Chocolate in the garden

Those that know me know of my addiction to chocolate. It's a 'must have' in my life. Even when I am dieting or fasting I have to save enough calories to have a freddo at the end of the day..

So a garden plant scented of chocolate..imagine a hammock slung over a bed of these chocolate plants? Sweet dreams or what ?

Unfortunately I have never managed to keep a chocolate cosmos alive for very long in the past...

But I'm not beaten yet, I am now the owner of a 'Cosmos Chocamocha' positioned in full sun, entwined with my cordyline for support and stunning contrast and have now diligently read up on requirements and overwintering..

Never too hot to garden..

I certainly have the right day off work this week. Temperature in my little Eden is touching 40°c.
Out of the window go the plans to do too much today, but up early to lay foundations for 'she shed' project. Then there's a knock at the door, Mr Postie delivers my jurassic plant order so a little potting up proceeds a civilised outing to my local garden centre for tea and cake where a bargain reduced to clear hydrangea sneeks into my basket..

Pics of my Agave Americana from Jurassic Plants and the Hydrangea :)

Charity shop gardening

I'm on annual leave this week so with a little spare time on my hands I love to browse around charity shops for bargains and items to upcycle. I'm lucky that in the town I live I'm spoilt for choice with charity shops but my favourite is the Sally (Salvation Army)

Today's haul came in at under £3.50 and will add some nice touches to the garden and some bedtime reading that will hopefully lead to some more inspiration for further gardening sessions ...

The roses of neglect

I'm not a fan of roses.. They spend too much of the year as just ugly thorn bushes for me to really want them in my garden.

I am also not a 'pink' person.

However these roses out date our move to this house. The root of the plant sits on the back fence under the pergola, receives no light and very little rain.

Despite this and an occasional hacking they have found a way to bloom up on the tree canopy and here is this years display...

Ducking Out

My garden has got to the stage it only needs a few minutes of maintenance every week..With the exception of the grass cutting which is the OH's job.

All other 'to do' jobs listed on the back of the envelope are major re-design or ground works.

My day off this week is cloudy but muggy and I am a little weary from the past weekends trip, so 10 mins of weeding later I am choosing to relax in the garden and not dig..

Photo is of the view from my swing, where I am lazing and trying to think of an appropriate name for the blue duck and watching the bees frolic on my blooming hebe. .

ZZzzzz

Feeling the blue

At times when I'm feeling a little blue there is nothing that makes me feel better than a little garden therapy.

Some women buy shoes, I tend my garden...

Spending time in my tranquil haven I have  created entirely myself (ok with a bit of labouring from the OH ) listening to the sounds of nature and watching things bloom works better for me than any Prozac.

I recently experimented with the new Valspar masonry paint from B&Q. Coming in 1000's of colours a large tester pot is currently 99p.. oh the possibilities.

So I started off with a warm blue on one retaining wall. I wasn't sure at first but now I am in love with it and I have added further accents in this colour to tie it all in.
It kind of reminds me of the Yves Saint Laurent garden in Marrakech which I have been lucky enough to visit twice..

P.S. my garden is only tranquil when the hounds are not conversing with the neighbours dog.

Unknown Species - Pulmonari officinalis

Took an ad hoc annual leave day today and visited a plant nursery I've recently  seen sign posted.
Down a lane out the back of beyond I arrived at a farm with large greenhouses looking very promising. Inside was a jungle of plants of unknown species. 
Took a liking to an interesting spotted leaf variety and took it to the desk to find out more..
'Can you tell me what plant this is please'
..Dunno
'Okay does it need sun or shade?'
..Dunno
Plant was only £2 so took my chances.... 

Plant and I arrived home and thanks to Google and the RHS I now have a Pulmonari that likes shade. I shall have to wait till next spring to find out what variety and colour flower this one has but for now it has its home in my newly (specially) extended shade border.