It flourished for years in a large concrete pot, which was refreshed with a new coat of white paint whenever it looked dowdy. The pot rested on a couple of bricks to help with drainage. There were actually two of these pots, placed either side of a short path that led to the clothesline. In […]
Celebrating hellebores
One of the delights of gardening in a cool climate is that we can grow hellebores. Or rather, they can grow themselves and flower prolifically, with little human interference. Hellebores are perennial ground-covering plants that enjoy shaded areas. The back corner of one of my garden beds has been colonised by these independent plants. Their […]
Pretty polyanthus
The showers are only lightly falling now so I went outside and inspected the garden. I wish I hadn’t. As I took steps across the grass, I could feel myself sinking into the sodden ground. That’s enough, I thought, go back inside and focus on pretty things. So, I’m going to write about polyanthus instead. […]
Keep your cyclamens flowering
Do you have a potted cyclamen? It’s not too late to purchase one, since they are still available in garden centres. If you’ve succumbed to their stunning blooms, I’m sure you want to keep enjoying the flowers as long as possible. Cyclamens grown as indoor potted plants are known as Persian or florist’s cyclamen, Cyclamen […]
Lavender – it lives!
The flowers of lavenders are assets to any cottage style garden. The bees love them and they have a delicate perfume that wafts across the garden on warm days. I have planted many lavenders in my various gardens over the years. Although that’s a fact, it doesn’t tell the whole story. The brutal truth doesn’t […]
On being a gardener
I read an article by Georgina Reid this morning; I probably read it when it was first published but it has resonated strongly with me today. In it, she reflects on why she resisted the terms ‘garden’ and ‘gardening’ but has now reclaimed them. She says: “I am a gardener. I can’t think of a […]
Here’s how to read my newsletters
“This weekly newsletter is written by me, Erica Spinks, so I can share stories about books, gardens, quilts and other interests with you.“ These are words from the footer of my weekly newsletters and, hopefully, gives you an idea of what to expect. I write a newsletter each Sunday and, if you subscribe, it will […]
I think it drowned
Sometimes, plants die, seemingly inexplicably. I always accept this as part of the cycle of life; some plants have longer lives than others. I usually enjoy the beauty or usefulness of a plant without worrying about its longevity. It is sad, though, when a plant dies for no obvious reason. It’s even sadder when I […]
In her garden
I’ve always loved magazines and I’ve always loved gardens. Combine the two and I’m yours! This is the cover of a beautiful new magazine from the stable of Stampington & Company, publishers of other creative titles. It’s actually a spin-off from In Her Studio magazine and contains stories, photographs and projects about women and their […]
Auditing my dahlias
My dahlias bring me enormous pleasure. With their cheery colours and variety of shapes, the flowers always make me smile. They have only another six weeks or so before the first frost will end their season so I am cutting flowers regularly to encourage more buds. Las year, I bought and planted seven tubers to […]