I Think I Deserve Praise

Pea pods arranged in a flower shape with purple potatoes and tomatoes

You read that right, although it is not generally the done thing to say so.

I don’t deserve praise for growing this fine produce because I didn’t – they caught my eye at a flower show. Being a lover of peas in pods (provided they are sweet), as I could not eat them, immortalising their freshness in a picture made a good, if sorry, second. Purple potatoes, purple kale and purplish tomatoes added extra interest, but it’s not for spotting those either. Continue reading “I Think I Deserve Praise”

Southport’s Summer Flower Show is Back at Last

Dahlias displayed as cupcakes at the Southport Flower Show
Dahlias displayed as cupcakes by The Dahlia Society’s Northern Committee

After a two-year hiatus, courtesy of the pandemic, the Southport Flower Show was back in style for its 91st year.  This northern show has something for everyone – even well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. For those who couldn’t make it, here are some of my pictures:

Burgundy and silver leaf begonia leaves, Dibleys Nurseries stand, Southport
Dibleys Nurseries’ display of begonias with burgundy and silver leaves

Continue reading “Southport’s Summer Flower Show is Back at Last”

Biodiverse Planting Scheme by Stefano Marinaz for the EuroParcs Garden, Floriade

Eremus and Rudbeckia
Trees, perennials, bulbs and grasses screen The Rebel House

I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed my favourite garden at Floriade as much if I’d seen it in April, soon after Floriade opened to visitors. In pictures of the Europarcs garden taken before the deciduous trees had leafed out, The Rebel House commands the space. A broad, meandering path wraps around the clean, metal-edged outlines of flower beds. Newly-planted perennials are neat, well-spaced and picture perfect, like an architect’s diagram. 

Three months later, the plants have bedded in and are relaxing out. Leaves and flowering stems mingle and mesh together, gently spilling over the path. The ‘Within Nature’ theme of the garden is emerging. Continue reading “Biodiverse Planting Scheme by Stefano Marinaz for the EuroParcs Garden, Floriade”

Happy Thanksgiving From Overseas

Display of seed-grown vegetables at a flower show

Although the British don’t have a Thanksgiving holiday, I’ve been fortunate to have been invited to celebrations over the years and remember some of the treats that will be prepared for family and friends. This is the best I could offer as sympathetic magic. There are no sweet potatoes here to be mixed with pecans and brown sugar and topped with marshmallows, and no asparagus for the casserole, but anyone who had a quarter of these raw ingredients would surely feel thankful. Continue reading “Happy Thanksgiving From Overseas”