April is usually the month where the garden springs back into life, and this year is no exception, despite the cool rainy weather everything is bursting back into life. So with a camera in hand I had a wander round the garden this evening, purely for the enjoyment of having a look at everything. Something just taking the time to look at the garden without having a job to do can be a rewarding experience.
In no particular order here's a selection of what caught my eye this evening.
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| Newly emerging leaves from Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Rex' |
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| An unknown variety of Acer |
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| Arum italicum 'Pictum' We get a double flush of leaves each year |
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| Aspidistra elatior |
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| Unfurling fern frond |
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| Unfurling fronds of Cyrtomium falcatum |
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| Schefflera taiwaniana |
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| Heuchera 'Creme Brulee' |
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| Felis catus 'Twinkles' |
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| Syneilesis palmata |
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| The pathway has had a spring spruce up with fresh gravel. |
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| The unusual orange berries on Hedera helix 'Poetica Arborea' |
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| Ligularia japonica |
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| Aralia elata 'Aureovariegata' |
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| Veratrum album |
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| I love the way this Acer palmatum purpurea holds its new leaves. |
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| Pieris japonica |
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| Fatsia polycarpa (deeply cut form) from Crug Farm Plants. |
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| Ripening seeds on Fatsia japonica |
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| Aesculus parviflora |
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| Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' (and friend!) |
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| Rhododendron sinogrande |
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| Graptopetalum paraguayense |
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| The undulating form of Scleranthus uniflorus |
I did get carried away, so apologies to anyone still on dial up :)
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
There are some really cool looking photos in there. Both one Acer is very unusual. Haven't seen leaves like that on one before. The cat looks like it's ready to pounce something. Your pathway looks wonderful all spruced up and ready for the season.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I am very impressed! Everything looks fresh and very alive! I love your Arum italicum. Mine is very small and doesn't spread fast. Any secrets? My plants grow in relatevely dry soil.
ReplyDeleteYou truly have the most magnificent collection of plants.
ReplyDeleteFelis catus 'Twinkles' also thinks that those fern fronds look suspiciously alien! Who knows what they might turn into at night?
Gaz, this is the first time since I am following your blog that I get a really good impression of the plants that you guys are growing. They are plain gorgeous and you really have a great way of photographic them. Thanks for this wonderful tour through your plant jungle. Looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Amazing that all of those are in your garden....
ReplyDeleteI love your garden, Boys. In fact, can I have it? Will you give it to me? Go make another one and give me this one. Please. No? Oh well, worth a try. The 'cut' fatsia is lovely (to pick just one plant). Dave
ReplyDeletePick just one ? - pictum
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought the first fern picture was crumpled up plastic, it took me a second to realize it was in fact a fern.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine having a garden like this for myself, I think my head would explode with joy.
What a fab range of photos! I love taking a tour around the garden and peering at everything that is going on: even though my garden is really only three metres by one metre!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs. It's good to take time out and just look sometimes, isn't it? Sometimes I'm so busy heaving stuff about, I forget what it's all for.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of Twinkles - do you think cats notice emerging foliage as well?
The rain drops makes everything look so fresh. I especially loved the view down your pathway. Just lovely. I can imagine that walking down it is a slow pleasure, taking in every little detail.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures and the plants!
ReplyDeleteAdam - Broken Arrow Nursery
Cher, Thanks for the comments, we love that Acer, it has a very different look to most others. The only thing Twinkles pounced on was me :) We usually top dress the pathways every so often and this year its made a real difference, amazing how much gravel is lost and what a difference some fresh makes.
ReplyDeleteTatyana, the only secret is plenty of water, although the arums are generally left to get on with things for themselves.
Gerhard, thanks, Twinkles does seem to enjoy the garden a lot at the moment!
Christina, glad you enjoyed the tour, we dont always remember to post as general garden pics as often as we should. Will make sure we post a few more frequently.
Loree, theres always room for one more plant!
David, as you asked so nicely.... no! :) :)
b-a-g, the pictum is a nice one, but why pick just one!
ReplyDeleteTom, the fern doesnt quite look real does it. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Isabel, its amazing what you can fit into a space, no matter how big or small. Glad you liked the photos.
Victoria, sometimes you just need to step back and find time to enjoy the garden, you can get so caught up in creating it that you miss things. We have found that a lot lately with the pond project taking up so much of our time.
Holley, there is something special about a garden just after it rains (or even during!) Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Adam, thanks, glad you liked the plant tour!
These are amazing photos, especially the close-ups. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin, glad you like them :)
ReplyDeleteYour garden is so lush, Gaz. All these new shoots and leaves unfurling. I never tire of looking at(and photographing)all the new growth especially the ferns. There's something magical about them opening.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, me too, love seeing the new fronds of ferns unfurling. Can't wait for all of them to flush as the garden will look very lush and leafy again once they do :)
ReplyDeleteYou seem to like them big in your garden, really biiiig! and i love that last one!
ReplyDeleteArrrrghgh! Now you've got me looking at arum and ligularia! They are great tropical but hardy plants!!! OK, I will put them on the list in my onenote....hide the card!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, we certainly do like them big! :)
ReplyDeleteMotormouth, glad to introduce you to some more plants for your garden.
Hey...after seeing your picture..I thought I would return the favor....look at this ligularia I dont think you have...on sale!!! http://www.coblands.co.uk/plant/ligularia-dentata--britt-marie-crawford
ReplyDeleteHi Motormouth, thanks for the link. Britt Marie Crawford is a lovely Ligularia, and we do have one tucked away in the garden :) :)
ReplyDelete