Preparing for the Jubilee Weekend

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The rectory is hosting a big summer party for its two church congregations. Normally this takes place in July but with the The Queen's Diamond Jubilee imminent, the summer party takes place this weekend instead.

I shall miss it all as I am taking a break abroad.

Wednesday saw me spending a frantic six hours cutting all three lawns, trimming the edges, weeding and sweeping, plus making an extra effort from a safety point of view. With more than a hundred visitors expected, it is particularly important to remove trip hazards, top all those bamboo canes and tie in that pesky thorny rose ('Albertine') that will - if not secured to the housewall - launch in windy conditions an attack on unsuspecting diners on the patio.

Planting out dahlias

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After last frosts it is time to plant out potted up dahlias. During the last few years this was early to mid May for me, driven as much by needing the space in my (former) study for seedlings as by the weather conditions.

Papaver Palaver

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Early summer is here and oriental poppies are thriving. For a cool colour scheme, "Patty's Plum" is a fabulous choice. The flowers are huge and very showy and once established there will be a dozen or more flowers on each plant, opening one after the other.

Weekend Eye Candy

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Transition

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The front (like the back) of Mrs U-turn's plot features amongst much else a small circular bed.

Requested: tree peony

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I did not manage to return to the small town garden and suspect that the tree peony will past its best by the time I return.

However, a fuchsia pink monster lives with me and here is a close up of it instead, still showcasing the bright and long golden stamens.

From the Men's Department/Leather Forever

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Carefully avoiding the day of rail strikes last week, I did end up seeing the fabulous Hermès Leather Forever exhibition at the Royal Academy. For more details, see here.

Twister or Think Pink

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... or where is Johnny Depp when you really really need him?




I was very excited when a parcel turned up early in the week. 

You win some, you lose some

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The small town garden is a jolly sight for most parts of the year. I had called round at the beginning of April and all was well at the front: the Angel's Fishing Rod (Dierama Pulcherrimum) had survived the winter and the tulip foliage was plentiful and healthy. These are the original tulips planted when the front was overhauled and this would be their third spring.

Soothing Greens

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Yesterday was probably the nicest day for a while, breezy and blustery but filled with sunshine. Sadly DH was at work all day but I took the little gardener for a bike ride.

No action pictures as my camera was charging but I took some quick "on the hanger" shots for you to see how well different shades of green can work together.

Weekend Eye Candy

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Trillium Erectum

Kelmarsh Hall in Early May

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Drawn by the Hardy Plant Fair (and the chickens which live in the kitchen garden), I returned to Kelmarsh Hall last weekend, little gardener in tow.

 

Spring Greens and the Tax Return

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It has become a bit of a habit of mine to reward myself when my tax return is completed. 

The thought of a lovely item to add to my wardrobe surely spurs me on and this year the return was done double quick. Less because of money burning a hole in my pocket, more a case of rain on my parade of borders.

Orange Princess

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Shame about the rainy weather when I took this photograph as it really does not do its object justice.

This gem of a tulip is 'Orange Princess', a sport from the fabulous 'Princess Irene'. It is a frilly, double tulip which flowers in April/May and has a gorgeous warm nasturtium-orange colouring with garnet markings.

Rhubarb Meringue Cake

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Jeanne had asked for a recipe for the rhubarb meringue cake. Here goes. 


Happy baking and eating!

  

Under wraps

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The rainy weather during April has meant a lot of changes of schedule for my gardens. Not that I have that much of a schedule but seasonal tasks tend to get done at a certain time in the year and it has all gone a bit to pot.

I find that I am behind on some tasks at the rectory, notably the lawns. Luckily the vicar's wife will push the mower round if there is a dry spell but it wasn't until today that I finally applied a spring weed & feed product. And cut new lawn edges. And trimmed those that were still in good nick.

On other tasks I am ahead of myself.