A passion for plants

It started with a window box planted with herbs on a small window sill in a tiny flat in West London. I have spent more time than I wish to remember digging, fertilising, planting and most of my wages on the gardens of our 3 previous houses.

Gardening in the Pennines has been hit and miss. I tried to continue my love for gravel gardens and mediterranean, architectural and succulent type plants in my tiny new garden at the foot of Saddleworth Moor. No chance! My heart has been broken too many times. They hate it here. I have come to terms with it now and with the help of Dove Cottage Nursery in Halifax my borders are coming along nicely.

I love walking out my front door past this border mixed with tall, short, spiky, soft herbaceous plants. The sound of miscanthus gently swaying in the breeze is wonderful.

I wish I had more room for more verbascum. The verbena will be at its best to replace it when it fades though.

This yellow achillea really lifts this corner. It looks fab against the stone wall. Something tall in the corner will finish it off. Maybe another Stipa Gigantea. Can't have enough of those! It looks a bit thin at the moment but next year it should be more mature with bigger plants spilling over and softening the edges.

We were lucky to find this old bench at the at the dump recently. A bit wobbly and dirty at first but a lick of some left over Pigeon by Farrow and Ball has made it rather smart don't you think?

Can you spot the tell tale signs that a small child was involved in this project?!!!