Saturday 19 April 2014

a quiet corner …

 

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As the sun goes down on another beautiful day I wander the garden in contemplative mood.  Looking over the fence into the surrounding fields I see the hedgerows donning their coats of spring green, the distant blackthorn bushes sprinkled in white blossom, and the grass lush and vivid.

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Away from the bright yellows of the daffodils, and the garish reds and oranges of the tulips, I have quiet corners of the garden where it is calm and tranquil, holding its breath, waiting for the next flush of flowers.  Country garden flowers of foxglove, columbine and sweet rocket – nothing that jars or shouts ‘look at me’ – unassuming and content to let their more vivacious cousins do all the talking.

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Of course, I wouldn’t want all the garden to be like this, my love of colour is  obvious.

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And yet … I also love those flowers that stay in the background … just going about their business … quietly.

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Filling in gaps and spaces in shade or sun, a backdrop – they are essential to the garden – performing year after year – surviving harsh winters and the droughts of summer … leaving the clamour and glamour to others.  It is like sunshine after a rainy day – you can’t appreciate one without the other

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I like a soft garden with the odd burst of colour and keep the brash, the blowsy, the glaringly obvious, all in one part of the garden, together, and let them  show off all they want – so that when I feel the need I can visit them – to make me smile with their joie de vivre.

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All too soon the garden will change, as gardens are wont to do, and become ablaze with the glories of summer, but for now I shall enjoy this more gentle season.

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‘Til next time – happy gardening and enjoy the Easter break.

55 comments:

  1. Hello Elaine:

    This is indeed the most wonderful time of year for, as yet, everything is so very fresh and alive and has yet to lose that tiredness that high summer can so often bring.

    Yesterday a friend took us for a drive through some of the Hungarian countryside en route to visit an old university town. Everywhere looked so appealing so we quite understand the pleasure which you are experiencing in your own garden.

    We wish you a joyful and peaceful Eastertide.

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    1. You must have gathered by now that this really is my favourite time of year. Hope you enjoyed your trip.

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  2. I too prefer the more mute colours of pink, purple and blue in the garden but I too enjoy an area with colours that shout out to me too. Have a wonderful Easter, your garden looks so lovely. I love the effect in your last image too.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah - I think I take more pictures of the garden at this time of year more than any other. Happy Easter to you too.

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  3. You have beautiful views both inside the garden and over the hedge.

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    1. Thanks Sue - we are very lucky to have such a view.

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  4. Your garden looks so pretty Elaine. Mine is made up of many evergreen flowering shrubs with a few flowers in between and I have pots of colour dotted around the patio areas.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thanks Patricia. I couldn't do without the shrubs in my garden it would seem bare without them.

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  5. It is a wonderful time of year, full of hope and expectation. Your garden is beautiful too. Have a lovely Easter.

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    1. Thanks Su - don't eat too many Easter eggs!

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  6. The view over your hedge is so beautiful.....and your garden is lovely too. I love all colours of the rainbow but I have to admit that I prefer the softer colours most of the times. Spring is wonderful with all the fresh new greens, I see you also use the Tellima grandiflora between the plants like I do.

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    1. Thanks Janneke - I love the Tellima it is a 'quiet' sort of plant I have had it for many years - nothing seems to trouble it - just what I like in the garden - a no fuss plant.

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  7. A lovely post about a wonderful time of year when everything is so fresh looking, as shown in your photos.
    Thanks, and you too. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty - I agree about how fresh everything looks - shame it has to end really.

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  8. I never tire of looking at your wonderful garden and the view from it. Happy Easter.

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    1. Thanks Susan - I never tire of the view either.

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  9. We really have had a wonderful Spring so far. Happy Easter Elaine.

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    1. Compared to last year this spring has been amazing. Happy Easter to you too.

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  10. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL! Your garden is stunning in every way! I wish you lived closer so that I could come over for a visit! And how wonderful to have all of that open space! Wishing you a wonderful Easter! Nicole xo

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    1. Thank you Nicole. Hope you and the beans have a wonderful time this Easter.

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  11. I was actually thinking, yesterday, that my garden was looking pretty good. Now I think I 'must try harder'. Yours looks wonderful. A lot of hard work, I imagine.

