#34 - Floral Tribute with mostly garden foliage

 

This was halfway through putting the arrangement together for our roses loving Uncle.

Foliage and Nigella seed heads from the garden along with Waitrose Freesias and Stocks in white and Lilac.  I love Gysophilia, and luckily it came with the Freesias.

The Japanese red Acer formed the bottom ring, which was based on a 23cm wet foam, and then further rounds had Nigella seed heads, Grevillia and Hebe tips and other random shrub’ige from the garden. 

It was late on the Sunday, so I sprayed it down and then added in more stocks and roses early on the Monday, then it was packed in the car with damp towels and ice blocks.

I also added a Manila tag that with a sewing machine in a free hand way and a spare bias binding seven ribbon in black that was pinned in with large pearl headed pins.  I had so many lovely compliments from family and friends, and I believe it was taken home by our cousin.

I could kick myself that I didn’t take a finished photograph, but you get the idea.

The floristry courses at Hadlow College have certainly paid off over the years, and save us a fortune in florists fees.  The only one I have paid for recently was for my cousin, and that was because she lives 4 hours away.

What is clear though, is that I need man6 more choices of shrubs to pull from, and definitely the main staple, Eucalyptus.

Hugs

Kay xx

#33 - New home for Claire, Amanda and Kathie

 

What do you do when you have too many unruly orchids?

Well, you put them in a new tin pot.

I’m sure I’m not the only person that names their plants, and this trio of beauties are named after some of my friends.  Like them, they are wild and playful, and romp all over the place,  ut there was an accident with of them the other day, and it was therefore time to group them in a pit rather than in their separate plastic pots.

Unfortunately, during the move to their new home one of the stunning bloom stalks broke, but they are now happily settled in new bark and moss in the tin basket that I saw the other day, and could not get off my mind.  So, we went back and snagged it today.  Good luck smiled on the girlies, and because it was ex display was a bargain.

We now have room to breath on the window sills, but I am on the look out for another slightly smaller tin container for the other ones.

Orchids are. Bit of a problem for me, please don’t send help!

Hugs

Kay xx

#32 - I’m going to chime in ...

 We re dived a gift yesterday for a special event

They make a fabulous thinking sound, and I love the Gaia Tree of Life motive.

They are by Flamboya and are 92 cm in length cLled Chorus Chimes Tree of Life Windchime.

I am off in search of a sun shade, are they called cantilevered?

Hugs

Kay

#31 - Houston we have a problem ...

 

It is way too hot to garden, and it is not much better in doors with countless fans on the go.  

I’m not going out until it is much cooler later on, and we will eat in the garden, the problem is our candles that go on the bistro table are having a issue, and bunny is afraid they may fall on him.

Stay cool and hydrated.

Hugs

Kay xx

#30 - A little light work

 I forgot to post the details of the Solar Rattan Weave Effect String Lights, £8.99 from The Range

That have been installed on the Shed, unfortunately I underestimated the length and need to go and pick up another string.

The 21.m solar 200 LED Micro String Light £9.99, also from The Range.  We’ve strung them in a random pattern on the new trellis by the side gate.

Both sets look really pretty, and I love the look after dark, so we will be adding solar light in other spots.

Stay cool and hydrated.

Hugs

Kay x

Record Keeping - it won’t mean much to anyone else

 Side rear boundary before removal of hedge

... and during root removal

#29 - Potty about volunteering

 I decided to pull the volunteer potato plants from the sweet corn bed.  They were never in this area of the garden, and so must therefore be self-seeded.  I think they are either. Charlotte or Desiree.  In any event they had pale lilac scented flowers.

We gathered 3.3 kilograms, which is pretty awesome for a free plant.

My actual planted tubers  (Charlotte) are well on their way, and fingers crossed they do so well.  In any event these are a nice piece of compensation for the unmitigated disaster of the winter harvest ... all 13 bags ... that failed due to blight and deprived us of homegrown new potatoes at Christmas lunch.

Hugs

Kay x