqzt_w62wzCf3UyTagFvt_WKP4tYDVaXNWP71vqo86Y8vKzWcyO7/s1600/1+June+2013_076_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKu3370F9txZzoWuQUJ7zTXtgl1cpyzBuJd8CY9ait0LubMEUA_xB_UNBmQPFxl03I2RPCdZMriLxYsYjU-fnkFZnMqzt_w62wzCf3UyTagFvt_WKP4tYDVaXNWP71vqo86Y8vKzWcyO7/s640/1+June+2013_076_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Our Gardening Question Time Roadshow marquee was pitched opposite this fantastically painted, traditional helter skelter at <a href="http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/">Derbyshire County Show</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lwIYk3GpH_WGyT9gvHJId5AYWLu_4wyiBKtklR4MRHHVIt7-AuJHx9-pEy24zyk3OTsRZGk7jTra6pTzJY9uIqvVTYJu2QAB8IIXXmBuDRRqQirhEs8HEBnwDVGK_ccbpwDsf_EKI6LI/s1600/1+June+2013_077_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lwIYk3GpH_WGyT9gvHJId5AYWLu_4wyiBKtklR4MRHHVIt7-AuJHx9-pEy24zyk3OTsRZGk7jTra6pTzJY9uIqvVTYJu2QAB8IIXXmBuDRRqQirhEs8HEBnwDVGK_ccbpwDsf_EKI6LI/s640/1+June+2013_077_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It looked remarkably flimsy inside. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZvAhR4zYKXhj5dqoA40gBWkoFbh6kp2khiGKeLKePOv9MC8ienUj_PFtUm0Z5RCC6fCpmT-WMZCs-YpvZN3_D-8BPkpmkHHr0Jgr4b8RTY6u4dbc4NSxoKFpuRNix0m6Lt8xsPiJbs0y/s1600/1+June+2013_073_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZvAhR4zYKXhj5dqoA40gBWkoFbh6kp2khiGKeLKePOv9MC8ienUj_PFtUm0Z5RCC6fCpmT-WMZCs-YpvZN3_D-8BPkpmkHHr0Jgr4b8RTY6u4dbc4NSxoKFpuRNix0m6Lt8xsPiJbs0y/s640/1+June+2013_073_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Closed for the night. I would have to wait until tomorrow to get my turn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Skulduggery</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihgi45d78d-MbnJM9288drLassmyRP6yDkTWF5neMKWm-xL0KnCgbi7eNb2vQVJkGYfnJMbQamVw6iJag6CngL77VWSqnC08zOq8L2nTstFdhL0HEY-Gya9oID5Mp_R9NwdvB55vpmUZ4/s1600/1+June+2013_056_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihgi45d78d-MbnJM9288drLassmyRP6yDkTWF5neMKWm-xL0KnCgbi7eNb2vQVJkGYfnJMbQamVw6iJag6CngL77VWSqnC08zOq8L2nTstFdhL0HEY-Gya9oID5Mp_R9NwdvB55vpmUZ4/s640/1+June+2013_056_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This surprisingly aggressive looking animal skull belongs to an animal that while not native to the UK can be found in the wild in the eastern counties. Any ideas what it is ? Answer below. For extra points can you tell me whose hands it is?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Peony flowers</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtBTT2N1F-7BbAJq1x8dLgEl-vjCeHOyb1f6rnxvERXKurjLFAoieRcqPA-s7xrpphGqRimrLuJuu91-m3RAHHlSFxp0mxvDum72xGh1m0PhMwmEgGeL_7BolPqTaYm9M6wG2Vcme8THW/s1600/1+June+2013_105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtBTT2N1F-7BbAJq1x8dLgEl-vjCeHOyb1f6rnxvERXKurjLFAoieRcqPA-s7xrpphGqRimrLuJuu91-m3RAHHlSFxp0mxvDum72xGh1m0PhMwmEgGeL_7BolPqTaYm9M6wG2Vcme8THW/s640/1+June+2013_105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two little chicks in a nest of yellow anthers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Darwinian evolution in action. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhY12npsSh2O3zIdtrv7X7Z3jCcJ0tHQs6vDXfco67473J2jCCys7Zgo-TAhhE1a1e-6qqYCRNkNfFJZUnD4Oin6hv5IBvmFcM91vVE23upVTIIxI_BnAvyWuXmXMFMA-cm9MDEPcOScT/s1600/1+June+2013_100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhY12npsSh2O3zIdtrv7X7Z3jCcJ0tHQs6vDXfco67473J2jCCys7Zgo-TAhhE1a1e-6qqYCRNkNfFJZUnD4Oin6hv5IBvmFcM91vVE23upVTIIxI_BnAvyWuXmXMFMA-cm9MDEPcOScT/s640/1+June+2013_100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There are three snakes native to the UK and this is none of them. This is a slow worm ,Anguilis fragilis, and not a snake at all but a lizard that has evolved to lose its legs. It was hiding, along with some snails, under a roof tile at the foot of a wall and soaking up the heat radiated through the tile. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD4vBPh6SKVAwMaHLZun4thUYws_qGCjsQHy5tEdau4nWYpZSdeDeP1sEc86A9LnfHXPtKj1UpqbX0iJx2cO1Hwws8W34qex91NdJ4qVEQtx8XQjrQh1pjysWt_iLsTfCUhswETp1VS9Z/s1600/1+June+2013_099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD4vBPh6SKVAwMaHLZun4thUYws_qGCjsQHy5tEdau4nWYpZSdeDeP1sEc86A9LnfHXPtKj1UpqbX0iJx2cO1Hwws8W34qex91NdJ4qVEQtx8XQjrQh1pjysWt_iLsTfCUhswETp1VS9Z/s640/1+June+2013_099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its curious how evolution works. The slow worm has has obviously worked out that enough pairs of glasses have been lost by little old ladies in their gardens that the best way never to be noticed is to make spectacles of yourself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Daylily Gall Midge</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUyQf5tOEEBdNBLVDSMVr2LNedkVyKt4pXQoagIQXSymZ2OkRZ46lywXmW9KfkzGeYfi35cBJpO67LInuXsLODvgiyvUt4wEUsaIKaf79-dodql-7bVpaL8fW95sW8YKcPTYhV6Hjhc8w/s1600/july+2013_009_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUyQf5tOEEBdNBLVDSMVr2LNedkVyKt4pXQoagIQXSymZ2OkRZ46lywXmW9KfkzGeYfi35cBJpO67LInuXsLODvgiyvUt4wEUsaIKaf79-dodql-7bVpaL8fW95sW8YKcPTYhV6Hjhc8w/s640/july+2013_009_01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzg_fYvYkaOhx5H-tf549gdjFOaZEIppJu3U86fButhXMnhriDUzzdetcnZiaLPVS1ZDu8wiAUehAatRB2RkoP-6Gb_OYK8ZxUDBM72c9WrlG9aw4XZ_Cf76YIuGr74NlEchSWTyoxdEu/s1600/july+2013_006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzg_fYvYkaOhx5H-tf549gdjFOaZEIppJu3U86fButhXMnhriDUzzdetcnZiaLPVS1ZDu8wiAUehAatRB2RkoP-6Gb_OYK8ZxUDBM72c9WrlG9aw4XZ_Cf76YIuGr74NlEchSWTyoxdEu/s640/july+2013_006.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a serious pest of daylilies now well established in the UK and yellow varieties seem more at risk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The problem is a small fly that lays its eggs in the flower buds of Hemerocallis. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwUM6RQA848i_aVZEhh0Nl1pOf8xH_yt69p3lzEQqVRvRl5RWL-irPODp3pbbH0nyh_juTnhDpBBuYUhJmyBVW3_pEOs-8elLP6Dv8DOr3zpEOfPbDZywEQz6Wb0aOyinrFfZQp0l4YuO/s1600/july+20130028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwUM6RQA848i_aVZEhh0Nl1pOf8xH_yt69p3lzEQqVRvRl5RWL-irPODp3pbbH0nyh_juTnhDpBBuYUhJmyBVW3_pEOs-8elLP6Dv8DOr3zpEOfPbDZywEQz6Wb0aOyinrFfZQp0l4YuO/s640/july+20130028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The buds become stunted and distorted. The larvae are small and difficult to see and by the time they have entered the bud there is nothing to be done other than to pick off and destroy the bud and therefore reduce the number of adults for next year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfK_7l0A72bJwtNepbgTNWradIf4qmEM44O88e7-O-HEbq-4AIJkhriBI_Kbeg3SsY3CCShOfF-5CRFck9g2v7gPKJgb0WO-s8n9sSpceeGzE-7FOVQk9Ko3aLX-UfgxkcJxy4qhEZawL/s1600/july+20130101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfK_7l0A72bJwtNepbgTNWradIf4qmEM44O88e7-O-HEbq-4AIJkhriBI_Kbeg3SsY3CCShOfF-5CRFck9g2v7gPKJgb0WO-s8n9sSpceeGzE-7FOVQk9Ko3aLX-UfgxkcJxy4qhEZawL/s640/july+20130101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The larvae are small, only two or three millimetres long but there can be many of them in a single bud. I managed to find nineteen in one bud but there can be more. Using late flowering varieties can help avoid the breeding period and therefore avoid infestation. Trying to spray against the adults means timing your spray to hit them before they lay their eggs which is a virtually impossible task. Cultivating the soil around the plants will help birds find the adults over-wintering in the soil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aphid 3</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Woolly Aphid ( Though sometimes seen on cardigans.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fzV2Tfldp7bthXb4gss_xUyDYK7XKDFsblUK96WBCB1rOQ15cnAv1BDNk01CDasbb6OhNanMcZhJHjokqpdG7CKWTCA5EQ_-qqy_mtUZj0rpQrpX5huy-2rJKW1EcOfltUsIkL3Hd-06/s1600/july+20130005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fzV2Tfldp7bthXb4gss_xUyDYK7XKDFsblUK96WBCB1rOQ15cnAv1BDNk01CDasbb6OhNanMcZhJHjokqpdG7CKWTCA5EQ_-qqy_mtUZj0rpQrpX5huy-2rJKW1EcOfltUsIkL3Hd-06/s640/july+20130005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is woolly aphid on apple but I have seen serious infestations on Pyracantha and Cotoneaster . It was introduced to Europe from North America and was first reported in London in 1787. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFaGHuCKhqe9aEU5hMEHKCfoUrutWY4d9knytcPoxY0s8rYhVfk0z2oIg_1-GXwIS0lNxrAqnBEI6ywPmZM8nWCYKA6m46cqWLpxoIHkMJdOgZooLzB4UTRKXO9U8lloU0jxVmAFEHdAG/s1600/july+20130008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFaGHuCKhqe9aEU5hMEHKCfoUrutWY4d9knytcPoxY0s8rYhVfk0z2oIg_1-GXwIS0lNxrAqnBEI6ywPmZM8nWCYKA6m46cqWLpxoIHkMJdOgZooLzB4UTRKXO9U8lloU0jxVmAFEHdAG/s640/july+20130008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
If you brush away the white, woolly, waxy protective coating you will find brown aphids beneath. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hj4Wd5BqAqyGEX_-7ma0QI9q1JI-Eq3FLQhhr6lHI0PKxCzmwgUHnQt9ezF7_3mfeqJy7agzRlD9ZfDc5gaI0FUvl5ShC9xU2cMlnr1hxXv_aKryJTCUAPREYxB-WZFWrqzbQxq-iB89/s1600/july+20130013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hj4Wd5BqAqyGEX_-7ma0QI9q1JI-Eq3FLQhhr6lHI0PKxCzmwgUHnQt9ezF7_3mfeqJy7agzRlD9ZfDc5gaI0FUvl5ShC9xU2cMlnr1hxXv_aKryJTCUAPREYxB-WZFWrqzbQxq-iB89/s640/july+20130013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The aphids are present all year round on the plant. Young aphids overwinter in cracks and galls. Infested plants produce swellings which can crack open. as well as providing overwintering quarters for the aphids hey also allow in disease causing cankers and die-back. Control is difficult. Only use systemic chemicals on on ornamental plants and not on edible crop plants such as apple. . Try the usual suspects of fatty acids but be prepared for a long battle. </div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Walnut Leaf Gall Mite ( but then it might not.)</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_8zjBnV6UbxRsK8ODzfM2F65uzUVi2EEaDAJUu1sF8xMc4GpTdGLXmznvvYpd3S8dfftTWC5jgfS-ZBKAMtGYh9bBfHUiuaBpiV-etEeViIcMcjmyy7MXKk2iIslHjTF_RkP4eiytJ7p/s1600/july+20130021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_8zjBnV6UbxRsK8ODzfM2F65uzUVi2EEaDAJUu1sF8xMc4GpTdGLXmznvvYpd3S8dfftTWC5jgfS-ZBKAMtGYh9bBfHUiuaBpiV-etEeViIcMcjmyy7MXKk2iIslHjTF_RkP4eiytJ7p/s640/july+20130021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This always looks worse than it is and the damage causes little harm to the walnut tree. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4teiGbQrxyzsTBpL9ZLzBXvpczkyo-5ZZmAakSDcrWkKLMk32a_tkQfqNsmabne8fUs5a9FAmiwATM_oJyKVjZLUtU3h2U1d8EHTovE6ZZZ5Tz067LqRVJSX4n0laEyceH4sNNO45pu0P/s1600/july+20130026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4teiGbQrxyzsTBpL9ZLzBXvpczkyo-5ZZmAakSDcrWkKLMk32a_tkQfqNsmabne8fUs5a9FAmiwATM_oJyKVjZLUtU3h2U1d8EHTovE6ZZZ5Tz067LqRVJSX4n0laEyceH4sNNO45pu0P/s640/july+20130026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The raised blister on the surface of the leaf is matched by a concave depression on the underside of the leaf. There are felt like hairs in these depressions and the mite lives amongst those hairs. Plant galls are an interesting group of 'ailments' and caused by a wide variety of insects on a wide variety of plants. The reactions to a tiny insect can be quite dramatic.I may have mentioned these books before but they will bear repeating. The nPocket Encyclopedia of Plant Galls. Darlington nand Hirons. Pub. Blandford. Out of Print but available second hand. Britain's Plant Galls . Michael Chinery. Pub.<a href="http://wildguides.co.uk/">Wild Guides</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leaf Rolling Sawfly on roses.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnAncnrM1svVhWPGNDmdrP4piKBcHFV5nLaYAlE15kQ6heKLPFG3FVBSfMSTZeR4CPqZSrAw_Lrr4V1-wP6r1X3kh8kFEzEGP3DWQ-Wa09FjTxpueZofF3CFUBs1rMJhmOCKaT-5VdUVX/s1600/1+June+2013_022_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnAncnrM1svVhWPGNDmdrP4piKBcHFV5nLaYAlE15kQ6heKLPFG3FVBSfMSTZeR4CPqZSrAw_Lrr4V1-wP6r1X3kh8kFEzEGP3DWQ-Wa09FjTxpueZofF3CFUBs1rMJhmOCKaT-5VdUVX/s640/1+June+2013_022_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Don't you just love the names given to plant pests and diseases. It is very much a case of it is what it does on the plant. This is Rose leaf rolling sawfly. It can affect all roses though some are more susceptible than others. It is caused by the sawfly probing the leaves with its saw like ovipositor prior to laying itd eggs. All the probed leaves will curl up but not all will have eggs laid in them which at first I thought was wasteful but I guess if you are a predator looking for larvae you might find the whole process so hit and miss that you would give up and go somewhere else. Can you control it? Not easily but the larvae overwinter in the soil so cultivation the soil will help expose larvae the the birds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Its a whoppa!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUilOb2mwxSI85j6IST8hQJetzvO4l-x_zCbm1M0cXqZZExBedp5fEJIW1tCVro9j1PrAJ3dka6_GJsCBd8-yntortazFwBdL_6MzvTRiQ0U6BUvHTr7znXofHCRK3H_nYyr38lVJD41F7/s1600/1+June+2013_075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUilOb2mwxSI85j6IST8hQJetzvO4l-x_zCbm1M0cXqZZExBedp5fEJIW1tCVro9j1PrAJ3dka6_GJsCBd8-yntortazFwBdL_6MzvTRiQ0U6BUvHTr7znXofHCRK3H_nYyr38lVJD41F7/s640/1+June+2013_075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not a big fan of blousey Rhododendrons but Anthony , who has big hands, showed me the size of this single bloom on a new hybrid which he was selling at the wholesale nursery. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
ANSWER TO FANGED SKULL QUESTION.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is the skull of a Chinese Water Dear. Escapees from country parks have started to establish themselves in parts of the UK The teeth are articulated and can be tucked away or thrust outwards. There is a similar but less dramatic set of teeth on the almost ubiquitous and pestilential Muntjac dear.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hands holding the skull are those of Barry Gayton and there is no reason why anyone should know that. He runs Desert World Gardens in Thetford. He has a dry sense of humour.</div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-55276006147001987022013-06-17T04:33:00.001-07:002013-06-18T10:01:03.948-07:00 バートンハウスのトピアリー〜ビフォーアフター Bourton House Topiary - before and after<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoDate" style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-US">April
2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This special issue is a thank you to our Japanese readers. It is a translation of part of an earlier post about Bourton House which I hope will be an easier read for you if you are Japanese. There is also the English text for those who might want to recap the March issue. I apologise for the gaps and misalignments . I have been fiddling around trying to tidy them up but for each one I fixed two more problems popped up so in a very unprofessional way I thought blow it, I will publish and be damned. </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bourton House Topiary -
before and after<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">バートンハウスのトピアリー〜ビフォーアフター</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Right, here we go..........<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">さー始めましょう・・・</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I worked as head gardener at<span style="color: orange;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.bourtonhouse.com/"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Bourton House</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> for eighteen years. As head
gardeners will know get the right team and the job can be the best job ever.
At Bourton we had various gardeners come and go but for a period I had
what I have always thought of as my dream team, a golden era! They were
two people who had, in different ways, a huge enthusiasm
and energy for the garden. There was an eagerness to learn and a
genuine excitement when say something new would flower for
the first time - they were a real pleasure to work with. They were Heather
Balhatchet and Will Gould. Will has contributed below to this blog with a piece on his
trip to Yucatan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">バートンハウスのヘッドガーデナーとして</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">18</span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">年間働いた経験があります。ヘッドガーデナーという仕事は、理想的なチームを授かれば最高の仕事です。バートンハウスで数々のガーデナーが出たり入ったりするのを見てきましたが、ある時期、自分が理想とするドリームチームを手に入れ、それはまさに黄金時代でした!ガーデンに対して違った意味で、ものすごい熱意とエネルギーを持つ二人のガーデナーでした。学びたいという意欲が旺盛で、何かが初めて咲くと心から喜び、彼らと一緒に働くのは本当に楽しいものでした。その二人というのはヘザー・ボールハチェットさんとウィル・グールドさん。ウィルさんはこのブログで、ユカタンへの旅について書いてくれています。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One criteria for the professional
garden photographers who came to the garden regularly was
that they had to take a picture of the garden team for our records. The best picture
of them all was the one below taken by </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://cvb0001.wix.com/ohara#!"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Marie O'Hara</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">.</span> I worked with Marie on several
occasions and she had imagination, patience, great technical skill and
always a great sympathy for the subject.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">ガーデンの写真を撮るのを専門としているカメラマンが、記録用に定期的にガーデンで働くチームの写真を撮っていました。一番気に入っているのは、マリー・オーハラさんが撮ってくれたこの写真。マリーさんとは何度も一緒に仕事をする機会がありましたが、彼女の想像力、忍耐力、技術はたいしたもので、彼女の写真はいつも被写体に共感しているようでした。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_kJDkkYQQvXw4ny6HUOkabpLJt6tHc2wSm7yWlX4oq8Kgoh8lwtVnT8K9l4PBePCgpSGIPrSHsUQvfLZLJHkdvn8Bzp9okp8S9MhLF1eFM45dJOUNDimu87MaCfYkXkrML_6AHDOxNrq/s1600/69390001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_kJDkkYQQvXw4ny6HUOkabpLJt6tHc2wSm7yWlX4oq8Kgoh8lwtVnT8K9l4PBePCgpSGIPrSHsUQvfLZLJHkdvn8Bzp9okp8S9MhLF1eFM45dJOUNDimu87MaCfYkXkrML_6AHDOxNrq/s640/69390001.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bFdt2VMiWKZypK6m0UA-0D7frG3u69Oxd49EDpcb7_zq4DNzYOnZ6FvXFZwmC9SuubuhCihwwaW8mhkpHfcaSLJryMNSnD9ScgPiedp-R5r2ngXUAXScRzCVriR7kdBpm_5aNjB86xm/s1600/69390001.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="図_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1036" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bFdt2VMiWKZypK6m0UA-0D7frG3u69Oxd49EDpcb7_zq4DNzYOnZ6FvXFZwmC9SuubuhCihwwaW8mhkpHfcaSLJryMNSnD9ScgPiedp-R5r2ngXUAXScRzCVriR7kdBpm_5aNjB86xm/s1600/69390001.JPG"
style='width:204pt;height:276pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I am proud to present my dream team<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">これが自慢のドリームチームです</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It is all too often the case
that designers create a garden and then leave it in the 'safe' hands
of the client and either never see it again or see it again a few years later
only to find that the no doubt well meaning meddling of an inexperienced gardener
or the client themselves has diluted their intention to the point where they
want to disclaim ownership of the design. It is usually the planting that has
been messed with or been badly maintained rather than changes to the basic
structure of the garden.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">ガーデンデザイナーが庭を創っても、庭はオーナーにゆだねられてしまい、デザイナーは二度とその庭を見ることがないというのが大抵のケースです。もしくは、数年後に見る機会があったとしても、経験未熟なガーデナーが余計な手を加え、オーナーの庭に対する興味が薄れてしまい、デザイナーがデザインの所有権を放棄してしまいたくなることさえあります。大抵の場合、植栽がめちゃくちゃになってしまい、ガーデンの基本的な構造が変わってしまうほど、ひどい管理がされた場合がほとんどです。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At Bourton I had been in
the fortunate position of being able to<b><i> </i></b>originate a
project from a very elemental start - rooting the cuttings - then nurture it
for a number of years and then leave it only to come back many years later to a
mature planting that except for minor changes has turned out exactly as
I hoped it would. The project had been to create an architectural feature
of box and yew with an </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.bulletproof-design.com/clients/firecraft/"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">ironwork centre piece</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> in front of the house.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">バートンハウスでは私はとても恵まれた立場にあり、プロジェクトを初めから任されていました。例えば、(植栽に使う植物は)挿し芽に根が出たら、何年間か養生し、しっかり生長してからガーデンに戻すという方法をとっていたので、ほとんど自分が望んだ通りの植栽に保つことができました。以前、バートンハウスの正面に、鉄製オーナメントを中心に西洋ツゲと西洋イチイでアーキテクチャアル(構築的)な景観を作るというプロジェクトを試みました。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LQXiU8iWUGYH4KeHqnAPzT0STOv9qxN-EhQHu2yrme5MS2kTOAO_JFXH0j_3LOmQhKij3r0akh_aU7dFlCUYCNXln5vC8V1O2IIia1OC2ikgdpiKsphFcaKmm4SC2ZSPY2ngwQ1KrIVn/s1600/69390005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LQXiU8iWUGYH4KeHqnAPzT0STOv9qxN-EhQHu2yrme5MS2kTOAO_JFXH0j_3LOmQhKij3r0akh_aU7dFlCUYCNXln5vC8V1O2IIia1OC2ikgdpiKsphFcaKmm4SC2ZSPY2ngwQ1KrIVn/s640/69390005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtdBenM0uhMSlBhRKHG-uePu_DjmC6Y7ChL_3XTbjkSdNKmU-4kWYsV703x4MIBjTHF_WI_JMbraA1FA2wVWzUF1POovhe9o29dLCIPG8OVuNvb-wKE7aDMLJ35JYrA-ztyakz1pyJ55/s1600/69390005.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1035" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtdBenM0uhMSlBhRKHG-uePu_DjmC6Y7ChL_3XTbjkSdNKmU-4kWYsV703x4MIBjTHF_WI_JMbraA1FA2wVWzUF1POovhe9o29dLCIPG8OVuNvb-wKE7aDMLJ35JYrA-ztyakz1pyJ55/s1600/69390005.JPG"
style='width:340.5pt;height:228.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We raised several hundred box cuttings in cold frames. Plans
were drawn and work began. The topiary garden was developed in
front of the house. We dug up the large expanse of gravel covering the
space where originally carriages would have drawn up to the main entrance.