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    1. Not so much hard work as just keeping on top of things.

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  12. Like you I prefer softer shades in the garden especially in seating areas although I do like to see some colour perhaps in pots from the kitchen window especially on a dull day like today. Hope you are having a lovely Easter in your beautiful garden:)

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    1. I agree Rosie - it's lovely to look out from the kitchen and see something bright and cheerful to take your mind off the washing up.

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  13. Elaine I am loving all these lovely glimpses of your garden. I love your little quiet corners. I see you have lots of lovely forget me nots in flower and mine have just started flowering too. I am encouraging them to seed themselves around because I just love them.

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    1. Forget me nots don't need much encouraging to spread they are everywhere at the moment - not that I mind they are such a lovely colour and look lovely mixed in with all the other spring flowers.

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  14. I loved the first pic and the cherry blossom, beautifully dreamy. It's always good to have a mixture in the garden isn't it plants for all moods. Those tulips are gorgeous. Mine are rather small this year.xxx

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    1. I don't have as many tulips as I would like this year not sure how that happened.

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  15. Lovely to see those first flowers of the year. Hope you are having a lovely Easter weekend/

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    1. Thanks Bridget - it would have been a better Easter if we had had some sunshine - as it is pouring down at the moment - typical.

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  17. What a beautiful view Elaine. I love the magic of the hedgerows springing in to life at this time of year. I also share you need for both zingy colour and those quieter corners. Both are beautiful. Happy Easter!

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    1. A view I never tire of Janet - the hedgerows are coming on apace - once they start there is no stopping them.

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  18. Lovely writing xxx my sentiments exactly xxxx nicola x

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    1. Thank you Nicola - sometimes it is hard to find the right words that explain exactly how you feel about something - nice to know its appreciated.

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  19. Such a beautiful garden, and so clearly the work of someone in tune with the seasons. I couldn't agree more that the unassuming flowers are often doing the most work, acting as the foil for their brasher cousins :)

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    1. Thanks Annie - I think when you live in the country you are more aware of the seasons and I try to make my garden blend in with the surrounding countryside accordingly.

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  20. Mmmm. I like that about your gardens -- a place for every mood. Spaces to enjoy vibrancy and vividness and others to consider subtlety and delicacy.

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    1. Not an easy task in a garden as small as mine - if only I had acres of land I could really go to town.

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  21. It's all looking so lovely. The creamy wallflowers go beautifully with the narcissi. xx

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    1. An accidental planting - but aren't they often the best.

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  22. I think I agree with you, and I'd never really thought of it like that. You do have a beautiful garden. x

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  23. I love the sound of those quiet corners, cottage garden flowers are my favourites, although, like you, I do love to see eye-catching flowers, too. It is wonderful to look beyond at the natural beauty of the countryside as well, the blossom and the fresh green is gorgeous at the moment.

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  24. Your garden looks lovely Elaine.
    I love the mixture of soft colours, absolutely perfect for Spring.
    My tulips have failed to bloom this year, the few that did seemed to have been eaten by the rabbits.

    Look forward to your Summer garden ;)

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    1. Thanks Cheryl - I don't have as many tulips as I would like - I think I was on an economy drive at bulb buying time - I shall definitely remedy that this year.

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  25. Spring really is the best time of year.

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  26. It was downright chilly today; almost to the point of being unpleasant. The strong wind didn't help. There is just a hint of green among the brown. We got the tree at the side of the house down on the weekend. It is sooo empty there now. I look forward to the greener days to come. For now, I will just have to enjoy the green in your pictures Elaine.

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    1. We are having mixed weather here - typical April weather I suppose - you seem to have to wait so long for your spring to arrive

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  27. So pretty! Your words are so true. I love the color and the waiting period before the next flush of blooms.

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    1. It won't be long now before the garden is full of colour again - I always feel a little sad when all the early spring flowers are over.

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  28. Yes they are Hena - thanks for stopping by.

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  29. Is it really that green there? I"m in love...maybe I should move. We still don't have leaves yet, but soon hopefully.

    Jen

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    1. Yes it is Jen - everywhere is as green as a green thing - a spectacular spring

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