Trees

Just a selection of the trees in the garden. Now that they are in leaf it is a different place. Bird song resonates around and the shadows add an element of intrigue, best appreciated in the later part of the afternoon. Few gardens are too small for a least one tree, we are so fortunate to have a selection of both conifers and deciduous trees. We are also able to benefit from trees in neighboring gardens, borrowing their majesty to enhance our outdoors.

The Machinations of a Cat's Life

 Hecate and Mili taking refuge from the afternoon sunshine. Nothing unusual you might think but it is a rare sight indeed to see them settled down in the garden in such close proximity together. They tend to like their own space.

Perhaps it had something to do with an intruder which has been spotted on a regular basis. A rather confident but attractive tabby, with an unusually long tail. I suspect given the slight build that the tabby is a queen, she certainly has the regal air about her. She has even been spotted coming into our conservatory. So much for Hecate and Mili guarding their territory. They can leave that job to someone else!






Below a rather more typical pair of cats each claiming their own garden seat before the humans can occupy them!

Hecate on the lounger

Mili on the upper bench

A Splash of Gaudy Colour

 By way of contrast with the previous post the distinctly gaudy pots in front of the shed show little sense of garden style. However, a bright splash of colour is at least a sign that spring is about to give way to summer, which really cannot come quickly enough for any of us after the tough winter snows and bitter easterly winds. 

The two cats certainly appreciate a bit of warmth and sunshine. Hecate seeks out the upper seating area and Mili the cold frame during a brief rotation of plants.

 

Monochrome Design

 The sun terrace with its black and white planting scheme looks particularly well at this time of year. This is primarily because of the tulips which are perhaps the easiest way to get the monochrome look. The trellis, furniture  and planters do of course help the effect.

Although the roses have not got going yet, they have been fed and are already showing promising signs of new and vigorous growth. I just hope that they produce a few more blooms than last year. The lower trellis panel has been changed this year with a white clematis instead of the sweet peas which did work well in 2017 but were a multi coloured variety.

I am anticipating that the mouse eared chickweed will start trailing down the walls in the coming weeks but I am also aware that this plant can be something of a thug so it will also have to be kept within bounds.

Top tip: be vigilant for the red lily beetle especially when the sun comes out; I caught my first one this afternoon on the near black lilium "Queen of the Night"