Treasured Trees

William Wordsworth spoke lovingly of the beauty of the humble Ash Tree in 'Lines Written in Early Spring'.  Mighty oaks inhabiting the antient woodland, surrounding 'Valley Garden Paradise', are supplemented with a liberal sprinkling of ash saplings.  It's fair to say they do self-propagate like weeds!

Despite their exhausting promiscuity, it is so sad to learn that our native woodland trees are being struck down by a killer virus.  How will our antient landscape change?  Only time will tell...

Warm and Cosy

Advent, a time of reflection,preparation,anticipation! As wildlife hibernates, plants wait for a hard frost blanket to cover their beds the gardener has time to sit by the fire and plan plantings and colour schemes for the year to come.

  Eager snowdrops are already pushing through sodden soil, gasping for air in preparation for their moment of glory in January. With only eighteen days to go until the shortest day we are on the cusp of a new beginning - for me the greatest gifts this season will come from the garden and the natural world, its wonder never ceases to fascinate...

Charlotte's Web

As the trees de-robe and summer blooms become a distant memory, the attention is focused on the structural architecture of the garden.  One of my favourite winter attractions is the humble spider's web, spun with alacrity to catch its prey the exquisite gossamer labyrinth sparkles adorned with dewdrops reflecting the low-slung sun.

Spiders, arachnids - layered with suspicion and mythology - are in fact our friends.  wander around the early morning garden to find their stunning artwork edged in ice!

Noah's Perspective

The power of the water emerging today through the limestone hills is awe-inspiring.  In May we thought this would be a once in a lifetime event, but the stream of white water coursing though the garden before cascading into the field below, locally known as 'Sabastapol', is different to anything that we have seen during our time as custodians of Valley Garden Paradise.

 Today, in conversation with a local countryman, I learned that during the last few days natural springs have emerged on the hillside daily.  We will have to re-think the landscaping of the garden in the New Year in order to work with our new found resource, the natural springs.  Ideally, we will be able to harness nature's gifts for the benefit of our flora, fauna and of course our precious honey bees...  In the process I pray that our baby Weeping Birch won't drown.  Time to appeal to the nature spirits, in particular the water sprites!

Vulcan Takes it Easy...

Fast, furious, fearless, intrepid - just a few adjectives that describe our tireless little working lab!
Last week, without hesitation, he dived into a holly bush in pursuit of his ball.  Emerging triumphant, just seconds later he proudly presented his trophy, unfortunately he had also aquired a holly thorn in his right eye. He has been calm and unruffled by the uncomfortable inconvenience, and after several unsuccessful visits to the vet to remove the offending thorn he will undergo eye surgery tomorrow.  In preparation he relaxes in his Dad's favorite chair... wrapped in Mum's Hollywood throw...

The Rising...

 

A natural spring has emerged underneath the pond liner!

 

... and ousted the pond water.  How will the newts and plantlife survive living on the surface of the spring water?

Beauty at Dawn

 

It's the stuff of legend when the inky night-sky lightens through shades of grey at break of day, a perfect moment for quiet contemplation.
 This morning we crunched along between skeletal trees on a carpet of fallen leaves; as the darkness vaporised we spied our neighbour, a Shetland pony, on the horizon. A vision of unbridled joy, she cantered along the boundary inviting Isis to join in her morning frolic.  Their interaction was perfectly choreographed.  Sometimes a single moment provides perspective for the day ahead.

Aqua Apples

 

The ice bites, the clocks fall back, British summertime comes to an end. But where did the summer go?  Damp mizzle and boggy grass will be nature's gold medals alongside our memories of the Diamond Jubilee and The Olympics! However, every rain-cloud has a silver lining, this year it's our extra juicy apple crop and the 'Autumn Colour' - rich, red, intense! The hydration is allowing a glorious kaleidoscope of leaves to hang on to the branches despite wild winds.  The result, an explosion of sunset colour.  Woodburners, cinnamon, apples and sloes beckon as we preserve the harvest for the shortest days!

The Scent of Corsica

'Scent of a Woman' - Al Pacino - a modern classic.  A sophisticated amethyst and rose dawn embodies femininity...
                                          
                                      

 

 

Today, a casual conversation endorsed of the power of scent. Corsica, renowned for the distinctive aroma of its heather-like native flower, seduces visitors with this scent as they approach the harbour from Marseilles.  It made me wonder: 'what fragrance embodies the spirit of Valley Garden Paradise?'  An interesting question eliciting an unexpected response. My choice is the seductive, mellow cloud that hovers over the steps in February when the humble 'Butcher's Broom' flowers laden with tiny stillata blooms. Folklore states that its antiseptic leaves provided the perfect natural scourer for butcher's chopping blocks!  Not only is it unassuming - it is fragrant and practical, the perfect combination! As ever, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

New Beginnings

 

Today autumn is official. Comfortable and cosy in my beach hut overlooking the Sea Pool, I was priviledged to observe the power of nature in all her glory.  The vast expanse of beach and sky is a perfect contrast to the seclusion of Valley Garden Paradise; each captures a different facet of this magnificent natural force.

