New paintings and regular art updates.
Peachs on a bush. This was an espaliered bush where the branches are held against the wall horizontally. This allows the fruit to set on the branches and grow bigger and more juicy as the summer goes on. The photo was taken at the Dorothy Clive garden n the Staffordshire countryside. I would have loved to have tasted one of them.
Red and green begonia. The flowers were blooming in the pots at Dorothy Clive garden this weekend. I was amazed at how many had proliferated in numerous containers around the garden. There were other lovely plants but these were the most noticeable.
Photo of one part of an allium flower head that had opened up before the rest of it. I just managed to get a decent shot of it, I was shaking and the wind was blowing it about, I guess the movements cancelled each other out!
Seen at the Dorothy Clive garden. In their new glass house. I love the metallic sheen on it and the spectacular spiral placement of the leaves. It probably links to a Fibonacci number. That’s a specific pattern of how spirals interact. Like the centers of sunflower heads.
Why are you facing inwards bench?
Can’t you see the beautiful view?
The green and yellow hills
Beyond the fence…
Tiny farmhouses dotted alongside feilds
Sun shining on a golden harvest?
But I look in, said the bench
I see the quarry garden
Dug out of soil and stone
Carved into a bowl
Lined with rhododendrons
Azaleas, beech trees, oaks
Full of colour now, gaudy flowers
A waterfall splashes and ploshes
In the quarry cauldron
Hidden sculptures in maze like paths
Yes beyond the fence is lovely
But the Dorothy Clive garden is special.
Peeling paint on a table
I took lots of photos of plants today but I decided to take a picture of a table at the cafe as I am a member of the peeling paint appreciation society on Facebook. I might try and play with this image later. Bit shattered after a very tiring and long weekend.
Alliums, a form of ornamental onion. Photo taken at the Dorothy Clive garden today. I really enjoyed seeing such a lovely garden. I wish I could reproduce it at home. Gardening is such a, wonderful skill. I wish I had the energy to do it
Wondrous garden in the countryside on the borders of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire. In Willowbridge I think? Every spring my hubby and I would go to see the rhododendrons in flower in the Quarry garden, sometimes they were fully in bloom, other years the blooms hadn’t opened or were going over. Today they were perfect. I just wish my hubby was here still to see them. I’d been to the hospital for more tests so this was a treat for my sister who had come with me. She held onto me on the steeper slopes. Today it was very blustery and overcast with a cold wind but at least it wasn’t snowing like it had been in some previous years.
What job would you do for free?
I’d volunteer for a job as a garden guide if I was looking for something to do. There are several beautiful gardens in this area. Rode Hall, Trentham Gardens, the Dorothy Clive garden, Biddulph Grange garden or further afield I would love to work at the Eden Project in Cornwall. I don’t actually know enough botany but I would try hard to find out their Latin and English names, it would be embarrassing to confuse my Aqualegia with Calendula or Gerbers. I would enjoy the exercise and chatting with people who enjoy nature including the birds insects and mammals that thrive in beautifully tended gardens.
If there is no such job I would just go and do it anyway. Each season has its beauty. One inspiring book is a very old story called the Secret Garden. I can’t remember the author though.
There are some verses in the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien “The Road goes ever on”….
I wish I could remember it. I could look it up, but basically I’m too tired! The photo I took last year, at the Dorothy Clive garden reminds me of the verse, the road or path winds off into the distance. Who knows where it will lead as it rises and falls, but there is the possibility of adventure and even danger. I guess it could also indicate what happens to us in life, the ups and downs, you can’t forecast what is round the corner, it could be something nice like an old friend, or someone jumping out at you with malice. The path isn’t always sunny and bright. But we have to live it the best way we can.
Mallaband-Brown