Saturday 16 May 2020

Greetings from a lockdown garden

Those of you who are the lucky owners of a garden will almost certainly agree that it's been a blessing in these most unsettling of times. Surely, even at the best of times, nothing compares to spending time in one's garden on a warm Spring day?

After the brief but welcome rain and cooler temperatures of the preceding week, they'd climbed well into the twenties by the weekend before last.


That Friday, we were all ready for another outing to the garden centre, followed by a spot of gardening.

I dressed in a skirt you've seen before quite recently, a pink one scattered with a blue, green, yellow and white floral print. I wore a plain green sailor-style jumper with it last time, but now I opted for a charity shopped King Louie blouse with a retro-style print in green and turquoise.

To its collar, I pinned a squirrel brooch I picked up in a charity shop during our last sojourn in Belgium's west country. Both the multi-coloured wooden beads and the bracelets were local charity shop finds, while the teal belt with its mock tortoiseshell buckle was a retail sales bargain earlier this year.




Back from the garden centre with two more boxes of colourful plants, our first task was to clear the little courtyard at the back of our garden.

I did not take before photos, but believe me, it was one hell of a task, as the paving stones to the right of where we'd put the barrel were completely hidden by a thick layer of soil and garden waste. It was so bad that some uninvited plants had firmly taken root in the cracks between the stones.



Finally, after quite a bit of sweating and swearing in the sweltering heat trapped between the garden walls and the shed, the old paving stones emerged. By that time, we had just enough energy left for some perfunctory sweeping of the dust, and decided to leave the rest to the rain which was inevitably forecasted for Sunday.

Now, it was time for the fun part: converting the courtyard into a cozy place to sit and enjoy the garden. 

The pots I'd put on the barrel received the company of several of the plants we'd brought back from the garden centre. I've always loved hollyhocks (Alcea rosea), so I was delighted to have come across a pot of  'Charter's Double' in pink, which I transferred to a big terracotta pot, giving it a home next to the barrel.




The old metal, double layered plant stand which had been wasting away plant-less for years, is now taking pride of place, bearing two pots with a mixture of annuals, with a pretty white lavender in the top one. Separate pots of Nasturtiums and pink and white Gypsophila were added for that cottage garden feel.

Oh, and you've probably noticed the tin buckets with Pelargoniums and Million Bells hanging from the brackets bearing the enamal sign!


Some of the annuals I've planted in the pots include a raspberry swirl Pelargonium, yellow and lilac Osteospermum, and Antirrhinum 'Yellow Maroon', a range of new, exquisite and lightly fragrant snapdragons.


The newly planted border is coming along nicely, with one of the hardy Geraniums opening the first of its flowers. I added some traditional snapdragons, and a row of Tagetes, or French marigolds, in a bold maroon and bright orange variety called 'Tiger Eyes'.

Some more perennials were added as well. I planted Scabiosa 'Pink Mist', a double Geum called 'Lady Stratheden' and Helenium 'The Bishop'. And I definitely needn't have worried about the climbing Nasturtium seeds I planted at the base of the wire obelisk, as they are emerging one by one. How exciting!

Exciting finds from the potting shed as well, including an ancient cleaver belonging to Jos's Dad and a pair of secateurs belonging to his ex-father-in-law, who was a professional gardener.



Sunday was even warmer, with the mercury nudging towards the high twenties.

First wearing for the multi-coloured diagonally striped dress I picked up from Think Twice late last Summer. 

Jos had dragged our comfortable folding garden chairs out of the shed and given them a thorough clean, and we sat enjoying the spoils of our labour in our newly created secret sitting area, well hidden away from prying neighbourly eyes.


The perfect spot for some reading - finishing my latest book, which I admit was a bit of a slog - and making some blog post notations in my funky charity shopped notebook.

While we were sitting there, Jos noticed that the enamel sign was marked with the year 1932, making it an incredible 88 years old!



From the dress's colours, I picked cornflower blue for my accessories, adding a belt and beaded necklace, as well as a 1940s carved celluloid brooch featuring the typical poppy, daisy and cornflower associated with the World War II Liberation.



What a glorious day it was, with the balmy temperatures lasting well into the evening, the slanting rays of the setting sun casting a golden glow over our tiny piece of paradise. 

And look at the gorgeous little bells of our Fuchsia magellanica peeking through the foliage of the mighty white currant bush. They are very early this year, as they usually only appear from late June onwards.


It was a completely different story on Sunday, the temperatures having dropped several degrees. And while during the first part of the day, the sun still did its best to warm things up, a sharpish wind made it quite unpleasant and admittedly a bit too chilly for short sleeves.

By mid afternoon, torrential rains put paid to any further gardening plans. We'd left it too late to make outfit photos, so that we had to wait out the rain to show you my tomato red dress liberally sprinkled with green and white flowers. 



I stuck to green and white, with a bit of red, for my accessories, including a beaded necklace, a stack of bracelets in all three colours, a creamy oval brooch bearing the portrait of a lady, and a red flower clipped to another #coronahair solution.




