This year the front garden is getting some serious attention at last. For many reasons, its been neglected in recent years, and the longer something gets left, the harder it is to make a start isn’t it? It’s south facing, and slopes to a four foot wall above the path, so quite difficult to work in because its elevated.
This area leading to the front gate has a John Downie crab apple tree, lovely in blossom and with an abundance of pretty fruit. But the roots spread far and wide, so planting nearby is difficult. I’ve cleared a lot of campanula, forget me not, marigolds and cerinthe, from here, all of which are sprouting again of course. I think I acquired the rhubarb some years ago and randomly planted there because I couldn’t think of anywhere else. It’s never produced very well though.
I’ve planted salvias, French lavender, Gaura, Scabious and Osteospermum so far. The Japonica is self seeded from one that was dug up a few years ago.
Here’s my long suffering geranium, a favourite brought from my last garden, that’s being invaded by Wood Geum, a pest that I’m digging up everywhere.
A couple of exotics that are staying for now, unlike this one that took two days to dig up.
A couple of spaces waiting for some new plants,
This euphorbia is too big but I don’t know how to get it out without poisoning myself 🙂
and the lavender will dazzle in a few weeks time when the flowers spill over the wall.
House leeks and hardy geraniums are such generous plants, they haven’t minded being ignored.
Leading up to the front door is the space in front of the arch where I’ve taken out the monster. There’s a brand new clematis, but I’ll photograph it when it’s grown a little.
Meanwhile peep the other way. I know it looks untidy, but it’s getting there.
By the end of this summer I hope to have found some nice plants, so that next year it will look really nice. If my back can cope and if the Spanish bluebells don’t take revenge and multiply! So that’s what I’m up to, instead of blogging and visiting you my friends.
Amy’s choice this week of ‘
Less is more for 
She’s already sprouting a new silver fan,
that will grow up like this one day
and she’s wearing some new jewels at her feet
which could be interesting if she’s part tryffid. She may have plans to dominate the local gardens, should I be worried?
where Vigilant is still being refurbished. There’s always plenty to see close to water and Topsham is no exception.
The evening is the best time to be on the quay. Look up river,
or down towards Exmouth.
If you’re there for the day, then outside the photo to the left is the Quay Antiques centre which will keep you happy for hours while you hunt for treasure.
to the glorious view of the estuary, with Exmouth to the east,and and Powderham and Starcross to the west.
As the light changed, we sat for ages listening to the varied calls of the curlews.
Then our tummies began their own howl, so back we went, meandering slowly,
envying the owners of these two gardens,
Wouldn’t they be lovely places for to sit and write or just sit? We sat in the George and Dragon eating pizza!