A year or two<i> </i>earlier we had created a much smaller box garden
which you can see was left in place to be cannibalised once the larger area of
ground was prepared.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">冷床の中で、数百本の西洋ツゲを挿し芽から育てました。図面が描かれ、作業開始です。トピアリーガーデンはバートンハウスの正面に作られましたが、かつては馬車が正面玄関に整列するのに使用されていた場所で、砂利で覆われた広いスペース一面を掘り上げました。写真上の既存の小さな西洋ツゲのガーデン(後方)はこのプロジェクトの</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1</span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">〜</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2</span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">年前に完成したものですが、この大きなエリアが出来上がるとその一部になるという構想でした。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix58vZDwf2XPulmOZcrj8nyTSuIiOyHMk9fkylN1c8gImnViIdSnbV_Yv-eMauxUsFeJxwwI_18pMZmeO70NcZdad8sLtl9MWNlUNEdKwRS5Qi71qG-eM6RWf7eTzaLKtccpnwcuvoAyJa/s1600/69440001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix58vZDwf2XPulmOZcrj8nyTSuIiOyHMk9fkylN1c8gImnViIdSnbV_Yv-eMauxUsFeJxwwI_18pMZmeO70NcZdad8sLtl9MWNlUNEdKwRS5Qi71qG-eM6RWf7eTzaLKtccpnwcuvoAyJa/s640/69440001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpjWKG5fgfP0eLSfJMTjXoMUDY1EFlvQWt4wIpDvJlzrWcqkFzTmzpQKUbXE-E5WiyC76u2we_kTtSXoNzd5kt7dbUlgKCdNH6Oy8Dawyna_DLvXWhClQR1uVd4J1jvGRyAaXe61L4_Ge/s1600/69440001.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1034" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpjWKG5fgfP0eLSfJMTjXoMUDY1EFlvQWt4wIpDvJlzrWcqkFzTmzpQKUbXE-E5WiyC76u2we_kTtSXoNzd5kt7dbUlgKCdNH6Oy8Dawyna_DLvXWhClQR1uVd4J1jvGRyAaXe61L4_Ge/s1600/69440001.JPG"
style='width:339.75pt;height:222pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">First of all the pattern was marked out with small flower
pots to see if it was going to work before planting began. It all looked
so skinny back then. The short sections of box
were waiting to grow into a chunkier green version of the terracotta
rope edging much loved by the Victorians. The thin wedges were box, the
flanking columns - very small here- were yew and the lollipops were
Portugal laurel. If I remember correctly the diagonals on
the wall were Pyracantha. The picture was taken in spring with the
Tulipa kaufmanniana waiting for some sunshine before they open their faces
to the sky. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">植栽を始める前、まずは小さめの植木鉢を使って、実際にうまく行くかどうか実験的に模様を描いてみました。(写真のように)当時のトピアリーはこんなに細かったのです。セクションに分かれたまだ小さい西洋ツゲは、ビクトリア時代の人々にとても愛された「テラコッタロープ・エッジング」と言う、上部にロープ模様が施された花壇縁取り用タイルのように、青々とこんもりと育っていくという計画でした。細いくさび形も西洋ツゲ、この写真ではかなり小さく写っていますが側面の煙突のようなものは西洋イチイ、棒付きキャンディーのような姿はポルトガル産の月桂樹です。自分の記憶が確かなら、壁にななめに生えているのはピラカンサ、この写真が撮影されたのは春で、チュリップ‘カウフマニアナ’が太陽の光を待って空を見上げているようです。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqCHHCqiDu7P5OlSGu63j0kO7PReL3L0wfsAI04PKTwh6n4fc1yjsCKgjw-wxVsWNAjSqOJJkUZfy5J8xoeK-E6jGDfqrRkMGqCMEHya6baa3X7EDxi3U9nTTArSV_345-agM_sicT69A/s1600/August+20110101.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqCHHCqiDu7P5OlSGu63j0kO7PReL3L0wfsAI04PKTwh6n4fc1yjsCKgjw-wxVsWNAjSqOJJkUZfy5J8xoeK-E6jGDfqrRkMGqCMEHya6baa3X7EDxi3U9nTTArSV_345-agM_sicT69A/s1600/August+20110101.JPG"
style='width:339.75pt;height:225.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image006.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XAACZMFp05wdFH3WJrXxNErLjTAOrMMbM3Dj0YKuidiVX05c4BdOnY_XS-IpLt_zn_v9O5rXO8M2e81AzDccf66ijd_7gdXOdRVmmDPphrZiwtwcRzOxxK-8GCnEPXQxE-7qW0veROcn/s1600/August+20110101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XAACZMFp05wdFH3WJrXxNErLjTAOrMMbM3Dj0YKuidiVX05c4BdOnY_XS-IpLt_zn_v9O5rXO8M2e81AzDccf66ijd_7gdXOdRVmmDPphrZiwtwcRzOxxK-8GCnEPXQxE-7qW0veROcn/s640/August+20110101.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cuddly serpents.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">抱き心地のよさそうな‘ヘビ’</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsNIEAV_FIMr7WwFO4h8yxD6PUdlZN8H9I4qI8qjk7tlhkpH_XlxPjA0sdPJODe5nbRIgT8cITrrm6-EemGAqZ_lM3oaRZZhi_-zQXv9jlkx7INc3_asNS40_qPT_48kupY7GVGR0dGQf/s1600/August+20110106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsNIEAV_FIMr7WwFO4h8yxD6PUdlZN8H9I4qI8qjk7tlhkpH_XlxPjA0sdPJODe5nbRIgT8cITrrm6-EemGAqZ_lM3oaRZZhi_-zQXv9jlkx7INc3_asNS40_qPT_48kupY7GVGR0dGQf/s640/August+20110106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun7FxvYh8KLWAFhVtTgWVyDjqrw_M2Kc0wxG3LVIxWgKDBBi4qYQ5fyO0nKr-ZOPIuSthz_IKt9H8JIjq7sAqdxfrTZLdTok57hJT30-01riQWZg4_K6kQPgrk7UtreodrvXho2bVwjbv/s1600/August+20110106.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun7FxvYh8KLWAFhVtTgWVyDjqrw_M2Kc0wxG3LVIxWgKDBBi4qYQ5fyO0nKr-ZOPIuSthz_IKt9H8JIjq7sAqdxfrTZLdTok57hJT30-01riQWZg4_K6kQPgrk7UtreodrvXho2bVwjbv/s1600/August+20110106.JPG"
style='width:334.5pt;height:222.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Is it real? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">これ本物?</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUMhneV432aALdi0DNYkQKXGQPxZVBabIzbDs9nj-5yPK-qZ8wKCFlfCModAk72Glufr-UTIgCjGJdTg5LN50HMxAMMIzUN3Adi7C4kOhb1bnOwq1SVzWqnaySiy0CboNdQ1a1Lq6XvmA/s1600/August+20110109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUMhneV432aALdi0DNYkQKXGQPxZVBabIzbDs9nj-5yPK-qZ8wKCFlfCModAk72Glufr-UTIgCjGJdTg5LN50HMxAMMIzUN3Adi7C4kOhb1bnOwq1SVzWqnaySiy0CboNdQ1a1Lq6XvmA/s640/August+20110109.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We had made a rod for our own backs
when it came to clipping time. The box has been expertly and lovingly clipped
by subsequent garden teams to superb effect. The topiary was
established before<span style="color: orange;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://isthisthewaytoamaryllis.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/box-blight-and-barrows.html"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Box Blight</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> reared its
ugly head in 1994 which has been an advantage and scrupulous attention to
hygiene and continual vigilance has so far kept box blight at bay.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">刈り込みの時期になると、(複雑な形であるため)自ら災いをまいたなと感じることもありました。西洋ツゲは後に引き継がれたガーデンチームによって、最高の状態になるよう、愛情を込めながら功名に刈り込まれています。トピアリーは</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1994</span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">年に「ボックス・ブライト(ツゲの葉が茶色く枯れていく病気)」が問題になる前に運良く完成し、病気にならないように慎重な配慮や継続的な警戒の甲斐あり、今でも「ボックス・ブライト」を寄せ付けていません。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVVzaY8Iml3bIp9UY6M29JvVmOb4A2cogaVzd1c15mcWjRJkPBP_eeW4CsMCx6ddpLJ4i1fqOitQRZPfY5AAM58z0FgfhbmV4jBLyZZckXYWnaoeMnmNWQqiNU0ThfbbI7d1kNpxcPah/s1600/69440003.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVVzaY8Iml3bIp9UY6M29JvVmOb4A2cogaVzd1c15mcWjRJkPBP_eeW4CsMCx6ddpLJ4i1fqOitQRZPfY5AAM58z0FgfhbmV4jBLyZZckXYWnaoeMnmNWQqiNU0ThfbbI7d1kNpxcPah/s1600/69440003.JPG"
style='width:330pt;height:215.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image011.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5veFkA8RRTc_jKXaATyPm2n4doGWZ3sMhJaCuUuQXC3hAq_dkUddJwI2pAJao-tmhvIt2K4VxPwiwGGpxMSffGGE0BkcArcNHjwoQSibZ-uhr-cy4TN281Z5WFEix3B5D6Qja3dCl5yg/s1600/69440003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5veFkA8RRTc_jKXaATyPm2n4doGWZ3sMhJaCuUuQXC3hAq_dkUddJwI2pAJao-tmhvIt2K4VxPwiwGGpxMSffGGE0BkcArcNHjwoQSibZ-uhr-cy4TN281Z5WFEix3B5D6Qja3dCl5yg/s640/69440003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An earlier 'box' project meant tackling the old rose
garden. These images are from old slides and lack a bit of sharpness. Those
with a nostalgic hankering for the slightly fuzzier life of times gone by
might feel more comfortable with them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">「西洋ツゲ」プロジェクトの始まりは古くなったローズガーデンの改装に取りかかることでした。これらのイメージは、古いスライドなので、シャープさに欠けますが、ぼんやりとした過去の思い出にひたるには、ノスタルジックでちょうどよいかもしれません</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlJq7KZnxHtFizRFUVOXl4Ph5ebn9dQnZcb5a06j2G9Pk6_DuO9-lRbikh15iu-r1_bwxm5rlU0S_aIy0vJUklMKufhItnEVgChxwD7_Brw1jRo1n8h6oaOtxDIZgp3PWpP37izlKQ8On/s1600/69390003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlJq7KZnxHtFizRFUVOXl4Ph5ebn9dQnZcb5a06j2G9Pk6_DuO9-lRbikh15iu-r1_bwxm5rlU0S_aIy0vJUklMKufhItnEVgChxwD7_Brw1jRo1n8h6oaOtxDIZgp3PWpP37izlKQ8On/s640/69390003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hundreds of cuttings struck in the cold frames were grown
on in the reshaped rose garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: 'MS Mincho';">冷床で育てられた何百もの挿し木が、改装後のローズベッドに植えられました。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c4oc_2tNmgHfNq9LT-6lDxDdRASwxioBDCt7Whtjyp6029RriF9qjSv5HzUWNCXWfK_xbOq530Swwz1jOHXoGhhKYhtuPqw78mF9l00VmyhS0TCT38o03RFWojBz3Y4gVjIxFSP96gRl/s1600/69440007.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c4oc_2tNmgHfNq9LT-6lDxDdRASwxioBDCt7Whtjyp6029RriF9qjSv5HzUWNCXWfK_xbOq530Swwz1jOHXoGhhKYhtuPqw78mF9l00VmyhS0TCT38o03RFWojBz3Y4gVjIxFSP96gRl/s1600/69440007.JPG"
style='width:339pt;height:221.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image015.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireVRmHzVDCuItk1rUWQUgcmqn9pivRF8eLtPOchvuE-rhjSF4M_40Sf-KHsLd_NMyigbo2MY99bXypPMUBjArUx-iP6x5s4bqgnGTjc_P4DME9B8ySbu-l-56sgJAfhpOFQs4VH8hNVTn/s1600/69440007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireVRmHzVDCuItk1rUWQUgcmqn9pivRF8eLtPOchvuE-rhjSF4M_40Sf-KHsLd_NMyigbo2MY99bXypPMUBjArUx-iP6x5s4bqgnGTjc_P4DME9B8ySbu-l-56sgJAfhpOFQs4VH8hNVTn/s640/69440007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Early days and
still some gaps but it is starting to shape up. The impressive lattice
basket is cast Victorian concrete and was made for the Great
Exhibition of 1851.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">まだ少し隙間が見られる初期の段階、西洋ツゲのシェイプができ始めています。中央の見事な格子模様のバスケットは、ビクトリア時代のコンクリート製。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">1851</span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">年ロンドンで行われた世界初めの大博覧会のために作られたものです。</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzn6m3AsDh5NTBipODmCLZszRCC_pCTrrU-hwnmMV_Ox1rk1_aeW9-rMh-FHSQWYzlx3Vorj4KVpA-VIDceir-9Yhw0IsYU11cIkmox9Z7mjnE7gtURODG9DeHnaF9QWezdrp8mO8kyia/s1600/69440018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzn6m3AsDh5NTBipODmCLZszRCC_pCTrrU-hwnmMV_Ox1rk1_aeW9-rMh-FHSQWYzlx3Vorj4KVpA-VIDceir-9Yhw0IsYU11cIkmox9Z7mjnE7gtURODG9DeHnaF9QWezdrp8mO8kyia/s640/69440018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdVwaSubTwV4hk6gPC6bCH6fRxP5uf15NTymrw-oMWsh8WMcte7mlDV0qtprOdbmmpU3ZoXjrwT5ryLDimOxZPpTlPHmeiNVBl2gejK6LP3H4sJ10GLAv7dYN-m53KR0UaVWjRzEB1DbE/s1600/69440018.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdVwaSubTwV4hk6gPC6bCH6fRxP5uf15NTymrw-oMWsh8WMcte7mlDV0qtprOdbmmpU3ZoXjrwT5ryLDimOxZPpTlPHmeiNVBl2gejK6LP3H4sJ10GLAv7dYN-m53KR0UaVWjRzEB1DbE/s1600/69440018.JPG"
style='width:342pt;height:223.5pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Getting there, and the old Indian swastika pattern is becoming obvious.
If you visit the garden and you are a keen observer you will notice all the<span style="color: orange;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">swastika</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: orange;">s</span> swirl in one direction except one. I did not notice the mistake I
had made when setting out the pattern until several years
after planting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">だんだん茂ってきて、古代インドの卍(まんじ)模様のシェイプがはっきりしてきました。もしバートンハウスを訪れる機会があって、鋭い観察力をお持ちのあなたなら、一方向だけ、卍(まんじ)模様が欠けているのがわかるでしょう。実は植栽が終わって数年後まで、準備の段階で間違ってしまったことに気がつかなかったのです。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn0s6hsAypV7Lja1iENK0uJdb5qJbg3A7OAQnN6JQHmbBpCsN3h6DcvXNKNdXG8McYeps8XhGrTHhQQojD53oN10j-rY8MwcONTc0f9uGyFBjmRYVZNt-AscHoUAqrZZPUAYqUHXZsW4j/s1600/69440014.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_11" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn0s6hsAypV7Lja1iENK0uJdb5qJbg3A7OAQnN6JQHmbBpCsN3h6DcvXNKNdXG8McYeps8XhGrTHhQQojD53oN10j-rY8MwcONTc0f9uGyFBjmRYVZNt-AscHoUAqrZZPUAYqUHXZsW4j/s1600/69440014.JPG"
style='width:330.75pt;height:3in;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image019.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0qhmhiYFA3ieRHTZ19PENJoQ3WtisVMWbzgaOSxf6AzWk3Z98qqAex5-e1MlRU9POBN0I6KYnCJUEWo_20Y_Mv4WhMCvyfXy9JdlCitg4Ar5-uuFGONh4SInuHTg0nUWCkAfO2TbzHSH/s1600/69440014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0qhmhiYFA3ieRHTZ19PENJoQ3WtisVMWbzgaOSxf6AzWk3Z98qqAex5-e1MlRU9POBN0I6KYnCJUEWo_20Y_Mv4WhMCvyfXy9JdlCitg4Ar5-uuFGONh4SInuHTg0nUWCkAfO2TbzHSH/s640/69440014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Whoa! Greens are
good for you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">おー!緑はやっぱりいいですね!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTUsiC-ilWGsNFlttuG3ljbV_rNVuMwT8JIQXPKQOsbbJ7-_xisrWfEZHq0xET7iV_5DrBqi7bPkIdZIiQUX1_0HsU3sc_iB0z47wH6aOM-D5w56lUgCcU8YJWl4JyyFq3aLBeoSejOwn/s1600/69390002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTUsiC-ilWGsNFlttuG3ljbV_rNVuMwT8JIQXPKQOsbbJ7-_xisrWfEZHq0xET7iV_5DrBqi7bPkIdZIiQUX1_0HsU3sc_iB0z47wH6aOM-D5w56lUgCcU8YJWl4JyyFq3aLBeoSejOwn/s640/69390002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67MR6HzTs20tsCZxQ8JknJdbsq0X2zkV0d9MevaiOP-npCeZxbpiJlJLfQmtQ5xCEPwpYQo4LCCYqFa1FFfkJT-NPxDJuBwcBGYveTL5OPm58UtEselt2zsCRVaM5Co3aPcgiR8LzXTD9/s1600/69390002.JPG"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #fd8608; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="図_x0020_12" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67MR6HzTs20tsCZxQ8JknJdbsq0X2zkV0d9MevaiOP-npCeZxbpiJlJLfQmtQ5xCEPwpYQo4LCCYqFa1FFfkJT-NPxDJuBwcBGYveTL5OPm58UtEselt2zsCRVaM5Co3aPcgiR8LzXTD9/s1600/69390002.JPG"
style='width:339pt;height:226.5pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image021.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Hair cut Sir?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">さて、散髪はいかがですか?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-14817632642518345482013-05-31T14:29:00.000-07:002013-06-02T12:56:28.824-07:00Chelsea Flower Show, Brick frogs, Formula 1 vintage mowers, Sezincote and snails. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went down to Chelsea Flower Show as part of the BBC Radio Oxford coverage on the last build up day before press and queen visit day. Some of the gardens were finished and the workers and and designers were looking comfortable and just putting the final polish on things while others still had a way to go and were a bit more frantic. Even by mid afternoon the atmosphere was still one of a building site with cranes, tele-hoists, and huge delivery lorries clattering about the site. The BBC Local Radio studio - for studio read tent- was just around the corner from the the eventual winner of the Best in Show award, the Australian garden. And it was by far the most impressive garden and had taken full advantage of the most sought after pitch, the Rock Bank </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I could have filled a dozen blogs with images of the show but here are just a selection of things that caught my eye,There is a lot of good stuff that wasn't quite finished or where the exhibitors were so busy finishing off that there were more people than plants on the stand and it did not make for good pictures. Any way, here is a flavour.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime; font-size: x-small;">P.S. Don't forget new blog posts are announced on twitter @pwhorticulture</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oztralia</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzy9-XVURCpJFW-emReBlMBveyQCBJoPbTHJpu6teQiu959KRXZGF4fTOLYrXj4P8DDiNXq8Yfn_bV3JyxudqKfteR4dkRna5_ZSA6GsF-AttEIHyGFPV_2atbjs0fd05sYTTppi4tuMW/s1600/DSCN2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzy9-XVURCpJFW-emReBlMBveyQCBJoPbTHJpu6teQiu959KRXZGF4fTOLYrXj4P8DDiNXq8Yfn_bV3JyxudqKfteR4dkRna5_ZSA6GsF-AttEIHyGFPV_2atbjs0fd05sYTTppi4tuMW/s640/DSCN2753.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Australian garden was overlooked by this huge viewing structure which the designer told me that when you were looking out from inside such was the alignment that you could not see the 'petals' </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihhjg8S3-szqC8pGzWpHVZbxFLjALoTX3ljT2AnvzBi-WyGLEjW65TmLzIH7BzO-RpdPpv4w_olRkvd1aZjnxOk4JBTTReMGA4qqPSzjDossGZ-4sZQDnpLjvwSnJGOz1y4uwRPo9O5zj/s1600/DSCN2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihhjg8S3-szqC8pGzWpHVZbxFLjALoTX3ljT2AnvzBi-WyGLEjW65TmLzIH7BzO-RpdPpv4w_olRkvd1aZjnxOk4JBTTReMGA4qqPSzjDossGZ-4sZQDnpLjvwSnJGOz1y4uwRPo9O5zj/s640/DSCN2787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Huge rocks, torrents of water and an all Australian flora. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvi-jx12GMopyD0KXzz_VjoYVQDiXOgcuRUFYs_vegagGDPIeOuC4rKkytr08KmJquwDsjewSipFjBp_AO13owO5QCcu84H8Rub8ZXC8elo3eMYHvLcUJtXbnzJMOmBRnDZ-rCKswbwRB/s1600/DSCN2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvi-jx12GMopyD0KXzz_VjoYVQDiXOgcuRUFYs_vegagGDPIeOuC4rKkytr08KmJquwDsjewSipFjBp_AO13owO5QCcu84H8Rub8ZXC8elo3eMYHvLcUJtXbnzJMOmBRnDZ-rCKswbwRB/s640/DSCN2786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The planting was solid and mighty impressive. There were one or two recognisable plants among the low growers that I have seen among the bedding plants now on sale in the garden centres including Scaevola, Brachycome ( or Brachyscome depending on which book you read.) and Helipterum. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hillier.co.uk/">Hillier's</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The other mighty impressive display was that of Hillier's. It took pride of place in the big Pavilion on the Monument site and was a triumph of plant exuberance and flamboyance but what else would you expect from <a href="http://andymcindoe.blogspot.co.uk/">Andy McIndoe</a>, Hillier's larger than life head man. The stand had its showy centrepieces but also a huge bank of trees and shrubs which as Andy said were readily available and could be grown by anyone. He explained that they leave the specialist plants to the specialist growers but produce a very large range of the best varieties of trees and shrubs that will thrive in almost any garden. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyNdwRSwV4FXN2mLC9FJZXO-W0WQ7JN6mx0eN0ZMkfdEaxuLoNtQBSlPSRWDIIEaWO1iMmVpDIcvYteYt7LVc8OztitMQRef041Al_7CxvzmRM4l7dABkcTr9UmKpzEFp0q2DGUq_2_eJ/s1600/DSCN2790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyNdwRSwV4FXN2mLC9FJZXO-W0WQ7JN6mx0eN0ZMkfdEaxuLoNtQBSlPSRWDIIEaWO1iMmVpDIcvYteYt7LVc8OztitMQRef041Al_7CxvzmRM4l7dABkcTr9UmKpzEFp0q2DGUq_2_eJ/s640/DSCN2790.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy6Oc9h9X_9ON5kPqKxXu8ydu3qPFh74dD70eXletqgcutPKg7R8b0PzF6GsOAtHd-eo3G7ho3-vt-mkYgzqvoR1BDXhMijhJgaGDN-DhVO1Q1cl0wnZAQiH9rz9s49UoQ5U6xWnhKPWN/s1600/DSCN2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy6Oc9h9X_9ON5kPqKxXu8ydu3qPFh74dD70eXletqgcutPKg7R8b0PzF6GsOAtHd-eo3G7ho3-vt-mkYgzqvoR1BDXhMijhJgaGDN-DhVO1Q1cl0wnZAQiH9rz9s49UoQ5U6xWnhKPWN/s640/DSCN2793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pretty in Pink.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Anon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEMET0R51bLEVew0xRbulk7xJB0aO7YjOT0WwMh4bYQLbNadq1teTOV5Hfoc5tBLB31E3qSzNIbSw4EaxFlRa6SWspyeQd_KW-qCGLgm52CPr1KP1CHPxPvEGLGFqZ2o6DYuX8n7bLtBi/s1600/DSCN2777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEMET0R51bLEVew0xRbulk7xJB0aO7YjOT0WwMh4bYQLbNadq1teTOV5Hfoc5tBLB31E3qSzNIbSw4EaxFlRa6SWspyeQd_KW-qCGLgm52CPr1KP1CHPxPvEGLGFqZ2o6DYuX8n7bLtBi/s640/DSCN2777.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In complete contrast to the colour and razzmatazz is this garden. I don't know who sponsored it or what the theme was but the simplicity of the shapes was satisfying. A stone wall , wicker work shapes and clipped Yew on a bed of Barley. Simple </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry I can't remember whose garden this was..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Brewin Dolphin</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAgVgerhBiCwgms67gHobY6HLU6qmfwaYAKCB91N6S2Ll6JzGhgevuP1xPaAksKtkDbyyPSSDMtylGP1apjM8CBodhLtFsIQey1bUWWh-PEzt927XBrMcet5SzDISer8QDuLFgDfF7Da0/s1600/DSCN2754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAgVgerhBiCwgms67gHobY6HLU6qmfwaYAKCB91N6S2Ll6JzGhgevuP1xPaAksKtkDbyyPSSDMtylGP1apjM8CBodhLtFsIQey1bUWWh-PEzt927XBrMcet5SzDISer8QDuLFgDfF7Da0/s640/DSCN2754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Men at Work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cleaning up with shoes off and working out backwards to get the site absolutely pristine and ready for the judges.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arthritis Research</span>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATwHo_2K7d10dliDgsh1qZokA2dt9tD8VtK2qp_IKsPh9gFK1E6adQ4LKkCGEZRIRNpAthjQdncA76rCQYJ00tblLrLPu8OKllSFfV2ViJNN4mb_h1IHLRZo2C6U9Dzo4SxzwYuTTKHvW/s1600/DSCN2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATwHo_2K7d10dliDgsh1qZokA2dt9tD8VtK2qp_IKsPh9gFK1E6adQ4LKkCGEZRIRNpAthjQdncA76rCQYJ00tblLrLPu8OKllSFfV2ViJNN4mb_h1IHLRZo2C6U9Dzo4SxzwYuTTKHvW/s640/DSCN2771.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Man at Work. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Do you think their wives or girlfriends know how meticulous they are at cleaning and tidying? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sentabale</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZzixDTJXrVd-bfz6lIM3ojPbZO8rP4BOVejGbmxkcD_8ztHDafqOKPOjepRXJP5SO54XMn3hIeDGk4Kqu4BDCtpm7hsJHUx-jMee7UMGKeQsO3OHMEchLplPHtq0-pD1EUsbJHG6zQNy/s1600/DSCN2767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZzixDTJXrVd-bfz6lIM3ojPbZO8rP4BOVejGbmxkcD_8ztHDafqOKPOjepRXJP5SO54XMn3hIeDGk4Kqu4BDCtpm7hsJHUx-jMee7UMGKeQsO3OHMEchLplPHtq0-pD1EUsbJHG6zQNy/s640/DSCN2767.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was the B & Q Sentabale Forget Me Not charity garden with which the young, ginger haired royal was involved. He is a founder of the charity that helps vulnerable children in Lesotho many of who have HIV. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was a garden you could enjoy without having the 'Theme' explained to you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many of the gardens were themed and some of the sponsors and designers go to great lengths to explain the theme. I wonder for whose benefit the theme is. If it is for the Chelsea visitors then it is a waste of time. I am not sure they will be looking any garden and thinking oh yes I can see the passage of time and the struggles of life in this garden. Many will be thinking yeah, the colours are good and I like the shapes and features and how on earth would you clip that box with all those flowers around it , but only a rare few will be looking for and I think struggling to find any sort of deeper meaning. It is a bit like art, if it has to be explained it is missing the mark. First let it impress then give it greater depth with an explanation if you really feel you must. I am pretty sure the theme is just to give the designer something on which to hang a design and of course to create a bit of publicity which is no bad thing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Brum.C.C</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxMsNSfcIkM8UtJfutpbxFgePhl0vZSp5BX7UCNIft07Z7LJ_q0DQOB-JGPxiniNQFsYjPNTsoN2jIrtWKUhVIDPX4hIGI_l2PXRevF6VS3mPEKE6zE2IETXSF7oddirkvQ7P7K5wx0LC/s1600/DSCN2796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxMsNSfcIkM8UtJfutpbxFgePhl0vZSp5BX7UCNIft07Z7LJ_q0DQOB-JGPxiniNQFsYjPNTsoN2jIrtWKUhVIDPX4hIGI_l2PXRevF6VS3mPEKE6zE2IETXSF7oddirkvQ7P7K5wx0LC/s640/DSCN2796.