A meadow through the months

May: lots of green (weeds???) appeared and grew fast. The patch looked scruffy and I didn't feel too hopeful. 

July: what was I worried about? It looked fantastic, packed with annual flowers - some native, some exotic, all wild.  We had grown a glorious flowery meadow. I picked lots as cut flowers. 

    and even had enough for a friend's wedding.  

October - the meadow has gently subsided back to scruffy, so I'll dig it up and plant something tidier there. We will be sowing another one at our workshop next year, but over by the pond this time...

The workshops start in March - http://www.hornbrookmanor.co.uk

Wreathed in Virginia creeper

The leaves have fallen from the Virginia creeper (they only ever give 5 minutes of flaming autumn leaf), so now I can get at the pliable stems and make a few wreath bases. the black berries on bright red stems look brilliant, but I doubt they'll last. I'll dip them in glycerine for a bit and see how long...

Keeping the show on the road

Many plants have given up by late summer, but there are a few that will keep  going from June until November, without any deadheading or cutting back. Low growing Geranium ‘Rozanne’ flowers in an endless sprawl and tall, wiry Verbena bonariensis is a magnet for butterflies - and then birds once it finally sets seed.

For details of courses visit

www.hornbrookmanor.co.uk  

01233 861149

Hello Sunshine

      

It may be too late to grow Sunflowers from scratch, but they’re a great cut flower and will last a good while

in a vase. ‘Russian Giant’ is the classic tall yellow flower, but there are some dazzling alternatives around. 

You can even sow the seed sold as bird food - there’ll be enough in a bag to grow a field full. 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk

Second chances

Many of the classic cottage blooms are fading now, but here’s a drastic way to get 

them back. Cut early summer perennials like Geraniums, Lupins and Delphiniums 

right down to the ground once they’ve finished flowering. They’ll soon put on some 

fresh new growth, and with any luck, by the end of the summer they’ll be blooming again.

Contact Jo Arnell for border designs

and garden advice: 01233 861149

jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk

Tulp 'Ballerina' and purple Honesty

Biennials appear just at the right time to make perfect companions for spring bulbs. If they like you, they'll set seed and pop up every year.

Ladybird books for grown ups

I just love these new Ladybird books, and now can't look at the originals in the same way...