The rain made the garden smell heavenly, and I think I could actually hear it breathing a sigh of relief on receiving those welcome, life-giving rains the heavens were chucking down.

No chance for sitting out in the garden, but at least I only had to water the plants under the awning that day!



46 comments:

  1. Wow the yellow sign looks amazing, I love it.
    I also love hollyhocks they epitomise summer don't they.
    I went along to our newly reopened local garden centre today but the queue was ridiculously long so I left without joining it.
    You've made a great job of the back of your garden, it looks like a lovely plant filled oasis to sit in, hopefully you have some warm weather this weekend. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I have to admit I wouldn't have joined that queue either. We're so lucky that our garden centre is quiet. It's been a real life saver! xxx

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  2. You’ve got some lovely summer outfits Ann. I’m glad to see you haven’t let standards slip during these lockdown days.
    I think your garden is sweet and just the right size to manage. We are not great gardeners, unlike my Auntie Gladys was. She won lots of gardening competitions. I’ve got a garden full of plastic and silk plants. Can’t kill
    them off can I haha.
    Enjoy your weekend you two xxx

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    1. Can't let standards slip even during these crazy times! Wow, your Auntie Gladys really was an amazing lady! xxx

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  3. You did a great job with your garden. So many beautiful and diverse flowers and plants. I'm sure you are right about garden being a comfort. It can be quite an oasis.

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  4. love the first outfit you wore with its mix of prints. The blouse and the skirt are quite different but they work together. The printed dresses you wore are beautiful. The belts are very chic as well. You always have nice accessories. You look so lovely in both of these printed dresses.

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    1. Thanks Ivana. Blouses and skirts are often trial and error with me. I don't always get it right the first time. I'm so glad I've picked up so many accessories over the years, they really make all the difference! xxx

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  5. Oh yes good we have a garden! You look amazing in the red flower dress Ann. I love you wear green accessoiries and the brooche is sooo nice.
    We spend much time in the garden with Laila. Göga plants flowers, Laila tug out :))
    I wish you a great sunny weekend, with a huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! Oh, naughty Laila! We're very lucky Phoebe isn't destructive :-) xxx

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  6. Beautiful outfits, that new striped dress in particular. Red and green goes so nicely together I often wonder why we don't see more of it apart from Christmas?

    Your flowering garden looks so lovely. I have very few flowers this year apart from the columbines and nasturtiums but I just couldn't face the garden centre. I can still sit in the garden but no one gets poetic about being surrounded by kale and peas!

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    1. Thank you Goody. I do wonder why indeed. I think red and green looks fresh and summery. I can imagine you could't face the garden centre. So glad ours is an oasis of calm! xxx

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  7. I like that first outfit the best.
    The Mr. and I built a greenhouse a few years ago. Since I work full-time I never had the appropriate amount of time for it. Now that I work remotely, the greenhouse is getting all sorts of attention. I am rehabilitating some of the plastic panes today.

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    1. Thank you Tami! Oh, how I wish I had space for a greenhouse! xxx

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  8. I agree, Ann, gardens are a slice of heaven, especially in times like these.

    Your outfit looks cheery and perfect for spending time in the garden.

    The bright enamel sign is just brilliant. I love vintage signs like that. X

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    1. Thank you Jess! We were so lucky to get that sign for free from our neighbour! xxx

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  9. It's nice you are creating such a lovely garden for relaxing in! :) Our garden is very basic, just grass mostly, as I do not have a green thumb at all! We got free veggie patch seeds from the supermarket last year - I enjoyed the basil until it died and I got some kale for my salad on Friday, but other than that the other plants never survived long enough to give us any food, ha!

    Really like your red dress, the red and green look nice together!

    Hope that you are having a nice weekend :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! My childhood garden was very basic as well, with mostly grass. And a swing and sand pit! What more does a child need? xxx

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  10. by summer your garden will be a veritable jungle!
    love all the colors of the flowers and on your dresses - such a happy sight. and yes - gardens ARE little paradise - the word paradise came from the persian word for garden - the old persians invented the decorative garden......
    sunday hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! I fully realize it will be a jungle by Summer, but I do love some organized chaos! My favourite gardening book is called A Gentle Plea for Chaos! xxx

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  11. I'm so happy that the temperatures have risen again. I find it most challenging to manage the cold phases in spring. Today has been a lovely day and I spent most of it outside in the garden. Lucky me! All the best, Regula

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    1. Oh yes, lucky you! We are having a colder phase right now, and it's far too chilly to be out in the garden! xxx

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  12. Yes, gorgeous weather and our own personal green space, it doesn't get much better, does it?
    Dove Cottage's garden (and it's occupants) are looking wonderful!
    The sign looks fabulous as does the newly cleared courtyard and your metal planters. Jos's ex-father-in-laws tools are lovely, we could do with that cleaver to tackle the top bit of our wilderness.
    Love all three of your outfits and your corona hair styling gets better and better.
    I hate rain but love that last photo!
    Stay safe, all three of you! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! I'm not exactly a fan of rain either, but we do need some for the garden. It's getting very dry, and soon there will be a hosepipe ban. We're so lucky to have a secret hidden well! xxx