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birmingham City Council were celebrating the forthcoming opening of their new library. There was spectacular colour themes, some glass like sheets of water and though it was explained to me that they were all old books from the old library and of no use it still made me uneasy seeing books stacked on damp ground and so close to all those flowers which are going to have to be watered before the show is over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv00lEFcFJUFceS_XW4CGjx8Igca_hIdNZgg0Q_sNCeo8DIlPjcGdAqQxgc678VJV7MASihkw1Lt2CYYG50BaBC_anhNPC314RtafFANq5bUebVIOhr2JjDGNsGQUGwvgogxLMaUP8iAJ/s1600/DSCN2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv00lEFcFJUFceS_XW4CGjx8Igca_hIdNZgg0Q_sNCeo8DIlPjcGdAqQxgc678VJV7MASihkw1Lt2CYYG50BaBC_anhNPC314RtafFANq5bUebVIOhr2JjDGNsGQUGwvgogxLMaUP8iAJ/s640/DSCN2791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVxlCH3kYmF8FXr7P_MhoKBpJNzlB2h2Kfm6CS3rTLeMancEyOuqVnlw3XgFVw9paLjpnE8EnkQ7oNdLh-TchzKHAecOgssoR8a8RLZmihfFPJ_EsAbHBWXBjCnbIhpiGUOvtOw7X8mC8/s1600/DSCN2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVxlCH3kYmF8FXr7P_MhoKBpJNzlB2h2Kfm6CS3rTLeMancEyOuqVnlw3XgFVw9paLjpnE8EnkQ7oNdLh-TchzKHAecOgssoR8a8RLZmihfFPJ_EsAbHBWXBjCnbIhpiGUOvtOw7X8mC8/s640/DSCN2797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzqcTbvq-YOy6b-YaRul_2cPnRJ7478Dwp0WW0f6fxaEjYyDkWnkRZEHnFAGFMLriA5Em6aEzudKK4bxDO316QdEOPWhqbja4DIPvwhvFmT_f0hgbsPZFaCcEad8feUw1ZVhnXimwI1EQ/s1600/DSCN2799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzqcTbvq-YOy6b-YaRul_2cPnRJ7478Dwp0WW0f6fxaEjYyDkWnkRZEHnFAGFMLriA5Em6aEzudKK4bxDO316QdEOPWhqbja4DIPvwhvFmT_f0hgbsPZFaCcEad8feUw1ZVhnXimwI1EQ/s640/DSCN2799.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone one seems to have something of a claim on J R R Tolkien. Oxford obviously but Warwickshire and Worcestershire also claim a bit of him,however Birmingham has a more substantial claim than most because Tolkien lived in Moseley as young boy and it is<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/centralengland/739039/Sites-that-shaped-Tolkiens-Lord-of-the-Rings.html"> Moseley Bog</a> and its dank woodlands that are said to have inspired him when writing Lord of the Rings. The representation of the Ents and the Ring itself being cast into the fiery abyss at Mount Doom was well done</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-size: large;">Thailand </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNNFMknngqt-578-J1X4c3KaJxLyPqyekhjQ95tEbwlgCJVtvtLwzlhmF0VgYQhpGMX77aC1iY7BeMKC5dXUpgJxqLVXOln4Y3Xv0iReVYbIxfMoyQBZv-6akEjqwqE8pWb1sUE6mkMPo/s1600/DSCN2803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNNFMknngqt-578-J1X4c3KaJxLyPqyekhjQ95tEbwlgCJVtvtLwzlhmF0VgYQhpGMX77aC1iY7BeMKC5dXUpgJxqLVXOln4Y3Xv0iReVYbIxfMoyQBZv-6akEjqwqE8pWb1sUE6mkMPo/s640/DSCN2803.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBbjBVwIa08gl7rrHLAslwV91a2BiLSmylrGz2anjctts11um5-ec67ErtEiphygZxs_p9TmjSuSZ83kOWAlhd2ADTa_SLWgS6wAM_XJp9vZhaKlkQj64HdBRxKw3qE8zFAiGHlK7x10D/s1600/DSCN2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBbjBVwIa08gl7rrHLAslwV91a2BiLSmylrGz2anjctts11um5-ec67ErtEiphygZxs_p9TmjSuSZ83kOWAlhd2ADTa_SLWgS6wAM_XJp9vZhaKlkQj64HdBRxKw3qE8zFAiGHlK7x10D/s640/DSCN2804.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh what confection!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was hard not to be impressed by the detail and sheer elaboration of the Thai exhibit. Swags and dangles of orchids added to the exotic enchantment. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wonder if there is any marzipan under there? </div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.brandalleysales.co.uk/" style="font-size: x-large;">BrandAlley</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQcPlEvlIFxk-3qXondBJG2zKSOjGmOv5OIH6jtOyB6FVmNzDaCsg8M5dxu8jsHAlo7iJX2nDcJKASG6OtsU6PqimrUHcdicyno_NKgJ0JMO1a30sPEN6Cca78ouUC7GznzeNFA2xctMQ/s1600/DSCN2807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQcPlEvlIFxk-3qXondBJG2zKSOjGmOv5OIH6jtOyB6FVmNzDaCsg8M5dxu8jsHAlo7iJX2nDcJKASG6OtsU6PqimrUHcdicyno_NKgJ0JMO1a30sPEN6Cca78ouUC7GznzeNFA2xctMQ/s640/DSCN2807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After the Australian garden this was my favourite and it was done on a far more modest budget. It worked in so many ways; the balance and proportions were right, the colours were harmonious without being innocuous, the ceramic sculptures were ideally proportioned and their colour kept the feeling light. There was a sunken level for sitting out and you really did want to go down and sit in it away fro the hurly burly of the show. There was an original and curious water feature (for want of a better description) set into spaces, alcoves, in the wall . You can see them in orange right at the back in this picture. They were light and bubbly and just downright novel. I am so glad these guys and gals were awarded a Gold. Well done! <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.paulherveybrookes.com/">Designer. Paul Hervey- Brookes</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
.......................................................</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lWo_oEvFG63lrLc-TSiBRbSH4S_uCpj3YfF-3I-TppZFLcI9TUh6xpmsJk027sM5KxbhMxe4SwsqZsILBZnUpZ2XtW81RDufny0Ei-O5dvEwe_KWRdKCYKBRRzJkiz2jTE11cVexGd5T/s1600/DSCN2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lWo_oEvFG63lrLc-TSiBRbSH4S_uCpj3YfF-3I-TppZFLcI9TUh6xpmsJk027sM5KxbhMxe4SwsqZsILBZnUpZ2XtW81RDufny0Ei-O5dvEwe_KWRdKCYKBRRzJkiz2jTE11cVexGd5T/s640/DSCN2758.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The one thing I enjoy about Chelsea is that you meet old friends be they photographers, writers, gardeners or designers and this year it was great to meet up with a very dear gardener friend Beverley Hilkopp. We bumped into each other just in front of this garden. We both looked at the garden then she looked at me and I looked at her and she came out with one of her usual deadpan comments 'Maybe if it was upside down' . Well here it is upside down and it is just as tedious. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me? A Philistine?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-L9bKB2Kz1X5bgAAQafjvwGFQLnlw3mRIvqMvAVi_bB94kgygzOAEUddVhoqsFg4JnTC-3fCzknyqxQ42-ipkehE7J238A3Yag9L1pQx6Kj8T0iqMBHY2O52FPZdAwPkyxM_JGtJNU8d/s1600/DSCN2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-L9bKB2Kz1X5bgAAQafjvwGFQLnlw3mRIvqMvAVi_bB94kgygzOAEUddVhoqsFg4JnTC-3fCzknyqxQ42-ipkehE7J238A3Yag9L1pQx6Kj8T0iqMBHY2O52FPZdAwPkyxM_JGtJNU8d/s640/DSCN2805.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I am not really a gladiolus fan but I could not help but be impressed by this display. I stood watching as the nurseryman selected the perfect stem, just enough open and unopened buds, from the great bundles packed in large buckets of water and fed each one into the heart of each display until he had built the perfect star-burst of stems.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
.............................................................</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsddV8Nf3tzKlsO35xXC5K3he-zsL9ZKWYn1ojdytzax7BnvD7ly0hJ6KMmZHCKViO8zfgQF8d-3w7v28APZ87ie1mhkG7bIwhLs2hEZ4MmlUSwgmEuhRWbE9Mp7ja9aNsOgTfoaHH51V/s1600/DSCN2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsddV8Nf3tzKlsO35xXC5K3he-zsL9ZKWYn1ojdytzax7BnvD7ly0hJ6KMmZHCKViO8zfgQF8d-3w7v28APZ87ie1mhkG7bIwhLs2hEZ4MmlUSwgmEuhRWbE9Mp7ja9aNsOgTfoaHH51V/s640/DSCN2779.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQxFlj6777zo7bWnhu7WFdPOEh1LFl79SJQwNzITtOiXEpLhQR4sIT-Em-GVR4wW0OxMKQ3uAdEf50ukeMAFsS7PxMleCgtsNuf49VONzn3vDWZQdfqu1z4JKC9N3l6pzKJoglaDEKJLc/s1600/DSCN2775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQxFlj6777zo7bWnhu7WFdPOEh1LFl79SJQwNzITtOiXEpLhQR4sIT-Em-GVR4wW0OxMKQ3uAdEf50ukeMAFsS7PxMleCgtsNuf49VONzn3vDWZQdfqu1z4JKC9N3l6pzKJoglaDEKJLc/s640/DSCN2775.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The two pictures above look like they are the wrong way up. It is because they are vertical plantings and the foliage is hanging down and not upright as you would expect.<br />
They were interesting mosaics of foliage but whether this trend towards greening of vertical spaces is a a green as is being made out, or is it even successful,without expensive maintenance, is hard to gauge. It may be that this is a display for the show rather than a display of what would be a successful,permanent display. They were still being planted while I watched and it was interesting to see the rock wool hole they were being planted into. The top picture looks to have Heucheras, Heucherallas and Acorus in it and below is Saxifraga stolonifera or something similar along with some small ferns<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU0P89t2qvEmUTsJ22NOdR-ECcMP1_RwIylavrLxypw2Rv9nA1D5uLWz51XG_2uvsxTBGUMG8RHCNP_r_tiI22zVJP3QU9HdwXjZAqYUskVMSkyfpCUmxt9qfxJvXmW8CzJ6dW3F-uCeB/s1600/DSCN2776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU0P89t2qvEmUTsJ22NOdR-ECcMP1_RwIylavrLxypw2Rv9nA1D5uLWz51XG_2uvsxTBGUMG8RHCNP_r_tiI22zVJP3QU9HdwXjZAqYUskVMSkyfpCUmxt9qfxJvXmW8CzJ6dW3F-uCeB/s640/DSCN2776.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A display of Heucheras and Tiarellas. Fantastic foliage.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..................................................................................</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUyR7ouFxtOiiRSd3oGoXdtMqy2tw2ZpPc4QP1X_kzyASRR6dyizJRLA3P75CMRINWOOaT4RjoINXbeujGDg2c0aB3Ro7hzNxXLFw1BNY19VMIVFSez-xRMnSzDtLkAIk2hRMVCNlg9Ea/s1600/DSCN2774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUyR7ouFxtOiiRSd3oGoXdtMqy2tw2ZpPc4QP1X_kzyASRR6dyizJRLA3P75CMRINWOOaT4RjoINXbeujGDg2c0aB3Ro7hzNxXLFw1BNY19VMIVFSez-xRMnSzDtLkAIk2hRMVCNlg9Ea/s640/DSCN2774.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Here was a display suggesting alternatives to the lawn. The square to the left showed a perfect piece of lawn with nothing but grass. Opposite it on the right was a piece of lawn that looks more like yours and mine with a few (few?)weeds here and there. In the middle is a 'lawn' of low growing plants. Some are natives and others not so native. There was no one to ask but I am guessing they are trying to encourage us to offer something for the bees and other insects. It is not going to replace a lawn that the kids and dog are going to play on but if your lawn does not get a lot of wear then this flower rich low growing relatively low maintenance ' meadow ' might be something to think about.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chelsea. The Prequel.</span><br />
If you have been to Chelsea Flower Show you will know it is like entering a small bustling town so I thought you might like to see how it looks before work starts and during the first few days of its life.<br />
My neighbour's son Tom is a lorry driver. He was one of the first on site and he sent me these pictures.<br />
If you need to get your bearings take the monument on the right in the picture below as a marker. It will be in the centre of the great Pavilion when all the tentage is erected. At this stage all is relatively calm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhjontwYJ6VQxi8LWY2lH7ZKVWoKXK5v72e8cUiU-dh7_RMtm4g1I7UMb3U4d9VlY3hJGOhN38LrrUy8NeVVLKUeSaN5wMePvRBwPvLQ2pdCi6tvw3XYzEUx_YVicDQd2ls-nohTpJWEh/s1600/Chesles+day+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhjontwYJ6VQxi8LWY2lH7ZKVWoKXK5v72e8cUiU-dh7_RMtm4g1I7UMb3U4d9VlY3hJGOhN38LrrUy8NeVVLKUeSaN5wMePvRBwPvLQ2pdCi6tvw3XYzEUx_YVicDQd2ls-nohTpJWEh/s640/Chesles+day+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 1. The site is s marked out and the metal roads start to go in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XadcNQS0XMODbWBmeEg_HHSRiDQG6KQ_qBYTdLw2Oyu06S4ZsB9zvyPU9iT_saK7xEyiwGUhL29uugM1RXR3x1-vn7QROJZjzDdqJ02d2VzFPhyphenhyphenb042fUF0fQ-wytoQkr7p98ZEXiLar/s1600/Chelsea++day+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XadcNQS0XMODbWBmeEg_HHSRiDQG6KQ_qBYTdLw2Oyu06S4ZsB9zvyPU9iT_saK7xEyiwGUhL29uugM1RXR3x1-vn7QROJZjzDdqJ02d2VzFPhyphenhyphenb042fUF0fQ-wytoQkr7p98ZEXiLar/s640/Chelsea++day+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 2 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gb8zryN6gMSn-4Ha_W-jbjw9_kaBrjhx2x1yq2I_aLxFxIXVh2llPViKHBT2GnbyVjTPmsvwu3rdP7ysi0fWrsOdQcwBud4ZRbiBvjGOIa8ZLOZaVMPR1iiJkIJ9CIQ-ceAZ15L4jsAX/s1600/Chelsea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gb8zryN6gMSn-4Ha_W-jbjw9_kaBrjhx2x1yq2I_aLxFxIXVh2llPViKHBT2GnbyVjTPmsvwu3rdP7ysi0fWrsOdQcwBud4ZRbiBvjGOIa8ZLOZaVMPR1iiJkIJ9CIQ-ceAZ15L4jsAX/s640/Chelsea.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Things start to get busy as the structure is laid out. Makes IKEA flat pack look a doddle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmBjL2fv7_VbdauaCn0JQMxMiPlvLNKZT3yYtoEz2-LBJy6Q_mHSH8TWu1jqYrBxoHtZs6j9YXpLwX1ndE8ZWPdgn0_vvzhAhQZ9gCAMIyJ4tjWMDolxm3yJlBnHdNDrFjrkjEE5kBH4w/s1600/Chelsea++wk2+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmBjL2fv7_VbdauaCn0JQMxMiPlvLNKZT3yYtoEz2-LBJy6Q_mHSH8TWu1jqYrBxoHtZs6j9YXpLwX1ndE8ZWPdgn0_vvzhAhQZ9gCAMIyJ4tjWMDolxm3yJlBnHdNDrFjrkjEE5kBH4w/s640/Chelsea++wk2+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By week two the Pavilion roof is assembled and a three hour operation is started to lift it into place above the Monument in the centre of the picture. . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYMABJlUWoh_j3zTQuaWo9ciwxwDDnXQ2GexmNe40y_KhWv7Nr2e81Vbgoe39mTkjg9yoYVikYvE-TpZ6ThlAWmBDkVwQAZYJCI1Fccdtso2mHM6NPZ-yAOgd2izW1kq_iXt3Xzsjmird/s1600/Chelsea+week+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYMABJlUWoh_j3zTQuaWo9ciwxwDDnXQ2GexmNe40y_KhWv7Nr2e81Vbgoe39mTkjg9yoYVikYvE-TpZ6ThlAWmBDkVwQAZYJCI1Fccdtso2mHM6NPZ-yAOgd2izW1kq_iXt3Xzsjmird/s640/Chelsea+week+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The covering comes in large aluminium containers ready to roll out. Have you got this bit campers?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWxXrqnUUurjhdAiHM_xC-oU02s_8U5c9nu2f4obO7NYnrQ6lTwTXLG0It-oYGv6Tr1zoYfsRC-bG_rG7HkjI1Ft4Mb3SwgL7OsY87wijQm1XJILrvDHZFhHmxrUyD_T6g1SzTJbYlN2e/s1600/Chelsea+Lorry+loaded+in++Belgium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWxXrqnUUurjhdAiHM_xC-oU02s_8U5c9nu2f4obO7NYnrQ6lTwTXLG0It-oYGv6Tr1zoYfsRC-bG_rG7HkjI1Ft4Mb3SwgL7OsY87wijQm1XJILrvDHZFhHmxrUyD_T6g1SzTJbYlN2e/s640/Chelsea+Lorry+loaded+in++Belgium.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And finally Tom's lorry in Belgium. It is just one load of forty eight that will carry all the aluminium structure and covering for the Great Pavilion from Holland and Belgium ( and a bit from Brackley) to Chelsea. The show ran for five days from 20th May after which it was all broken down and carted back across to mainland Europe. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
............................................................................................................................................................<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have left Chelsea and are now back in the real world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EbbyJ2a_BZd3qtV0JcJ2iDGsBt29I_HyPWuU5sDOsmHF6SnA1QARa9NuD4mAUcezN09i-HokAxvdQtHuJLdT0-JUvedQrHvt6YUOyIgstOJYL4ETjfzbzB9LnZ2P4FoHDwPdnLQOE8Nl/s1600/DSCN2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EbbyJ2a_BZd3qtV0JcJ2iDGsBt29I_HyPWuU5sDOsmHF6SnA1QARa9NuD4mAUcezN09i-HokAxvdQtHuJLdT0-JUvedQrHvt6YUOyIgstOJYL4ETjfzbzB9LnZ2P4FoHDwPdnLQOE8Nl/s640/DSCN2833.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I wasn't sure whether to put this in or not because the picture doesn't do justice to the real thing. It is a busy mix of Pulmonaria 'Diana Clare', a white tulip and the near black tulip Queen of the Night with a young plant of variegated Euonymus and some Bluebells..<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..............................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9WUYysadTF9FcuuOBB4QrgeY4bqkyZADtnKtg_YKOleJEgM_1dq_rDg1hS4YMNj5vruzDkoiJzykF9D6gt7JgPX77HZ0UuIjt3pRtzK1ly7rEHaWA5_OHXz5arxuoPG0zV7XKo6F20Gv/s1600/DSCN2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9WUYysadTF9FcuuOBB4QrgeY4bqkyZADtnKtg_YKOleJEgM_1dq_rDg1hS4YMNj5vruzDkoiJzykF9D6gt7JgPX77HZ0UuIjt3pRtzK1ly7rEHaWA5_OHXz5arxuoPG0zV7XKo6F20Gv/s640/DSCN2834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuarco5j3NTldAqDVNrV2J520HlpVabFBHwdPso-qpZIWNCBYpxSZU91Dsj8KdqGe6yFkCeSkdCtGP-LpC6MV8VaTJPArDhgTwwyqqmF3OBRyFNz9GIAsbjYej2ffi-uJ7D8jmksy-nW6/s1600/DSCN2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuarco5j3NTldAqDVNrV2J520HlpVabFBHwdPso-qpZIWNCBYpxSZU91Dsj8KdqGe6yFkCeSkdCtGP-LpC6MV8VaTJPArDhgTwwyqqmF3OBRyFNz9GIAsbjYej2ffi-uJ7D8jmksy-nW6/s640/DSCN2835.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was asked to plant these 'plants by post' seedlings. Not sure what to make of them. They were well grown and when the plastic was flexed they popped out neatly and ready to plant. Quite a bit of plastic involved when a few packets of seed and a bit of savvy would have produced the same results but still a pretty good way of getting started if you don't have the necessary savvy. 72 hardy plants. I have no idea what they cost.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...................................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtP6c4oWLNVXgk1U4lfV-3tpIR6jW0Q8mgeVhI2QSyVckbdk3atPCRbHbzZe_Dikiri3u4BVBoZq4WkdWXlS3B-GQqZxq7aK3K_MiZuQa9SjcgsUrVr9UO58Wbk93em2It3F_UoXS2vmi/s1600/DSCN2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtP6c4oWLNVXgk1U4lfV-3tpIR6jW0Q8mgeVhI2QSyVckbdk3atPCRbHbzZe_Dikiri3u4BVBoZq4WkdWXlS3B-GQqZxq7aK3K_MiZuQa9SjcgsUrVr9UO58Wbk93em2It3F_UoXS2vmi/s640/DSCN2676.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'You need some timber edging around this new border' I told some friends as we went round their garden. A few weeks later ......, well they sure did put some timber around them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
..........................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Brick frogs - </span>that's not a frog made of brick but the hole in the bottom of a brick that keys in the cement. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbFWRzsS81VOxQ0DGE8BqTkwgO8f66s3EiJGNqueDL_Z6IFSjOCUhSh2WTfk7LP5maUgvXR08CRYi_AE-j-HWRhvQNLFG8ebQQDXKsYoOLuzLMZXTajdAychFiK_EHeTWromoHIrjOVGL/s1600/DSCN2739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbFWRzsS81VOxQ0DGE8BqTkwgO8f66s3EiJGNqueDL_Z6IFSjOCUhSh2WTfk7LP5maUgvXR08CRYi_AE-j-HWRhvQNLFG8ebQQDXKsYoOLuzLMZXTajdAychFiK_EHeTWromoHIrjOVGL/s640/DSCN2739.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was sorting out these pavers which were smooth on the top face but had these lovely and quite detailed patterns underneath.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvAy_ggHVhFhgg2DHfHLm4R07fpte00BZCoCpXbcaDtz1k9cfq7BTWIFpO1bQxaETDfDW00rFDwCvW6YESfVjwa_QopCPXfiWur5t4JU0g9P8kH_8wtlq_Vr-GD3G_1DJFa2l8lmd5JxC/s1600/DSCN2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvAy_ggHVhFhgg2DHfHLm4R07fpte00BZCoCpXbcaDtz1k9cfq7BTWIFpO1bQxaETDfDW00rFDwCvW6YESfVjwa_QopCPXfiWur5t4JU0g9P8kH_8wtlq_Vr-GD3G_1DJFa2l8lmd5JxC/s640/DSCN2733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one had tree motif which it seemed a shame was on the underside.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM3sKbXlXKlMBm1LITajSioMFy1uNcx1dEMELWQzoezsHhRaUKDG0Zu_pFZxkO7UGW4IT2-qMxuuhCOyVeGQhTCZGSUB0jn1lR3gMJeB4EnLXMvLF3FWwgJm0NaiP-U5H6U8uV6x7bUG-/s1600/DSCN2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM3sKbXlXKlMBm1LITajSioMFy1uNcx1dEMELWQzoezsHhRaUKDG0Zu_pFZxkO7UGW4IT2-qMxuuhCOyVeGQhTCZGSUB0jn1lR3gMJeB4EnLXMvLF3FWwgJm0NaiP-U5H6U8uV6x7bUG-/s640/DSCN2734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This star of David emblem was very distinctive. Are there any brickophiles out there who might know whether you can trace the source of the brick by the frog pattern? Get in touch.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...................................................................</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You've got a gall.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5aFFO74oK8WbKawQ8zkuGcdiSlJnT_-ZXpRb2-uTAihmPDI1skkXTSV41jbfsh8rzx_djghtEWXkI6d46RtoEW3IqfwHK3ZA4tPJW-ehRwU71d5qYTjaIAV32TxzccoPutA9h1rX-7uN/s1600/25+May+2013_007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5aFFO74oK8WbKawQ8zkuGcdiSlJnT_-ZXpRb2-uTAihmPDI1skkXTSV41jbfsh8rzx_djghtEWXkI6d46RtoEW3IqfwHK3ZA4tPJW-ehRwU71d5qYTjaIAV32TxzccoPutA9h1rX-7uN/s640/25+May+2013_007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This a nail gall on a sycamore leaf . This is caused by a mite which lays its eggs and causes the leaf to make these nail like (Some gat 3millimetres or so long) growths which hide the young mites underneath in a tube or hollow caused by the abnormal growth. That is a gross simplification but it it is none the less incredible how an insect can produce the necessary chemical to change the growth pattern of plant cells. Some cause very distinct abnormal growth such as the oak apple. I will look out for other examples and post them when they show up. Feel free to let me know about your favourite galls.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5luHVLAhKQi4hi_FPTYc-Y_d38klRZniQNR0f3_MKhniMpqV8hc_cJHWDwfVKOZ8ljWtCWBB8rHN2bYtOGtqmfGPYKXTpnMQmU0wlDitidA9ju7KQBMci8P6V-NqNNTJfM8U4hfb1i-C4/s1600/25+May+2013_042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5luHVLAhKQi4hi_FPTYc-Y_d38klRZniQNR0f3_MKhniMpqV8hc_cJHWDwfVKOZ8ljWtCWBB8rHN2bYtOGtqmfGPYKXTpnMQmU0wlDitidA9ju7KQBMci8P6V-NqNNTJfM8U4hfb1i-C4/s640/25+May+2013_042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's a massive cliché but I could not resist this picture of bluebells in a wood. I had tagged along with some bat enthusiasts and we were checking to see if the boxes we had installed a few weeks ago had been used by the Barbastelle bats we were particularly interested in. Only one of some twenty or so were occupied and unfortunate it was not a Barbastelle bat. But the bluebells were great. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
......................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0Fprm-xfnPuUOBgoLvJ5bGvvtnP5iplVTVqft3hFGzSWNYsWtL5ObY0JS4i5uJdy-5dQLXv0s7IvPgAnCtYfUi-rW_a-2dEruebtIh00vktvhqpIwq8erzRKZSCzJ-vY0CRl2_bXy7rt/s1600/25+May+2013_056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0Fprm-xfnPuUOBgoLvJ5bGvvtnP5iplVTVqft3hFGzSWNYsWtL5ObY0JS4i5uJdy-5dQLXv0s7IvPgAnCtYfUi-rW_a-2dEruebtIh00vktvhqpIwq8erzRKZSCzJ-vY0CRl2_bXy7rt/s640/25+May+2013_056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This was something I did years ago and it was nice to see it was still there and working well as a neat way to give interest to the ordinary tree trunks whose colour would otherwise have disappeared against the wall.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuAFV9_841Bp88y9FVmUHja1j6jcZBH95MhEe5ypaS4UaqoeptfAmlK72QdH7fkCT6ybJZjnY_pHtpWkhaA9ZPkuet6SJmiOWeqAnccwiqNVAipfS18lN5OWqTLSXvHPkMsAyRfLtC-g9/s1600/25+May+2013_058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuAFV9_841Bp88y9FVmUHja1j6jcZBH95MhEe5ypaS4UaqoeptfAmlK72QdH7fkCT6ybJZjnY_pHtpWkhaA9ZPkuet6SJmiOWeqAnccwiqNVAipfS18lN5OWqTLSXvHPkMsAyRfLtC-g9/s640/25+May+2013_058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actinidia kolomikta, a bit fuzzy because the wind was blowing heavens hard. The white in these leaves will eventually go pink . Does anyone know why? A very distinctive and easy climbing plant. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
..................................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.sezincote.co.uk/"><span style="font-size: large;">Sezincote</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyI0FNwSHTdYM4S1egGG3M0AZL8S_s13meYFqlj19_vEUkFF_jc-dbso4BVWFSez5p6AMgkK7VhMYtpyfVDvQ23thbkn63Qurexzx-wD3mc5gI3vyJPEFpaO05UMpmF8dRCrCFIbNvI3bK/s1600/25+May+2013_062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyI0FNwSHTdYM4S1egGG3M0AZL8S_s13meYFqlj19_vEUkFF_jc-dbso4BVWFSez5p6AMgkK7VhMYtpyfVDvQ23thbkn63Qurexzx-wD3mc5gI3vyJPEFpaO05UMpmF8dRCrCFIbNvI3bK/s640/25+May+2013_062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Not quite what you expect to see in the Cotswolds. This is <a href="http://www.sezincote.co.uk/">Sezincote</a> House. It has an interesting history, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphry_Repton">Humphrey Repton </a>garden and was a big influence on the design of <a href="http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/RoyalPavilion/aboutthepalace/Pages/History.aspx">Brighton Pavilion </a>. It was built in 1810 and designed by Chalres Cockerell, owner, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Pepys_Cockerell">Samuel Pepys Cockerell</a> architect and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Daniell">Thomas Daniell</a> painter of Indian architecture. You can find out a lot more if you use the link above. It is built in the mogul style of northern India ( I am not exactly sure what that means either) and is like nothing else round about. The long curved glassed structure is the orangery but now no oranges just very nice teas and cakes.<br />
