Garden haven, part II: acanthus, olives, hydrangea and more

A second batch of photos from my north London garden to cheer us up now that the weather has turned gloomy and we may never see the sun again this side of New Year.


The Lone Hydrangea.


Acanthus (Bear's Breeches), sedum, pulmonaria (lungwort), and an olive tree, which is already producing fruit, given to me by Denise.


The tall dramatic floral spire of the acanthus. Those spikes hurt!


I'm trying to grow sensible food like corander, basil and rocket. The pots in the garden are much more successful than those on the sunny south-facing window sill in the kitchen. Maybe it's too hot for them. But these look healthy.


Waiting for the tomatoes to ripen.


One wild strawberry left after the wood pigeons have been at them. Wild strawberries have the most amazing artificial flavour. Life mimicking art?


Several water bowls around the garden keep the wildlife happy.


Another cat deity stands guard.

See also Gardening Relief. Garden haven pt I

Garden haven, part II: acanthus, olives, hydrangea and more

A second batch of photos from my north London garden to cheer us up now that the weather has turned gloomy and we may never see the sun again this side of New Year.


The Lone Hydrangea.


Acanthus (Bear's Breeches), sedum, pulmonaria (lungwort), and an olive tree, which is already producing fruit, given to me by Denise.


The tall dramatic floral spire of the acanthus. Those spikes hurt!


I'm trying to grow sensible food like corander, basil and rocket. The pots in the garden are much more successful than those on the sunny south-facing window sill in the kitchen. Maybe it's too hot for them. But these look healthy.


Waiting for the tomatoes to ripen.


One wild strawberry left after the wood pigeons have been at them. Wild strawberries have the most amazing artificial flavour. Life mimicking art?


Several water bowls around the garden keep the wildlife happy.


Another cat deity stands guard.

See also Gardening Relief. Garden haven pt I

Gardening relief: my green haven

Something a bit happier on this sunnyish Sunday in norf London. The other day Ned posted some gorgeous gardening pix from his California home. In response, here are a few from my garden.


Osteospermum flowers open in the sun and close at night. Plus dianthus and cyclamen.


A pot of vigorous Petunia Surfinia taking over the garden table. The succulent portulaca will be covered in vivid multicoloured flowers. I used to have one that I adored but it died and I've only just found some more at Homebase. So I bought three. There's a tiny aloe I bought with the intention of harvesting its healthy nutritious gel from its leaves when it gets bigger. Unfortunately, the small print reads: "Caution. These plants may be harmful if eaten." There goes my big plan.


This poppy was from last month. Now only seed heads are left but it was so beautiful I wanted to share.


This was fascinating. Something while and pearly was half buried in the soil of a trough containing rocket and pansies. A closer inspection revealed eggs and a nearby snail. Cheek!


I love cats. But not when they use the facilities as a latrine, or lie in wait for the wildlife. Here's one of my cat deities standing guard by the rosemary.


The local animals include a pair of blackbirds and one youngster; a pair of wood-pigeons plus a third interloper they keep seeing off; mother and child feral pigeons which are fairly fearless and bully the bigger wood-pigeons; a tiny hoppy field mouse; a cheeky robin; a wren; and assorted tits, chaffinches and martens. My favourite is a squirrel who is always pregnant or nursing, and her growing brood. She accosts me for nuts and is very entertaining.

The Big Bad is the magpie that has finished off numerous fledglings including, last week, the baby wood pigeon nesting in the Eriobotrya Japonica (loquat tree). My friend Phil came round for tea and cake, we had barely sat down at the table underneath the tree when something went "thunk!" next to Phil's plate: it was the partially gnawed carcass of the baby bird. High in the tree sat the magpie. And, do you know, I could swear it laughed.

See also Garden Haven Pt II.

Gardening relief: my green haven

Something a bit happier on this sunnyish Sunday in norf London. The other day Ned posted some gorgeous gardening pix from his California home. In response, here are a few from my garden.


Osteospermum flowers open in the sun and close at night. Plus dianthus and cyclamen.


A pot of vigorous Petunia Surfinia taking over the garden table. The succulent portulaca will be covered in vivid multicoloured flowers. I used to have one that I adored but it died and I've only just found some more at Homebase. So I bought three. There's a tiny aloe I bought with the intention of harvesting its healthy nutritious gel from its leaves when it gets bigger. Unfortunately, the small print reads: "Caution. These plants may be harmful if eaten." There goes my big plan.


This poppy was from last month. Now only seed heads are left but it was so beautiful I wanted to share.


This was fascinating. Something while and pearly was half buried in the soil of a trough containing rocket and pansies. A closer inspection revealed eggs and a nearby snail. Cheek!


I love cats. But not when they use the facilities as a latrine, or lie in wait for the wildlife. Here's one of my cat deities standing guard by the rosemary.


The local animals include a pair of blackbirds and one youngster; a pair of wood-pigeons plus a third interloper they keep seeing off; mother and child feral pigeons which are fairly fearless and bully the bigger wood-pigeons; a tiny hoppy field mouse; a cheeky robin; a wren; and assorted tits, chaffinches and martens. My favourite is a squirrel who is always pregnant or nursing, and her growing brood. She accosts me for nuts and is very entertaining.

The Big Bad is the magpie that has finished off numerous fledglings including, last week, the baby wood pigeon nesting in the Eriobotrya Japonica (loquat tree). My friend Phil came round for tea and cake, we had barely sat down at the table underneath the tree when something went "thunk!" next to Phil's plate: it was the partially gnawed carcass of the baby bird. High in the tree sat the magpie. And, do you know, I could swear it laughed.

See also Garden Haven Pt II.