Not the most romantic name, but it is a plant with impact. There was no sign of them a couple of weeks ago but now they are romping away; they grow quickly in our well and truly damp/wet/soaking garden as does the Gunneria by the pond. The streams meander through the woods and garden, leaving the ground rather sponge like. and this year the ground is taking quite a while to dry out. Alistair was only able to get the lawnmower through the woods and onto the lawns this week for the first time, and that was with the help of some bark mulching being placed in some areas. The lawns are looking a bit patchy after moles have had their fun and leaves that we just didn't get around to moving. It's bumpy and squashy in equal measures and our large Maremmas Lucca and Kiki really haven't helped matters by romping and chasing each other around the garden. They are pictured below after tiring themselves out!
Getting ready for summer
At last the sun is shining, the House Martins are back from their travels and are sweeping around the house and barn. We bought three half whiskey barrels this week and I ordered the plants after seeing a lovely idea in Gardens Illustrated. Jacky Mills created a pretty frothy concoction that I am copying and some of the plants have already arrived - I found a company I hadn't used before, 'Cotswold Garden Flowers', and my word they are quick to deliver. I bought Actaea Simplex Brunette from them. Husband Alistair has drilled some drainage holes in the barrels and painted the metal bands black, and we placed crocks in the bottom for drainage. So far I have managed one wheelbarrow of compost from our garden but I have now decided to delegate this to Alistair as I have realised how heavy it is, and I have a bad hand at present. This means that I can move onto the lawn edging and some weeding among the bed of alliums I planted last year - I will post a pic of these as soon as they flower. Right, back on with the wellies and into the sun!