I was guiding a group around <a href="http://www.batsarb.co.uk/">Batsford Arboretum </a>Arboretum, 5 minutes away, <a href="http://www.bourtonhouse.com/">Bourton House</a>, 5 minutes away, and here for <a href="http://www.cotswoldwalks.com/">Cotswold Walks</a>. I felt sorry for the group of eight Californian ladies who were undoubtedly intrepid and up for it as they say but no one could be expected to put up with cold blasting wind and driving rain that confronted them at every turn and least of all when you have come from the warmth that is Southern California. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NNRwDL6QXHavYGRuu__nZjWrDBIYg8GSsJmro62kdw_LZJigsTbsQ0BXyxMYbGON6MZBFPpuQK5GiwUJ3J6douJ4EiPFn3TfXcG3oLElfX_scNPA4oPo4_upbXeUdevu6S2wcci3_wH9/s1600/25+May+2013_063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NNRwDL6QXHavYGRuu__nZjWrDBIYg8GSsJmro62kdw_LZJigsTbsQ0BXyxMYbGON6MZBFPpuQK5GiwUJ3J6douJ4EiPFn3TfXcG3oLElfX_scNPA4oPo4_upbXeUdevu6S2wcci3_wH9/s640/25+May+2013_063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisakidrD-krXNSODiMJrvIV3ncvZtJrljaHcrtML2M_T6yvvWho9V1H-feZCeh5XoOGJqfIePclcj5NdOGc2I2TdQ0x65q7jNlWbW_BGc0bpTPw8uVYLs_3kLjK7XC3Uucy1sFAQbb3_QX/s1600/25+May+2013_067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisakidrD-krXNSODiMJrvIV3ncvZtJrljaHcrtML2M_T6yvvWho9V1H-feZCeh5XoOGJqfIePclcj5NdOGc2I2TdQ0x65q7jNlWbW_BGc0bpTPw8uVYLs_3kLjK7XC3Uucy1sFAQbb3_QX/s640/25+May+2013_067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Viewed from the lower water garden the house stands very proud</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
......................................................</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catch the buz.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00iF6O27BVObrXAOKydi4yA0QNjBHW-XgJwEeVtv4XVs7RQQ2pb1gtA9q17ITAMIyOlbwpHFExnt0w_wWO16tgKDmW6PMFQ69tePl3gLr4uDxegeXNy_EZBBRuMOYe5iIJBB9vzcd1qdk/s1600/DSCN2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00iF6O27BVObrXAOKydi4yA0QNjBHW-XgJwEeVtv4XVs7RQQ2pb1gtA9q17ITAMIyOlbwpHFExnt0w_wWO16tgKDmW6PMFQ69tePl3gLr4uDxegeXNy_EZBBRuMOYe5iIJBB9vzcd1qdk/s640/DSCN2679.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Several of these bees were buzzing around when I was trying to cut the grass. I had the feeling they were ground nesting bees and I had disturbed their peace though as much as they hovered back and forth around the same spot none of them went into a hole of any sort. Bee experts, is it Andrena cineraria?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
........................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEGTHK0Fp0i4XiZL9vg79MN5Df7ujxfqGPyn-4WalVB0z8IiaTneHNXeVUIo_rvkWd1oij3G-iAFH2AGyV5VttfYOLuQo71CljOvYk2ckGGW9sZU3kK2i4EKIGTjh8-WZfbCxjGoNYdMa/s1600/DSCN2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEGTHK0Fp0i4XiZL9vg79MN5Df7ujxfqGPyn-4WalVB0z8IiaTneHNXeVUIo_rvkWd1oij3G-iAFH2AGyV5VttfYOLuQo71CljOvYk2ckGGW9sZU3kK2i4EKIGTjh8-WZfbCxjGoNYdMa/s640/DSCN2724.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Classic example of the borrowed landscape.The black and white house is in the garden next door and there is a busy main road running between the two gardens.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
......................................................</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q1pF_vm_i79T3iq0O_NKk00OE95SjjqitGsD27Gv_qU_D336E6efY9ou-HS6sgISrGj0hDcHsJ7YQ5V4T1-8rexH77GjQASHOhHODVGvZi5L0zfBcnCiYQ1Q7BRt5m-fU71Ij77KNFg1/s1600/DSCN2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q1pF_vm_i79T3iq0O_NKk00OE95SjjqitGsD27Gv_qU_D336E6efY9ou-HS6sgISrGj0hDcHsJ7YQ5V4T1-8rexH77GjQASHOhHODVGvZi5L0zfBcnCiYQ1Q7BRt5m-fU71Ij77KNFg1/s640/DSCN2727.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tulipa Rajka. Not to everyone's taste but I like it. It adds a bit of razzmatazz.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
..........................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCE5K8S19tjdOoBKRkuVn7Av-QNIKm9wG9xFHr1aQQq8X9i4FWhx0DAVmdugoM5fkn4R4jLhUSekQ7lkJ-f769BPqqhbxERvhLVRJdhjAqxa8Z0ZUcywYTcsHiL_IwE2gZn9_ge_4TJ_P/s1600/DSCN2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCE5K8S19tjdOoBKRkuVn7Av-QNIKm9wG9xFHr1aQQq8X9i4FWhx0DAVmdugoM5fkn4R4jLhUSekQ7lkJ-f769BPqqhbxERvhLVRJdhjAqxa8Z0ZUcywYTcsHiL_IwE2gZn9_ge_4TJ_P/s640/DSCN2823.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Snails doing a demolition job on a defenceless Crown Imperial, Frittilaria imperialis.I should have been angry but it just made me smile.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How about these beauties?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I went to collect a mower from the repair workshop and outside were these two old machines, both still running and being used but just in for a bit of TLC. The blue mower dates back to the 1970s. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This elegant looking petite green machine has to be a she and the name Hayterette surely defines its sex. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXnImovhGlBCZYwuyataZG57Nu1sQ069ufnbWU3lZQ0Ki1Tebz-aPuwRztakZyntpPGkgo_m3SWWwK1a2phBsbmw2cjtZ-85HOfC8SrzlFpnVa3Y0BdLWIga6AotCEfH-OwGEDcYdgfCv/s1600/25+May+2013_035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXnImovhGlBCZYwuyataZG57Nu1sQ069ufnbWU3lZQ0Ki1Tebz-aPuwRztakZyntpPGkgo_m3SWWwK1a2phBsbmw2cjtZ-85HOfC8SrzlFpnVa3Y0BdLWIga6AotCEfH-OwGEDcYdgfCv/s640/25+May+2013_035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij12w3pSq5N-9n53SDk4wCoqBZvYRmlQ8swOeDf1lq-2IqGZLoDNvk4OAnVHQdM-VPAvKlTAo4zl4Lkgh0p0s5zkTRZcxB4j19ZWKVpinT4qPQqV7xVM4KfcmwINfOt3U7WNJXO-awgV7r/s1600/25+May+2013_036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij12w3pSq5N-9n53SDk4wCoqBZvYRmlQ8swOeDf1lq-2IqGZLoDNvk4OAnVHQdM-VPAvKlTAo4zl4Lkgh0p0s5zkTRZcxB4j19ZWKVpinT4qPQqV7xVM4KfcmwINfOt3U7WNJXO-awgV7r/s640/25+May+2013_036.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay all you Formula One fans eat your heart out and look at the sweep of that ducting and the quick change height adjuster. Superb!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSdGj-09YynsSwBv1RacFc86Y-qgig-H6WaYaho8gsEZhrMiocU3eB6-8ki8Wv17xE8fFwYWrasWX5mfu3sU5m8LMIWJ8qDpizj-ZZjgg88pfOdyAHhyohPpBLdfJqswM3UrMI_yYjung/s1600/25+May+2013_033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSdGj-09YynsSwBv1RacFc86Y-qgig-H6WaYaho8gsEZhrMiocU3eB6-8ki8Wv17xE8fFwYWrasWX5mfu3sU5m8LMIWJ8qDpizj-ZZjgg88pfOdyAHhyohPpBLdfJqswM3UrMI_yYjung/s640/25+May+2013_033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Note the complete lack of any safety device on this Landmaster Stoic. It was built for an age when common sense was in abundance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And finally.............</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBniLp7sPnjrowAXwL0YwbWeCMD5vFH71cnmdlC0ztr8v867MFeGGUI1kMR3MrlKDsszhSdrrpc7XnoAOGIn9c0s4-HF5lQwxeYwEVmAUCF1IaVJIn-SEhJbUtdTSCUDc3QexbFpA6h-gm/s1600/_67262532_001840670-1+Amartya+sen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBniLp7sPnjrowAXwL0YwbWeCMD5vFH71cnmdlC0ztr8v867MFeGGUI1kMR3MrlKDsszhSdrrpc7XnoAOGIn9c0s4-HF5lQwxeYwEVmAUCF1IaVJIn-SEhJbUtdTSCUDc3QexbFpA6h-gm/s640/_67262532_001840670-1+Amartya+sen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said to me rather sheepishly 'See, you have to be careful how you use super-glue'<br />
<br />
<br />
"Armadillo"<br />
"Good, the country needs Dillos"<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-89099553639737176402013-05-12T12:51:00.002-07:002013-05-24T10:37:56.431-07:00Wallpaper, Nitty Gritty Compost, Ribes x gordonianum, Muscari, Orange, Orange, Orange, Yellow, Yellow, Yellow, - Lovely!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Very busy in the garden right now so not much writing but lots of pictures. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a Japanese edition coming up soon - no, not about Japanese gardens but written in Japanese so when things calm down look out for that. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ribes x gordonianum</span><br />
<br />
New plants are coming into flower thick and fast at the moment and this is one of my all time favourites. It is Ribes x gordonianum , a cross between Ribes sanguineum , the reliable Flowering Currant and the scented yellow flowered Ribes odoratum. The shading of colours through the flowers is subtle and delightful. They have lost some of the brashness of the Flowering Currant but gained more oomph than the plain yellow R. odoratum. It is easy to grow in any ordinary soil in sun or light shade. My specimen is about a metre and a half high and very tolerant of pruning which I would do right after flowering.<br />
It was raised by Donald Beaton in 1837 and I am surprised it is not seen more often. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiWhPuv8l8qAcAh88M5T-kLxsaTEM2vEityAIPgAHi9yNBIePyKk0IiORpfl0EvgfBrFyFy5UiySlWm3gXeuYUbfNqjIhuMsw5fIBhRJkmGYIrg8HooqTm8uvnQlthk_G5UkzX496VsRk/s1600/June+20120031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiWhPuv8l8qAcAh88M5T-kLxsaTEM2vEityAIPgAHi9yNBIePyKk0IiORpfl0EvgfBrFyFy5UiySlWm3gXeuYUbfNqjIhuMsw5fIBhRJkmGYIrg8HooqTm8uvnQlthk_G5UkzX496VsRk/s640/June+20120031.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Orange, Orange, Orange, yellow yellow yellow,- lovely!</span><br />
<br />
When I accept border design work I ask clients if they have any colour preferences and it is surprising how many time they say 'Oh, I don't mind as long as there are no yellows or oranges', so as a reaction to that attitude I have started planting the path-side border up to my front door in yellows and oranges . They are such vibrant and warm colours. Why would you want to be without them. He<span style="text-align: center;">re are some of the flowers looking good at the moment.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb89sGvjB9l7RkmU_ZDBC5PtTQKge7QDh_3ego31h-e2bhHqzCLg9CJOI7UrGyMuMSnZsyEoGZp5Vvm-nKv10FfZjNFTOAbrjRkzrD0XMXLgihbnm8oA4Ba5goUb5ySSmp4EWaBiZPqrXE/s1600/April+20130060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb89sGvjB9l7RkmU_ZDBC5PtTQKge7QDh_3ego31h-e2bhHqzCLg9CJOI7UrGyMuMSnZsyEoGZp5Vvm-nKv10FfZjNFTOAbrjRkzrD0XMXLgihbnm8oA4Ba5goUb5ySSmp4EWaBiZPqrXE/s640/April+20130060.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></div>
I am not normally a fan of double flowers and particularly ones that mix yellow with pink but this works. It is a very cheery mass of flowers right now. I don't know the variety of this Primula but it suffers full sun and a dryish soil in summer and still manages to get itself together to give a very bight display in spring.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhXYDDG97u31a25A9DR3OR90bDJbFnVxnYwm67MotIZM67t4ViqZDjt73C6avWQ3jeAqLbn0VAqTdv8arZaEHTd1QxAtKxUeN2X42pVQLk2UrOPFpVvmnPaFQCmWmHxZ_cSicAUsp4pTA/s1600/April+20130069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhXYDDG97u31a25A9DR3OR90bDJbFnVxnYwm67MotIZM67t4ViqZDjt73C6avWQ3jeAqLbn0VAqTdv8arZaEHTd1QxAtKxUeN2X42pVQLk2UrOPFpVvmnPaFQCmWmHxZ_cSicAUsp4pTA/s640/April+20130069.JPG" width="426" /></a></i></div>
<i> </i>Doronicum orientale 'Little Leo' which must be a reference to its common name of Leopard's Bane and indeed it must be the bane of Leopards because I have to say there has never been a leopard any where near my garden , Ha Ha Ha.<br />
This is a more compact version of the straight Doronicum orientale. It is a straight forward, easy to grow, non pretentious, early season, yellow daisy. It fits right in with the brashness of spring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV-QQE88AjYmfBNbKa3XKlJEKY66CHo_xO-0UjSy8pEqI08yEbwnTTg02lKhQWj6nSDZ1WQW-dCASb3tsPJ2S36i8UHKIvzQkI9Wti0sCD2ccqfg-2B3I92PPhwh7V5GHXjD6_XMn_6Dv/s1600/April+20130087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV-QQE88AjYmfBNbKa3XKlJEKY66CHo_xO-0UjSy8pEqI08yEbwnTTg02lKhQWj6nSDZ1WQW-dCASb3tsPJ2S36i8UHKIvzQkI9Wti0sCD2ccqfg-2B3I92PPhwh7V5GHXjD6_XMn_6Dv/s640/April+20130087.JPG" width="426" /></a></i></div>
<br />
Berberis x lologensis Mystery Fire - I know it will be too big for the space I have given it but I will do my best to keep it small and hope it still flowers. Stunning colour at this time of the year - late April - and tiny holly like evergreen leaves in the winter - very yummy. It must have a lot of evergreen B. darwinii in its blood. If you only think of Berberis as a municipal plant for car parks and burglar proofing, think again.<br />
<i><i>
</i></i><i><br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52WaSsVzCmukY0Da586OSkKkXFgVGXAj5eX2f3hHJaAeFi0dqhrmuYTzjZ9xAHTloMn_UGNt-KE5fW9fcJzHlk-DPQMTzbYyWnGFVNAN8_x7l0BKZlG5ewl3mcvdik-pwiMRNqLUnc0MJ/s1600/April+20130094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52WaSsVzCmukY0Da586OSkKkXFgVGXAj5eX2f3hHJaAeFi0dqhrmuYTzjZ9xAHTloMn_UGNt-KE5fW9fcJzHlk-DPQMTzbYyWnGFVNAN8_x7l0BKZlG5ewl3mcvdik-pwiMRNqLUnc0MJ/s640/April+20130094.JPG" width="426" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't know what Daffodil this is but it fits right in with my yellow/ orange scheme</div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>
<br />
<br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i></i></div>
<i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitefgtX1kD8Gt-y0e-hNTkemCAM4e3zyMgJMi3IJvWgQxQR5LRDwFroTwAK9Hev3PM2BMBzvHk9Cvd9YNGzt1Lyur-KGi4ONwbQhfK8zqZ0-_ZNsjLIhPra12-Pi8_obBp-3RHWXXyvfaS/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitefgtX1kD8Gt-y0e-hNTkemCAM4e3zyMgJMi3IJvWgQxQR5LRDwFroTwAK9Hev3PM2BMBzvHk9Cvd9YNGzt1Lyur-KGi4ONwbQhfK8zqZ0-_ZNsjLIhPra12-Pi8_obBp-3RHWXXyvfaS/s640/IMG_5066.JPG" width="426" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This red really has a bit too much blue in it for the orange / yellow border but hey, its my garden and I like it and it adds some zest. Tulip 'Gavota'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Muscari, woh ho, Muscari wohohoho.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgzdK-roEVz3thprrOwnx1lchYhhFPjeupZKv6E2L-2kypbxRz8ngedfnpb6DMusU82Er3OlApK5XqpNBPr-_2qPSMmLvIgDz4toYTitEow-NStb6mto3JKZgnQY-FJYE7tP_Ny_Z4Jt4/s1600/april+20130058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgzdK-roEVz3thprrOwnx1lchYhhFPjeupZKv6E2L-2kypbxRz8ngedfnpb6DMusU82Er3OlApK5XqpNBPr-_2qPSMmLvIgDz4toYTitEow-NStb6mto3JKZgnQY-FJYE7tP_Ny_Z4Jt4/s640/april+20130058.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Muscari are the Grape Hyacinths that are flowering their little blue heads off at the moment but there is one Muscari that ain't blue and one that ain't gonna take over you garden either but it is going to wow you.<br />
This plant has stood in a pot in my unheated greenhouse for three years at least and despite not being watered for months on end each year it sends up leaves which eventually wither because I forget t to water it. This year s soon as the leaves appeared in early February I decided to water it, albeit rather spasmodically and it rewarded me with two flowers. Having since seen pictures of the flowers on-line I realise how feeble mine are but that's not the point. This is the point. Take a sniif at this quite small and in many ways insignificant flower and you will be bowled over by the sweetness and power of its scent. It is very much like a souped up Hyacinth and described by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Mathew">Brian Mathew </a>as having 'a very strong fruity aroma'. <i> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Musscari macrocarpum ( macrocarpum = big fruit) is not tough enough to thrive outdoors in the English Midlands though it is far from being out and out tender.</span><br />
If your garden has been overwhelmed by the common Muscari negeletcum and you have been put off them then check out M. comosum and M.latifolium. There is a M. latifolium hiding in the background of the Narcissus above. It is a very classy plant with one very broad leaf and flowers that grade from paler blue sterile flowers at the top of the head to dark violet almost black blue at the base. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wallpaper</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYVKFtiwiWVXyrcier2kuWWKWNSHZV0_KyrthYCgJWGvmMisTOWB8SAtv-oTo7OMff3BeFWPPINVrVFPdaW6KKvbRG_QMFrSz1EdUW3yeVmhhyphenhyphenD9uu7-I0KTUvRvHv66ufb-_lVvPiaKa/s1600/DSCN2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYVKFtiwiWVXyrcier2kuWWKWNSHZV0_KyrthYCgJWGvmMisTOWB8SAtv-oTo7OMff3BeFWPPINVrVFPdaW6KKvbRG_QMFrSz1EdUW3yeVmhhyphenhyphenD9uu7-I0KTUvRvHv66ufb-_lVvPiaKa/s640/DSCN2697.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzSw8i7P9K7tzmuwCFis2T9rxIP5FbZ4TavF1IWuerdc25yL9Tx2NUHOb4hFrn2SWhv1q2GHrHuD3cRScvT8qGoZSsG_WOQqgMPsoDPFfqiH65MB5fz45kqRdL5bStxNDd33EaftCMMry/s1600/DSCN2698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzSw8i7P9K7tzmuwCFis2T9rxIP5FbZ4TavF1IWuerdc25yL9Tx2NUHOb4hFrn2SWhv1q2GHrHuD3cRScvT8qGoZSsG_WOQqgMPsoDPFfqiH65MB5fz45kqRdL5bStxNDd33EaftCMMry/s640/DSCN2698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkLQhFLKF4xb_KPe9BsKgwqfmXY-Kud2MI1T6K3ImIGQ9OERBaA8A6RHuR8NPtyDAtXs2PYIqiOyBaBnrK104yTDfmnINSt3s12upZ8Gka0u-oI5r-Y0JKgJuQcoJsGh1iXkWez7bKKC_/s1600/DSCN2694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkLQhFLKF4xb_KPe9BsKgwqfmXY-Kud2MI1T6K3ImIGQ9OERBaA8A6RHuR8NPtyDAtXs2PYIqiOyBaBnrK104yTDfmnINSt3s12upZ8Gka0u-oI5r-Y0JKgJuQcoJsGh1iXkWez7bKKC_/s640/DSCN2694.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhqEGCCUKC5NOEvmMHYYIuRYKWq64jVw6L982o6upypSXLjxRTUY2xKUnNJJKikURHpGq4sHi4-H7PjoR_zNqzz90_2yOsRcqVOuhgRTcyTidpMd-Uhh42bjsJVf55WF-uyRWscZURuDs/s1600/DSCN2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhqEGCCUKC5NOEvmMHYYIuRYKWq64jVw6L982o6upypSXLjxRTUY2xKUnNJJKikURHpGq4sHi4-H7PjoR_zNqzz90_2yOsRcqVOuhgRTcyTidpMd-Uhh42bjsJVf55WF-uyRWscZURuDs/s640/DSCN2700.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RPUp_airoOPDUp3pUlgomur7QrEZUoKtxKKdh0Mk_Ej6WuazUKlv5M_kDQEDn2w0CkSCyLeJFS29vamq7G0DOkIHQhiKfCgVKAzcwUEnfkrG42_cSHSx3a9PJDG5GVLZuPxxKKnJg2Uz/s1600/DSCN2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RPUp_airoOPDUp3pUlgomur7QrEZUoKtxKKdh0Mk_Ej6WuazUKlv5M_kDQEDn2w0CkSCyLeJFS29vamq7G0DOkIHQhiKfCgVKAzcwUEnfkrG42_cSHSx3a9PJDG5GVLZuPxxKKnJg2Uz/s640/DSCN2712.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6dicORzOoG9P7Cha-s7dMKbGYx6Eda9Zz82-wjv1hzdAtAjTfcgTcC3adXdCKea5Ye4dUy48wPm-yMv9bEC36F_qBwp5bMIZWXje0GFZxsrjpsv0GBSpAjxHeW_CWCB3re0KNRt3uSO-/s1600/DSCN2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6dicORzOoG9P7Cha-s7dMKbGYx6Eda9Zz82-wjv1hzdAtAjTfcgTcC3adXdCKea5Ye4dUy48wPm-yMv9bEC36F_qBwp5bMIZWXje0GFZxsrjpsv0GBSpAjxHeW_CWCB3re0KNRt3uSO-/s640/DSCN2707.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8e1PyXafELimgxiPxtmNTk4BANYMsxjv8ZGp0faBqy-DMd6g62JK_MrU_xH_riRBjJ9ZjtoRN6NGpX4sdgsW-K85sycGkLHoSv-HeWC0H1LiPnyJy3roFRPT12kUOSwtmwTmnNSY7-wG/s1600/DSCN2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8e1PyXafELimgxiPxtmNTk4BANYMsxjv8ZGp0faBqy-DMd6g62JK_MrU_xH_riRBjJ9ZjtoRN6NGpX4sdgsW-K85sycGkLHoSv-HeWC0H1LiPnyJy3roFRPT12kUOSwtmwTmnNSY7-wG/s640/DSCN2708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4pbHuce7Ol3Vvx5hZV2Vcf9Ag-9H-1PRjL6GRwZN7N9TpmiWmwvf-do96YCwKc_z4WY_uEn6sizGicYq-jLA12-GlXEHChqlg2D8GMrd_MtM-f_9wQpXVHxtVd5EOR1hi3b5KGk5z6b-/s1600/DSCN2709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4pbHuce7Ol3Vvx5hZV2Vcf9Ag-9H-1PRjL6GRwZN7N9TpmiWmwvf-do96YCwKc_z4WY_uEn6sizGicYq-jLA12-GlXEHChqlg2D8GMrd_MtM-f_9wQpXVHxtVd5EOR1hi3b5KGk5z6b-/s640/DSCN2709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ_5J4K_qRLcpbETXrYO6qmjgI9QqCEDcwUFMeU0ULDQbY60omLi1qV81LirFWFePKJSfxe4awjqbPGwlwNPDPq9qWqCVfpxZDsVfAEWmADrlzPC5-Nnvp8HvVCGyERdh3kH8gjknCMjz/s1600/DSCN2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ_5J4K_qRLcpbETXrYO6qmjgI9QqCEDcwUFMeU0ULDQbY60omLi1qV81LirFWFePKJSfxe4awjqbPGwlwNPDPq9qWqCVfpxZDsVfAEWmADrlzPC5-Nnvp8HvVCGyERdh3kH8gjknCMjz/s640/DSCN2710.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-acJAdp5iqynjEW8IVXn3a7f7pVeSuYr4G2vl9HF6LI5IPiin_Jf3_OltCWsTurJijWooXRppJwbj4DPEGKiWMmRKB0KS6zHm5qZKKHDGnb7SHD9RAxqNkORKFSfT6y2eFvLdnQd-pnd/s1600/DSCN2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-acJAdp5iqynjEW8IVXn3a7f7pVeSuYr4G2vl9HF6LI5IPiin_Jf3_OltCWsTurJijWooXRppJwbj4DPEGKiWMmRKB0KS6zHm5qZKKHDGnb7SHD9RAxqNkORKFSfT6y2eFvLdnQd-pnd/s640/DSCN2711.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYKeePzl6YH5P-ZzIj0yHm-Pt0eyO4e1b0FvBgUYpuzjWD5aqoHqZ58t9613-rR_G-AQlEJLoAXCioDqk8hrsnwBJTrZRHO8Y3T8-roLTZHp67hZ1UPJ25yW7aEjQZQeAjXF1U2eYcwVU/s1600/DSCN2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYKeePzl6YH5P-ZzIj0yHm-Pt0eyO4e1b0FvBgUYpuzjWD5aqoHqZ58t9613-rR_G-AQlEJLoAXCioDqk8hrsnwBJTrZRHO8Y3T8-roLTZHp67hZ1UPJ25yW7aEjQZQeAjXF1U2eYcwVU/s640/DSCN2714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nitty Gritty</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQFHlXvUKslXFl0bfYGD_JN12NbAosGOwrfLey559x73UwB6PfIUx6MIBCnjmvV8KkGOux5FC2ejqQV-5zGBLYTTC1wWi5ykG8t_EtWT-STH_Qwr21-UOG6XdmUWskdK4SFEaT2VgXrBC/s1600/39+Never++lose+your+sense+of+humour.++Four+++Saxifraga+grisebachii+in+tiny,++thumb+sized+buckets..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQFHlXvUKslXFl0bfYGD_JN12NbAosGOwrfLey559x73UwB6PfIUx6MIBCnjmvV8KkGOux5FC2ejqQV-5zGBLYTTC1wWi5ykG8t_EtWT-STH_Qwr21-UOG6XdmUWskdK4SFEaT2VgXrBC/s640/39+Never++lose+your+sense+of+humour.++Four+++Saxifraga+grisebachii+in+tiny,++thumb+sized+buckets..jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If this doesn't make you smile then I would go and get yourself checked out. Four little aliens taking a look around. Alpine Saxifraga federici-augusti ssp grisebachii in tiny tin pots. </div>
<br />
<br />
Anna Purna, prompted by the recent piece on Kabschia Saxifrages has written to me. She says , 'All the books tell me to grow my alpines in gritty compost but when I get them from the shop they are always grown in ordinary compost. Why do the suppliers grow them in what looks like multi-purpose compost when I am told they need gritty compost?'<br />
I know just what you mean Anna. I have bought cacti where the advice is just the same but they are grown in either peat based compost or something very similar with not a chip of grit or grain of sand in sight.<br />
I think the reason may be this. The vast majority of mass produced alpines are not among the trickiest plants to grow and the grower will want the cheapest way of growing them which will mean be using the most readily available and lowest cost compost which will almost certainly be a compost that contains no soil/or grit. The lower weight of this this type of compost will also help keep transport costs down. The commercial grower will most probably be growing these plants undercover so he has direct control of how much water the plants are given so the reason for using gritty compost i.e. good drainage to prevent root and crown rot doesn't apply. The same method will also be used for succulents.<br />
The specialist grower who may be supplying plants that are more difficult to grow and particularly need sharp drainage will look more closely at the compost and you may well find that plants from such sources are grown in a gritty compost.<br />
It is the same with orchids. Some are supplied in a very open bark compost, some in a much closer mossy style of compost and then you buy a bag of orchid compost and it is nothing like either of the composts used by the commercial growers. What is a man to do?<br />
