Plant it, and they will come. This is proof of just how true that is.
I wrote a short while back about installing a presentable garden in our new home that is just a standard, blank and bland, new build stamp of grass, here in the East Midlands: Making a work of art
The build goes on, however today I had a very welcome and unexpected visitor. I have today visited a local nursery to purchase some plants for the garden. As always I always go for the plants that the pollinators love, so I stocked up with plenty of Verbena, Salvia and Hebe that they all appear to gravitate towards. Whilst placing them in the garden, still in their pots to see what would be best in various positions, the pollinators started to arrive. However there was a special visitor on one of those plants. Look at the little fellah in the video below.
Humming bird hawk moth
You can easily tell them apart from other moths by their distinct behavior and appearance:
The Hover: They beat their wings up to 70 times per second, creating a distinct, audible “humming” sound while remaining completely stationary in mid-air.
The Tongue: They extend an incredibly long, tube-like tongue (called a proboscis) to drink nectar deeply from flowers without ever landing.
Coloration: They have greyish-brown forewings, bright orange-brown hindwings (highly visible in flight), and a black-and-white chequered body.
Size: They are medium-to-large moths with a wingspan of 50–58mm.
And it’s the first one I’ve seen personally for around five years.
Made my day this has. Remember that quote from the Kevin Costner film, Field of dreams? “If you build it, he will come.”
Well I use the same quote for wildlife in the garden, slightly amended though, “If you plant it, they will come.”
Just a picture of a heavily pollen laden bee on a flower I was purchasing today. Lovely to see.
Or poppy, if you like.
A Papaver
As I purchased this beautiful poppy for the garden today, at a garden centre in Shepperton West London, there appeared to be a very welcome stowaway. There was a heavily pollen laden bee 🐝 coming along for the ride. Always lovely to see.
From one garden to another. Building a garden is a long term work of art. Here I am at the start with a blank canvas waiting to be filled. Let’s make a start.
Gardens that are portrayed on television are created in an afternoon. Nice.
However in reality it takes an awful lot longer to produce a garden, and just as in any art form requires a lot of planning, thinking, constant changing of mind, and repositioning items so they fit just perfectly.
My previous garden in our old house took me about 8 years to get to a seasoned level, where all planting looked authentic and had been specifically chosen to season in a garden that was north facing. Believe me, winter months were like an episode of Game of thrones, winter came and stayed in our garden for immense periods, whilst our neighbours South facing gardens experienced a much improved and sunnier outlook. I had to plant accordingly and this is what took time. An awful lot of trial and error and sacrifice of a number of plant species.
My previous garden
Having now moved to a new build property you will understand the challenge that now faces me. In new builds you are presented with a stamp sized piece of turfed property surrounded by walls and fencing, and some people like to keep this look. Some go for the “Landscaping” option, basically just putting in place loads of paving stones and decking, to create a low maintenance garden. Each to their own I say, but this option is not for me. I want to recreate my previous garden. I have the time. I want to see wildlife in this garden, I now have an easterly facing garden, and good light from early morning until mid afternoon, it couldn’t be more different to that cold northern facing garden I had previously.
My blank canvas and a lovely rainbow
There are a lot of birds flying around, the majority of them being wagtails, interspersed with a few pigeons, blue tits, robins and a few other small to medium avian visitors. First thing I did here was to put up a bird house on the rear wall before I’ve planted anything. I purchased a house with a blank garden, maybe there is a bird family out there also looking for a new build!
A small birdhouse on the rear wall
The bird bath is in place, brought in from the previous garden, I’ve yet to place it in the best position, I’m just awaiting a few other items prior to this happening.
First thing I want to do is to get some miniature trees in place, and in this case I have five of them lined up to go across the rear fence, these will be the main structures of the garden and everything else will be planted to complement these trees.
The first three smaller trees are the first to go into place, I have two small Salix Kilmarnocks, one of these will be planted either side of a Ceanothus, otherwise known as a Californian lilac. This will create a nice contrasting centre piece, in about three years the Ceanothus will be about 5 or 6 feet tall blooming with beautiful lilac colours, probably peaking in size at about 8-10 feet tall. They can grow taller but it’s my plan to top it out at about 10 feet maximum. The Salix along side will both bloom like miniature weeping willows growing no higher than about 5 feet in height but they will also grow in width displaying lovely foliage as well as furry catkins, its perfect for the smaller garden.