Quiet privacy allowed me to relax and muse over possible story-lines for a sequel to Coke's adventures on the Cornish coast.

Deep Purple

'Smoke on the Water' - This iconic 70's rock anthem always comes to mind when I contemplate a planting in purple.  The smokey silhouettes provide perfect relief from the woodland shades of green.


Abundant rainfall has provided the perfect habitat for a 'Slug's Diner', plant platters of perennials and roses have topped the a la carte menu.  Our sultry purple under-planting for the white wood has all but disappeared so we now need to take action and re-plant.

My trusty friend, plantswoman Helen Johnson, has found a beautiful new recruit from our favorite Cornish Nursery, Pococks.  Aptly named, Ebb Tide, this plum-purple rose has a compact habit and an enchanting fragrance. The photo on Pocock's website is glorious, hopefully by next year our bare-root recruit will be posing for snapshots -  Great Expectations!

Blood Rain

I saw this headline today on the BBC and was totally riveted!  For me it embraces the spirit of 'Casino Royale' -  the villain whose blood-red tears betray him at the poker table.  I must read on and discover the story behind this headline!

Apparently, exceptional weather patterns are carrying red desert sand on the wind, the rain then becomes red - leading to the desciption 'blood rain'.  Tonight, the metaphor has touched my soul, tonight my tears flow red -  the colour of love not anger.  The matriachal tie is forever - but there comes a time when a parent will move on to walk in the Heaven's garden.  It is my Mum who ignited my curiosity and love of the garden. Her spirit is strong, her will indomitable - the time of separation, although near, lies in the lap of the Gods.  Tonight, I just pray for a little longer... in the words of James Bond 'Never Say Never'!

Ecclesiastical Elegance

 

The quiet of the early morning garden has the ability to touch the soul.  Nature provides a constant backdrop in our lives; its presence can be both up-lifting and awe-inspiring.

 

  Whether it's watching the flowers unfold in a roof top window box, sea-grass swaying in sand-dunes or scrumping for apples and blackberries in the countryside, nature is always present and just waiting for us to embrace her gifts. Flowers amongst the chimney pots, maybe a little surreal-but there lies the miracle!

Queen Epona

It was with great sadness that we discovered that none of gentle Queen Banba's baby princesses had survived to supercede their mother.

With time running out, and no time to lose, we ordered a newly mated 'Buckfast Queen' to reign over Banba's hive. Travelling 1st class by 'jiffy-bag' she arrived safely a week later! Thankfully, the colony have accepted her and she has started to lay, vital if the hive is to over-winter.

Today, after much thought, we have named her, Epona, after the Gaulish Moon Goddess.  Worshipped widely throughout the Celtic and Roman worlds Epona was the protector of horses, representing their positive traits of independence,vitality and intuitive understanding.  Also recognised as the Goddess of Abundance, she was believed to embody fertility, freedom and creativity. Perfect characteristics to reign over our magical honey-bees!

Sea-coloured honey

I was fascinated to read today about honey bees in Ribeauville, Alsace, producing blue, green and red honey. Celebrated for their delicious wines, this was surely a coup!

 

The idea of sea, moss and poppy coloured honey on toast was surely a step into designer territory.   A little detective work has revealed the source of the inky nectar filling the frames - the industrious little honey bees had discovered the residue of M&M syrup at the nearby Mars factory.  For a moment I thought that we had the honey-producers at Fortnums on the run!

Fly Safe on The Wind

Eleven months today, our beloved Zeus left us to surf with the angels.  Last night we took the last of his ashes to Barrel Rock in Bude to set him free amongst the waves.

 

Now immortalised, in 'Rum and Coke on the Rocks', his spirit will be with us always!

 

 

Autumn Colour

Plunging icy hands into grainy pocket recesses, I have to acknowledge that season change is now in full swing. Sedum heads ripen and optically mix with the blackcurrant pittosporum, Tom Thumb, succulent colour tantalises my taste buds.

 

 

The flaming Acer gives a hint of the cosy autumn evenings ahead.

 

Berries abound in the hedgerows; the prospect of gathering nature's bounty for pickles and jellies excites.  This is nature's golden moment, a time to celebrate the rich flavours and intense colours, time to join the birds and woodland creatures as they gather their winter stores.