<br />
That's all for now see you soon. PW<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-87678302297235477452013-04-24T15:35:00.000-07:002013-04-26T07:28:02.673-07:00Barbastelle Bats, Prunus 'Kojo no mai', Coup de Grass and chocolate roulade?<span style="font-size: large;">Barbastelle Bat boxes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few days ago I went along with bat enthusiasts and experts to a nearby wood to help put up bat boxes in the hope that they would provide roosting places for Barbastelle bats which in south Warwickshire are on the northern most limit of their range in this country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are wondering why they are </span>called<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Barbastelle bats it is because of the white hairs </span>sticking<span style="font-family: inherit;"> out from the lower lip and body and if </span>you<span style="font-family: inherit;"> recall any Latin you will know the barba bit means beard and the stella bit </span>means<span style="font-family: inherit;"> star so you get Star -Beard. The full scientific name is Barbastella barbastellus so when it was originally named they made sure you knew it has a star beard by stressing it twice. I was no Latin scholar but what I remember of Latin makes me think can you have two different endings i.e. 'a' and 'us' like that? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What do you </span>mean<span style="font-family: inherit;"> you didn't do Latin at </span>school?<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Just how young are you? C'mon, Amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant - all you need is love. Tra la lala laa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I </span>haven't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> seen a Barbastelle bat yet, in fact I haven't seen any bat close up but (and this is how to upset the bat men and women) don't they all look the same? Just funny noses and ears? Just kidding, all you chiroptologists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The bats are being surveyed in South Warwickshire by listening out for the tell tale high pitched </span>squeaks<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and pips which are only </span>detectable<span style="font-family: inherit;"> with special gear (each species has a unique sound.) and also by tracking the tiny </span>transmitters<span style="font-family: inherit;"> attached to the bats. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are local to </span>Warwickshire<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and want to get </span>involved<span style="font-family: inherit;"> or just want to know more click </span><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/warwickshirebarbastelleproject" style="font-family: inherit;">here </a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/species/barbastelle-bat" style="font-family: inherit;">here.</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoW_6SqHZDMgXlEgGT2B72PyldGeethyphenhyphen3wlPjT-J5OU-Vr4pZQbxGqvKDHKNl8EMKeohljpu5YZEFTI0Lyg8iEyilKZqOhVs1tkrL7QoCbbJ8-rZv9bBGg6CPx2lQocC4yXoGlE0SZePB/s1600/DSCN2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoW_6SqHZDMgXlEgGT2B72PyldGeethyphenhyphen3wlPjT-J5OU-Vr4pZQbxGqvKDHKNl8EMKeohljpu5YZEFTI0Lyg8iEyilKZqOhVs1tkrL7QoCbbJ8-rZv9bBGg6CPx2lQocC4yXoGlE0SZePB/s640/DSCN2610.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This design of box has been shown in other locations to be the preferred type for this bat. They like to roost in cosy, tight places such as behind loose bark or in damaged branches. The 'fins' are unequally spaced so they can choose a gap size they prefer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNN-ynFrhNmZvSUocpLywDFz2rtzMx9zqKOj1v-oUBu4UWR8V7oWj34bsqgV2PiI-NiEKkjbl0m1pL5ITL-1xtmKqDGHIKLpzS_Mk67eKrM_xmlHzwXUs1WGqxRK170ihiN1qDfik1M_M/s1600/DSCN2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNN-ynFrhNmZvSUocpLywDFz2rtzMx9zqKOj1v-oUBu4UWR8V7oWj34bsqgV2PiI-NiEKkjbl0m1pL5ITL-1xtmKqDGHIKLpzS_Mk67eKrM_xmlHzwXUs1WGqxRK170ihiN1qDfik1M_M/s640/DSCN2611.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Having crawled up the gap they will roost in the cavity at the top. The lid is hinged for careful inspection by authorised people to see if there any bats roosting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsndZFXwuT0og7yQm76XMI_RRXUjVwOUmdt3UdSOujlb-JE3equgm34kpTGDW4BLcRmy2Nb4k8KfwJnLn6ncYQL1wd-vR5mWlI288AWZl2OkK06OyCr8JdU2EIvxFxnGlBilumKb9mCal/s1600/DSCN2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsndZFXwuT0og7yQm76XMI_RRXUjVwOUmdt3UdSOujlb-JE3equgm34kpTGDW4BLcRmy2Nb4k8KfwJnLn6ncYQL1wd-vR5mWlI288AWZl2OkK06OyCr8JdU2EIvxFxnGlBilumKb9mCal/s640/DSCN2609.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Boxes are nailed to trees at least three metres up and with aluminium nails so if the nail is still in the tree when it is felled and planked then minimal damage will be done to the chainsaw or sawmill. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Boxes are fixed facing south so the bats benefits from the extra warmth and positioned so that there is a clear run in with no small branches in the way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Prunus incisa 'Kojo no mai'</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is a group of Prunus incisa 'Kojo no mai' in a rather insalubrious car park setting. They are a fabulous and frothy mass of lively white and pink </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXPM7-awIoCwNTvLWDGIEEH4p6GuW3mYSUsOnGSDqe78FRXRud6ewhg4mPB-9aCkgOfuoN5o_ODdPPabbbXvHQUU6aufdAtAE37sDJtSfzjb89E4uoUlCc2v_QY4sf8NsMffJK-j4d2EP/s1600/DSCN2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXPM7-awIoCwNTvLWDGIEEH4p6GuW3mYSUsOnGSDqe78FRXRud6ewhg4mPB-9aCkgOfuoN5o_ODdPPabbbXvHQUU6aufdAtAE37sDJtSfzjb89E4uoUlCc2v_QY4sf8NsMffJK-j4d2EP/s640/DSCN2626.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEMLMdTJJR7WcSLzdVdgJ1L3smB7Pqwsrp6DGuPB2nISXhpXRIPgk1ZaGg4-inuXjYXgpmNES9t8pC4Vr0tV6yFAeAT6O09TfKAKDYC3k0s7Wbaa4IgADe1qghl3qkgz2rj1BL74_CBhz/s1600/DSCN2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEMLMdTJJR7WcSLzdVdgJ1L3smB7Pqwsrp6DGuPB2nISXhpXRIPgk1ZaGg4-inuXjYXgpmNES9t8pC4Vr0tV6yFAeAT6O09TfKAKDYC3k0s7Wbaa4IgADe1qghl3qkgz2rj1BL74_CBhz/s640/DSCN2627.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You know when you see a variety name like 'Kojo no mai' that it is Japanese and is usually an elegant and poetic description of the plant. Similarly many of the Wisteria varieties have evocative Japanese names. I tried to find out what this name meant and various references suggested something to do with butterflies but my Japanese dictionary suggested something completely different and completely nonsensical. I had factory and ruined castle coming up and that sure didn't sound elegant. I decided to enlist the help of a Japanese friend and she sent me this lovely, detailed email below. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
'Somebody at work asked me the same question today - what a coincidence!</div>
<div>
<br />
You were getting close, factory and ruined (ancient) castle - they are both spelled the same in alphabet but pronunciation is slightly different. Also they are given totally different Chinese characters...</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I know you wouldn't go that far (Chinese characters) though!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kojo 工場ーfactory</div>
<div>
Kojo 古城ーancient castle</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kojo 湖上 no mai 舞</div>
<div>
湖上 kojo ー on the lake / on the water</div>
<div>
舞 mai ー traditional Japanese dance</div>
<div>
'no' is a particle so I would translate, '<b>Dancing on the lake'</b> - happy?'</div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Happy? I couldn't be happier!<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Death and decay.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhgBRAQKNa6G3LOM_G804VIhhF9aBWD4RAdP3Zc-FhS_zHUu_wxivLggcZJjUkjy8YQjbKkDfJrRW4dYwJvJJlS5uqt3dhUvFs4czg9OLqGIYj1Js7Yy8_boatHhwgYQZkgqN39840cNu/s1600/DSCN2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhgBRAQKNa6G3LOM_G804VIhhF9aBWD4RAdP3Zc-FhS_zHUu_wxivLggcZJjUkjy8YQjbKkDfJrRW4dYwJvJJlS5uqt3dhUvFs4czg9OLqGIYj1Js7Yy8_boatHhwgYQZkgqN39840cNu/s640/DSCN2616.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
There is a lot of colour in this picture and it is down to disease and decay. There are pink pustules of Coral Spot typically on already dead wood (It is more unusual for it to infect living tissue.) and the reddish brown leaves of Cherry Laurel in the background suffering some sort of die back and gradually turning red and dying. The sky is blue and healthy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Coup de Grass</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have always been unsure about just what exactly you can get away with when it come to cutting back grasses. If you think it through logically with them being grasses an' all they are likely to get grazed by some creature or another at some time in their life and evolution must surely have given them the ability to survive a munching. So in theory they should survive a haircut at almost any time of the year but none the less I get nervous about cutting them back hard at all. Some of them eventually get so untidy that the bullet must be bitten ( I want to say bited) and the shears brought out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNTybnNB5HBukRmSumzTujceJK7ikM1DvRLVeRU1wA9Mgxu4aOtmYLL7OQWuWQyGUSbXZWvBHSjIXh2vFgbIPyhrSpF3wrz9-jgAm3S25_xJMJ8ubbkuraMLP7kAgx5AXzrZQ5jx8lrt-/s1600/DSCN2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNTybnNB5HBukRmSumzTujceJK7ikM1DvRLVeRU1wA9Mgxu4aOtmYLL7OQWuWQyGUSbXZWvBHSjIXh2vFgbIPyhrSpF3wrz9-jgAm3S25_xJMJ8ubbkuraMLP7kAgx5AXzrZQ5jx8lrt-/s640/DSCN2596.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a picture of Stipa tenuissima that had grown scruffy during the winter after two seasons of no treatment so come spring time I cut it down almost to the ground and within a week the results were very encouraging. See below. I shall be tempted next year to cut one or two of them back a few weeks after flowering to see if I can avoid the myriad of seedlings that will inevitably sprout up if I don't cut of the seedheads and then see if I still get a decent looking plant for the second part of the season.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuQI-AoeM2AKHWZ-xRWjBPlXXPpzosGhbDRqsC_HQ8_ib0rULts0Z_qbBEfrwk5TPFIIE65DwCuZGtdBdU0sX9DRO-u5QW_UHqwet-yVEy4zmygVyBYsAd7SSHRC5p7XjlzXQsfbQQ2Oq/s1600/DSCN2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuQI-AoeM2AKHWZ-xRWjBPlXXPpzosGhbDRqsC_HQ8_ib0rULts0Z_qbBEfrwk5TPFIIE65DwCuZGtdBdU0sX9DRO-u5QW_UHqwet-yVEy4zmygVyBYsAd7SSHRC5p7XjlzXQsfbQQ2Oq/s640/DSCN2612.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The grass was cut back in mid April and this new growth appeared after just one week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4SGnLOSibKvD6JVcHpdyQEMU4Y8CoGoNMCUoGs3QqVDgXNFsEzuNtMxHJzFSi1IwC3VZsG9sRb35aQ0isk27eEOc2aCjpvAaiNuqG1KkSrTvw_JA7gRBoWfqRqQ81NgwOCVen_vIUfW0/s1600/DSCN2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4SGnLOSibKvD6JVcHpdyQEMU4Y8CoGoNMCUoGs3QqVDgXNFsEzuNtMxHJzFSi1IwC3VZsG9sRb35aQ0isk27eEOc2aCjpvAaiNuqG1KkSrTvw_JA7gRBoWfqRqQ81NgwOCVen_vIUfW0/s640/DSCN2614.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Laburnum </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I don't know if you have ever cut up, or down, a Laburnum tree but you will find there is a delicious looking dark centre to the wood. This is not disease it is how it is. It was, maybe still is, used for inlays called oysters in furniture making. It seemed a sin to cut it down but it was leaning dangerously and Laburnums are not known for their longevity at least not as a healthy tree. I think they can take a long time to die but bits fall off too regularly to make it a safe thing to leave.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBkmUtSRSnzLX0JwaEZKgI7CmrUePUnrACNRlWKQqH-ZraS7hcikk7y2izjNRYinzEX66HcF2oloqdbxDIUd_WMZQWqjtWgIZmhQkJekXM70EDuFxAp_I5q0Cfk2nBmFRb685wl8p01BE/s1600/DSCN2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBkmUtSRSnzLX0JwaEZKgI7CmrUePUnrACNRlWKQqH-ZraS7hcikk7y2izjNRYinzEX66HcF2oloqdbxDIUd_WMZQWqjtWgIZmhQkJekXM70EDuFxAp_I5q0Cfk2nBmFRb685wl8p01BE/s640/DSCN2452.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6jjKLItguUHEy2-UWAhZ__hj82OPQUzuIweu7K_UE0fWwIeZW7dpS2Uv_GaJqyEsfkJXK-Wh0GygORZFRXH08iXpjxqphyo6Q9exVV6it-AglNZldu0OHCRJ60KgWP5TcKFA7dL-wdpF/s1600/DSCN2449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6jjKLItguUHEy2-UWAhZ__hj82OPQUzuIweu7K_UE0fWwIeZW7dpS2Uv_GaJqyEsfkJXK-Wh0GygORZFRXH08iXpjxqphyo6Q9exVV6it-AglNZldu0OHCRJ60KgWP5TcKFA7dL-wdpF/s640/DSCN2449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is easy to imagine it as a confection - a thin slice of this drizzled over with a blackurrant coulis. Yummee.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDCB9J_rZ8X2k2lyiLQ_Un8mMceforvU8fXjlhrZeRFftv9iDIePD0Qrdn9zYHzJ8xEedQrMlkfaH91s0T4jqp1tHzGVuUXoEbOBte-r4NwVloCo82d3mi8BZuJ0NMMu6CL8L-3AS0q-0/s1600/DSCN2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDCB9J_rZ8X2k2lyiLQ_Un8mMceforvU8fXjlhrZeRFftv9iDIePD0Qrdn9zYHzJ8xEedQrMlkfaH91s0T4jqp1tHzGVuUXoEbOBte-r4NwVloCo82d3mi8BZuJ0NMMu6CL8L-3AS0q-0/s640/DSCN2448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5yg6aKF3iLmUNV5acoId6ZJdpw9njJxRGvy22-eQ8WAunP5kkfaGM2MdJ6br8ApO-XNHpkbp6Ey6hxUhl0-C-JOxQPbcU_OkLI29GL-IQRdx0VTH8aVgFIMNE9aQWDHvISnMwSCoTSFB/s1600/DSCN2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5yg6aKF3iLmUNV5acoId6ZJdpw9njJxRGvy22-eQ8WAunP5kkfaGM2MdJ6br8ApO-XNHpkbp6Ey6hxUhl0-C-JOxQPbcU_OkLI29GL-IQRdx0VTH8aVgFIMNE9aQWDHvISnMwSCoTSFB/s640/DSCN2455.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How not to cut down a tree. In this case it didn't matter because the whole thing was coming down but it does show what can happen if you don't make the right cuts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4X5m_itfCjmzRb5kN1QvGCEP24U7aoQxTw0gVYdcqOM9HX5K2ffp9SjIg4DHC1juvS6uS4Vxh8a7gM_5gwoGEIWdX2fIp5tdoX9MeraoBLvWaMgqDq-WEFAofBhxlyhPCVZQlZomz_5h/s1600/DSCN2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4X5m_itfCjmzRb5kN1QvGCEP24U7aoQxTw0gVYdcqOM9HX5K2ffp9SjIg4DHC1juvS6uS4Vxh8a7gM_5gwoGEIWdX2fIp5tdoX9MeraoBLvWaMgqDq-WEFAofBhxlyhPCVZQlZomz_5h/s640/DSCN2454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's it for now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-61025727144886618812013-04-16T13:14:00.000-07:002013-04-18T13:17:09.145-07:00Kabschia Sax, Sheep and their boots, Waterperry and a miracle?<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nice mixed bag this month, I hope you enjoy it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sheepish.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">Forget the Dancing Pony and Shrek's donkey and get down with this sheep. A very nifty mover. Made from iron and then galvanised, she makes a distinctive character grazing in the garden. This one was supplied by the</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.thestourgallery.co.uk/" style="text-align: center;">Stour Gallery </a><span style="text-align: center;"> in Shipston on Stour . </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5KjcwH1B026ngtdn4MhSMnH-OZ2CFBO5DHveGBf__ceV2uPmIgniy64z8SE32CYuXQEfZ1WXm5U3wZfzPHWR-TD6pMaCyDD_OuLd09OLRHZlI-NPQQ5-j4qfYeH4zXoXXyfHno7jdMSN/s1600/DSCN2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5KjcwH1B026ngtdn4MhSMnH-OZ2CFBO5DHveGBf__ceV2uPmIgniy64z8SE32CYuXQEfZ1WXm5U3wZfzPHWR-TD6pMaCyDD_OuLd09OLRHZlI-NPQQ5-j4qfYeH4zXoXXyfHno7jdMSN/s640/DSCN2347.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get Me!</div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX64nECM1-t70jxy5IElzpbHNySl2Trt9Disr5p492oR_ODV3ngUn1sLKGE6G3IAYOVN6CTlmSqOY22EwTzsytfgiM73-elLbXVy9J9CH6l06a9l9-iiWnL58rP-WzcO0SsAkrzmtbMq8/s1600/DSCN2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX64nECM1-t70jxy5IElzpbHNySl2Trt9Disr5p492oR_ODV3ngUn1sLKGE6G3IAYOVN6CTlmSqOY22EwTzsytfgiM73-elLbXVy9J9CH6l06a9l9-iiWnL58rP-WzcO0SsAkrzmtbMq8/s640/DSCN2348.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strutting it</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Waterperry Gardens. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I </span>took a visit recently to <a href="http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/">Waterperry Garden</a>s at Wheatley just south of Oxford towards the M40.<br />
Waterperry has a long history since starting out first of all as a horticultural school for ladies which produced some of our very best gardeners.Things have changed over time and rather than me tell you all about it here take a look at the link above. Take a particular look at the <a href="http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/categories/Courses/">courses</a> they offer, because of the strong connection with the art and crafts there is a particularly wide range of topics on offer. Waterperry is also home to <a href="http://www.artinaction.org.uk/">Art in Action</a> and 25,000 people in four days obviously know something you don't if you have never been. Check out the link.<br />
When I visited some ten days ago the east winds were still blowing and the weather was still cold and not much had started to grow albeit we are well into April.<br />
<br />
There was a lot that took my eye but this was one of the most impressive features. It is a superbly trained rambling rose. It has always struck me as something of a self defeating exercise to train roses, particularly climbing roses, over a pergola where the best view is had by the birds that fly over and not the person who walks under.The elaborate training of shoots in the picture below gives the whole thing a new perspective. Sure you need some space but if you have it then this must be one of the best ways to show off some of the more choice climbers and ramblers and it sure looks good at a time of year when roses otherwise look pretty awful.The long stems have been splayed out and trained around, whirlpool style, to short posts in the ground. .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucA_-W-9dN8-QgnqlcvF0RTcaSTEkstOT0WdGP1U9UdEV6Dq8F-DlJuDhZJS9UA9Sy-0LU99qYO2CnJ_xt4jT088n-XA48p2tl1MaV05oDr9T_aRjbEZwonMpwEVVtlz86uuxjWM_k2Bn/s1600/DSCN2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucA_-W-9dN8-QgnqlcvF0RTcaSTEkstOT0WdGP1U9UdEV6Dq8F-DlJuDhZJS9UA9Sy-0LU99qYO2CnJ_xt4jT088n-XA48p2tl1MaV05oDr9T_aRjbEZwonMpwEVVtlz86uuxjWM_k2Bn/s640/DSCN2556.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Below are other examples of careful tying in but this time to hazel hoops pushed into the ground. The story behind this seems to be that after the felling of a row of large trees the task of getting out the stumps was going to be too expensive so roses were grown over them. As time went on the stumps rotted way and this elaborate but very effective style of pruning developed. Not so good if you don't like spiders.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLlwEgiHQ9Hij0i22mZe5r-e70DjbPD37P1nZKisv3gCaGxon_QAP3H-44kXAf-yPZJ-X37h8241ctkAp6cTmnFHhmHeGZmKzmQ8sSjCGmUmAoxtvGGLrWAKqQN2kAhiY6heWKwqlryFX/s1600/DSCN2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLlwEgiHQ9Hij0i22mZe5r-e70DjbPD37P1nZKisv3gCaGxon_QAP3H-44kXAf-yPZJ-X37h8241ctkAp6cTmnFHhmHeGZmKzmQ8sSjCGmUmAoxtvGGLrWAKqQN2kAhiY6heWKwqlryFX/s640/DSCN2551.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWb9baTbreuDtKdu6CjY-m3V9f5nLbqrA5BksUWkX1VJyqO_joL3BNbZ0TDz3hEetOJZULpeR7lkGvHF2xNufnzQHxrzfn9s9YxIFvmSWiDA1jkXnxmahNVTK7_e-dUVj6ywyEiU2suc2/s1600/DSCN2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWb9baTbreuDtKdu6CjY-m3V9f5nLbqrA5BksUWkX1VJyqO_joL3BNbZ0TDz3hEetOJZULpeR7lkGvHF2xNufnzQHxrzfn9s9YxIFvmSWiDA1jkXnxmahNVTK7_e-dUVj6ywyEiU2suc2/s640/DSCN2549.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Arachnophobic?</div>
<br />
The Gardens have one of the best <a href="http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/pages/Museum-%26-Church.html">museums of garden tools </a> I have ever come across. It seems that if there was a task to be carried out in the garden the Victorians had made a gadget to make it easier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRZ0HQl30oeOtiysSrE83eB2en1q721IIdXI1re-sQQy6LizdkX8swT_UOu1MyAMm0F7J6zl-5xQ7nTyXK4X6FtB5wXobMRVzat1bQ8SBCyCznOFaFiGqDu0znl7UcOqoJFhj6IpF033a/s1600/DSCN2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRZ0HQl30oeOtiysSrE83eB2en1q721IIdXI1re-sQQy6LizdkX8swT_UOu1MyAMm0F7J6zl-5xQ7nTyXK4X6FtB5wXobMRVzat1bQ8SBCyCznOFaFiGqDu0znl7UcOqoJFhj6IpF033a/s640/DSCN2577.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Some of the exhibits are of a more agricultural nature such as this display of boots for sheep. I kid you not. As you can see they were made by Dunlop and were to help avoid foot rot. I cant see a Welsh hill farmer having much truck with this idea at nearly three shillings a pair.The real dandy little boots at bottom right were for goats and more for those on regimental mascot duty rather than for everyday wear.They are in a glass case which gives odd reflections. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXVJbnp9Gkf8IXo4oioenbjhbP7x4jugSqnEce93-i2kB7Co3aTSZFgqXBTtJ7TYO3qlcwdkV7oboeOS-lUlm-TvIQwtvFrN3BSZ407BsWMeUVxMEuVKagz66fB9P7K4GKjAwUWn5Vqo-/s1600/DSCN2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXVJbnp9Gkf8IXo4oioenbjhbP7x4jugSqnEce93-i2kB7Co3aTSZFgqXBTtJ7TYO3qlcwdkV7oboeOS-lUlm-TvIQwtvFrN3BSZ407BsWMeUVxMEuVKagz66fB9P7K4GKjAwUWn5Vqo-/s640/DSCN2576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You might be able to read the label on this instrument but if not see if you can guess what this and the object in the picture below were used for. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic57Ej6IomNhOTxNLDVzL2HI1VfrBBVoupWtD7SSVO08Pg02J_yiYtGcYYNKI_s8EHtTvDemHhwgeY9oKbg9Ak6sqstkyPS4UDVIiP3rORtXoO0pErkcqTLf2M_epqQ6aeu-_j0gMn4Jfj/s1600/DSCN2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic57Ej6IomNhOTxNLDVzL2HI1VfrBBVoupWtD7SSVO08Pg02J_yiYtGcYYNKI_s8EHtTvDemHhwgeY9oKbg9Ak6sqstkyPS4UDVIiP3rORtXoO0pErkcqTLf2M_epqQ6aeu-_j0gMn4Jfj/s640/DSCN2575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Answers at the bottom of the blog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB31ZBOveg7h33efk_AQhJAYexlqqRIcutLkIYm14vXDRuU_yFxf0D0zw0teSnyxS9LxLoQGr0Vj0gwJXMdeMvtY0mdCMCAtHrqF7__rKxULVYqulXCJWd7yENa7cIpPeiGkIo7HZ-3cc8/s1600/DSCN2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB31ZBOveg7h33efk_AQhJAYexlqqRIcutLkIYm14vXDRuU_yFxf0D0zw0teSnyxS9LxLoQGr0Vj0gwJXMdeMvtY0mdCMCAtHrqF7__rKxULVYqulXCJWd7yENa7cIpPeiGkIo7HZ-3cc8/s640/DSCN2574.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