The Ceanothus, with the Salix Kilmarnock on either side.
I have shopped around for the remaining two trees and I was prepared to pay a good price, for two good examples to complete this part of the garden. I discussed my plans with a chap called Jack at a garden centre in the Rutland area and as a result the following two trees were delivered, they are a nice size, too big to be transported in a car.
Amelanchier canadensis (sugar plum)
On the right of the fence is the tree that will be the tallest, this is a Amelanchier canadensis, also known as “Sugar plum”. I purchased this one as the name “Sugar plum” was the nickname given to my wife by her late Father, it seemed wholly appropriate and was just a nice touch. This tree should top out at about 14 feet, it has a lovely mixture of berries and beautiful snow flake type flowers, it will spread well and blend in lovely with the whites, greys, purples and greens beside it. It’s a beautiful tree.
Prunus ‘Accolade’ (Flowering Cherry)
To the left of the other trees we have an absolute beauty, it’s one of the finest ornamental cherries that you can buy. Even as it was being delivered and moved out of the delivery van, it had a small, appreciative army of bees and pollinators surrounding it, even as I was planting it they remained there, it was a pleasure to see and the tree is a tonic for the eyes, it’s gorgeous. This tree will not grow any higher than the 5 or 6 feet it is already at, however it will bloom outwards creating a cascading display of pink blooms in the spring before showing a display of dark green foliage prior to turning Orange later in the year. It will then lose its foliage before starting all over again the following spring.
These five small trees will supply colour, cover, and hopefully a place of trust for the local birds. The planting that will then take place below them will Hopefully attract bees, butterflies and other insect life that will also support the food chain.
The five trees in place
The trees have supplied the undercoat to the artwork, everything will now be designed and worked around them. I have a couple of good Rhododendrons, one that came from the old house as well as a lovely Magnolia called “Susan” and a young Wisteria planted to climb the rear of the property. Add to that a couple of young Verbernum “Snowball” bushes, I think we have enough to be getting on with, it’s a work in progress.
I have a vision of how this will look in a few years from now and to be honest I’m quite excited about it. And yes, I’m keeping as much of the grass as possible. At the moment it is a beautiful green carpet of loveliness, something I’ve never had before and I intend to keep it.
I will update this post as things develop and get added, but I know this is going to be a lengthy drawn out process. Believe me, it will be worth the wait.
Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown.
Planted these from seed a few months back and they seem to be a dwarf sunflower. It’s only about 18 inches tall and it’s in full flower. Needs support though as the stalk is about half the circumference of my little finger. Looks lovely though.
Now there’s an attention grabbing blog title if ever I saw one. Please don’t turn away nothing unsavoury to see, and I don’t normally take any pictures whilst in the Gents urinal area. Believe me this is a one off and will never again be repeated.
Unless I see better looking set of urinals than these:
Gates garden centre, Cold Overton, Leicestershire
I walked in this toilet and was instantly hit by the wow factor. Yes these beautiful sculptured ceramic flowers are in fact gentleman’s urinals. Apparently according to my wife all the hand sinks in the ladies are just as well sculpted.
I have never stood in front of a urinal before and thought, “Am I going to get told off for peeing in this” it was a conundrum that lasted two seconds as I was busting to go. I did not get in trouble, but what a charming way to equip, probably the most unappealing section of any business. well done to the design team here.
We visited the massive “Gates garden centre” in Cold Overton between Melton Mowbray and Oakham in Leicestershire. A family Member had brought us an afternoon tea for two, and as we had some time spare, what better way to spend a nice relaxing afternoon?
Tea for twoA superb selection of treats
It was a lovely afternoon some fantastic food, and there was so much cake, that we had to take a box home that we’ve passed on to my brother in law and his wife who live nearby. I love my cake, but believe me I was already getting a sugar rush with what I’d already eaten. It made sense to pass this on and not to waste it.
I love days like this, making memories. It’s all that matters.
Meaning just where the hell have the last six months gone. Sit back and blink and that’s half the year already gone. It’s amazing that once the better weather kicks in just how quick it just all seems to cascade by, if only you could put the brakes on time and just enjoy it a little bit longer.
The garden has bulked up after the perfect mix of rain and sunlight, and is about to abruptly burst into colour, some of them are impatiently exploding already and it’s starting to look lovely. But it will all be over too soon and that barren, bleak lack of colour will soon be on us. Oh for year round colour, if only.
