There never were such times!!! In April we were giddy with celebrations of the two-hundredth anniversary of Charlotte's birth. Among the many other markers of the event, we were given a beautiful rose by David Austin Roses to plant in the garden in commemoration and we look forward to enjoying its lovely flowers and scent for years to come. Whilst we were gardening this morning, Geoff and I took a close look at it and I am relieved to say that it is growing and looking happy. This tells us that it is putting down roots and sprouting new growth. I wonder if we shall be fortunate enough to see a few flowers this year? I do hope so.
But now we come to May which is making us even more giddy with the doings of the BBC. They are not only recreating the parsonage and all the surrounding buildings and graveyard up on Penistone Hill but they have now started on Main Street, returning it to its appearance in the Brontës' time!! As we know, the garden we see now is nothing like the space that passed for a garden in the Brontës' day. It was something more akin to a yard then with hens scratching, some blackcurrants and maybe rhubarb, a hawthorn tree and the odd hardy shrub and herbaceous plants. Today the garden has evolved into a cottage garden with all the plants the Brontës loved and commented on in the poetry and novels; it represents the planting of the time, of which we hope they will approve, as they walk invisible through the garden.
Geoff has done an amazing job on the lawn this spring. It suffered a lot of damage during the winter and, in March, we were despairing of it but with a lot of work on Geoff's part it has almost recovered now. The flowerbeds are looking lovely now and I confess that this morning, when our work was done, we both stood back to admire.
June of course brings the Bronte Society AGM and, with it, lots of old friends, otherwise known as the members, to Haworth and for those important visitors we want everything in the garden to be looking it's best. I have to say that the museum itself, with which I have had a close association for over twenty years, has never looked better, and I hope the garden will complement it.
It is still early in the gardening year for our northerly climate and so it is true to say that the flowering season is only just beginning. Last year, we concentrated on planting with a view to extending the season into November and so we have much to look forward to in the months ahead.
Please come and visit us, your comments are always welcome. Oh! and may I remind you not to forget to water your tubs and baskets this summer? They rely on us, and will pay us back handsomely if we keep them watered and fed. Thank you on their behalf.
Jenny.