In its heyday Waterperry exhibited at shows and one of its exhibits was the display of strawberries shown in the photograph in this picture. The picture also show lead labels with the plant names stamped into them. The objects on the left and right I find the most intriguing. On the right is a cane with a boxwood head which was used for tapping terracotta plant pots - no plastic in those days- to see if they needed watering. If they gave out a dull sound they were moist enough but if they gave out a ring then they were dry and needed watering. The long cane handle meant you could reach to the back of the bench. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJdhc6bfyMnuylBm812zDZrDoB-Y0XwkGzfbUV6MEohrl9vwcrE-SqtWX7gLrNWXaZju77fJV2p5XjBE90zBF1czMy_KnlxiUnwd3e75Rr8ks6jRBddEmmd4jBKW0cRS3_zlKMFM9lLgU/s1600/DSCN2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJdhc6bfyMnuylBm812zDZrDoB-Y0XwkGzfbUV6MEohrl9vwcrE-SqtWX7gLrNWXaZju77fJV2p5XjBE90zBF1czMy_KnlxiUnwd3e75Rr8ks6jRBddEmmd4jBKW0cRS3_zlKMFM9lLgU/s640/DSCN2572.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: start;">The curious bunch of green painted twigs had a very specific use. Gathered through the winter they were selected for evenness of thickness and length and each had to have a fork at the top. These were painted green and kept for the great strawberry display. They would be </span>pushed discreetly <span style="text-align: start;">under the strawberry plant and the 'trusses' of strawberries laid over the forked end to show them off to their very best. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 15.59px;"> Saxifrages </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW-dQbZuywfmLIqVh0v1rJZb3ERMbUtvcz3f61s3e4MDBkfH-bA3fmiakjqEoUCCkxsM-xGtZG3qtmZcTBHf4M8QqcSUErDqT5G62zSEDEHuUhogfxCQFkMmXfgrCf6uvirwJmNQXdvAF/s1600/DSCN2563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW-dQbZuywfmLIqVh0v1rJZb3ERMbUtvcz3f61s3e4MDBkfH-bA3fmiakjqEoUCCkxsM-xGtZG3qtmZcTBHf4M8QqcSUErDqT5G62zSEDEHuUhogfxCQFkMmXfgrCf6uvirwJmNQXdvAF/s640/DSCN2563.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another treat tucked away in the garden is the national collection of Kabschia Saxifrages. This is a group of species whose name commemorates Willhelm Kabsch ( 1835 - 64) who unfortunately, at a young age, fell to his death from a cliff while studying phytogeography (concerning the distribution of plants) in the Alps.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeIfW0-6G-AQFlj10K0ovMfJnZ8epou5615rAs-LbzzAciVf06_vvXnM6mb_mYDzlfiOZSMtKaASjnkQYXXdtj9LrYb-cXjMzfr4tTI1gQ2lnhcY3G7O3X6gRC048UbPvAaBBTPJVz2BQ/s1600/DSCN2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeIfW0-6G-AQFlj10K0ovMfJnZ8epou5615rAs-LbzzAciVf06_vvXnM6mb_mYDzlfiOZSMtKaASjnkQYXXdtj9LrYb-cXjMzfr4tTI1gQ2lnhcY3G7O3X6gRC048UbPvAaBBTPJVz2BQ/s640/DSCN2561.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In their native habitat plants from dry, high altitudes are designed to cope with the cold but they don't experience the cold wet weather we get here in the UK so to help them keep dry and so prevent them rotting they are grown under cover to keep off the rain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgJTUx3lHLgv18Cj7pyj0R2hOmekZUSldhPEIDsNCnxvgGvORl7VgnFpWTcuKPBzHHn6Zt5TXrxgRcoDjLQayxn9luZf3VGgl9MbthWl4uYpYv5wgw_nTk8utFuBP6IkGx5ZaL1JZ9v4G/s1600/DSCN2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgJTUx3lHLgv18Cj7pyj0R2hOmekZUSldhPEIDsNCnxvgGvORl7VgnFpWTcuKPBzHHn6Zt5TXrxgRcoDjLQayxn9luZf3VGgl9MbthWl4uYpYv5wgw_nTk8utFuBP6IkGx5ZaL1JZ9v4G/s640/DSCN2564.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
The plants are displayed on raised beds with large pieces of porous, free draining tufa to help mimic their native terrain. Tufa is often though of as volcanic rock but is in fact not a rock at all and is formed by water containing a lot of dissolved limestone which it deposits on organic matter and other debris in the water. deposits of limestone laid down on. Limestone coated leaves can be seen in the picture below. The limestone in the tufa matches the limestone conditions found in many parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcDJMe3szwOb9XdBO07KKQpvDm9FV8Tl09SOWWibSgAxcPt0PVfbzRC-yhOFJkbWeojF6tOyr151vOLJJ0ff6dnNRRtfNu4BD-mYjvkubWNNVpshhJdajPCxu9JbDBrhgEa4MnD3V5U-K/s1600/DSCN2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcDJMe3szwOb9XdBO07KKQpvDm9FV8Tl09SOWWibSgAxcPt0PVfbzRC-yhOFJkbWeojF6tOyr151vOLJJ0ff6dnNRRtfNu4BD-mYjvkubWNNVpshhJdajPCxu9JbDBrhgEa4MnD3V5U-K/s640/DSCN2567.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9ZcRPITMYmToEcrE9zTxKYsn55uYBCRYrjvd9QomClJrybpgJPyFNAFrhzXjb0x_5O2ozZ0xrWzX-w_e5_nKnQPI1uBLnGXsXuiw9-xEfiqDw4ajH7olXUPnPD80uHPii3p_VATSTRUF/s1600/DSCN2560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9ZcRPITMYmToEcrE9zTxKYsn55uYBCRYrjvd9QomClJrybpgJPyFNAFrhzXjb0x_5O2ozZ0xrWzX-w_e5_nKnQPI1uBLnGXsXuiw9-xEfiqDw4ajH7olXUPnPD80uHPii3p_VATSTRUF/s640/DSCN2560.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its no good hiding in the bushes behind the bench - we can see you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhTpeQ2piAfPvy7Norfx-v6KSNYIdx9OZYMRfOukJbpoLSecZ4BMVhVMdU3kcyYWvF2wo_BckEhJGA2V_TuLIemznWkM8l6fDHo8nrRjnx5yJesp1ga7EFUYS-zKhtzuVTje14pEHdsPQ/s1600/DSCN2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhTpeQ2piAfPvy7Norfx-v6KSNYIdx9OZYMRfOukJbpoLSecZ4BMVhVMdU3kcyYWvF2wo_BckEhJGA2V_TuLIemznWkM8l6fDHo8nrRjnx5yJesp1ga7EFUYS-zKhtzuVTje14pEHdsPQ/s640/DSCN2555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First class molehills at Waterperry. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUl3zcCpvz3UMLjrzyNf95PzBGTQ9sO3fTnQJAKts47SMKqyB1GbByd_vHgYtnoZlf7Y8fAA4-4xfV4B_1zIk4vQ1vEUXSGkDYK2vCe3M1DltLQj8dUoqVIDNASu-H2hxtEoeBLNolINY/s1600/DSCN2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUl3zcCpvz3UMLjrzyNf95PzBGTQ9sO3fTnQJAKts47SMKqyB1GbByd_vHgYtnoZlf7Y8fAA4-4xfV4B_1zIk4vQ1vEUXSGkDYK2vCe3M1DltLQj8dUoqVIDNASu-H2hxtEoeBLNolINY/s640/DSCN2554.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Some very old cordon apples at Waterperry. You would almost never mind if they never produced a fruit they look so good. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lichen.</span><br />
We did lichen a couple of issues back but I have since found a very useful site to help you identify some of them. It was particularly aimed at lichens found in old orchards but I am sure it has a more general use. The site is at <a href="http://www.opalexplorenature.org/sites/default/files/7/file/Orchard%20lichens%20final%20paginated%20hi%20res.pdf">OPAL</a> which stands for OPen Air Laboratory and is to encourage everyone to look out for and study all things in their local natural world. It is first rate. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Box</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Root Pruning</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>You may have bought Box plants, the shaped ones in a pot some twelve inches or so across, expecting them to be well established and rooted into the compost but having knocked them out of their pots you realise they are not rooted into the compost at all and in fact the bottom half of the pot is new compost and the root ball is just sitting on it . This is something between a root balled, open ground plant and a containerised one. When I first came across this I was a bit miffed thinking that I had been done, a bit like you do when you buy a potted rose plant in late winter or early spring and tip it out of its pot and all the compost falls off the two or there fangy roots because it is a bare root plant that was probably potted only a fortnight before. However don't despair with your box plant it is a recognised way of producing potted box and if left in the pot they will root into that fresh compost and if planted in the ground they will root out just the same. Because they have been field grown they are well nourished and you get a very good looking plant. I have planted very many and they have all survived. That is not to say they have all survived Box Blight and three I planted only last year came down with the blight and I had to dig them out and burn them. One of the things I noticed when I planted them was that to get them into their pots some fairly thick roots had been cut through which was a bit worrying. But when I dug them up I was surprised to see just how much new root had been made on those cut ends and it gave me greater faith in recent research which showed with the species trialled that when planting plants where the roots are running round the pot rather than trying to tease them out it is better to cut into the roots with secateurs which helps produce new roots from the cut ends which then grow out into the surrounding soil. You can see how much root is produced in just a season from the pictures of these box roots.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-NUQ7c1jlQ09Hv4HkKRUW1BupnG4zuL8hXZ8MWSCdoijfl7iV32oHQ5L0-7Uko6U4wzRKDa5254nesfnfVHMWfvDDiHds7JIltJOJBeNXc8gDPXLFC9nN-5g9T8s_atEP4LY10jp_AbG/s1600/DSCN2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-NUQ7c1jlQ09Hv4HkKRUW1BupnG4zuL8hXZ8MWSCdoijfl7iV32oHQ5L0-7Uko6U4wzRKDa5254nesfnfVHMWfvDDiHds7JIltJOJBeNXc8gDPXLFC9nN-5g9T8s_atEP4LY10jp_AbG/s640/DSCN2365.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A severed root the thickness of your forefinger had sprouted a healthy thicket of new roots when dug up thirteen months after planting </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh497dFWMgV38SJTJmbmKv56_hRoL7llI4H3wx48g1YaRRtQUNlebeEiZFviusdP8OmH9-Zghz8sp9aA08UpHB3c_mLRUOAR5Xx9Txp0L2xH5_j63V-5Wzr-uYytzcV1GQJafuhPpqVv0Gj/s1600/DSCN2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh497dFWMgV38SJTJmbmKv56_hRoL7llI4H3wx48g1YaRRtQUNlebeEiZFviusdP8OmH9-Zghz8sp9aA08UpHB3c_mLRUOAR5Xx9Txp0L2xH5_j63V-5Wzr-uYytzcV1GQJafuhPpqVv0Gj/s640/DSCN2368.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> If you have to move a shrub in the garden mak sure any thick roots that have to be cut through are cut cleanly to help prevent disease and die back and to encourage the formation of new roots.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyYCVYlYkfhs16h4vNsMmXPCy77l1FhcdNkVfcRi-hvkxNVfcRSZ0G-UdpR5t7-6laWaWuQhSU9woD8jCNbNlQHBWsYbXl01d-F0Xn3tz7ee7eFmNC71_UBdEI44GaKLYPNg-V0iLnG_G/s1600/DSCN2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyYCVYlYkfhs16h4vNsMmXPCy77l1FhcdNkVfcRi-hvkxNVfcRSZ0G-UdpR5t7-6laWaWuQhSU9woD8jCNbNlQHBWsYbXl01d-F0Xn3tz7ee7eFmNC71_UBdEI44GaKLYPNg-V0iLnG_G/s640/DSCN2369.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Most of the roots that had to be cut originally to get the plant into the pot produced masses of new roots but the one at the bottom of the picture decided</span><span style="text-align: center;"> not to. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A dead ringer?</span><br />
We are told all our gardening life that if you strip the bark off a plant then you have removed all the tissue that conducts the sap around the plant and it will die.<br />
So when I discovered this small Acer palmatum with the damage you can see below I was a bit worried. The bark had been nibbled of by some small creature and as you can see from both pictures it is right round the trunk. You can also see where the cambium has healed the edge that has been nibbled so this has been damaged for some time and , hand on heart, this plant lives quite happily like this and apart from the usual bit of dieback suffered by Acer palmatum varieties it is a healthy plant. I am confounded . Is it a blinkin' miracle ? Let me know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcuVFTU8Mi1wO35GDAbwp97zkDHSVAwgqNjqWNn7lT-FmcjTF9tC-fXD3Dh15lytUJJHgn1g9PT6-PgxsXZXjs4LbuysEz0VIMCEu0FXCmDaL1X57pZuLNNINtJ9R968whwSJFKMyjCnX/s1600/DSCN2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcuVFTU8Mi1wO35GDAbwp97zkDHSVAwgqNjqWNn7lT-FmcjTF9tC-fXD3Dh15lytUJJHgn1g9PT6-PgxsXZXjs4LbuysEz0VIMCEu0FXCmDaL1X57pZuLNNINtJ9R968whwSJFKMyjCnX/s640/DSCN2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It wasn't me who left the tree tie on too long , honest. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiaXReROowUvHSI1bDQIJjY8E8OsVo7yd2uojRTWnW2xi_ScafIvetukRB_-IKNjb01_VTynh5YHYM-FyLvak3DJC6K5s5y4XxF6nDXtkKJYllbwLF5-IRp5PcaN09qH5Bb1gorUZvjeb/s1600/DSCN2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiaXReROowUvHSI1bDQIJjY8E8OsVo7yd2uojRTWnW2xi_ScafIvetukRB_-IKNjb01_VTynh5YHYM-FyLvak3DJC6K5s5y4XxF6nDXtkKJYllbwLF5-IRp5PcaN09qH5Bb1gorUZvjeb/s640/DSCN2527.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Got it covered.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX9i20U-ymxUbHrercH1GmOf_VQ1qzvSwhoYH7QF8z_IjWsNEDZNa0utYqXTF778PDYJFjLovyLMBiPQ91fAfJ4oQeMUMQ5OH08dymO-FFmXjNFhKXPzsJvYpY75EeNdrltf-WLIZ0StQ/s1600/Hortus+covers006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX9i20U-ymxUbHrercH1GmOf_VQ1qzvSwhoYH7QF8z_IjWsNEDZNa0utYqXTF778PDYJFjLovyLMBiPQ91fAfJ4oQeMUMQ5OH08dymO-FFmXjNFhKXPzsJvYpY75EeNdrltf-WLIZ0StQ/s640/Hortus+covers006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The covers of the Winter and Spring issues of Hortus show before and after of one of my favourite small tulip bulbs Tulip batalini 'Bronze Charm'. Glorious as downy skinned , tufted bulbs and even more glorious </div>
as bronze tinted , soft yellow flowers. I have found T. batalini to be very easy to grow, a very reliable flowerer and utterly charming. Give it a go.<br />
<br />
P.S. You can read a piece by me in both issues.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Bits and Bobs</span><br />
Yer godda laff!<br />
We have all seen it. A road sign modified by some wag with a spray can; No Entry signs turned into to Ban the Bomb signs (Those were the days), thirty speed limits made into eighty speed limits, the sign for a bumpy road given nipples and letters of place names sprayed out to turn them into something rude. Today I was driving near to Lower and Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds when I came across an adulterated sign that made me chuckle as I drove by. Part of the joy of it was that it had obviously been thought through because this was no hastily squirted aerosol job but a neatly cut piece of white adhesive tape placed very neatly over the capital S on the sign to The Slaughters. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPh-YROCkvA-ugtEbMmcDQC8LTJCnyiHNcQcOjkMW17HBAYY0CvJ03KIVCaYlSebyaPbbHIHROwPM0rAMwNJk7bmFt10F9easF_gbrCXSpNi4_xV-DuwkZtCUbhB5KYjklEa0nvjAThXE/s1600/DSCN2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPh-YROCkvA-ugtEbMmcDQC8LTJCnyiHNcQcOjkMW17HBAYY0CvJ03KIVCaYlSebyaPbbHIHROwPM0rAMwNJk7bmFt10F9easF_gbrCXSpNi4_xV-DuwkZtCUbhB5KYjklEa0nvjAThXE/s640/DSCN2598.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Another witty sign was on the road outside a golf club not too far from Devizes . It was in the the style of those brown tourist signs if I remember right. It said Golf Club 100 yds and under the the 100 yds. was, in small writing, Par 3. Much better in the seeing than in the telling but it was thoughtful of someone on the Sign Committee to think to offer a little cheer to us passers by.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">THE ANSWERS</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The top picture is of a device for bunching daffodils in bud and the picture below it is for bunching daffodils in flower. Brill!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">That's all folks. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-796455746516598642013-03-13T13:44:00.002-07:002013-03-18T00:07:56.613-07:00Bourton House Topiary - before and after. Makita memory shtick. Will Gould in Yucatan This has turned into another bumper issue. Don't forget new posts are announced on twitter @pwhorticulture and just to let you know that <span lang="EN-US">I am leading a Cotswold garden tour this July as part of <a href="http://www.cotswoldwalks.com/cotswold-gardens">Cotswold Walks</a> </span>2013 programme and it takes in Bourton House which ties in very nicely with this post's main feature. Be nice to see you there.<br />
<br />
Right, here we go..........<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I worked as head gardener at <a href="http://www.bourtonhouse.com/">Bourton House</a> for eighteen years. As head gardeners will know get the right team and the job can be the best job ever. At Bourton we had various gardeners come and go but for a period I had what I have always thought of as my dream team, a golden era! They were two people who had, in different ways, a huge enthusiasm and energy for the garden. There was an eagerness to learn and a genuine excitement when say something new would flower for the first time - they were a real pleasure to work with. They were Heather Balhatchet nee Price and Will Gould. Will has contributed below to this blog with a piece on his trip to Yucatan.<br />
One criteria for the professional garden photographers who came to the garden regularly was that they had to take a picture of the garden team for our records.The best picture of them all was the one below taken by <a href="http://cvb0001.wix.com/ohara#!">Marie O'Hara</a>. I worked with Marie on several occasions and she had imagination, patience, great technical skill and always a great sympathy for the subject.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bFdt2VMiWKZypK6m0UA-0D7frG3u69Oxd49EDpcb7_zq4DNzYOnZ6FvXFZwmC9SuubuhCihwwaW8mhkpHfcaSLJryMNSnD9ScgPiedp-R5r2ngXUAXScRzCVriR7kdBpm_5aNjB86xm/s1600/69390001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bFdt2VMiWKZypK6m0UA-0D7frG3u69Oxd49EDpcb7_zq4DNzYOnZ6FvXFZwmC9SuubuhCihwwaW8mhkpHfcaSLJryMNSnD9ScgPiedp-R5r2ngXUAXScRzCVriR7kdBpm_5aNjB86xm/s640/69390001.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am proud to present my dream team</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...</div>
<br />
It is all too often the case that designers create a garden and then leave it in the 'safe' hands of the client and either never see it again or see it again a few years later only to find that the no doubt well meaning meddling of an inexperienced gardener or the client themselves has diluted their intention to the point where they want to disclaim ownership of the design. It is usually the planting that has been messed with or been badly maintained rather than changes to the basic structure of the garden.<br />
<br />
At Bourton I had been in the fortunate position of being able to<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>originate a project from a very elemental start - rooting the cuttings - then nurture it for a number of years and then leave it only to come back many years later to a mature planting that except for minor changes has turned out exactly as I hoped it would. The project had been to create an architectural feature of box and yew with an <a href="http://www.bulletproof-design.com/clients/firecraft/">ironwork centre piece</a> in front of the house.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtdBenM0uhMSlBhRKHG-uePu_DjmC6Y7ChL_3XTbjkSdNKmU-4kWYsV703x4MIBjTHF_WI_JMbraA1FA2wVWzUF1POovhe9o29dLCIPG8OVuNvb-wKE7aDMLJ35JYrA-ztyakz1pyJ55/s1600/69390005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtdBenM0uhMSlBhRKHG-uePu_DjmC6Y7ChL_3XTbjkSdNKmU-4kWYsV703x4MIBjTHF_WI_JMbraA1FA2wVWzUF1POovhe9o29dLCIPG8OVuNvb-wKE7aDMLJ35JYrA-ztyakz1pyJ55/s640/69390005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4128248727577033495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN-US">. </span> We raised several hundred box cuttings in cold frames. <span lang="EN-US">Plans were drawn and work began. </span><span style="text-align: start;">The topiary garden</span><span style="text-align: start;"> was developed</span><span style="text-align: start;"> in front of the house. We dug up the large expanse of gravel covering the space where originally carriages </span><span style="text-align: start;">would have drawn up to the main entrance. </span><span style="text-align: start;">A year or two</span><i style="text-align: start;"> </i><span style="text-align: start;">earlier we had created a much smaller box garden which you can see was left in place to be cannibalised once the larger area of ground was prepared.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpjWKG5fgfP0eLSfJMTjXoMUDY1EFlvQWt4wIpDvJlzrWcqkFzTmzpQKUbXE-E5WiyC76u2we_kTtSXoNzd5kt7dbUlgKCdNH6Oy8Dawyna_DLvXWhClQR1uVd4J1jvGRyAaXe61L4_Ge/s1600/69440001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpjWKG5fgfP0eLSfJMTjXoMUDY1EFlvQWt4wIpDvJlzrWcqkFzTmzpQKUbXE-E5WiyC76u2we_kTtSXoNzd5kt7dbUlgKCdNH6Oy8Dawyna_DLvXWhClQR1uVd4J1jvGRyAaXe61L4_Ge/s640/69440001.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First of all the pattern was marked out with small flower pots to see if it was going to work before planting began. It all looked so skinny back then. The short sections of box were waiting to grow into a chunkier green version of the terracotta rope edging much loved by the Victorians.The thin wedges were box, the flanking columns - very small here- were yew and the lollipops were Portugal laurel. If I remember correctly the diagonals on the wall were Pyracantha. The picture was taken in spring with the Tulipa kaufmanniana waiting for some sunshine before they open their faces to the sky. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqCHHCqiDu7P5OlSGu63j0kO7PReL3L0wfsAI04PKTwh6n4fc1yjsCKgjw-wxVsWNAjSqOJJkUZfy5J8xoeK-E6jGDfqrRkMGqCMEHya6baa3X7EDxi3U9nTTArSV_345-agM_sicT69A/s1600/August+20110101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqCHHCqiDu7P5OlSGu63j0kO7PReL3L0wfsAI04PKTwh6n4fc1yjsCKgjw-wxVsWNAjSqOJJkUZfy5J8xoeK-E6jGDfqrRkMGqCMEHya6baa3X7EDxi3U9nTTArSV_345-agM_sicT69A/s640/August+20110101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cuddly serpents.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun7FxvYh8KLWAFhVtTgWVyDjqrw_M2Kc0wxG3LVIxWgKDBBi4qYQ5fyO0nKr-ZOPIuSthz_IKt9H8JIjq7sAqdxfrTZLdTok57hJT30-01riQWZg4_K6kQPgrk7UtreodrvXho2bVwjbv/s1600/August+20110106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun7FxvYh8KLWAFhVtTgWVyDjqrw_M2Kc0wxG3LVIxWgKDBBi4qYQ5fyO0nKr-ZOPIuSthz_IKt9H8JIjq7sAqdxfrTZLdTok57hJT30-01riQWZg4_K6kQPgrk7UtreodrvXho2bVwjbv/s640/August+20110106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Is it real? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVzITAfFd8K1cFI0ozbWYVfszDDMsGrEk44K3cMzO_FZ8VUZh0NYJHnTB03eNMJI0R0OFwEBs2R61T1ebmAwoXiogRteVQp6T0xTyYqZz_ixPCAgnqXpBwwGFjkuBXoudJWqFPI-TaRFs/s1600/August+20110110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVzITAfFd8K1cFI0ozbWYVfszDDMsGrEk44K3cMzO_FZ8VUZh0NYJHnTB03eNMJI0R0OFwEBs2R61T1ebmAwoXiogRteVQp6T0xTyYqZz_ixPCAgnqXpBwwGFjkuBXoudJWqFPI-TaRFs/s640/August+20110110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">We had made a rod for our own backs when it came to clipping time.The box has been expertly and lovingly clipped by subsequent garden teams to superb effect.The topiary was established before <a href="http://isthisthewaytoamaryllis.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/box-blight-and-barrows.html">Box Blight</a> reared its ugly head in 1994 which has been an advantage and scrupulous attention to hygiene and continual vigilance has so far kept box blight at bay. (There is a hint of a pun there)</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVVzaY8Iml3bIp9UY6M29JvVmOb4A2cogaVzd1c15mcWjRJkPBP_eeW4CsMCx6ddpLJ4i1fqOitQRZPfY5AAM58z0FgfhbmV4jBLyZZckXYWnaoeMnmNWQqiNU0ThfbbI7d1kNpxcPah/s1600/69440003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVVzaY8Iml3bIp9UY6M29JvVmOb4A2cogaVzd1c15mcWjRJkPBP_eeW4CsMCx6ddpLJ4i1fqOitQRZPfY5AAM58z0FgfhbmV4jBLyZZckXYWnaoeMnmNWQqiNU0ThfbbI7d1kNpxcPah/s640/69440003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An earlier 'box' project meant tackling the old rose garden. These images are from old slides and lack a bit of sharpness. Those with a nostalgic hankering for the slightly fuzzier life of times gone by might feel more comfortable with them. </div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq0rArRZSFwgcaVGV-RX9omU-bzo4MGa0G5pxG0vPCDz_oT08AsGsQ56TZRvOb6SfSu_uSFXrAPq3VOSJ9OJCV2iHea-giyM5sblZ62J84dtJD3NL0wEj-8Dg0HKTKjwCdd8GYjqYc8bb/s1600/69390003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq0rArRZSFwgcaVGV-RX9omU-bzo4MGa0G5pxG0vPCDz_oT08AsGsQ56TZRvOb6SfSu_uSFXrAPq3VOSJ9OJCV2iHea-giyM5sblZ62J84dtJD3NL0wEj-8Dg0HKTKjwCdd8GYjqYc8bb/s640/69390003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Hundreds of cuttings struck in the cold frames were grown on in the reshaped rose garden. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c4oc_2tNmgHfNq9LT-6lDxDdRASwxioBDCt7Whtjyp6029RriF9qjSv5HzUWNCXWfK_xbOq530Swwz1jOHXoGhhKYhtuPqw78mF9l00VmyhS0TCT38o03RFWojBz3Y4gVjIxFSP96gRl/s1600/69440007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c4oc_2tNmgHfNq9LT-6lDxDdRASwxioBDCt7Whtjyp6029RriF9qjSv5HzUWNCXWfK_xbOq530Swwz1jOHXoGhhKYhtuPqw78mF9l00VmyhS0TCT38o03RFWojBz3Y4gVjIxFSP96gRl/s640/69440007.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Early days and still some gaps but it is starting to shape up .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">The impressive lattice basket is cast Victorian concrete and was made for the Great Exhibition of 1851</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdVwaSubTwV4hk6gPC6bCH6fRxP5uf15NTymrw-oMWsh8WMcte7mlDV0qtprOdbmmpU3ZoXjrwT5ryLDimOxZPpTlPHmeiNVBl2gejK6LP3H4sJ10GLAv7dYN-m53KR0UaVWjRzEB1DbE/s1600/69440018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdVwaSubTwV4hk6gPC6bCH6fRxP5uf15NTymrw-oMWsh8WMcte7mlDV0qtprOdbmmpU3ZoXjrwT5ryLDimOxZPpTlPHmeiNVBl2gejK6LP3H4sJ10GLAv7dYN-m53KR0UaVWjRzEB1DbE/s640/69440018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Getting there, and the old Indian swastika pattern is becoming obvious. If you visit the garden and you are a keen observer you will notice all the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika">swastika</a>s swirl in one direction except one. I did not notice the mistake I had made when setting out the pattern until several years after planting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn0s6hsAypV7Lja1iENK0uJdb5qJbg3A7OAQnN6JQHmbBpCsN3h6DcvXNKNdXG8McYeps8XhGrTHhQQojD53oN10j-rY8MwcONTc0f9uGyFBjmRYVZNt-AscHoUAqrZZPUAYqUHXZsW4j/s1600/69440014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn0s6hsAypV7Lja1iENK0uJdb5qJbg3A7OAQnN6JQHmbBpCsN3h6DcvXNKNdXG8McYeps8XhGrTHhQQojD53oN10j-rY8MwcONTc0f9uGyFBjmRYVZNt-AscHoUAqrZZPUAYqUHXZsW4j/s640/69440014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whoa! Greens are good for you! </div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67MR6HzTs20tsCZxQ8JknJdbsq0X2zkV0d9MevaiOP-npCeZxbpiJlJLfQmtQ5xCEPwpYQo4LCCYqFa1FFfkJT-NPxDJuBwcBGYveTL5OPm58UtEselt2zsCRVaM5Co3aPcgiR8LzXTD9/s1600/69390002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67MR6HzTs20tsCZxQ8JknJdbsq0X2zkV0d9MevaiOP-npCeZxbpiJlJLfQmtQ5xCEPwpYQo4LCCYqFa1FFfkJT-NPxDJuBwcBGYveTL5OPm58UtEselt2zsCRVaM5Co3aPcgiR8LzXTD9/s640/69390002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hair cut Sir?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">......................................................</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;">Yucatan.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"> I would like to introduce you to</span> <a href="http://willgould.net/">Will Gould</a> <span lang="EN-US"> It is hard to know where to start when describing Will and perhaps a simple list is the easiest way. He is gardener, <a href="http://www.greenthoughts.co.uk/">poet</a>, artist, teacher, enthuser, traveller, motorbiker and all round good guy. </span> Follow him on twitter @green_ gould </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> ''Paul
