A SEPAL, petal, and a thorn
Upon a common summer’s morn,
A flash of dew, a bee or two,
A breeze
A caper in the trees,—
And I ’m a rose!
“Nature” by Emily Dickinson 1830-86 (American poet, Bronte contemporary and admirer)
Well, we still have a few roses brightening up the garden even though the main flowering period is slowly coming to a close. We were commenting the other day how nice it was to see them extending their flowering season and a few still have an array of buds that we can look forward to.
August is definitely a month of change in the garden and some beds have now gone past their best but still full of growth and seed heads for next year. On the other hand, some beds, particularly immediately below the house windows, are very much still in full show. This is probably because they receive more full sunlight and the type of plants that are situated there. I am thinking of the wonderful bright red hydrangea and astilbe that are currently in flower.
Talking of types of plants, a significant part of our work this month has been to alter the area of garden beneath the large pine tree at the church end of the garden (planted by Charlotte and Arthur on their return from honeymoon in 1854). This area is in a lot of shade and has just been allowed to be covered in cranesbill which has done a sterling job over the years and produces a good flowering season but did seem rather ordinary in appearance. In an attempt to brighten things up we have removed the cranesbill, fertilised the ground and, mainly through Jenny’s research and shopping expertise, re-planted the area with a wide range of different shade loving plants. At the same time adding a few logs to give a woodland look and to help wildlife.
If you are visiting please take a look around the garden (both front and back) before we lose the last of the summer colours. Also, if you have time, a walk on the Bronte moors at this time of year should not be missed whilst the heather is in full bloom.
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