We moved to Glebe House in September 1994. When people come around our garden they often ask us what the garden was like when we moved in. Actually some of the garden features were there then but over time they have all evolved and in some areas a small paddock has been incorporated into the garden. The other day I noticed that the wall across the lawn was looking particularly good.This wall divides the main lawn and follows the contours of the ground resulting in the lawn being at two levels and although it does not align with other garden features it takes the eye into the garden towards the views beyond.This photo was actually taken in June 1995. As you can see the wall was in place then but was not really made a feature of the garden.We always felt the wall needed a good “full stop” at the end. As you can see above we have created a small round bed at the end with a Rosa Bonica providing the “stop”. You can also see that the wall is actually higher than the original wall. In the old photo the lawn edge actually sloped down to the top of the wall.Another photo from June 1995. The steps up had been built and these have not been changed apart from the flower beds around them and the lawn in the foreground is now paved with sandstone The very large tree, back right, is an old walnut. We were very disappointed when it died and had to be removed about ten years ago.The steps today with the sand stone paving.As well as raising the height of the wall we have created a flower bed along the top of the wall. This is about one metre wide and at this time of year it really comes into its own.
In any dry stone wall then Aubrieta is an essential plant.
The rock rose, Helianthemum ‘The Bride’ has been looking great although just one day after these photos were taken there were no flowers on it. That was probably due to the heat which has unusually been at 28c for the last few days!
This is probably my favourite geranium, Geranium cenereum subcaulescens. It is a very dark cerise colour which really shines out from the green leaves. It is planted singularly along the wall but also on mass under Rosa Bonica at the end of the wall.Another geranium at the end of the wall is Geramium sanguineum ‘Shepherd’s Warning’. This was planted about eight years ago and although it looks quite healthy has not spread unlike some of the other sanguineums that can be very invasive.
This plant was taken from a cutting in a friend’s garden. It is definitely a “noname” plant at the moment.Viola cornuta ‘Alba’ must have arrived from else where in the garden but it is working well here.Rosmarinus officinalis forms a small bushy shrub and provides Rosemary for cooking.
Geramium sanguineum striatum is a lovely geramium and here it is on either side of the steps.Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’ another small geranium.Another rock rose, Helianthemum ‘Ben Fhada’Along the wall from the steps.Looking the other way along the wall. Over the next few days we will be planting Mesembryanthemum ‘Magic Carpet’ which have been started in the greenhouse and will provided interest throughout the summer.
Gardening Hours | ||
This week | Total since June 19th | Average per week |
51 | 885 | 17 |
Gorgeous! Both areas have really benefited from your additions.
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Many thanks. Very busy planting other areas right now.
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Hi Steve,
you did such a great job! Your garden truly looks amazing! Lovely choices of plants! Must be so much work, but I guess it´s worth it as the result is so beautiful!
Best wishes,
Lisa
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Thanks Lisa. Yes the hours add up as you can see at the end of the blog.
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Oh, the walls just make your garden that much more special! Love it!
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Many thanks. The walls do add a lot to the garden but the very tall ones are hard work as they were built in 1704 and require a lot of maintenance
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OMG! But it is a good testament to walls!
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PS Love your work tally too!
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Wow what a lovely garden you have Steve.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful weekend
Marijke
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Thanks, and I guess you are having similar good weather so get in the garden and do some planting!
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You have turned the stone wall into a beautiful feature of your garden by planting along it and providing that extra little curve and full stop at the end. It looks like plants have sown themselves into the cracks and crevices as well, which is a lovely look.
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Thanks Alison. The full stop shows how design really matters. I am not a professional designer but I do try to get it right.
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I love your garden and your blog but the thing that I love the most is the fact that you do the garden yourselves! It gives me hope that one day…..if I keep at it…..I could have a beautiful garden too!
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Thank you Sandra, we have always done the garden ourselves but at this time of year the hours seem to mount up!. Good job we enjoy it.
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I think that sometimes the person living in a garden makes the best design decisions, just because you look at it all ways, often over a while, before making those changes. It looks wonderful in any case. What a great range of geraniums you have! I have a daisy much like your no-name. MIne is Anthemis – I have a pale yellow and a white with what looks like the same small leaves and low growing habit.
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Thanks Cath. I had sort of assumed it was an Anthemis, but which one?
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You’ve made excellent use of the wall which I think many people might have found difficult to integrate. I always imagined that rock roses liked the heat until I tried them here and they died almost immediately!
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Thank you Christina. I think they do not like wet but not sure about heat. Actually what I said is wrong as the flowers only last a day and this morning there is a completely new set.
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The wall is a great way of dealing with the different levels. And a good move to have some nice wide plants in it. I struggle with the terraces here sometimes as the top two are not quite wide enough for two plants side by side yet too wide for just the one. I’ve started going for two or three of the same variety which together make a nice big clump.
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Thanks Jessica. You certainly have some changes of level to work with.
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So beautiful! You’ve given me the idea to move my geranium which seems a little lost in the bed it’s in at the moment
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I am so in love with your house and garden, Steve. Your wall is simply stunning! I don’t see Rock Cress, Aubretia (Aubrieta deltoidea) here in the U.S. but will start looking for it. P.x
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Thanks Pam, as you can see the house is almost 300 years old so that does bring other issues but is does have a lot of character.
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