asked me if I'd like to post on his blog and since I've recently travelled to Mexico to escape the January blues, I thought
I'd pass on a few notes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> I
flew to the Yucatan, the home of the Mayan civilisation. The peninsula is the
tail of Mexico's eastward curl into the Gulf. Bordering jungly Guatemala and
Belize to the south, the soil is drier and the air less humid. Temperatures
rarely drop below 20 degrees C and peak from 28 in winter to 35 in summer. The
wet season from May to October is also the hottest. When I was there in January
trees were losing their leaves in preparation for the dry months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US"> It
sounds like good growing country but what prevents bountiful tropical jungle is
the fact that the whole peninsula is a flat sheet of porous limestone with virtually
no surface water. Only the larger forest trees can reach down to the
groundwater which can be seen at Cenotes, where weaknesses in the limestone
have eroded sufficiently to collapse, revealing bottomless pools of freshwater.''</span></div>
</div>
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy0BAR5_U98eHYaLg8cdy-ldY76twhhsgN9q3bbLIbdKmjOXnlFqM_gBeR8B5p2n2AkND_yqA7GZL-HxTZx667Jbouy5mFnhp219e7MN03cY-Hp-PQx0Y4OAAmHjyuZT5RP1AFcaTwuDE/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy0BAR5_U98eHYaLg8cdy-ldY76twhhsgN9q3bbLIbdKmjOXnlFqM_gBeR8B5p2n2AkND_yqA7GZL-HxTZx667Jbouy5mFnhp219e7MN03cY-Hp-PQx0Y4OAAmHjyuZT5RP1AFcaTwuDE/s640/untitled.png" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Tradescantia spathacea and Ficus dipping their toes:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcCYR0q9qg_VMMIs7ChDlVR5QSI1db2w0s54WAv4_OVIT4S4UPzpAr7odB9GUp0ssVKWkGMic1yQ_B7DvD1_qbuQFiHN-8p5TPY_FTb2IScIPELsL6eJw6_d3Wf8r__1kWminPAoUgxFV/s1600/untitled+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcCYR0q9qg_VMMIs7ChDlVR5QSI1db2w0s54WAv4_OVIT4S4UPzpAr7odB9GUp0ssVKWkGMic1yQ_B7DvD1_qbuQFiHN-8p5TPY_FTb2IScIPELsL6eJw6_d3Wf8r__1kWminPAoUgxFV/s640/untitled+2.png" width="622" /></a></div>
The result of the climate is low scrubby forest that flourishes in the wet then lies dormant and mostly leafless through the dry months.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like much of the culture in Latin America, the flora today is one of importation, selection and survival. Above the fading greens of January, bright yellow interloper Cochlospermum religiosum (Silk Cotton Tree) pops out Fremontedendron-like butter cups on bare 'winter' branches.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ15a70kK2cGCmAplpEdv5qhMuxKjLJeRuM0puLO7O1MEMGW_hRKoqSBy0lwuoqnJiEpM7mKqdl-W2aUMoRraedvjRrCsLyJy3s_TYt1aoI5GCjEWhwq7SY-kpiGdm81zawooZgcysAhJY/s1600/untitled+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ15a70kK2cGCmAplpEdv5qhMuxKjLJeRuM0puLO7O1MEMGW_hRKoqSBy0lwuoqnJiEpM7mKqdl-W2aUMoRraedvjRrCsLyJy3s_TYt1aoI5GCjEWhwq7SY-kpiGdm81zawooZgcysAhJY/s640/untitled+3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along colonial town streets, African tulip tree Spathodea campanulata's waxy orange flowers drop daily on to pavements. Caesalpinia pulcherrima and 10 ft Brugmansias light up dusty front yards along with Orchids and Bromeliads in typically nonchalant displays. In the corners of car parks, native cotton (Gossypium) and mimosa grows alongside escaped Ricinus. Roadside verges - usually the hotbeds of aliens were largely a tangle of native Ipomoea purples, yellow Bidens and pure red Stachytarpeta, false vervain or snakeweed:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ_AkcwGQF4wW51P_G0pulKOKqrsNGDggSqaP_WWzs_nzmyOaFGtAgYTrOvwqn-URztGPftJwQIXD_s4Xgj6nlNa3YeEUrS7EzPDT37-Ni9Gy1uise13lkMD75kn82ZVKUIMb1Mi4OqRl/s1600/untitled+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ_AkcwGQF4wW51P_G0pulKOKqrsNGDggSqaP_WWzs_nzmyOaFGtAgYTrOvwqn-URztGPftJwQIXD_s4Xgj6nlNa3YeEUrS7EzPDT37-Ni9Gy1uise13lkMD75kn82ZVKUIMb1Mi4OqRl/s640/untitled+7.png" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as the present culture and flora is a rich composite, the variety of present day Mexican food is largely the result of imports such as rice, wheat, pigs, chickens and cattle. These are combined with complex spices which were developed to enhance a bland staple diet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> Traditionally the Mayans grew maize and beans through the wet season, planting crops at the spring equinox and harvesting at the autumn one. Practicing slash and burn methods, they would clear forest , grow for 2 years then leave for 8 to return fertility before the next cycle. The cycle of rains and maize was so important to them that they held the belief that the gods first made the corn and then fashioned humans from cornmeal. Carvings at ceremonial sites show decapitated warriors sprouting corn from their necks, ironically it is thought that it was the winners of a ceremonial ball game who were given this privilege.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">You could say growing maize was in their blood:</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM36FrBiTvmRrcH9pt-rYf20IxmNT20MFQFoKGLxwb5LWunMRfMNE9Gb5bXNWD5vKsjg2NFzLlx4GhwdIZcEq9aEyAGWHVu_VE0hN0xWoS2c23Fo_wGYJYHPxpKnsS96tC9-Aqo23s_Taj/s1600/untitled+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM36FrBiTvmRrcH9pt-rYf20IxmNT20MFQFoKGLxwb5LWunMRfMNE9Gb5bXNWD5vKsjg2NFzLlx4GhwdIZcEq9aEyAGWHVu_VE0hN0xWoS2c23Fo_wGYJYHPxpKnsS96tC9-Aqo23s_Taj/s640/untitled+5.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span>Helianthus microcephalus at the roadside:<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpMaWVoXyyModPoWpOkBcazO463RghrgwWMcYFeIz4Kkzyt2UjtoxDjkhjMdYB7o8QCNYb1BD0A2cdHu2dWgeoy_OvVW0AMWXXAa68orK6MhEcnY27fz32R0KBoN-P9VuFYbNJyWB4nBA/s1600/untitled+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpMaWVoXyyModPoWpOkBcazO463RghrgwWMcYFeIz4Kkzyt2UjtoxDjkhjMdYB7o8QCNYb1BD0A2cdHu2dWgeoy_OvVW0AMWXXAa68orK6MhEcnY27fz32R0KBoN-P9VuFYbNJyWB4nBA/s640/untitled+4.png" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">Recently cleared forest and last years Maize:</span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNo3k0wYMZZxQ1NaCS4gV6E2o-vI4IGUVP3nQN3Ule62HKKvJdnZIRi5FETfKxLYtobmFuDz1BycZ5tH4eRv9nnX17G9QmnalmpA7xherofeiOdb_cnxiCuITxnDOfTChKCadDqiVv3mI/s1600/untitled+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNo3k0wYMZZxQ1NaCS4gV6E2o-vI4IGUVP3nQN3Ule62HKKvJdnZIRi5FETfKxLYtobmFuDz1BycZ5tH4eRv9nnX17G9QmnalmpA7xherofeiOdb_cnxiCuITxnDOfTChKCadDqiVv3mI/s640/untitled+6.png" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
The Mayans built pyramids whose height was determined by the forest canopy. At dawn on the equinoxes, those at the top needed to be able to see the approaching sun 'walking' towards them from the horizon. By building their own mountains, the structures became the highest points on the entire peninsula.<br />
<br />
Many thanks Will.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...........................................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Crown Gall</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA101U4GOmjZjKcWemp_zrt7YXAlok1PSeFDEtP4Ck4XofeIU9hBmXfrNLyNQWC-M2yu7cRLDuLNO1e0NS03eaXywyBtPXxOjVTX8Xs7X-EXgYFYW0fq50yWFPR4kahJ_IUNkSrQJgz9FF/s1600/DSCN2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA101U4GOmjZjKcWemp_zrt7YXAlok1PSeFDEtP4Ck4XofeIU9hBmXfrNLyNQWC-M2yu7cRLDuLNO1e0NS03eaXywyBtPXxOjVTX8Xs7X-EXgYFYW0fq50yWFPR4kahJ_IUNkSrQJgz9FF/s640/DSCN2394.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFI79vYoocxSY7ajdAu6NYIxLe7JtIvM51-vm9pBLvtFv2x6t4SG_pfImukZOyr_fsQwWUj73g4hmF-4Q166YhvgKQsXfxJDUzQGkZECKp4YLgIHvh9zGjf-Cb-2Sbki0ry9J7KzoIgm_/s1600/DSCN2396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFI79vYoocxSY7ajdAu6NYIxLe7JtIvM51-vm9pBLvtFv2x6t4SG_pfImukZOyr_fsQwWUj73g4hmF-4Q166YhvgKQsXfxJDUzQGkZECKp4YLgIHvh9zGjf-Cb-2Sbki0ry9J7KzoIgm_/s640/DSCN2396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's an ugly looking piece of stuff. Dave Feaver, a lecturer at <a href="http://www.warwickshire.ac.xn--uk%20%20our%20locations%20%20pershore%20college-5i23ava/"> Pershore College</a> brought it in to show the <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/courses">RHS</a> group at our Saturday class. It is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrobacterium_tumefaciens">Crown Gall</a> on a plant of Photinia. Galls can be caused by a range of organisms including fungi, eelworms and insects but this one is caused by bacteria. Crown gall does not necessarily kill the plant but can certainly weaken it. The bacteria does not penetrate the root cells but inhabits the space between the cells and causes them to proliferate rapidly. It can affect both herbaceous and woody plants. There is not any practical control particularly as it is only usually noticed when the plant starts to suffer and is dug up. Club Root, which also causes swelling and distortion of roots is a gall disorder of members of the Cabbage (Brassica) family and is caused by a slime fungus. It can be controlled top some extent by raising the pH of the soil. Infected soil should not be used for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassica">Brassica</a> crops for seven or eight years at least. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All galls are not as ugly as this, take a look at more appealing galls in 'Britain's Plant Galls' by Michael Chinery ( Wild Guides Ltd. ) and a lovely old book ' The Pocket Encyclopaedia of Plant Galls' by Arnold Darlington (Blandford) my edition is dated 1968 and it is long out of print but there are some available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pocket-Encyclopaedia-Plant-Galls-Colour/dp/0713704713"> Amazon</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..........................................................................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Makita memory shtick</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1JxkdJpm0BRy9A1yAqQmSwTAf7bxxhurzdwdrvKbCs2R5KTbQQeDjNodoXmGI6MR_1RLfaixCz3vjh2IcEC3w7dddNaxAXwmbDJppj_LsRZqz5O1WfPp8AoGvavIaUI3c-uFZtuGQr6r/s1600/DSCN2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1JxkdJpm0BRy9A1yAqQmSwTAf7bxxhurzdwdrvKbCs2R5KTbQQeDjNodoXmGI6MR_1RLfaixCz3vjh2IcEC3w7dddNaxAXwmbDJppj_LsRZqz5O1WfPp8AoGvavIaUI3c-uFZtuGQr6r/s640/DSCN2379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">I am not in the thrall of </span><a href="http://www.makitauk.com/" style="text-align: center;">Makita</a><span style="text-align: center;"> and no money has exchanged hands ( Yet. Makita?) but I could not resist posting this picture of the memory stick I was given after a presentation of their landscape and grounds maintenance equipment.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">(you have to pull off the front of the miniature planer to get to the bit you push into your pc.)</span><span style="text-align: center;"> It's slightly soft and rubbery and its so cute.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..........................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Scary-fication</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkM7rfIx6FJBJpjZ22d4OCOJJmT-9DnZOG0ldS3-jx4vzAW_pXPZUmDnijt3xw_7s6L7bnlfXZnRlQqliyatoSjVgw4IQsUV_USwMPWeXSZy9RxjJzYSMfscOu8WQiGpQt1VRQxe7jEi-/s1600/DSCN2392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkM7rfIx6FJBJpjZ22d4OCOJJmT-9DnZOG0ldS3-jx4vzAW_pXPZUmDnijt3xw_7s6L7bnlfXZnRlQqliyatoSjVgw4IQsUV_USwMPWeXSZy9RxjJzYSMfscOu8WQiGpQt1VRQxe7jEi-/s640/DSCN2392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have figured out why lawn scarification is so called - it is because when you have scarified the grass the resulting look is an absolutely 'scary' mess. Here Barney is carrying out the sterling work on a very dreary day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.....................................</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Giraffe sticks</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctVfYvHBk9qmmdgiG7KRvyFAX-lp711m9Tmi3jmNoOpvJVP7hbcJJ5I2Fe0lVmqMPsaVhr-3grXH2geTInN30pgxiPlmMOC4f4uB_ZU2aOdnNnH-WBKhEKKArMbi9JusXgo6hvNHxGt7u/s1600/2013-02-13+12.19.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctVfYvHBk9qmmdgiG7KRvyFAX-lp711m9Tmi3jmNoOpvJVP7hbcJJ5I2Fe0lVmqMPsaVhr-3grXH2geTInN30pgxiPlmMOC4f4uB_ZU2aOdnNnH-WBKhEKKArMbi9JusXgo6hvNHxGt7u/s640/2013-02-13+12.19.50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-voNOuZmCjrAQ-ckSP082MxxMEuoUehh3WZL1h8QF2MgY6kLEzRSpYbnXWov6JHmjaAZTqaHdK66KbQF5qyjTXTdbcXLDKpeDYNGpoBnqB3XALNzG-4ya8QPyq18WkLTUf775a1W4VRo/s1600/2013-02-13+12.16.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-voNOuZmCjrAQ-ckSP082MxxMEuoUehh3WZL1h8QF2MgY6kLEzRSpYbnXWov6JHmjaAZTqaHdK66KbQF5qyjTXTdbcXLDKpeDYNGpoBnqB3XALNzG-4ya8QPyq18WkLTUf775a1W4VRo/s640/2013-02-13+12.16.43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I turned back a pile of garden rubbish to start a fire to find these sticks underneath that had had their bark gnawed by either mice or voles or shrews. I am sure there is someone out there that is an expert on UK gnaw marks who can tell me which critter it was. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Bits and Bobs.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnyr2f4SHUNdZXX79dgvem9IKNNI0u3MfdykNEny2Opr0HNb0Hib-u2VJLlYIsOv_ObDo5zqj7JtBSobHIW0a3-vGmQyCZbKRqhrvI1TlHfvFB9ujdoKioyQv9j-8VeSWbi6YU2kiUvam/s1600/DSCN2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnyr2f4SHUNdZXX79dgvem9IKNNI0u3MfdykNEny2Opr0HNb0Hib-u2VJLlYIsOv_ObDo5zqj7JtBSobHIW0a3-vGmQyCZbKRqhrvI1TlHfvFB9ujdoKioyQv9j-8VeSWbi6YU2kiUvam/s640/DSCN2397.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
There has been a series on BBC TV here in the UK called 'The Story of Music' by Howard Goodall which for me was an immense success. And while not wanting to trivialise it in any way at all one of the things that sticks in my memory is the bit about Lurpak butter. If you know the product you will know it has a silver wrapper with the name <a href="http://www.lurpak.com/">Lurpak</a> on it, of course, and above the name is what I have always thought of as a rather quaint bit of embellishing artwork. However it turns out that the curly bit of the logo with a bossed plate on the end is in fact a representation of an early musical wind instrument the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsAHiiY7Rc0">Lur</a>. Hence Lurpak. It is a Viking instrument played in Norway since a very long time ago.<br />
I hear shouts of 'little things please little minds' and so they do but I don't care one tiny bit. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
................................................</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have ruined two laptop keyboards drooling over the site <a href="http://paradisexpress.blogspot.com/">Paradis Express</a>. It is a heavenly expression of all things beautiful in the garden. It is run by Delphine who gardens thirty or so kilometres north of Paris. Plunge into this site and you will never want to come out.<br />
<br />
Another entertaining blog is that of <a href="http://thetattoedgardener.wordpress.com/">the tatooed gardener.</a> Lots
of good info, good humour and if you are of a heavy metal bent lots of good
music.<o:p></o:p><br />
Another blog I read is that of <a href="http://anemonetimes.blogspot.com/">Helen
O'Donnell</a> who gardens in Vermont USA. Helen has some great pictures on her
site and it is a very good read. She also seems to have visited more gardens in the UK than I have. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
.......................................<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
In the last issue we had all manner of characters getting together to create a rural idyll and I suggested Sandy Shaw should gather a few people about her to create a seaside scene. Here are a few of her recruits so far.<br />
<br />
Michael Fish<br />
Cliff Richard<br />
The Lighthouse family<br />
George Segal<br />
Brian Ferry<br />
David Harbour<br />
Captain Haddock<br />
Beach Boys<br />
Desmond Deckchair and the Aces<br />
Piers Brosnan<br />
Jane Shrimpton<br />
Jackson Pollock<br />
<div>
Cod Almighty</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
............................................</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's that time of year when you start looking out for frog spawn and I found this in the murky depths of my .............</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvs1zM5slWAZcB6D_brIkXqOaMSV5CJzHLAauf_sqFI-x-g27J83IVj_kEh3vNzmzg7OunyPsSuh-g0VbTRmrCInvXEHRkIZR3PbnrIKQARFC0B2ezW32Afz1MgKBRM8fjWjawbNUvPD2/s1600/2013-02-11+12.47.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvs1zM5slWAZcB6D_brIkXqOaMSV5CJzHLAauf_sqFI-x-g27J83IVj_kEh3vNzmzg7OunyPsSuh-g0VbTRmrCInvXEHRkIZR3PbnrIKQARFC0B2ezW32Afz1MgKBRM8fjWjawbNUvPD2/s640/2013-02-11+12.47.50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...................mug of chicken noodle soup!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128248727577033495.post-88794914376994231282013-02-17T10:59:00.000-08:002013-03-04T23:19:01.358-08:00Lichen or lichen? Face of Jesus.Wildlife folklore, Earth Star,<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rather than tag it on the end I want to start with Any Other Business. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am gradually getting to grips with the technology of blogging but I have noticed that depending on which browser you use e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and the like, you might get a different presentation of the blog site. Some fonts don't translate from one service to another, for example my AC/DC font was okay on I.E. but failed on Chrome. Also on the mobile version the background image scrolls with the text making it impossible to read parts of it. Oh what woe! At the moment I have no idea how to overcome these problems but I am working on them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> To post a comment use the button that says 'Post a comment' at the very bottom of the last page of each blog. Don't use the Comments button at the top right of the page. That is to subscribe to a comments feed and is unduly complicated unless you are desperate to do it. I haven't figured how to remove it yet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> The pictures are all mine unless otherwise shown and copyright applies so please ask if you want to use any of them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My new postings are announced on twitter <complete id="goog_1896013563">@pwhorticulture</complete> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.....................................</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lichen or Lichen?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers sang, - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'You like tomayto I like tomarta, you like potayto and I like potarta, tomayto, tomarta, potayto, patarta , oh lets call the whole thing off...........' I sang, - 'You say Heushera , I say Heuchera, you say Weigelia ,I say Weigela, I say Clemaytis you say CLEMatis, you call it lichen and I call it liken, let's call the whole thing off. ' We'll leave the Heuchera , Weigela, and Clematis thing for another day and just deal with the lichen or liken issue. I looked it up in the dictionary to check out the phonetic pronunciation and it says, '' Pronounced lie-ken</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">( it was written out in those funny phonetic symbols but they don't come out well in this font and who actually understands them?) but sometimes said lichen </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in kitchen.'' So there you have it, you can please yourself. Hooray. Well not quite. Lichen comes from Greek and I am not a Greek scholar but I think they would say a hard ch ( Kick) rather than a soft ch ( Chin).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="IPA"></span></span></span></span>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatever you call them they are quite a piece of something. I say something because they are
not plants nor are they animals but a combination of two separate organisms, a
fungus and either an algae or sometimes
a cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria
are blue-green bacteria which can make energy from sunlight just like the
algae.The fungus and its symbiotic
partner get by mostly by the algae or bacteria providing
energy garnered from the sun and the fungus helps by retaining water and
providing a bigger area for capturing nutrients. The relationship is complex and that explanation is a big over simplification. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This symbiosis allows
them to occupy environmental niches that they could not survive in as separate entities. The algae
can live without the fungus but the fungus cannot live without the algae. It
has always puzzled me how such a mutually reliant existence allows them to reproduce when you have two different organisms involved but operating as one. It turns out that they can spread by vegetative means which means bits come off and establish
themselves in a new location but they also produce a type of spore which
