Thursday 8 July 2010

All round the garden....


Rose Gertrude Jekyll
I feel as if I have been round and round the garden this week. Mr T is going into hospital at 7am tomorrow for what should be a routine op. But he has a horrible habit of being different and we have got all our fingers crossed. He should be out in (3, 5, 7, 10) days depending on who you speak to. I shall be happy with 7. So I shall either be on-line a lot in the next few days with time on my hands or just too busy filling the house with my projects before I have to retreat back to my work room.  I have been very busy and I shall be sharing what I have been up to later, but meanwhile here is a tour of my sister's garden on the Isle of Wight.
 
Janet is a tireless worker and as you can see she has a beautiful garden absolutely bursting with gorgeous flowers and shrubs, as well as a flourishing vegetable garden. This was when I visited last month. Now she says the dry weather is taking its toll so I am glad I managed to capture it at its best. I am sure you will agree that it is worthy of any gardening magazine and I must let her know her garden is here on-line as she hasn't seen these pictures yet, due to her sisters tardiness in getting a disc together for her.

Up the garden path - I believe Janet laid all these slabs herself.

Water lilies
Janet had a pond dug when she had builders in adding an extension - I think they got carried away with the mini-digger.

The pond is raised as her garden goes up-hill. Here she is doing a bit of dead-heading.

This lovely archway divides the garden.
It is a average size suburban bungalow garden, but by creating lots of different areas the garden feel larger than it is.


Climbing Rose Handel

A shady spot by the pond.

A bumble bee enjoying the kniphofia.

The veggie patch
Climbing Rose Ice-berg

Looking back towards her bungalow.

I am sure she won't mind me mentioning that she is a widow bringing up two teenage boys on her own, as well as working three days a week and constantly crafting in her 'spare' time. Her energy and resourcefulness leave me speechless, so this is dedicated to my little sis.

14 comments:

flutterbycrafter said...

Wow, what a fantastic garden and how proud you must be of your sister, it's hard work bringing up children anyway, let alone on your own, I admire her. Good luck to your husband, hope all goes well, xx

harmony and rosie said...

What a beautiful garden, this post is a lovely tribute to your sister and I love your photos of the roses, especially Gertrude. I like the IOW very much, it's such a lovely part of the country to live in. And best of luck to your husband, I hope all goes smoothly and he has a swift recovery. Take care x

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

What a lovely post Jill ... your sister's garden is beautiful and she must work very hard. Fingers crossed that everything is straightforward for your OH tomorrow. Take care x

menopausalmusing said...

Hope all goes well at the hospital. Your sister sounds like a wonderful woman. Quite a garden!

Sandra Hall said...

My thoughts are with you Jill for the next week (or so!) This post is a lovely tribute to your sister - what an absolutely delightful garden she has - a credit to her hard work. I would LOVE to stroll around it. x

Jane said...

Beautiful garden and lovely photos. A tribute to your sister's hard work. Hope all goes well with Mr T. Thinking of you.

webb said...

What a lovely garden your sister has built! A delight to visit. Sending good thoughts and positive energy your way for Mr. T. Hope all goes very well.

Leenie said...

I'm jealous beyond jealous of all that beauty. The pond full of water lilies and the archway and combination of flowers (ROSES!) and vegetables is just wonderful. Congrats to your sister for all her hard work and the resulting garden.

Janet said...

Oh, my dear big sister, thank you. You are an inspiration to me too, and we have been through some tricky times together haven't we?

Thinking of you both with much love.

(The garden is just about surviving in this weather - I can only water most of it by watering can, so not much gets done. But, it has been so beautiful here, and my evening walks along the seafront... well, sorry to make you envious)

See you as soon as possible.

Virginia said...

Wow that garden is gorgeous, she must adore time in it because it's spectacular and yes any gardening magazine or TV show would have so much fun in their - it looks huge!

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Good luck to Mr T for his stay in hospital. Hope all goes well. Beautiful photos as ever Jill. Your sister must work very hard in her garden. She sounds like a bit of a dynamo - wish some of it would rub off on me! Lesley x

JP said...

good luck withthe hospital thing and hope it is all 'routine' - love the garden pictures - a great tribute

Linda Vincent said...

Oh wow...now thats a garden I'd like to wander round on a sunny day (or any day for that matter!)
Your sister sounds like a great lady.....

Unknown said...

What a beautiful garden. Really lovely. Thanks for sharing this.