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.