Garden snaps & favourite plants this week

That originally read favourite pants 😂 gotta love auto correct.

Well that was nearly embarrassing! I’m sure you’re not at all interested in my favourite pants this week, well maybe some of you are but that’s a different website, I jest! Sorry, back to garden snaps and fave plants in the garden today…

I’ve just spent a soggy hour or so in the garden, inspecting the cut flower beds which are looking very happy for the rain they’ve received. I’m so glad I got my dahlias in, they seem to be having a lovely time and are now turning dark green and toughening up. I keep watching out for slugs after the carnage of last year, but so far I’ve only come across a few snails playing a game of dare with me on the garden path- lucky for them I’m long-sighted so they’ve not ended up crushed under my shoe.

This is a photo heavy post as I got snap happy, you know how I adore my photography. The best camera you have is always the one to hand- mine today was in my back pocket, it was too wet to bring out the Olympus. We have a few big elders in the garden all in various stages and I’m determined to make some elderflower cordial. It’s funny, when I didn’t have these trees I’d go out foraging and make it every year, the moment I have them in the back garden- I haven’t made it once. Anyway, as promised- my favourite pants at the moment are the Verbascums and Roses, the frilly kind.

The rose Pauls Himalayan Musk is popping all over the place, rambling chaotically over the french shed like it can’t grow quick enough. It smells incredible, really packing a strong rose scented punch considering how tiny the flowers are. I find it impossible to choose a favourite rose above all others, I change my mind daily. On Saturday it was my new Rosa Dannnahue, then Gertrude Jekyll flounces in my path smelling intoxicating and I’m smitten, but there sitting dainty and elegant is The Generous Gardener and it starts all over again, so long as they aren’t bright red or bright orange- I don’t do those two shades anywhere in the garden. I prefer a soft harmonious palette when it comes to gardening. I’m not a fan of contrast which is so fashionable. I don’t need contrast in my palette in the garden, I don’t need them arguing with each other. A harmonious palette can still be woken up with clever pops of vibrant tones and interesting textures. But that’s just my view on how I like my space to be. As always- I encourage you to do you!

It’s only been planted a year and a half and was the size of a normal potted rose when we bought it. If you’re after a fast growing rose then I’d recommend it! I’m going to be offering our jam jar posies on Fridays (locally) and these shall be the star of the show I think. On the other side to it I have a rose gifted by my mother-in-law which she tells me is a Blush Noisette, I have my reservations as the centre is green when it opens, it’s like it has another bud at the centre, so pretty (Shown below).

As well as the soggy roses stealing my heart today the other stars are the Verbascums, these are a Southern Charm mix that I grew from seed last year. They don’t last as a cut flower as the petals fall very quickly, but they do look pretty scattered over a table though, so if you don’t mind them showering petals everywhere then be my guest and cut them. I just enjoy seeing them in the garden. At the moment they are in the cutting beds but eventually they will be moved into the main cottage boarder that we have yet to dig as it’s been too hard, hopefully this week will see the ground soften.

They clearly like being in the main garden which is cooler and close to the river, unlike the gravel garden which is very dry and has the shelter of the cottage- I’m learning which plants want to do their own thing in which area, then letting them get on with it. Despite the fact that I love my garden and those of others and I’m happy coming up with planting schemes and designs- I’m actually quite a lazy gardener. I’d much rather watch something grow then try and control it, so if it wants to ramble freely and take over I usually let it, much easier than forcing something to grow that doesn’t like where it is. I do enjoy the trial and error though, it’s how we learn.

The french shed shown above is where I make most of my floral creations from and was already here when we moved in. I must straighten that chimney at some point. It lends itself to country garden charm and is very cosy with the log burner in the winter, despite it being open on one side. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be the custodian of a garden like this. Sometimes I have to pinch myself.

I can’t believe we’re nearly in June already, the glorious month of roses. My peonies have not done as well this year, it’s been too dry for them where they are so I may move them for next year. But for now, I’m simply going to smell the roses!

I’d be really grateful if you could answer my quick poll question below. I’m just trying to figure out what you like reading from me so I can create more of the stuff you love. Comments are also useful. And, if you like my publication and know of a friend who’d also like it- please feel free to share.

Thank you,

Emma x