Butterfly in my garden
The house is warming up, and as we are in quite an old house it’s the one time of the year when the environment isn’t controlled by the heating system, allowing a welcome break from the claws of the energy production companies. We now have the windows open.
That’s another issue. Opening windows. If like us you currently live near the intersection of two major road arteries then you will know what I’m on about. Opening the windows means you let every speeding, inconsiderate motoring manifestation into your home, like it or not. And the dirt and dust produced by vehicles throttling past your door 24hrs a day means no matter how much you dust, there will be more for you in a few minutes to remove. Maybe time goes so fast as the amount of toxicity we must be inhaling is controlling just how long we have left? Who knows?
Digitalis in the garden
Well the windows can’t stay open forever as you’d never get a good nights sleep if you wanted to, because of the boy racers and bike demons who constantly insist on revving their two and four wheeled steeds as they race off into the distant night.
We have a lovely family getaway coming up this month when about 18 of us are heading off to the East coast for a few days. The nice thing is that there is a great mix of ages from about 21 right up to the late 70s and that is wonderful, it’s great to know the youngsters want to spend time with us old farts, to be honest it’s pretty much down to them that this holiday is being arranged, oh and the usual organisational craft work of my dear wife.
On this holiday all the old fellahs, take a boat to float on the boating lake at Gorleston on the east coast. On the day we travel up, it’s always been a quick stopover and a tradition for two of the older members to float their radio controlled boats they have spent a lot of time and patience on. I’ve always jokingly threatened them that one day I’d build a submarine or military boat that would blow theirs out of the water. This year that veiled threat has been achieved and I will hopefully be joining the ranks of the family boating fraternity when I let my torpedo destroyer loose on the good folk of Gorleston. I’ve been building this boat since it was brought as a present for me by a very good family friend on my last birthday. Its construction has already been touched on, through my blog : PT109 wooden torpedo boat kit – construction and I’m hoping the build and testing of the boat will be completed and published within the next few days. It was always my goal to have it ready for this break. Let’s see what happens.
Pt109 boat kit
About now, is probably my favourite part of the year as I have discussed on here before, May & June, that period when spring kicks in and is a precursor to the oncoming summer. But as I’ve said earlier it is all over too soon.
And what a perfect canvas is currently in place for the ongoing sale of this property, yes that is in full swing now and the footprints of strangers should start being witnessed around this property very shortly….but in a way I’m not really bothered if it sells or not. I love this place apart from the negatives I’ve stated above, and as you can see they are few.
No doubt the Christmas stock is already sailing the oceans of the world to be in all our supermarkets very shortly. As if summer is not already short enough.
Whatever the season is wherever you are on this little ball of rock floating around in space, enjoy it, have fun and always spare a friendly outlook to those looking in. It doesn’t last long, so enjoy it whilst you can.
Currently I’m in the west of London in the Sunbury on Thames area. I’ve brought my wife down to spend ten days with her friend as I’m about to embark on a long stint of night shifts. It will allow them to spend good time together. I shall be heading back to the East Midlands later today on my own.
Anyone who reads my posts will know that last year we spent a lot of time down here as her friend went through quite a bad episode of poor mental health. My wife assisted her through that, and helped put her on a care plan and arranged for her to have visits, so she could be checked on regularly to ensure she was receiving the necessary care and attention that she required.
I’m pleased to say all that worked out well, her friend has recovered and is back to her old self, confident and strong willed, you’d have thought nothing had happened. She has been weaned off her medications by the doctor, the welfare visits have ceased and it is so wonderful to see her back to her old self. We all need a little care and attention at times, and it certainly helps. And it’s good to have such a friend as my wife.
Azalea
And the above picture from her garden sums it all up for me. Last year there was none of this, the garden, though well kept lacked colour. This year it is so different and is ablaze with colour. This is what she is capable of, producing things of beauty just like this fantastic Azalea plant.
I’m lucky if my Azaleas get just a few flowers each year. She is so talented when it comes to gardening.
As I’ve always stated, never show envy, always turn that into appreciation and that’s what I have done here, she has such a talent, she is so capable and knowledgeable and I can only appreciate that I will be a better person, a better gardener by listening to the wisdom of those such as her.
Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.
I’ll always attempt anything, but when it comes to plumbing or high voltage electricity, that’s when I get the professionals involved.
In my current home the most ambitious DIY has probably been landscaping the garden. We purchased a rickety old house that’s been a constant project since it was brought, back in 2018. So really that could be the most ambitious couldn’t it?
