Renovating a garden.

My front garden is a Spring garden.

After that a lot of work has to be done

 Jobs include:

1. Prune overgrown shrubs.
2. Weed.
3. Take out plants that have become invasive.
4.  Remove plants that look tired.
5. Plan a new planting theme– this would include colour, shape,and interest.
6. Think about new plants you would like.
7. Include structures for interest such as benches or bird baths.
8. Think about how best to vary planting according to height etc.
9. Start planting.
10. Stand back and look at the garden as it takes shape.

ENJOY!!

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Something different!

Today I went to the Belvoir Flower Show. 

This is a new venture ,set in the ground of Belvoir Castle. 

The sun shone and everybody was happy.

It is good to go to a show that is not promoted by the RHS

Many of the Show gardens were designed by designers that were trained at Brackenhurst/ NTU in Southwell, Notts

What a great networking opportunity

The plant stores encouraged me to buy some new roses.

Many worthwhile organisations were present, such as the Hardy Plants and Perennial.

Music was on hand, together with a selection of food stores.

For a quiet time, visitors could listen to Gardeners Question Time. 

The Belvoir Estate is being well developed as a tourist destination.

It is well worth a visit.

www.annesmithdesigns.co.uk

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My week: At last I have seen the Olympic Garden.

I have met the designers of the Olympic Gardens at Palmstead Workshops. 

It was therefore my aim to see their work.

This week I did just that.

Temperatures were high and it was hard to keep cool.

However ,the effort was worth it.

The borders along the river were a mixture of grasses and perennials.

They are still looking beautiful.

Elsewhere the designs were varied.

Rich colours are very much the idea.

Some borders are made of soft grasses and purple plants.

A good contrast.

Visitors told me they often bring their grandchildren to see the display.

A good sign for the future.

This is the biggest new park in the country.

Yes it is a shame there are no others in the north.

However, it is worth making the effort to see such a super

new park.

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My week: A visit to Haddon Hall.

I have wanted to visit this historic house for some time.

It is the home of the Manners Family. 

Derbyshire is a beautiful County.

Hardwick and Chatsworth are also in this area.

The garden has been redesigned by Arne Maynard. 

Areas of long grass are mixed with flower borders.

The garden is made up of five levels.

The lower ones are just above a dramatic river valley.

Some areas are given over to Herbaceous borders, while others have features such as ponds or  formal planting.

Roses made  colourful focal points.

As I have often said, we all need to visit other great gardens to renew our interest in gardening.

A gift shop and plant stall enabled me to take home some pictures and plants as a “keepsake” of a super day out.

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Chatting about Chatsworth: 2018.

Last year the first Chatsworth show had some problems.

This year things seem to have gone well.

The show gardens included one dedicated to an Oak tree.

Setts were made of oak.

There was an oak pergola with wooden seat and a wooden water feature.

The garden dedicated to Yorkshire was superb.

It is great to see a new interest in Wild Flower Meadows.

Plants that were popular included, Knautia Macedonia ,Grasses and Blue flowered plants.

Chatsworth provides a good setting for people who live in the area to get together.

The backdrop of the garden by Capability Brown is wonderful.

This area needed a good Flower Show.

Let us hope that it will become a welcome addition to the calendar.

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My week: enjoying the sun.

I have sown some seeds and they are coming up. These includeNight scented stock, wildflowers, and Nasturtium. 

I spent one and a half hours pruning in  another garden.

Friends have given me plants from their gardens.

I will not get to Norfolk this week and will have to leave it until later.

My Iris plants are in flower.

The geraniums in various colours are super.

June is the month of the rose. www.annesmithdesigns.co.ukMine are just coming out.

Yes everything is happening at once this year.

It is a delight!

Chelsea 2018: Design tips.

Metal still makes the headlines for design.

Sculpture is also a must.

Cottage flowers  are having a revival.

Lupins are back.As are Iris, peonies and geraniums. Purple is very popular.

Make a statement with a dramatic metal bench.

Do not think that you cannot do this in your own garden.

Take a look at the gardens and think how you can adapt them

www.annesmithdesigns.co.uk.

 

 

 

A fresh look at Monet.

Instead of going to the Chelsea Flower Show I visited the Monet Exhibition.

I have looked  at his paintings many times before.

However, I now have the  added interest of trying to paint myself.

What caught my imagination was the use of colour.

The views of the Thames were alive with colourful skies.

Later ,reflections of cliffs in sea water provided another point of interest.

Landscapes showed areas of light and dark.

We often dismiss the familiar without giving it proper attention.

This was true of my view of Monet.

This exhibition showed me that you can continue to learn from a great artist.

You need to look at their work again and again with renewed interest.

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My week: The National trust does it again!

Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise when I visited The Walled Garden at Clumber Park Notts.

This is a gem that I had not visited.

They have recently renovated the Victorian Green house, which must be on of the longest in the country.

Displays of old machinery are mixed with a variety of fruit trees along the walls.

Outside the garden has both plant borders and orchards.

A friend was fascinated by the ‘step over” fruit trees.

When you need a break the Gardener’s house will provide good food in a perfect setting.

We all need special days in our lives.

A visit to The Kitchen Garden at Clumber Park is a must for this.

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