Gardening

[Nemesis]

I am the third owner of the house that I live in and years ago  kept in touch with the original owner of the property.   I remember telling him that I had dug up the old woody roses that were in my garden window box and chucked them in the bin.
I then wished that I hadn't said anything as he said that they were the only Roses in North Wales that came from Charles Dickens' garden and he would have liked them for himself.     
They weren't very nice looking though and when I pricked my finger on one of the thorns then they just had to go!

We are only the 5th owners of our property, which seems amazing as it was built in the late 1840s. All the previous owners have now passed away, but have had some interesting conversations with their families. Apparently some of the past owners grew enough veg. in the back to feed the whole house, before the construction of the garage and car park.!

[Hugo]

The warmth of the last few days has brought the buds on this bush into flower, but our large Rhodendrons show no sign of coming into flower just yet.

[hollins]

Looks lovely Hugo. Our first rhododendron is on its way out and we also have this large magnolia tree in flower at the moment.

[Hugo]

After the snow, sleet, hail and rain we had on Saturday, yesterday was the first day that I could mow the lawn.    After a few hours and four bags of grass cuttings later the lawns looked good.
Today they still looked good in the sunny weather, but there were dozens of Dandelion flowers all over the place.   They  seem to have popped up overnight, just wish our flowers would do the same.         :rage:

[hollins]

Not noticed much in the dandelion department here but some lovely blue things appearing. Can't wait for the next month or so when the garden really gets going.

[DVT]

Spent this morning in my new "job" as a "Laburnum Archer" in Bodnant!  Extra volunteers were required to deal with the expected high number of visitors and, as I have a long link to Bodnant, I decided to become one of them.  Surprisingly busy this morning in the sunshine!

The first three laburnum flowers are now out, only a few thousand more to go!  Plenty of colour with rhododendrons, azaleas, tulips, magnolias and other plants.  The next few weeks will be the best, so hopefully some good weather to match!

[hollins]

Well done you. Good luck!
 We arrived there at 4.50pm the other day and were disappointed to find that it closed at 5. I thought it might be open later at this time of year when it is in its full glory.

[DVT]

Sorry you couldn't get in - but next week and week after will be the arch in full glory.  Bodnant Gardens will be open until 8pm on Wednesdays, dogs are also permitted between 5pm and 8pm (not loose, short leads please!).  Other days it will be 9am to 5pm.

Check out their website for full info www.bodnant-garden.co.uk !!

[hollins]

Thanks and good luck with the job!

[Hugo]

The recent spell of good weather has now brought out our Rhododendrons into flower

[hollins]

So lovely Hugo. Must go to Bodnant and check on how DVT is getting along!

[Hugo]

Thanks Hollins,   Mrs Hugo was there last week and said that it was well worth the visit.      Garthewin in Llanfair TH is open on Sunday according to the NWWN


https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjj9sm65OPMAhWGVRoKHegTCCUQFggiMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ngs.org.uk%2Fgardens%2Ffind-a-garden%2Fgarden.aspx%3Fid%3D19072&usg=AFQjCNEgwnvCDGNK6Vx6U76ZzBajbvqssw

[hollins]

I bet that is lovely too. Have you been there before Hugo?
This is what is out in our garden today.

[Hugo]

I haven't been to Garthewin before but the photos of the garden look really good.    With all the lovely photos of the plants in your garden and the animals that visit it too, I had you down for living on an estate something like Bodnant or Garthewin.   

[Hugo]

This last week has brought the Clematis on and there's a shed underneath all that lot.