Back from a mini break, from blogging and gardening....
Saying that, we have finally planted a tree at the front of the house recently. It has only taken us ten years to do so but got there in the end. Nothing fancy, just a good old reliable and common street tree in the UK, Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra'. But it will do the job nicely and instantly adds interest to the front of the house and on our street that seriously lacks trees. Such a satisfying thing to finally have, a tree at the front of the house!
August was such a busy month in that we had several open days. They were all thoroughly enjoyable days, we had a fabulous time showing our garden around but they were also exhausting. After the last one we took a break from gardening and anything to do with it including the blog and just did other things. We're amazed how others can open their garden so many times in the season knowing how much it exhausted us. But then again we do work full time and can imagine that when we get to a stage of retirement we'd happily open the garden too almost every day even (we're in a different location/garden by then).
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| One of our garden visitors |
The garden is back mainly to ourselves again, we can loosen up and just let the hosepipe roll and not worry about it blighting visitors photos.
Twinkles approves...
And so does this Pseudopanax ferox...
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.
Hi Mark, love your new tree in front of your house! How exciting that you opened your garden to visitors. I can imagine how exhausting it is to whip the garden into top shape and then maintain that level for a short time to show it off in best form. I am always wondering how NGS gardeners do it! But on the other hand it must be so rewarding to have visitors in your own garden, who are truly interested in gardening and are really able to appreciate what you have created in your tropical paradise. I love your doggy visitor, what he might have been the most interested in in your garden? Probably not a plant :-)!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Christina
It was wonderful to show the garden around to visitors, and we'd like to think they all enjoyed it :) great experience, exhausting but fun nevertheless
DeleteThose pot displays must have been popular with visitors. It is a good bit of work having to be extra tidy every day in the garden. Your break was well earned. Your comment about happily opening your garden more when in retirement made me smile.
ReplyDeleteThey were popular indeed Shirley :) retirement....something to look forward to!
DeleteGood to see you back. It certainly sounds as if you've been busy. I can imagine that opening your garden must be great fun but demanding too. Hope that you and Twinkles have time to unwind and chill out in September.
ReplyDeleteSeptember will be a chill out month Anna :)
DeleteGood on you both for sharing your garden. I can assure you that by the time you are retired opening your garden daily will not seem such a good option:-) A new garden in a new location you say. I demand to know where you are going :-)
ReplyDeleteSomehow that's also likely Don :) new location, hmmm...
DeleteOhh! Open garden!! that must have been fun, but I can imagine how exhausting you say it was. I surely would have visited if I lived in London.
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome anytime Lisa :)
DeleteI would love to see your garden in person. Pity I'm half a world away. I can imagine how much work it would be to keep it in "viewing mode" though. We had a taste of it when selling Missy's garden.
ReplyDeleteYou've peeked my curiosity as well with the hint of a different location in retirement - Any plans? or just leaving your options open? Retirement would be a l-o-n-g way off for you guys.
Open option :) playing our cards right we might retire early-ish....
DeleteKudos to you for opening your garden more than once. I am afraid of doing something similar. Maybe in about 3 or 4 years, if I can find the courage. It takes a lot of work to make sure it's tidy and looking good.
ReplyDeleteYou're almost there Alison, your garden is looking fab!
DeleteCongrats on the tree! And how wonderful to hear that others got to enjoy your beautiful garden. How did you get the word out that you were open?
ReplyDeleteThanks Loree! Just to a couple of large groups and individuals with cameras :)
DeleteSounds like tiring work. Clearly it is for Twinkles too.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with the Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - what's not to love? Think of how big it could be if you'd planted it 10 years ago! Just teasing. Mine are taking their sweet time and are still relatively small, whereas my mum's tree that's in her backyard is gigantic and full. It's not fair...
That made me laugh Amy! Planted ten years ago we would be heavily pruning it by now :) but better late than never!
DeleteThe foliage of Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' tones so well with the tiles on the front of the house - what a great choice! Well done for opening your garden. I will have to pummel you for details about your experience - planning etc... I need to know everything! How did you manage? - let's face it, you already have very busy lives. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah :) preparation wasn't too bad, certainly was an incentive to get the garden in top top shape. Oh and don't forget the tea and cake! Glad that you noticed the way the foliage picks up the colours of the tiles, a designer's eye you have there!
DeleteHaving just visited an NGS garden this weekend I can appreciate the huge amount of work that goes into it. You need a chill out month! Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica! September is certainly going to be a chill out month :)
DeleteThat picture of Twinkles is pure joy!
ReplyDeleteAhww :)
DeleteMaybe it's like dinner parties: once the house is all cleaned and prettied up, I might just as well have several get-togethers in a row before returning to my normal, slip-shod ways.
ReplyDeleteI love the tree! Maybe you'll start a trend in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHooray for your new tree! I can't imagine how much work it would be to have one's garden open; fun but work to do the extra tidying and getting the hose out of everyone's way. It's good to take a break every now and then but I'm glad to see you back!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of opening a garden to the general public fills me with horror, and not just because my own garden is such a neglected tangle at the moment! I bet you enjoyed your break hugely. And hurrah for breaking up that river of concrete down your street with a tree, it should be compulsory!! We have the same tree planted at the side of our garage, though I fear ours is not going to stay there for much longer as we need to build a lean-to to accommodate the boats...
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