A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower.
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell,
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell
Anne Bronte
May has been such a lovely month. At the end of April, the garden was well behind in growth compared to previous years but a beautiful May has meant that plants have caught up and the garden is looking lovely.
Geoff and I have replanted the bed, back left of the garden, against the graveyard, in honour of Emily whose bicentenary we celebrate this year. We have kept the theme of the moors with wild flowers to make a natural look, scattered with mossy stones and branches. I found some sweet peas, one of which is the Sicilian pea, which Emily grew, and the other is called Wuthering Heights. Both are good colours that fit the scheme and we plan to grow them so they will climb through the dead branches of an old shrub. Across the path from Emily’s garden is the woodland bed which we planted last autumn. It is looking good and again brings a natural feel.
Fired up with enthusiasm, we are now improving the long sunny bed against Church Street to create a bee and butterfly friendly garden. We have researched to find the best plants for these precious creatures and many of them will extend the season well into the autumn.
The last two years have seen us moving the garden forward by giving special meaning to each individual bed while, we hope, keeping continuity. There are eight separate beds within the front and side gardens, five of which now have a little more structure. Last year’s new Branwell bed is looking good. I love this bed and hope Branwell will approve; it reflects his bright and sunny side, full of colour and surprises, while giving a nod to his later gloomy period with a few darker plants scattered among the flashy ones.
Back to the front garden and the long shady bed opposite the sunny bed: this is very shady thanks to the trees which overhang it. In spring, before the leaves come out, we have a lovely show of bulbs but, as the leaves grow, the garden gets darker, so we have decided to embrace this and major on shade loving plants. This isn’t a new thought of course but I think we are getting to the point where we are ready to go for it.
I am green with envy today as my beautiful assistant Geoff is off to Chelsea Flower Show to be presented with some newly named roses, EMILY, which Austin’s Roses have kindly given to us. I am on holiday in Northumberland so cannot join Geoff. I hope he has a well-deserved wonderful day.
June is just around the corner bringing the A.G.M. This is the time when our members are sure to visit the garden and so we shall endeavour to have it looking lovely for you.
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