September Splendour

This statuesque cone-flowering hydrangea creates an impressive skyline against the walnut tree canopy. Such an unexpected treat at the end of summer, invigorating with fresh cream and lime  flower heads towering above the the early autumn sedum. Here nature effortlessly creates dramatic effect - an architects dream!

For love of The Rowan

 

A wonder tree renowned for its cure of 'The Monday Morning Blues'; please allow me to introduce 'The Rowan'.

 

 

 

Equally as stunning in silhouette!

 

Summer Glory

The scent of autumn is in the air.  On reflection, the summer has been variable, but for the moment it's well worth reflecting on the highlights.

It's no secret that roses are my passion; this stunning stage set with sage accenting the roses was captured early one morning. The magical light reflection from the simple sage is seriously underrated, but this picture begs to differ!

 

This eerie is my seat of reflection. From this vantage point I can hover,free as a bird, and absorb the natural world in all its glory!

Born Athlete

Vulcan in full flight on his fifth birthday, poised and ready for take-off!

Beloved Banba RIP

Our last sighting of Banba was two weeks ago.  On the same inspection we found a hatched queen cell, the hive had decided that it was time to supercede their gentle, trusty Queen.  After careful consideration we took the decision not to intervene but to let nature take its course.  In colony life this means that the young Queen will kill her mother to claim the role of hive matriach.

 

 

Yesterday's inspection revealed that the hatched Virgin Queen has indeed killed Banba, sadly it appears that the young Queen has perished too.  The Virgin flight is very risky for a young Queen who is at the mercy of predators such as dragonflies.  Survival of the Queen-less hive now depends upon us successfully introducing a new Queen this week.  Warm and temperate, weather conditions are favorable; it is possible that a new Queen will be able to lay upto four thousand eggs over the next four weeks, vital if the hive are to survive the winter.  Tense times for us all...

 

 

Yellow spot marks Queen Diana



 

Change in the Air

 This summer may have produced a record crop of Olympic Golds for team GB, but it has been an unusual season for honey-bees, with a reported sixty per cent reduction in honey production! Local conditions can vary greatly; against the odds, our two hives have produced an amazing 175lbs of honey this year.
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We have been on an emotional roller-coaster with our reigning Queens, Banba and Cleo; the untimely loss of young Queen Cleo in May left her prolific hive Queen-less. Luckily our new Buckfast Queen, Diana, has proved herself a worthy successor; the hive have amassed a staggering 75lb of honey in the twelve weeks between June and August. The bees' complex communication system has kicked in, the location of the kitchen process plant is now clearly on their flight path!  It is not unusual, as the honey flows, to be serenaded in 'Buzz' by our curious stripey friends!

Lazy Hazy...

What a difference a day makes!  The effect of sunshine on the spirit is well documented, as these stunning roses show it is the same for the plantworld.  Vibrant blooms cascade over the garden wall with abandon; light reflecting fuscia petals create a kaleidoscope of colour.

This rose was planted in waves to reflect the lazy hazy afternoons of days gone by; panama hats and linen dresses with homemade lemonade, victoria sponge and Earl Grey tea for refreshment. Delicious!

Golden Harvest

Despite difficult weather conditions our first honey harvest has exceeded expectation, forty two and a half pounds.  Cleo was without doubt a prolific young Queen, her vigorous laying expanded her colony at an unprecedented rate here at Valley Garden Paradise.  Queen Banba in contrast is gentle, stoic and measured, her bees, calm and unruffled. Despite a ragged appearance in her third season, her green Queen mark is wearing away, she still lays consistently and the colony show no signs of wanting to supercede.  It brings to mind the story of 'the tortoise and the hare'!

Our new Buckfast Queen, Diana, has won acceptance from Cleo's bees; she is laying well, her first brood have now hatched and integrated with Cleo's colony.  Diana's first two supas of honey are now ready for extraction.  We are preparing for a few sticky days ahead!

Go Girls!

Olympimania is everywhere; this morning I met these girls going for gold in nature's heptathlon. Leading the field as they approached the home run they were oblivious as I nestled in the bushes to capture their moment.  Enthusiasm for our national obsession was not shared by the rest of the flock who found the long grass infinitely more pleasurable. 

A statuesque thistle stood referee at the end of the track.  Royal purple plumes interspersed with fluffy seed-heads looked magnificent, brimming with pride, as the thistle stood to attention for its moment in the spotlight. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'; on this occasion I find it difficult to classify this plant as a weed!