contains a bit of both the algae and the fungus and this is dispersed by the wind. Where there is a
need evolution invariably finds a way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichens can withstand considerable desiccation
which allows them to colonise a wide range of often inhospitable
environments. The pictures below show them on wood, asbestos, and painted metal
which are not particularly inhospitable but certainly varied and providing very
little nutrition. . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This is not meant
to be a scientific look at lichens
because there are many and varied variations
on the lichen theme and their
life history can be complex. I am more
concerned by the beauty of their shape and colour. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a look at the <a href="http://www.britishlichensociety.org.uk/">British Lichen Society</a> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> website for comprehensive information. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dTslsxhNSE4opfZiv4rXbeXuABGzMa76FQxuSlgTMjFADpxUsEcRTrbYGysnd8wfYC-sMOsgvUFfwiTBSP6ON0m0GDniO-fL9RKTOt0Wxx_9gg7icXylgGtDbT0gS0Bm2GdEQ1Y1XBt7/s1600/DSCN2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dTslsxhNSE4opfZiv4rXbeXuABGzMa76FQxuSlgTMjFADpxUsEcRTrbYGysnd8wfYC-sMOsgvUFfwiTBSP6ON0m0GDniO-fL9RKTOt0Wxx_9gg7icXylgGtDbT0gS0Bm2GdEQ1Y1XBt7/s640/DSCN2199.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichens of many shapes and textures were clinging to an apple tree I pruned recently</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pictures below are all taken within a yard or two of each other and I would not be surprised if most times when you are outdoors that along with that rat we are always only a few feet away from you are not that far from a lichen. They are sensitive to air pollution so town dwellers might have to look a bit harder. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I live in Potter's Lane and this sign is typical of many where the sign cleaner never gets - thankfully. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCIxWRnfSdTGde7m5kFsMsRvTJ_9xRFQcr0IabycAqj90-XCe3-7ZDOE8t39Xkgw380Pa44T2TVACQbwvMV1spXewC72KTdf0B1aEdAPOsRP691vn1866bWXoM98-PbgQxTZF1ooXvdrB/s1600/DSCN2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCIxWRnfSdTGde7m5kFsMsRvTJ_9xRFQcr0IabycAqj90-XCe3-7ZDOE8t39Xkgw380Pa44T2TVACQbwvMV1spXewC72KTdf0B1aEdAPOsRP691vn1866bWXoM98-PbgQxTZF1ooXvdrB/s640/DSCN2254.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKGKe5VUSCbSMbN5KHdS5IbWMh_ghXpIetQEq4OpKZT2bJ9Vbgq5icUuw5myGzlnuV8SzN5DUXUZXODyPmImR1n3mklnh0Op2x3c2WvhNIZ9cs5uhja1Rnj0PV0DH4JpNAKzI3prf0eWl/s1600/DSCN2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKGKe5VUSCbSMbN5KHdS5IbWMh_ghXpIetQEq4OpKZT2bJ9Vbgq5icUuw5myGzlnuV8SzN5DUXUZXODyPmImR1n3mklnh0Op2x3c2WvhNIZ9cs5uhja1Rnj0PV0DH4JpNAKzI3prf0eWl/s640/DSCN2172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It would be perfect if the name of this lichen began with S........</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGWkvkZl_U8dFiK8VLQT1mXySBG2CrWvah4IcM4HJX-f5ztRRP69C1YevqomW2qmP-lMBXoqervI95cN-nuSTxqU0O7S-g37Ebpi5jBSpjCl6z-a8REi4tWIpWK9OYgevdnWtIp98bOCY/s1600/DSCN2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGWkvkZl_U8dFiK8VLQT1mXySBG2CrWvah4IcM4HJX-f5ztRRP69C1YevqomW2qmP-lMBXoqervI95cN-nuSTxqU0O7S-g37Ebpi5jBSpjCl6z-a8REi4tWIpWK9OYgevdnWtIp98bOCY/s640/DSCN2174.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.....and this one began with P.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The spattered, tiny, coral-like fragments on this P were finely detailed and sublime. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy3JMgrBirpI6yvnqPqInFMYz-FA4W_xgwimfvASz3kzkx-nag1N_nxph9lO1elfNiGIXs2ZsR-ZSx36XCEbZyDyTfgH2axx786kBWzYz5Mz_2LXF2-AnbqZgLCPoOsohAmrqvqJzzfhF/s1600/DSCN2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy3JMgrBirpI6yvnqPqInFMYz-FA4W_xgwimfvASz3kzkx-nag1N_nxph9lO1elfNiGIXs2ZsR-ZSx36XCEbZyDyTfgH2axx786kBWzYz5Mz_2LXF2-AnbqZgLCPoOsohAmrqvqJzzfhF/s640/DSCN2261.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I borrowed this T from the sign opposite because the lichens were better than on the T above.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMRjoPIeUNcTrxcrIYWgbXnPKPwrH-OJN3-0emiYwd2MVnwHBrmGydY4V_N4QordM39y636fMdl6Z4ny1cain158Aj-ACXaDk4VV51kfsqTLrfpzSMjRh6ROFF3QepxEW_LctptZU5jtt/s1600/DSCN2177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMRjoPIeUNcTrxcrIYWgbXnPKPwrH-OJN3-0emiYwd2MVnwHBrmGydY4V_N4QordM39y636fMdl6Z4ny1cain158Aj-ACXaDk4VV51kfsqTLrfpzSMjRh6ROFF3QepxEW_LctptZU5jtt/s640/DSCN2177.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen on stone wall 1</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieES1npbERlK8JAITLEfZHRrguyrBYSxTmXRjkSCsWC03C1-5HouvCcuPlOI7-prDXrkPFVe90e8G5cXIiAB5vYKXyIu3litE4iawsMnsEOhHJpgOsGq0JPwAXcwcycHzosfSgnMGsz6Xe/s1600/DSCN2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieES1npbERlK8JAITLEfZHRrguyrBYSxTmXRjkSCsWC03C1-5HouvCcuPlOI7-prDXrkPFVe90e8G5cXIiAB5vYKXyIu3litE4iawsMnsEOhHJpgOsGq0JPwAXcwcycHzosfSgnMGsz6Xe/s640/DSCN2179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen on stone wall 2</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgcTRWg4CLy13rlSaJ9Pc2vvixkn-ReOvz1V5mfx9-8tvmBg531o5Opxr5l8OmUiD9vyVrGpNpyNZZ43XO0t_T7Zzku5WLZjp0La3h7oym0wbOJFG270VQ00g0FwNJY9c3tnzgOwQcZH6/s1600/DSCN2178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgcTRWg4CLy13rlSaJ9Pc2vvixkn-ReOvz1V5mfx9-8tvmBg531o5Opxr5l8OmUiD9vyVrGpNpyNZZ43XO0t_T7Zzku5WLZjp0La3h7oym0wbOJFG270VQ00g0FwNJY9c3tnzgOwQcZH6/s640/DSCN2178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen on stone wall 3</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdv8vZGux-cCxaTMua-M0SwscqDmHPYoIizfQTZJC5lWqp-x5kA3ANirafRJcjQ5lA0TE5fuq1ZexOar3ppW8FWwne9mWmUtKVZ7-pTpzMrjxF0T1kj7NmgHHD241QwGEcTyeWVoJtJX9/s1600/DSCN2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdv8vZGux-cCxaTMua-M0SwscqDmHPYoIizfQTZJC5lWqp-x5kA3ANirafRJcjQ5lA0TE5fuq1ZexOar3ppW8FWwne9mWmUtKVZ7-pTpzMrjxF0T1kj7NmgHHD241QwGEcTyeWVoJtJX9/s640/DSCN2180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichens on wooden bench 1</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadkfrRWmG_DAA9NE3QbyT6iqERwadgt2SqQc0PriUuKl2IaCEGH33CiRIWcSD6_rrahh0GWERutJdqsnXHXbNHKZqnDWWHos3BvqU7or7yqbSmcSYWituOh08ZE1qfd66E8O4lRPfOXh3/s1600/DSCN2183+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadkfrRWmG_DAA9NE3QbyT6iqERwadgt2SqQc0PriUuKl2IaCEGH33CiRIWcSD6_rrahh0GWERutJdqsnXHXbNHKZqnDWWHos3BvqU7or7yqbSmcSYWituOh08ZE1qfd66E8O4lRPfOXh3/s640/DSCN2183+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichens on wooden bench 2 </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gnjYIbgMQwwqRsgkWtnqxg4hNeLy72GEAeYhA5qKy_lasLQ3Kb0_6HIDKILptSMkwqy_f0jj67CWCnuWcTcozCBNL26tvtI6qFEFg43WUmbdteKkyKFJJwSqtt3gDzDXp76F2CpiusH4/s1600/DSCN2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gnjYIbgMQwwqRsgkWtnqxg4hNeLy72GEAeYhA5qKy_lasLQ3Kb0_6HIDKILptSMkwqy_f0jj67CWCnuWcTcozCBNL26tvtI6qFEFg43WUmbdteKkyKFJJwSqtt3gDzDXp76F2CpiusH4/s640/DSCN2188.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen on asbestos shed. 1 (Can you spot the face of Jesus?)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFv3JCd6tf8YVd8fjrXO-maWwniKPCAFvV3fVQBpH3amcyKZhGtVUAsDvuHmQAlNr7vg_O0thh-k5WnIel72YJiP5Ptxb9FZz1pNfS2TcWmAbLmtPHNSBWdDtfxKCA5V0fcbwZVsKZdPi/s1600/DSCN2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFv3JCd6tf8YVd8fjrXO-maWwniKPCAFvV3fVQBpH3amcyKZhGtVUAsDvuHmQAlNr7vg_O0thh-k5WnIel72YJiP5Ptxb9FZz1pNfS2TcWmAbLmtPHNSBWdDtfxKCA5V0fcbwZVsKZdPi/s640/DSCN2189.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen on asbestos shed 2 or is it a picture of the cosmos or is it just a boring picture? You decide.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sometime get asked to look at 'diseased' shrubs to advise on what can be done only to find that the plant in question is just covered in lichens. It is usually on old shrubs where the lichen has had time to get well established. The lichen does not penetrate the plants and does no harm. This also applies to ivy on trees. The ivy takes nothing from the tree but does make branches heavier and more likely to break off in high winds or when laden with snow. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4jTO53dhXX4pPB8hWPmDGSIWud8TePnGW2UagCuJ9iP2SjPYScmRgrAbBsjCzvXwcT74-r8wSMJ6K1ExoaHYELpolVvGdNPFPtNHuSKDLybrhY9DeHxI4RGUKz1XPohosdCgvxKoey9_/s1600/DSCN2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4jTO53dhXX4pPB8hWPmDGSIWud8TePnGW2UagCuJ9iP2SjPYScmRgrAbBsjCzvXwcT74-r8wSMJ6K1ExoaHYELpolVvGdNPFPtNHuSKDLybrhY9DeHxI4RGUKz1XPohosdCgvxKoey9_/s640/DSCN2248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen on this small, round leaved deciduous Lilac, <a href="http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1897">Syringa meyeri var spontanea 'Palibin'</a> gives it </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a frosted look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...............................................................................</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earth S</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">tar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a curious little fellow. It is an earth star fungus and more specifically the Arched Earth Star and more scientifically Geastrum fornicatum. Ge = earth as in geology, astrum = star as in Per ardua ad astra and fornicatum as in, well, what are you expecting? It means arched or vaulted. Wikipedia tells us about fornication - 'It is a common belief that the origin of the word derives
from Latin. The word fornix means "an archway" or "vault"
and it became a common euphemism for a brothel as prostitutes could be
solicited in the vaults beneath Rome. More directly, fornicatio means
"done in the archway," perhaps a reference to prostitution.' Well, well, well, the things you learn from a lowly fungus. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dXQKMguPftasFufApjcMD6Tnyofs273vDslM43smfxHpf2i4ZXi1cZ2Ll1mH7c5RjKZgvTCcGl0vmZehynG2FBfTkcFwxe9SWYvxPHxTsbsVGqUqZu-KOYEewg0tonoJW0-fhqHtPWnt/s1600/Jan+20130003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dXQKMguPftasFufApjcMD6Tnyofs273vDslM43smfxHpf2i4ZXi1cZ2Ll1mH7c5RjKZgvTCcGl0vmZehynG2FBfTkcFwxe9SWYvxPHxTsbsVGqUqZu-KOYEewg0tonoJW0-fhqHtPWnt/s640/Jan+20130003.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.............................................................</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wildlife folklore </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently asked a friend,Phill Clayton, if he fancied contributing to this blog. He did and here it is below.<br /> Phill is an accomplished wildlife photographer and very knowledgeable naturalist. He has logged several species of wildlife never before recorded in South Warwickshire and built up a comprehensive picture library of the wildlife of the local area through birds, flowers and insects. He is a keen conservationist and one of the main movers in the <a href="http://www.stourvalleywildlifeactiongroup.org/">Stour Valley Wildlife Action Group</a> . Much of his work can be seen on their website. (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The group also has a Facebook page.) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a valuable resource for those interested in the well being of their countryside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take it away Phill. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">''After reading the various posts I thought, having an interest in the natural world, I would like to add a slant in that direction!</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A slant perhaps at a tangent that delves more into folklore and myth. Why? Because we have learned much about the natural world over the centuries culminating in some fantastic video footage of species' life cycles that are even stranger than fiction. However, this interest lies in how our ancestors tried to make sense of the living things around them, within the constraints of their times! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably the most familiar of our wildlife, are the birds we see around our gardens and local countryside!</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can attempt to see these through the eyes of the ancients who wrote about them with, in some cases, great detail. </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Christ was crucified it is said that the Crossbill drew out the nails to release Christ and this is how it has a deformed bill, The red markings are the blood of Christ from their efforts to free him. Swallows it was believed, flew off with the nails so they couldn't be used again! It was the Sparrow that followed them and brought them back and for punishment had their legs fixed together invisibly so now they can only hop and never run again. Thus, it was a sin to kill the swallow and some believed that if a farmer does this his cows will yield blood instead of milk!</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Religion was of course one of the great constraints of these times!)</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Nisus, the King of Megara, had a daughter called Scylla who for the love of Minos betrayed her father and country. On realising her betrayal she threw herself into the sea in despair and was changed into a lark. This doomed her to be pursued forever by her father who changed into a hawk……….<i>The species name for the sparrow hawk is Accipiter nisus! </i> </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The Cuckoo or Gowk, has been the subject of much folklore. Where did it go in winter, where did it nest, why did it change its song, why did it eat other birds eggs? Why did grasshoppers hatch from its spittle?</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The attempts to answer all of these conundrums were quite varied, some believed that cuckoos turned into hawks in the winter (The barred breast of the cuckoo is quite Sparrow hawk-like!). Others believed it hibernated in this country, either in the mud at the bottom of ponds, or would lose its feathers and hide in the hollows in trees and looked like an owl. (Tawny owls nest early in hollows so finding young owlets could explain this!) It was also thought that the cuckoo arrived here on the backs of Kites as their flight was poor! (This probably came about as a coincidence in arrival time!) Some believed a Cuckoo could not sing until it had eaten the egg of a small bird. (Cuckoos do take birds eggs, this is to make room in the nest of the host parents for its own egg, so a thread of truth!) The tiny soft bodied Frog-hopper larvae that secrete the protective foamy substance we know as Cuckoo spit are most evident in the months the Cuckoo sings so again it seems the two must be associated by pure coincidence!</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But why did these stories come about?</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Explaining why a bird like the cuckoo, (which would have been very common back then!) made itself so obviously present within the few months of summer and then apparently disappearing completely, must have been quite important. For a better or wise person having to explain to a lesser being that you didn't know the answer would never do! So explanations were created. </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess by now us commoners should be used to the tales we have been spun by our peers ever since!'' </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Phill. </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
......................................................................</div>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnj3BkupzvbsdZTgsR7DXWvTDGJK9G1y7hU06kd7Sb4p-8CgPOxT_k0wo0eoc_0TxYDnTRtZM2MPSpDZg7vCHhfJ4TFkOx-EylBS4DtLF61gNIbyAKtxiCT23vZbl70WtXgpu9LMsuiXs/s1600/DSCN2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnj3BkupzvbsdZTgsR7DXWvTDGJK9G1y7hU06kd7Sb4p-8CgPOxT_k0wo0eoc_0TxYDnTRtZM2MPSpDZg7vCHhfJ4TFkOx-EylBS4DtLF61gNIbyAKtxiCT23vZbl70WtXgpu9LMsuiXs/s640/DSCN2193.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Face of Jesus. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've all seen it haven't we? Pull a slice of toast out of the toaster and there it is the face of Jesus, spill milk on the table and there it is again; just about to take a sip and there it is, the face of Jesus, in the froth of our pint of Guinness. Well, I was knocking apart an old pallet the other day and there it was, the face of Jesus, but what I hadn't realised was that he smoked. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">..............................</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Winter wonders.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPzhwrQYerfHEXfIiJyvA6x5-0wm69iuJnrvFD1J7wgrwViwZVRv3-5WAsaMG4jyeFs1Lp6G-i6fSphePc-bpxu0s-JK4XCfbixngECBdusAIl3lo4iYrDBdh0fRrimnyzBgg8-XDX6wE/s1600/DSCN2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPzhwrQYerfHEXfIiJyvA6x5-0wm69iuJnrvFD1J7wgrwViwZVRv3-5WAsaMG4jyeFs1Lp6G-i6fSphePc-bpxu0s-JK4XCfbixngECBdusAIl3lo4iYrDBdh0fRrimnyzBgg8-XDX6wE/s640/DSCN2135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one of the few variegated plants I get excited by. I grow it alongside the path to the house to cheer me as I go by. It is reliable and bright and clean throughout the year but seems particularly so in the winter when it shines out against dark wet earth and bedraggled plant debris. It even looks good through the snow. Yucca filamentosa 'Golden Sword', try it. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEeacwTrsWjO79Wm_PFxIxj4Zr9nCLazf8hI26rXcfNHrdKx1KxX_EOa0O-q0FARpRdmoNMq-0zXfY-P32S0jLqmsfm-_Oj4ngvhYuUCu66B2FSAFIehelhIErEg8M5StwVf7FludRWR9/s1600/DSCN2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEeacwTrsWjO79Wm_PFxIxj4Zr9nCLazf8hI26rXcfNHrdKx1KxX_EOa0O-q0FARpRdmoNMq-0zXfY-P32S0jLqmsfm-_Oj4ngvhYuUCu66B2FSAFIehelhIErEg8M5StwVf7FludRWR9/s640/DSCN2222.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-KCQStUbGNgOXGU3v5l-6i_vHr_fjEAA3_vSxqJz72LAHZleOQJ-lkyEjvp_mlU6wSXQxGkU1OBTI7O5YB3DDDma96etpQUa67kRMt0AGBveJTUMiztzokq1dYsd0c-URtGFx_1A_4JA/s1600/DSCN2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-KCQStUbGNgOXGU3v5l-6i_vHr_fjEAA3_vSxqJz72LAHZleOQJ-lkyEjvp_mlU6wSXQxGkU1OBTI7O5YB3DDDma96etpQUa67kRMt0AGBveJTUMiztzokq1dYsd0c-URtGFx_1A_4JA/s640/DSCN2223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are two rather poor pictures of a plant I have overlooked for much of my gardening life. Leucojum vernum This plant has been flowering from mid to late January through February in the UK Midlands. Snowdrops fit in well with winter, they look cold with their pure white flowers and blue tinted foliage but this plant has the luxuriance of a summer flowering bulb.The foliage is dense and a rich dark green and the white flowers, held well above the leaves, are perked up with bright yellow anthers and petals with yellowy green tips. It is called the Spring Snowflake but it is too early and far too warm to be called either Spring or Snowflake Don't miss out on it like I have all these years, track one down in readiness for next winter. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI0pOBnTjO3vciX1-nQyrRyVKpAx4Nkn2j_UCMkjlmvAUgZeVjP0lt4PqbWouhKTkCdDwVBzmuSCAo69g2QF5BUuRrrpWsiUkTu3Rg70arDSMWHJrqn52RaoLXo7mwTiIwZPvbllllew9/s1600/DSCN2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI0pOBnTjO3vciX1-nQyrRyVKpAx4Nkn2j_UCMkjlmvAUgZeVjP0lt4PqbWouhKTkCdDwVBzmuSCAo69g2QF5BUuRrrpWsiUkTu3Rg70arDSMWHJrqn52RaoLXo7mwTiIwZPvbllllew9/s640/DSCN2251.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Flowering it's head off in early February Cornus mas must rate only just behind Hammamelis, Witch Hazel, but ahead of most everything else for winter colour. It is a deciduous, hardy, large shrub/small tree that tolerates a wide range of conditions and if you are desperate enough you can make jelly from its berries though it needs a warm spot to fruit regularly.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.................</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY6v0o7K9k7H30AhWDIFq30rTeEky1ch1U-p65r9LgTo2c4jYLh_5Lt7PEW3Y9iMG_hbEvkV5aAJoHlA5Z-CpoA5hzo862cczQ_LWyOhmrz8DwDHjZnL7T2eiyYgMX9PdKWQeWsaLMHtN/s1600/DSCN2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY6v0o7K9k7H30AhWDIFq30rTeEky1ch1U-p65r9LgTo2c4jYLh_5Lt7PEW3Y9iMG_hbEvkV5aAJoHlA5Z-CpoA5hzo862cczQ_LWyOhmrz8DwDHjZnL7T2eiyYgMX9PdKWQeWsaLMHtN/s640/DSCN2280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is that time of the year when everyone writes about Hellebores. Here's my contribution. This is a fabulously dark selection from <a href="http://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/">Ashwoods Nurseries</a> Not only are the flowers so very dark but the new foliage is a rich chocolate purple. It is exquisite. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0xZqrzTVTu7O92BsiurY-EWKInYFCp727sr7FGPwpjUApayUoWjIO_ynhfKDPtQpzA5eLzPajSGaihoclZdD5K6_3gNWz3rQjrTxKaPZa7npg8wd9bAlxdsUh5x6y5dyDsmUdY4Qja0o/s1600/DSCN2276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0xZqrzTVTu7O92BsiurY-EWKInYFCp727sr7FGPwpjUApayUoWjIO_ynhfKDPtQpzA5eLzPajSGaihoclZdD5K6_3gNWz3rQjrTxKaPZa7npg8wd9bAlxdsUh5x6y5dyDsmUdY4Qja0o/s640/DSCN2276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> There is a lesson to be learned in this picture. Because we had a great heap of them I used felled tree chippings as a mulch. It certainly works well as a weed suppressant and helps retain soil moisture in this free draining sandy soil but it can be distracting when you want to appreciate some of the smaller plants growing through it. Once the plants are up and their own foliage acts as a background to their flowers it is fine but in early spring when the likes of snowdrops, hellebores, species tulips and Cyclamen coum are doing their best to be seen they can be lost against the jumble of shapes and colours of the mulch. It will take several seasons before the mulch breaks down sufficiently for its colour to darken. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another lesson is that when you cut back your old hellebore leaves in winter try not to leave stubby bits of stem showing;it spoils the effect.( I am in a quandary, should that be effect or affect? Help me out English scholars.) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.............................</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bits and Bobs</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> e</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ngineers overheard at Job Centre.... 'Drilling is boring'....... 'I went for a job as a lathe operator. I got turned down.'</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the UK there are several genera of Woodlice, those small ancient looking insects that creep around in damp and shady places. One of the genera is Armadillidium which is a great name to pronounce, but, better still, they are classified in the section Armadillidiidae - is that an insect or a traditional Irish fiddle tune?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.........</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">President Carter, Gracie Fields, Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Charlotte Church, Jenny Meadows, Tim Shepherd, Helen Brook, Billy Twelvetrees, Joan Rivers, Stonewall Jackson, John Farmer, Jim Dale and Giant Haystacks all stand shoulder to shoulder to create a rural idyll. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyone else we should include?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sandy Shaw could start a seaside scene.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">THE END</span></div>
Paul Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857958003177118660noreply@blogger.com3