Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Saturday, March 31, 2007

In The Garden Again


I've had a busy week this week, the sort where there is a lot of coming and going with not much to show for it. I did manage two days working in the garden though, Tuesday and Wednesday both started off with a thick mist but once it had lifted we got two lovely days and off out into the garden I went. As a result most of the back garden is done apart from putting in plant supports - a department where I am always full of good intentions but often don't actually get it done soon enough. This year is going to be the one where I'm ahead of the game:)


Primroses and chionodoxa next to a little stone trough. Above is Narcissus 'Jenny' one of my favourites.



Tulipa turkestanica - a pretty species tulip which flowers incredibly early.


The main group of daffodils in the grass in the orchard. This is where I had two trees removed to make room for the marquee last year. The white plastic is a protector for the wild cherry that I planted a couple of weeks ago - there ARE some leaves in there! I still have to decide on a replacement for the other one, probably a native species for wild life as I already have more apples than I know what to do with in the autumn.


My gardening clogs, new ones to replace the pair that have recently bitten the dust.These came from Country Living Spring Fair too! They are really comfortable and waterproof.


Still on a loosely gardening theme,on Tuesday evening Jules and I went to see Joanna Lumley in Chekhov's play 'The Cherry Orchard'. I enjoyed it but Jules wasn't over impressed and didn't know why it had become a classic. It was very amusing and the individual actors were very good but I did know what she meant when she said they didn't really gel as a group. You were always aware that you were watching a play rather than being lost in the story.


I've been treating myself to some copies of Victoria magazine off ebay - they all arrived earlier this week. I'm off to stay with friends in Cheshire this weekend so they'll be going with me to fill in those odd half hours that usually occur. I'm a much earlier riser than my friends so it will give me something to do in the morning:) Tonight we're going to see my god-daughter in a production of Guys and Dolls - more in my line than the Gilbert and Sullivan they did last time. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

26 comments:

Ragged Roses said...

Hello
Your garden is looking wonderful - love those daffodils and tulips. I've always wanted a wild cherry too! Hope you have a great weekend, and those clogs are lovely too.
Kim

peppylady (Dora) said...

I've been enjoying looking at all the wonderful flowers and plants are in full bloom.
I don't have anything in bloom at this time.
All your pictures are great!

sheila from life @ #17 said...

Are your Jennys all-white? If so, I may have to hunt down some of those for my garden, too :)

and luv Victoria magazine...I've been looking at them on e-bay, too, but the garden expenditures being what they have been lately, I'm holding off for now :)

smilnsigh said...

Oh so lovely to see flowers. You are so lucky.

Congratulations on getting those wonderful old 'Victorias.' A joy they are!

Hope the weekend is being lovely.

Mari-Nanci

Val said...

Gosh I wish I knew the names of varieties of plants. The clogs are wonderful.Hope your weekend weather is sunny and warm.

kate said...

There are few things better to see in spring than species tulips! I wish that I had some garden clogs like yours - they are adorable!

Naturegirl said...

Love your new garden clogs!Oh that field of daffodils what a sight to behold when they are all in bloom!hugs NG

Daisy Lupin said...

I second that, I always leave my plant supports too late, this year I have got them prepared and ready.

Anonymous said...

Wow, your garden is looking lovely, full of the joys of spring! There is still so much to do in our garden, so many weeds to get rid of and so many more things to plant (aubergines, haricot and cannelloni beans to name but a few!).

Enjoy the lovely weather - I can't wait to get outside this week!

rel said...

Rowan,
Your flowers are a lovely harbinger of spring. Water proof clogs...now that's the ticket! And smart looking to boot. Just following you around is invigorating. Yesterday I did a bit of spring myself. Took a bike ride across the way to the waterfall area and lo-and-behold, I came upon a beaver dam. I did get some rather good pics, (I think anyway). Then it was back home to rake the leaves off the flower beds to be greeted by the lovely croci and of course the geen shoots of the hyacinthe and daffodils promising a spectacular show to come in the weeks ahead.
Glad you've been out and about getting "cultured" at the theater, sounds like you having a wonderful spring thus far.
rel

Sheila said...

Delightful garden clogs, I can just picture you tip~toeing through your tulips in those !!
I did manage a tidy up, but the ground, & the lawn especially is still far too wet to be walking on.
I hope you enjoy the Victoria magazines, they were always a favourite, and I still miss them.

PAT said...

Hello Rowan...I enjoyed visiting your beautiful garden!

Marilyn in NM said...

I love your clogs. I'm thinking of getting a pair of crocs for my "outside" shoes. I love the flowers on yours.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate the comments. I love visiting with all my new blog friends.

Alyssa said...

Hello Rowan, Your blog is very enjoyable. Wonderful pictures and I was delighted to see someone else who like species tulips. The clogs are like a breath of spring also. Spring is just begining here so I like seeing gardens that are ahead of mine. Will be stopping by again, Alyssa

Tea said...

Lovely flowers Rowan! Hope you had a nice time at the play. I wish Victoria magazine was still being published. Used to love that magazine!

tea
xox

smilnsigh said...

You said [in my blog] that you enjoy looking at the beauty of the full moon and, in fact, the moon in all its phases. Oh yes, so do I.

I'm so happy that you have a cold clear night and can see the moon, already. Here, the East is not so visible. Looking East, there's a slight incline. And lots and lots of pine trees, here and there. Plus a whole row of them, as a break between our house and the street {we are on a corner lot}. All in all, it doesn't make for good moon rise viewing. Or sun rise viewing either. -sigh-

But, some things we can't change, especially when living in a city.

But there is still a small woods across the street and we really are so happy with this fact! It belongs to a college and will stay this way. -happy sigh-

Mari-Nanci

Verena said...

