This is a small but rather interesting garden event, I think this was its fifth year. Probably just a little bit too small but it does have the added attraction of the "medieval" village all around the castle with shops that sell everything from lavander sachets to salame, and of course some good restaurants specialising… Continue reading Verde Grazzano, again
Tag: Gardening
Villa Carlotta
Who cares about a spot of rain? Well certainly not the fearless Garden Club members! We all crowded onto the ferry and sat on the few (nearly) dry seats to admire the loveliness of lake Como wreathed in the mists. We arrived at Villa Carlotta, one of the Grandi Giardini Italiani, to be greeted by… Continue reading Villa Carlotta
A Tragi-comic Story with an Unexpected Happy Ending.
I have a young olive tree in my garden; I bought it from a seller with a truck along the roadside, not much hope there I' m afraid. I have no idea what it really is, I mean the botanical classification but anyway it's a kind of homage to Italy because together with those lovely… Continue reading A Tragi-comic Story with an Unexpected Happy Ending.
Anteprima of Spring
Spring IS coming again this year, my garden told me so. We are having magnificent weather, bright and sunny, several drops in night-time temperatures but milder than last year. I have all this interesting information because I keep an R.H.S 5-year diary, fantastic invention. You can check what you're likely to see , what's early,… Continue reading Anteprima of Spring
Last garden outing? Surely not
The latest outing was planned and organised by the Garden Club of Monza, not as well-attended as it should have been unfortunately. And the weather ...... awful ,after a wonderful week of sun, anyhow we went up to ..... the nursery Anna Peyron. We had been there before, in fact it's where I first got… Continue reading Last garden outing? Surely not
Perhaps my Favourite Garden Show
This year I made the usual trip to the castle of Masino, a FAI property and pretty interesting if you like castles. All around in the ample gardens they hold the" 3 days for the garden " shows in conjunction with the Italian FAI (a kind of National Trust organisation).For members the entry price is… Continue reading Perhaps my Favourite Garden Show
Maigold (Requiem)
I just had to write a post about this gorgeous rose. It's the first to flower every year although if it were true to its name it wouldn't bloom until May. What has it to recommend itself? Well it's a danger for the unwary, the thorns are cruel and I shouldn't really have planted it… Continue reading Maigold (Requiem)
Gardening:the Buddleia
(Delightfully named after the Reverend Adam Buddle although not discovered by him) I've just finished one of my favourite garden jobs and I'm sweaty ,dirty ,scratched and happy to prove it. I always cut the spent tips of my butterfly bush because I don't like the look of them when they're brown and dead and… Continue reading Gardening:the Buddleia
I’m not the only one overwhelmed by gardens……
Monet Monet's lily pond The garden has been an inspiration for many artists, probably the most famous one is French painter Claude Monet who acknowledged that his garden in Giverny had inspired so many of his impressionistic works especially his waterlily series. Islamic Garden with fountain But he was not the only one. Spanish artist… Continue reading I’m not the only one overwhelmed by gardens……
Wakey wakey! Absolutely not “woke”
When you think about it isn't it wonderful. The way you gradually come out from that longing for hot heavy food and drink and emerge like a newborn into a world of salad and fresh- picked fruit? Suddenly the snug scarf round your neck and up to your nose can be shed and you come… Continue reading Wakey wakey! Absolutely not “woke”
English that grows 