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  13. I love your outfits, particularly the first one. I like your secret sitting area. We have a large patio attached to the house and I'm in the process of creating a lovely little one where a broken down shed used to be at the bottom of the garden.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for your lovely comment Polly. I'd love to have a patio, but our garden is very, very small. xxx

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  14. Oh what a lovely garden you have! With such cosy places to sit in! And a bird house I spot there. It s going to be a great week, weatherwise, so I will be reading a lot in my garden listening to the birds feeding there Young in the trees! That Brown striped skirt is fabulous, love the blue accessories with it! Have a good start of the week!

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    1. Thank you so much Nancy! The bird house is a feeder, but we leave it mostly empty in the Summer months. Birds are still flocking to our garden regardless. xxx

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  15. Hasn't it been the best release Ann. I've been finishing my garden off too. I feel for the people that haven't got any outside space. Your pots look lovely, enjoy the rewards xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie! Our gardens have been a godsend. Can't imagine having any outdoor space at all! xxx

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  16. Your garden looks amazing Anne! I love your little secret spot to sit and read. Nice to see your osteospurnums the same as mine! Thanks for commenting on my blog, and yes, it is so good to have a garden to work in and enjoy during these crazy times. I love your tomato red dress too! I love to see how you accessorize your lovely outfits! XXX

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    1. Thank you so much Linda! I've certainly been enjoying my garden this Spring! xxx

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  17. Nice work. I started my first garden this Spring, partly as a pandemic diversion and partly to honor my (deceased) mom. Gardening is a calming hobby.

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    1. Thank you Ally, and I agree that gardening is a calming hobby, which puts things into perspective! xxx

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  18. woww, so lovely post, I've felt transported into your garden, enjoying every flower, every smell and even the rain!
    And your outfits are so fab, love the floral skirt with the green pullover and colorful beads, love your diagonal printed dress (such a delightful pattern and colors!) and love the poppy and daisy brooch, and totally love your red dress with green and white accents, which is a joyful piece!
    Lovely to see your garden blooming!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much Monica. I'm glad to have transported you to my garden! xxx

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  19. What lovely plants you chose and have and how nice is your little courtyard area? It looks like a wonderful place to sit and chill.

    Your sign is the same age as my mum - born in 1932!

    Loved your floral skirt and accessories and the tomato red dress and green accessories was lovely.

    It sounds like we had the same weather - such a contrast between one day and the next! We're set for a mini heatwave as from today.

    Take care
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni. My Dad was born in 1932 as well. Sadly, he's no longer with us. And we did have a mini heatwave too, on the 21st. xxx

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  20. This was such a lovely post, Ann, thank you! I could smell the rain as your garden soaked it up. This is very similar to our spring weather, very mercurial.

    Wonderful outfits, as always. I love your separates - I would love to find something by King Louie here! How fun that your notebook matches your diagonal outfit! That is one spectacular dress. Your red/green/white outfit is so pretty - your hair solutions look awesome. That darker red is a great colour for you.

    I smiled at Phoebe napping on her pillow. What a gift we give ourselves when we make these oases in our living spaces, whether indoor or outdoor. I'm so glad you'll have this garden to enjoy your summer in!

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    1. Thank you Sheila. The weather has been very mercurial indeed. I hadn't even noticed the notebook matched my diagonal outfit, but you're right ;-) My hair has become truly unmanageable, even with my solutions. So glad I'll be able to go to the hairdresser on June 3! xxx

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  21. I'm amazed the birds haven't nabbed your strawberries yet!

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  22. Hello Ann. Thankyou for this lovely post. What a blessing our gardens have been during isolation, providing us with sanctuary and tranquility. I love taking my coffee out in the garden every morning to see all the new growth of flowering plants and veges.

    Your garden is looking more lush every week. Your new additions are fantastic. I spotted your fuchsia plant. I love them as they remind me of dancing ballerinas. I was told they're fragile, but not in our garden. They thrive in the shade, even with total neglect.

    I finally got a chance to go to our local nursery this week to purchase some fruit trees and another rose. What a beautiful place - I could've been there for hours!

    Your new seating area looks wonderful. Perfect spot for reading and a cup of coffee.

    Loved this week's outfits, the first two my favourites.

    Have a lovely day and thankyou so much for the birthday message. Love you.

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    1. Thank you Suzy. This is a hardy, half-wild Fuchsia and they're quite tough plants. It's been in our garden for at least 15 years, and never fails to make an appearance, even with total neglect like you said. xxx

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  23. Yes, we've been so grateful for our garden. Now the garden centres over here are open again, Pete's been going bananas.

    Once you've got nasturtiums, you'll always have them - mine self-seed and come back every year, no effort from me required.

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    1. The garden centre has been our weekly trip. I completely forgot I'm a plant-o-holic! xxx

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