Hi,
I just found your blog and wanted to say hello!
I love your gardening clogs - they are so funny and make me feeling happy! The groups of daffodils are great - I only have single ones!
Greetings from Austria, Verena

Anonymous said...

Your garden looks beautiful! I love seeing the daffodils. I'm a huge fan of Victorian magazine as well and have collected most of the issues. Thanks for coming by my blog for a visit! ♥

Kelli said...

I love your daffodils in the meadow, just beautiful!!! Enjoy your Victorias, I'm a huge fan too!
Kelli

Anonymous said...

Hello, Rowan. I came to your blog via Kate's, and am glad I stopped by. I have just been admiring my own little species tulips, and my daffodils are about done. I have been bragging on them steadily for the last couple of weeks over at my blog, complete with portraits.

Love your clogs, and also loved your meadow of daffodils. I have tried naturalizing daffodils in my lawn but I have stopped doing that. It drives the guy who mows (my husband) nuts. So instead, I have them along fence rows and in beds where they don't get in the way.

I'll be back.

kattz*cottage said...

I love your daffodil garden! Just beautiful & I'm in the same frame of mind this spring - trying to stay ahead of the game! I subscribed to Victoria for years & still enjoy them over & over - a very special magazine. Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Mary said...

Hi Rowan - thank you so much for visiting me at ACROSS THE POND. I'm now enjoying reading about you and life in my dear old homeland. When I saw the primroses I almost cried - I want to be in Devon for Spring! Will be there in October though so have that to look forward to. Your home and garden are lovely - I will definitely keep visiting.
Have a wonderful week.
~ Mary ~

kate said...

Hi Rowan,

Just came and had another delightful look through your pictures ... and I wanted to say, now I'm wanting to go to Sissinghurt to see the purple flowers. Oh my ...

Shropshire Girl said...

Hello Rowan, I have just spent a very enjoyable few minutes looking through your lovely garden photos. Thank you for your comments on my blog, you enquired about Lark Rise To Candleford? Royal Grafton produced a series of plates from the illustrated edition of the book, I bought them all off Ebay over a period of time. Caverswall china also produced items like thimbles and vases, and another company produced a series of cottages from the book (I haven't got any of those). I also managed to purchase (Ebay again) the Portfolio of plates in a presentation folder. I will have to photo them all and post. I LOVE LRTC and Still Glides the Stream, but have not yet read the Peverill Papers.
Happy Easter,
Sandra

Clare and Mike said...

Lovely photos of all the plants! That is one of my mum's favourite plays, although I haven't seen it. Enoy those Victoria magazines and have a lovely time in Cheshire.

Happy Easter!

Clare

Anonymous said...

I was reading your blog and saw that you mentioned Victoria magazine. Did you know that it is coming back! Read below:

HOFFMAN MEDIA, LLC AND HEARST MAGAZINES
FORM JOINT VENTURE TO RE-LAUNCH VICTORIA

The Magazine about Romantic Living to Debut October 2007

Birmingham, Ala. (April 26, 2007)—Hoffman Media, LLC, publisher of the successful magazine Cooking with Paula Deen, today announced that it has partnered with Hearst Magazines to re-introduce Victoria, a magazine that ceased publication in 2003. The two companies have formed a joint venture for the purpose of publishing Victoria and ancillary media products and events under the Victoria brand name. Owned and operated solely by Hearst from 1987 to 2003, Victoria will now be entirely under the direction of Hoffman Media, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hoffman will handle all editorial, production, distribution and advertising for Victoria. Hearst will contribute the Victoria trademark, copyright, URL, subscription database, and access to historical content of both editorial and art.

Founded in 1987 by Nancy Lindemeyer, Victoria was the authority on romantic living, including home and garden, fashion and beauty, food, home decorating, collectibles and profiles of remarkable women. Its mission was to create a community of kindred spirits – those who recognize the importance of beauty and manners and traditions in daily life. In its new form, Victoria magazine will once again take its place as the official guide to gracious living.

Victoria will be published bi-monthly with its first issue hitting newsstands in October 2007 with a November/December issue. The magazine will carry a cover price of $4.99. Hoffman Media’s launch plans for Victoria include heavy newsstand distribution, strong internet presence, and targeted direct mail campaigns. The ultimate goal for the launch of this bi-monthly magazine will be to reach 250,000 paid copies after just two issues.

“Victoria magazine had a unique editorial perspective and a loyal readership since its very first issue in 1987,” said Cathleen P. Black, president, Hearst Magazines. “Because of its success in the niche women’s lifestyle market, Hoffman is the right publisher to bring the Victoria brand back to life in its new format and we are confident that Phyllis and her team will do a great job.”

While Hearst ceased publication of Victoria following the June 2003 issue, the brand has lived on through a series of branded books published by Sterling Books.

“Women across the country have longed to have their beloved Victoria back and now they will,” said Phyllis Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman Media. “Victoria is a perfect fit for our roster of lifestyle titles that share a similar editorial and demographic focus. We’re thrilled to be working with Hearst to revive this brand for a more targeted audience of women.”

A leading special-interest publisher, Hoffman Media is known for specializing in magazines targeting the women’s market. The company’s most recent launch, Cooking with Paula Deen in October 2005, met with unbelievable success—reaching a rate base of 750,000 after only eight issues. The company also publishes titles such as Southern Lady, Tea Time and Taste of the South.

About Hoffman Media, LLC
Hoffman Media, LLC, headquartered in Birmingham, AL, is a leading special-interest publisher specializing in magazines targeted to the women’s market. In addition to publications, the company has a growing consumer seminar business and an established ancillary products division.

About Hearst Magazines
Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, with a total of 19 U.S. titles and nearly 200 international editions. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.4 million according to MRI, fall 2006). The company also publishes 20 magazines in the United Kingdom through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited.

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