Walk on the Wildside

Wandering through the bracken in between showers with Vulcan and Isis, I was taken by surprise when a fledgling Tawny Owl swooped down from its perch in the trees onto the path. His wings brushed Vulcan's ear as he sailed overhead, still shakey in his manoeuvers.  Elementary flying skills and a lack of co-ordination added humour to the spectacle. Biggles he was not!

Our surprise was tangible when the woodland highway man landed and introduced himself.  Curious, he swivelled his head 180 degrees to study us closely.  Each time we took a step forward he would paddle his wings through the bracken a couple of feet, matching our pace. The dogs were equally intrigued; quietly they waited as he led us through the copse. 

After ten minutes, as we all acclimatised to the situation and the little Tawney Owl closed the gap between us. For a few moments we walked as one; it was a magical encounter.

A Fleeting Glimpse

St Swithen graced us with summer sun; the garden responded with rapture!  Bees buzzed busily around the hives, landing precariously laden with multi-coloured pollen sacs. Damp, despondent flowers lifted soggy tissue petals to revitalise under the sun's benevolent rays.

 Through lush foliage a melange of scent seduced us as we brushed along goat track paths.  Just enough to restore our spirits in the search for the Ghost of Summer Past.

Letting Go!

We find ourselves mid-July and the stair-rods are relentless.  Maybe now is the time to let go of expectation,  childhood idylls of a lazy, hazy summer . Despite sadness at dead-heading blooms denied their moment of glory, there is a beauty in the lush vegetation of this Olympic summer garden.  The prehistoric ferns have unravelled their fronds and produce perfect structures to showcase the rain.  I agree, the idea of displaying raindrops is unique, but a garden is organic and we in turn must let go of our conventions of beauty and embrace nature's beauteous bounty; unconditionally!

Soggy Roses

With stems and root- systems fully hydrated this should be prime time for a rose bonanza, but the constant patter of the rain on their flower heads is rotting the petals.  The saturated rose-quartz flower heads of Compte Du Chambord and Gertrude Jekyll are drooping under the weight of the water, their outer leaves disintegrating on the stem. All it would take is a couple of days of July sunshine and they would be able to recuperate.
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Occasionally today, the clouds have parted for a few minutes, just long enough time to feel the heat of the summer sun that is hiding behind; a tantalising glimpse of what could be.

I wonder what St Swithin has in store for us this Sunday?  The met office forcast one of the driest days for six weeks, if popular folk lore is to be believed our forty days of summer are about to begin.  Ahh... then all in the garden will be rosie!

Delicious Dew

What a difference a day makes, this morning the air is positively humid.  Moisture stalactites adorne the hedgerows, creating nature's dew-shower to refresh and surprise in the depths of the undergrowth. Bounteous and bold, June's fair maidens offer a mighty challenge to the mighty Ice queen in the art of water sculpture: sharp/soft, fluid/ fixed, melting/vaporising;each piece unique, available in this moment only!

After a bracken-shower, the grasses softly powdered Vulcan with seed; washed and groomed he was eager to partake of the dew!

The Scent Of Rose

"Mmm, this scent is delicious... Gertrude Jekyll is definitely my favourite!"

Nettle Tango

This morning, before the grey clouds swept in, I spent an hour of solitude deep in the woods. In parts the bracken is now waist high, a veritable jungle for the dogs!  Occasionally, we happened upon a small clearing where the woodland ground-flora was star of the show.  I was particularly taken by these nettles clasped in a warm embrace at the break of day.

 

'Have I interrupted their private dance or is this just a trick of my imagination?' I wondered.  I'm sure that the botanists will have a scientific explanation, but sometimes a thought captures us just long enough to dream!  For me, it is at these moments of surrender that creativity flows...

The Beauty of Form

After listening to the torrential rain of Saturday night I fully expected to wake up and find that the pond had been ousted again by the natural spring that runs under the garden.  But no.. although full to the brim the pond and all its resident flora and fauna were still in situe.  The subtle differences in the downpours will never be known ... yet another mystery of natural law!

For a change I decided to ignore all chores; without agenda I wandered down amongst the plants to admire the beauty of form, colour and perfume.  And what a celebration it was... the plants replenished by the cleansing rain were pushing their heads skyward in search of the sun.  Lady's Mantle had captured the raindrops in her night-time leaf umbrellas, under the midday sun the preserved drops twinkled as they danced.  It was moments like these that caught Edward Bach unawares as he wandered along the hedgerows.  The wild flowers touched his spirit giving him an insight to the workings of the natural world that led to his revolutionary discovery of the healing power of flower essences.  And how would we all cope today in our high speed global economy without a dab of Rescue Remedy to soothe our soul?