Water Lilies

Both lower and upper ponds now have what in my opinion is the most attractive of aquatics, the water lily. They are not difficult to grow but can be tricky to get to flower. I am not entirely sure why some years are better than others and I will resolve to study the best ways of looking after the lilies a lot more in future.


The fact that we get any flowers on the lower pond is quite contrary to much accepted wisdom. The pond is hardly in full sun, the water is not totally calm and the plants have not been fertilized in years. I also suspect that the depth of water is a little shallow for the type that we have. But the buds keep appearing and the majority open into lovely blooms.

It is hardly surprising that the water lily is often regarded as a symbol of optimism, as it is renowned for returning to the waterways even after difficult periods of drought. It is certainly a characteristic that it needs in the Pennine garden.

The Upper Garden

In response to recent feedback this post will include a little detail of areas of the garden away from the patio and the lower pond (all comments are very much appreciated). It appears that the lower parts of the garden being closer to the house have dominated posts during the past few months. So by way of redressing the balance I thought it would be nice to show a few highlights from higher up our plot.

This is the middle lawn where the view borrows from the landscape behind the crocosmia and buddleja border. The new raised beds with cottage planting can also just be seen here. This is probably the sunniest site in the whole garden so offers an opportunity to try some different plants. I will detail these in a later post.



Higher up still is the ornamental grass bed which is currently looking rather nice dotted with red poppies and the occasional curious feline.

 Hecate has to be feeling adventurous to get as high up as the grasses. Mili moves about with far more confidence.

Evolution

Left is how the lower pond looked in 1990, pretty much after it was first completed. It is being explored by Gheera, the previous feline with first dibs on this particular garden (more about her in future posts). As mentioned in the previous blog entry the re-modelling work is never really complete. The desire to change the pond shape, the surface area the fall of water is never completely sated. It really is better to build as big as you can first time, although it is so much fun to change and "mess around" later! The photograph reminded me of the number of marginals that we used to have....... perhaps they will make a comeback?

The view to the right is the pond this year. As you might be able to detect, it is subtly wider, virtually double the size. The fall of water is also different (from a different angle you would see it is now in two steps) which means it is less noisy, and therefore less like a running bath tap. One of the best things about any water feature is the relaxing sound you can get it to make in the background.The surrounding planting is also now much more mature and the ugly conifer has long since been removed.

It will, of course, sooner or later need altering again. Certainly, as the head gardener becomes less agile, tending the vegetation on the banking becomes more of a challenge. But I have a few more years yet!

Wildlife

The ponds are a magnet for wildlife. It is little wonder that I am such a devote of water features. I do not think the magic of just quietly sitting by the pond (preferably with mug of coffee in hand) and just watching, will ever wear off. Although our lower pond is by the house and is a little shady, it is still quite possible to make it a haven for all sorts of inhabitants. I first built this pond in 1990 and it has been remodeled several times since but the wildlife is always back within hours! The advice given to me by Terry (an ex colleague, fellow gardener and skier) was never truer "....no matter how big you first build your pond, you will soon be wishing it had been that much bigger"

                  

Sambucus Black Lace

'Black Lace' makes a striking plant for the back of the border, seen here at the back of the Black and White terrace, with the neighbours garden behind. It has very finely cut, almost black foliage, which is the perfect foil to the pink-flushed blooms. Apparently, it will grow almost anywhere, including difficult conditions such as waterlogged or very chalky ground. 

A lovely plant, quite easy to grow providing it is not too exposed and my choice for the July plant of the month.

Garden Art

I must confess to not being a massive fan of artwork in the garden, it can too easily be a distraction from the main event. At the risk of seeming just a bit of a snob, art in the garden is too often a matter of ill considered tat. Of course there is definitely a place for the garden gift from a dearly beloved gran, even a spot for the kitch garden gnome but the mass produced garden centre fakes are simply not to my taste. Art and sculpture can be a genuine focal point or a hidden treasure but for me the real art and beauty are in the plants. Despite the best efforts of the Chelsea designers nothing can eclipse the magnificent complexities to be found in the natural world.
Of course I am now about to describe the few bits and pieces that can be found in our garden. While none are statement objects around which the space is defined, I think their understated, disguised appearance adds an element of intrigue and even mystery.

The upper pond has a gargoyle style face set into the stonework above the water. When turned on a flow of water comes from the mouth and into the pond. The whole piece was perhaps the biggest extravagance in the garden. It was sculpted by a local man to a design I provided for him with a series of photographs showing fine roofing detail from the great hall at the school were I worked for over 30 years.

Throughout the garden there are hidden away different green man images, a symbol of our reliance upon and union with nature (I must admit to being a little fascinated by this patently pagan symbolism which recurs so often in the historic churches of this country; I would whole heartedly recommended a visit to Southwell Minster)

Elsewhere an Ent (tree man) can also be found, as can Jeremy Fisher and rose mosaic, more of which will appear in a later blog entry.

Finally, cat picture to prove that they do occasionally venutre into the wild together, if not very often.

Plant of the month June

Watching Monty and co (Gardeners World, BBC TV) has prompted the impossible task of picking a plant of the month. If I add the additional constraint that it must appear and do well in the Pennine garden then it at least narrows the field a little. However, for me I must pick the cranesbill (geranium) which is ever so reliable and comes out in a marvellous shade of deep blue. It has a home at the top of the patio living wall and in the herbaceous border. It is another of those plants that the bees seem attracted to, with easy to access nectar.