Anyway, the one I’ve enjoyed most is landscaping the garden, not concreted over with no concerns for wildlife, my garden was designed around the needs of the Hedgehogs and birdlife we have that visit throughout the year. They have easy access to the whole garden, a part that is wilded for them to forage in and plenty of food and water stations as well.
One of our visitors
We also have a feral cat “Tabs” who has lived in our garden longer than we have, she gets on with us, we feed her and she has plenty of weather protection in and around the garden, and she tolerates the hedgehogs, so that’s harmonious.
Some colours in our garden
The garden has been a big project taking about 6 years to reach a maturity with flowers, shrubs and trees all planted to create a little bit of the country side in a city urban environment. I am so proud of my garden come spring time when all the new buds are breaking through, and it is a riot of colours come summertime. And it took a lot of planning as it’s a north facing garden.
The gardens the place i’d rather be, it’s like producing art, art that changes on a weekly basis.
I thought maybe that I’d answered this question in the past. But a quick search though my history confirms that is not so. I have spoken about them many times in the past (as well as our dogs that are always my very favourite domesticated animal) so my favourite wild non domesticated animal would have to be the humble little hedgehog.
Hedgehog in our garden
I have to make people understand that we do not yet live in a countrified part of the East Midlands, it’s very much the opposite. We live on the Far Eastern edge of the city, ten minutes east and we are in a more rural setting, but then ten minutes in the other direction and we are in the centre of a decaying lawless city that has seen better days. And we have hedgehogs visit on a regular basis, they are urban city dwellers and that is unusual.
We’ve lived in this house for around seven years now and I was always aware from the start that there was something out there at night snuffling around. You could always hear their presence and installing cameras around the house confirmed it, we had hedgehog visitors. We also had them in our previous house down in Hertfordshire so they were very much a welcome visitor.
Another smaller visitor
My garden has been a constant challenge to get right, it is North facing, it is extremely cold in the winter months and has developed over the years into a wonderful little haven for these guys with lots of perennial cover and wildflowers for their delectation. Yes it’s fair to say that when the garden was designed they formed a big part of the consideration as to how it was laid out.
We have hedgehog highways that allow easy access throughout our garden into neighbouring gardens, we have ramps to allow them up the paving as well as small water features around the garden that allow access to water. We also leave cat biscuits out every night to give them extra feed, because as you may well know their natural food sources are dwindling due to decline of wilded environments, yes, another animal the good old human being is killing off probably unbeknownst due to ignorance.
Hedgehog highway signs around the garden. I know they can read but it shows the way to human visitors
It is estimated that in the UK there are less than two million of these animals in existence. They are high on the endangered species list here, considering back in the 1970’s there were estimated to be in excess of twenty million in existence, that’s a decline of almost eighteen million in fifty years. Horrendous.
This is why I try to help and educate people of this animal. It is wonderful when we have guests, that I know we can all sit in our conservatory and at pretty much the same time, they can sit and watch our prickly friends come to visit and eat. It’s lovely to see and they are always happy to see them. Some have even left here and gone and set up similar environments in their own gardens. That’s a win in my eyes.
I believe we have the same family circle visit our garden as they know they are welcome. At the beginning of the year we have them come in and feed in twos and this year we even had three at the feed station at the same time. As they all get older we have the usual territorial huffing and puffing and only one at a time, but they can all be identified due to their differing sizes and attitudes. It really is wonderful.
Three at the feed station
I love these little creatures, I love all wildlife but these guys are different as they need a helping hand. And that’s the very least I or you can do. It’s no sacrifice. Be a friend not an enemy. It’s your choice. Just choose well.
We had a lovely lunch out yesterday, it rained as it always has of late, it was so damned wet that we didn’t get to look around the 38 gardens at Barnsdale created by Geoff Hamilton off of BBC Gardeners world.
As we were pretty miffed at this we made the spontaneous decision to bugger off to Devon a day early so we could benefit from an extra day on the coast.
We left the East Midlands about 16:00hrs and arrived at our destination at around 20:15, a good journey with the only real traffic experienced as we circumnavigated Birmingham’s rush hour.
My god, it’s dry!
It was obviously dark on arrival, very windy and you could hear the waves crashing on the sea walls, the hotel is comfortable and we have had a cracking nights sleep. Just had our first cuppa and the sun is rising, it looks gorgeous out and guess what….it is dry!
Foxes Den 
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