Gardening and crafting!

Everything has burst to life in the garden; now all we need is the sun! 

I think these Osteospermum are very underrated! They flower continually from late spring until autumn, closing in the evening and then it’s ‘rinse and repeat.’ I chop them back in the autumn, which seems to be most beneficial. They are lovely and we can see them from the lounge window…they are so cheery.

I realised , yesterday, that purple is somewhat dominating the garden at the moment.

This Scabious is a new addition…and, I have to admit, an impulse buy; I bought two and I don’t have anywhere to plant them, so they are in a temporary home…nice large pots should do the trick for now.

Erysimum, ‘Bowles Mauve’ is Mr or Mrs Trusty! It’s one that never lets you down! I partnered this with the Erigeron karvinskianus…which I have always called, ‘Devon Daisy’ as it grows everywhere in walls, rockeries, crevices etc etc, down here..but of course, it grows everywhere! I love it!

For years, I have always grown Fuchsias. They are lovely plants that seem to either be in or out of favour. I once lived opposite a lady who grew them from cuttings and her garden was quite a sight! She was especially good at raising the standard type and I learnt a lot from her as to how to be successful in creating those and keeping them at a good shape.

Anyway, I have a favourite variety of Fuchsia and boy, is it elusive! You just can’t seem to find it easily!And I search every year! It’s called..( wait for it!)…

DEVONSHIRE DUMPLING!

And it’s lovely! And guess what?! I found a stockist, recently, after hours of searching in the local nurseries and also online. I bought 6 plug plants for £6.49 plus postage and I was delighted! I bought them from this stockist and the service was wonderful! You can find them…

Here

                                                    Devonshire Dumpling

I’ve also been pricking out Hollyhocks as I’ve a number of large pots at the back of my garden, which are standing against a fence and ideal for such plants. I’m putting some dwarf  Sunflowers and some Borage in with them, so hopefully, fingers crossed, they should make a fine sight later in the summer.

But the treat of the week, for me, wasn’t in the garden! And I’ve been very much looking forward to this!

Now that William is three years old, it’s time to get crafting on the kitchen table!

As many people know, I’m all for being creative and when I was teaching, my classroom was vibrant and art and craft played a huge part in the primary classroom day! 

And so I bought a lovely, large box…which William chose…and I filled it with various crafty bits!

This week, we started with painting and sticking and we made butterflies for him to take home to show his mummy and daddy. He loved it! He has amazing concentration for a 3 year old!

Afterwards, some chocolate chip muffin and banana was very much accepted! He really is so good and we love his visits!