Gardening Friends

Click to Enlarge Photos

I've been thinking about Anny Scoones and wondering if Glamorgan Farm  is prospering. We're friends you know...I've lived with her in spirit on her heritage farm near Victoria Airport, as she struggled "restoring the old barns, log by log" as she writes in her book, "Home, Tales of a Heritage Farm". Anny doesn't know me of course, but I feel I know her. It's that way with authors, who share a personal story that touches you, they become your friends.

While reading "The $64.00 Tomato" I murmured to William Alexander, "I did just that very same thing"... spent so much for soil and worked so hard to make things right and by the end of it, calculated my tomato likely cost $64.00 as well. Oh we are good friends William and I, lamenting our finances while laughing our socks off at the ridiculousness of it all.

Now, Charles Dudley Warner, "My Summer in a Garden", was a little harder to get to know. You see, he was born in 1829 and died in 1900...a bit of an "ages" difference there! He does contemplate whether women should have the vote but, he shared his trials and tribulations with me, a mere woman, and do you know, his challenges are the same as mine!! Oh how we suffered together but oh how we rejoiced as well.

Beverley Nichols was a delight..just the best friend ever..witty, brilliant, colorful and well...the type of man you don't mind going to bed with..to read of course. I have only one of his books "Garden Open Today" but how I enjoyed it. "Love makes things grow the greenest" he states...wouldn't you agree?

Have you read Des Kennedy and his first book "Crazy About Gardening"? He begins by stating "all gardeners are nuts" and we only have to "ask a person who doesn't garden but lives with someone who does"... I will tell you honestly, I read this book and laughed till I cried. He is rather brilliant but I do wish Des had written more books like this. The rest were good..but...well, as friends, we grew apart, sadly.

Now Monty...ummmm...do you know Monty Don? He's kinda handsome..yup...married, sorry. But, he has his struggles let me tell you. Just read "The Jewel Garden", 'a story of despair and redemption'. Oh...been there Monty...despair, redemption..oh we could be such close confidants but..well...I know you are busy, traveling the world visiting eighty gardens. You're tired..I understand.

One of the last friends I would like to introduce is Charles Elliott...an American in England. I particularly enjoyed "More Papers from The Potting Shed".  Regarding Christopher Lloyd for instance..Charles states that "Lloyd proved over and over that he not only knew more about horticulture than almost anyone else, but was also prepared to learn more..to experiment, challenge, break rules".  Well isn't that just me all over))), the experiment and challenge bit, definitely not the knowing about horticulture. Am I  like Christopher Lloyd even a titchy bit??..... Charles, you are too kind.

Books ARE the best, friends.

Thanks Garden Girl..you inspired.

Winter Greetings!

  
Winter Greetings! Can one be upbeat about winter? When you live in Nova Scotia, on Canada's east coast, you just put up with winter, embrace it in fact..no question. We always hope it won't last too long and as a gardener, really hope severe weather systems miss us and the plot doesn't suffer too much.

Sometimes, we have such beautiful snow days, with gorgeous sun and blue shadows, it makes you all melty (see, positive thoughts..melt snow melt!). Today was the first time in ages I wore a light fleece jacket; sunshine warmed my cheeks and lady bugs hatched in the summerhouse....yes they did!!

The snow has climbed almost to the top of the pickets and when you compare with the photo below, you can appreciate how much snow is out there.

The soil in the cold frame covered raised bed below (yes it is raised))), registered fifty degrees F today and the greens are still alive inside.

Looking out to the Atlantic on the drive home, I was thinking....a full four season environment is just fine by me. Sure it isn't always peaceful, but when it is..and when you stop to absorb the beauty, listen to the cracking of the ice, feel the heat of the sun on your bones....it's Bliss.

Show Color and Favourite Flower

Click on photos to enlarge...these are Russell Lupines

My thoughts are still brimming with color, texture and style ideas.... and ....the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show. If you have ever thought of attending...DO IT)))) There's still plenty of time to book your flight and take "the tour". I linked to one but there are plenty out there.

So drawn to the high impact color specimen displays, I must have taken hundreds of photos.  Do you fancy seeing a few from 2005? Not many...I don't want to bore you but, it is nice to share don't you think and it is so cold and white outside.



The Great Pavilion is, as they say, "The Centerpiece" of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. World class plant specialists and growers absolutely amaze the many thousands of visiting public with their skill and knowledge. 

However do they make these bouquets stand out, so full, lush and beautiful, dripping in blooms, virtual mountains of beauty. These are Aquilegia ..Columbine..."granny bonnets".....one of my favourite flowers.

But, my all time favourite flower....sweet peas...so beautiful and almost always, delightfully fragrant. Just look at these bouquets.

If you can't get to Chelsea, rest assured Nova Scotia communities have wonderful and sometimes competitive displays as well. Entering specimens or arrangements is quite thrilling and satisfying...just plain fun even without the competition side of it and there's always tea you know)))). Folks can join clubs all through the province and you only need to look here to find a garden club near you.