Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Summer Afternoons

Each day around four-O-clock, Blackbirds congregate in the Hawthorn to sun themselves in the afternoon.

blackbirds sunning themselves They stay for anything up to an hour just taking in the rays. Beaks agape with the heat, often having to hop into the darker area that can be seen behind the male. There is one in there in this photo cooling off, it can just be seen slightly to the right of the male as a little bit of brown. Sometimes they are joined by a few of the local Finches. They all seem to have a tactic agreement that everybody is to get on with each other as there is never any squabbling or disagreements.

Walking away from the tree after the photo, I nearly stumbled upon her sunning herself in the grass. You can see the surprise on her face.

female blackbird,turdus merula 

Surprised female Blackbird

It took her a few moments to get over the shock before she swiftly disappeared into the undergrowth.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Soft and Shady

Gradually the centre of the garden is becoming more as we want it. During hot periods it is cool and shady, often catching light breezes that makes it delicious in the midday heat.

Digitalis mertonesis flowers for the first time this year. A soft strawberry pink with flowers that are well over twice the size of Digitalis purpurea our common Foxglove.

digitalis mertonensis

Behind this the Heucheras catch early morning sunlight, their light filmy flowers gently moving in the breezes.

heucheras

Heucheras are terrific plants to grow either in the garden border or as pot plants. Their is a terrific variety to choose from, up to 700. You will find them around many good garden centres with a vast choice of foliage colours to pick from. Some have very elegant showy flowers where as others are understated. Many take shade or light shade which means that hard to fill area that is mostly shady in the garden can easily enriched.

Astilbes are surprisingly tolerant of shade. These that we have planted in the centre garden are subjected to a little more than just partial shade as recommended. They get early morning sun but lose it just before midday. Plenty of organic matter dug into the soil before planting ensures they do not dry out in Summer. We are then rewarded with plumes of colour.

astilbes

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Hidden guests.

We noticed the activity going on and hear the busy buzzing and thought it was coming from the bank of soil in that part of the garden. But tracking them down we were surprised to find them hiding in an unexpected place.

buxus sepavirens elegantissima, variegated box, box bush Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima'

Carefully pulling aside the foliage exposed the well formed nest.

wasp nest 

Knowing how touchy wasps are having their photos taken, okay not really they just hate to be disturbed. I got a shot of the nest hanging inside the Variegated box bush.

wasp nest hanging in the box

It took me three goes to get this shot as they got a little agitated when the foliage was gently pulled away. Now they will be left alone to get on with their lives.

We never mind having wasps nesting in the garden and invariably we have one somewhere. But to us it feels like a privilege that they have chosen us to stay with. Not many people I know think this way.

But welcome guests they are as they are voracious predators of  numerous garden pests such as flies and caterpillars and have even been known to take the odd small slug! Strange though the adults only hunt for meaty prey for the young developing wasp in the nest. The adults themselves are vegetarian depending on nectar, pollen and as any fruit grower knows, succulent ripe fruit.

Last year they had a few of our ripe gages and we had to watch out when we picked them for ourselves, but we did not worry over a loss of a few. We all need to share in this world.

Just wish they would show a little more appreciation sometimes in stead of giving a painful raised swelling. But then that's a Wasp isn't it.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Roses growing

This is coming out to be a year for Roses. The weather absolutely perfect for blooming.

bantry bay

Rose 'Bantry Bay' a delicious red.

 

Rambling rose 'Rambling Rector' always gives a good show in the garden no matter what the weather. Dry weather though brings out the scent, a delicious fruity one that wafts over the garden. We have two 'Rambling Rectors', one is over the outhouse and this one which is supported by a tripod framework that spans over the path. Mingled in at the bottom Honey suckle 'Scentsation' flowers adding an even deeper layer to the scent in this area.

Rambling rector rose with honeysuckle scentsation

Another favourite Rambler in the garden is 'Leos Eye'. This is a rose that is very difficult for anyone to get as it is only available here in Pembrokeshire as far as I know. The rose itself was found at Picton Castle estate by the Head Gardener and sold only at the gardens themselves.

It's a delicious salmon pink that can be quite hard to capture by the camera unless the lighting is just right, but this photo is about right.

Rose 'Leos Eye' 

Salmon pink blooms of the rose 'Leos Eye'

'Leos Eye' and the 'Portland' rose 'Leos Eye' growing in situ.