Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Mark and Gaz
You know that feeling when you just woke from a long, restful sleep. Still feeling tired, groggy, a bit disoriented, with your eyes still feeling a bit heavy, knowing that it will take some time to feel fully awake, perhaps needing a warm shower or a strong cup of coffee to kick start that process...
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| Schefflera aff. chapana |
Well I had that similar feeling when I walked around the garden last weekend. It was another cold one but it was sunny at least and the promise of spring was definitely there, or perhaps a preview of it.
At the moment I still don't know what approach to take with the garden this year, in the coming growing season. I feel that I need to reconnect with the rest of the garden again. For the last two years the remainder of the garden took second fiddle to the main priority which was the pond build. And now the pond build is almost over and I find myself having the time to think about the main garden again, more so than before. Perhaps to the same level as it was before the pond build.
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| Bluebells arising |
The new area and old one will be one entity this year, level with each other. No first or second fiddle, they are now regarded together as a whole. Old and new area, they are both our gardens, it's just the new one has a big pond...
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| Schefflera aff. myriocarpa |
So I need to reconnect, I need some time to re tune myself to the welcome change of dynamics. And upon waking up from a winter gardening slumber I found myself facing the garden on a cold and sunny weekend and suddenly realizing, yes spring is almost here. But I'm still feeling groggy....
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| Schefflera rhododendrifolia and Daphniphyllum pentandrum |
Groggy from winter slumber, groggy from building a pond. But a great kind of groggy for I know once I fully woken up I will be refreshed.
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| Trochododendron aralioides (Taiwan) |
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| Trochodendron aralioides (Japan) |
But I'm still lacking in ideas. They are there somewhere and I know I'll find them once I have fully woken up. First things first, clear the area and tidy up from the effects of winter and I may find that ideas will come in quicker and much easier once most of the clearing up has been done.
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| Fatsia polycarpa |
Time to wake up, time to have some coffee and carry on gardening.
Mark :-)
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.
You describe this time of year just right - we're all a little groggy from winter's rest, and need to wake up. Love those emerging bluebells! It will be fun for you to focus on the parts of the garden you haven't been working on lately. Your garden juices will be flowing soon - you just need a little more coffee! ;)
ReplyDeleteCoffee and topped up with tea throughout the day Holley :) Those bluebells were just a small clump when we moved in, and have remained such until this spring when they seemed to have spread out with vigour.
DeleteI am sure the ideas will come, and they will be fabulous... :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so College Gardener! :)
DeleteNothing like rolling up the sleeves and getting hands in dirt to jump-start the creative machinery.
ReplyDeleteWe're counting on you to inspire us.
Thanks ricki! And from you too! Lots of inspiring gardeners out there :)
DeleteWonderful description of this time of year. You'll be fully awake soon as will your garden. I've only seen superb ideas in your garden. Sometimes the plants tell you what to do.
ReplyDeleteHow true is that Peter, sometimes it's actually the plants that tell you what to do. I suppose we are still on a limbo here, in that period between the end of winter and start of spring so it can get tricky. Can't wait for the first warm spell, hopefully soon :)
DeleteI think I'm having the opposite reaction, as though I jumped out of bed wide awake to discover it's only 1am and I need to go back to sleep (I feel as though it should be May not March). I can understand though how odd it must be to have that HUGE project just about complete. So much open time ahead of you to fill...
ReplyDelete(Continuing the sleep metaphor having read this just before I bedtime I'm certain I'll be dreaming of your beautiful Scheffleras)
Oh to have that sense of excitement Loree! I'm hoping to get that feeling sense, I just have to be patient I suppose, I'll get it eventually :)
DeleteWho knows what's in store there Schefflera wise this year. Cross fingers more will be available there this year, it's long over due!
It will all fall in place now that you've included your hardscape. It always makes you relook at what you have and what you want different. You've had such a huge project that has been all consuming, now you look forward to enhancing it. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
It's nice to be on the enhancement stage Cher :) A few teething problems may come our way with the new pond but hopefully they will be easy to sort out.
DeleteA whole new phase, I bet you find yourself looking at the garden in a slightly different way having been a little "elsewhere" in focus terms for a while. Sounds rather exciting actually. I remember going back to our old house after a year away and gradually falling back in love with the garden and coming up with new plans. You have so many great plants and features, I am betting it will be more small tweaks than wholesale revolution, either way hope you enjoy getting to know one another again!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet :) It's a strange feeling actually, like I'm rediscovering the garden all over again. I think that's a really good thing too, bringing with it a sense of excitement like how it was in the earlier years (only this time with more mature plants).
DeleteIt must have been lovely seeing your old garden again, must have brought back lots of memories too :)
I can imagine its a great releif to be finished with such a large project, but very satisfying. (Wakey, Wakey) now thats just a cue for me to recall The Billy Cotton Bandshow. Nah, your too young to remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alistair :) Yes I had to google that!
DeleteI've been feeling like I've just woken up too, Boys. Suddenly the ground is dry (and not frozen), things are bursting into life and there is simply tons to do. Pressure is on and I'm not sure I even have time for coffee! Dave
ReplyDeleteSuddenly there seems a lot to do isn't it David? It can get manic indeed. We've sort of started with the tidy up at least but there's more to do. More coffee needed :)
DeleteJust looking at your garden I am ready to meditate :)......zen! :)
ReplyDeleteCalm and peace, that's lovely :)
DeleteI thought it was just me... Bluebells will make quite a contrast to your usual plantings, unless they are exotic ones ?
ReplyDeleteThey're native bluebells b-a-g :) we do like them but we'll probably keep it under control starting this year so it don't spread out too much.
DeleteAs my garden work winds down for the year, yours begins. Either way, a cup of strong coffee is just the thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to get cold again next week, perhaps time for another short gardening nap? Cappucino please :)
DeleteI love your Schefflera rhododendrifolia. Just wait, when you step out into your garden on the first spring-like morning, the creative juices will start flowing! Speaking of flowing, I like your little water feature you featured in your last post, and I am waiting to see the completed pond!
ReplyDeleteStill waiting for that proper warm, spring like morning and yes I can imagine creative juices will flow automatically then :) Glad you liked the little pool!
DeleteIt's amazing how you guys can have such tropical looking forest in London. Pretty soon you will see Bengal Tigers and other exotic animals emerging from them. I know about your feeling as I was having the same until almost the beginning of February.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a small tiger garden ornament is what we need :) Another cold spell on the way but hopefully that won't be too long!
DeleteI can't wait to see what you do! And I can't wait for the warm weather to get my friends out of the garage!
ReplyDeleteUs too Candy! Another cold spell on its way here, hopefully that won't be too long this time, cross fingers!
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