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Country cottage garden

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  • SlumSlum Posts: 385

    That looks lovely Lizzie. Is that an old wall running down the middle?

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096

    Amazing job - very inspiring to see the progress. There's hope for us all.

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,042

    It's on a slope so it's terraced with limestone retaining walls.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385

    Back from a week in Norfolk and it was amazing to see the changes in just a week. There has been plenty of rain in the last couple of weeks and the garden has loved it. This is the view as you approach the back door from where we park. Everything is looking so lush.

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    The next photo can be compared to the one above taken a month ago. I think it helps to demonstrate the growth in that time. 

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    ...and some close ups...

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    ...it is certainly not a garden for those looking for restraint in the planting image

    The next is Buddleja x weyeriana 'Moonlight'. I bought it as a cutting from ebay - it was supposed to be Buddleja globosa image. Not a problem as the bumble bees love it and I spotted a globosa locally and taken a couple of cuttings.

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    One of the pleasing things is how many butterflies there are in the garden this year compared to last - a big increase. Caterpillars are currently munching through some of the nasturtiums - I planted plenty so they're welcome to a few. 

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,042

    It is looking gorgeous, Slum. Where did you go in Norfolk? That's where I am at the moment. We've just been to the Sandringham Flower Show, really enjoyed it.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385

    Thanks Lizzie. We stayed at Stiffkey - great part of Norfolk, close to Wells. We too visited Sandringham but before the flower show. I've just put some pictures of it here: http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/the-potting-shed/garden-visits-2017/996776-5.html . We also visited the stunning walled garden at Felbrigg House and the private Hindringham House which is open through the NGS. I'd recommend both of them if you're still in the area.

  • Mags2Mags2 Posts: 35

    Your garden is a treat for the eyes Slum  How did your open day go?  We have just dug up what will be the vegetable garden in order to get mains water to the house.  A lot to do but really looking forward to the challenge.  Have approx. 100 packets of seeds to sow, must get that green house.

  • SlumSlum Posts: 385

    Thanks Mags. The open gardens went really well. The village raised over £5,000 for the upkeep of the village church and a brain tumour charity. Some visitors didn't manage to find our garden as we are just outside the village so we know to improve the signage next year. Having said that we had a steady stream of visitors all afternoon, it was nice to get to talk gardening with so many people. One visitor had lived in the house 50 years ago so it was interesting chatting with him about his memories of the house and garden. 

    It sounds like you have a challenge ahead with 100 packets of seed to sow. Are you going to post a thread with the creation of your veg garden?

  • Mags2Mags2 Posts: 35

    Hiya Slum. Sounds like you  had a fabulous day.  Yes we have got just over 3 acres to sort out plus a muddy pond full of fish.  We are really lucky to have fruit and nut trees and all kinds of currants and berries.  In the last few days I have cleared and mulched around the berries.  We have also filled in the trenches that were dug in order to get mains water to the house.  I have taken some photos in order to chart our progress and will post them when I get organised.  Have just moved from the Czech Rep. to Slovakia and still can't find anything.  Keep up the good work, your progress is very encouraging.

  • SlumSlum Posts: 385

    It has been almost a month since my last update and the garden continues to grow. 

    I've planted up another new area that sits at the back of the lawned area - behind the chairs in the photo I posted on 26th July. This photo shows the spot as I inherited it.

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    My dad had stripped some of it out and left me with this old climbing rose that had nothing to climb up. 

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    I reshaped the lawn edge making the bed a little bigger, planted and mulched with garden compost. 

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    The plants include astrantia, geum, echinacea, rudbeckia, dianthus, geranium, polemonium, oriental poppy and calamagrostis. There are also plenty of daffodil bulbs still in there that got moved around a bit in the clearing and planting. I'm already looking forward to next summer to see how it turns out! I'm contemplating lifting the canopy and/or shaping the yew tree a little. I believe the time to do it is during the winter.

    Overall I'm really happy with how it is all coming along.

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