Garden News (UK)

Enjoying the rewards of my work!

- Sandra Jordan

An urban oasis in Twickenham combining trees, shrubs and general planting with a variety of pondlife and wildlife.

All the work involved in raising plants from seed has finally come to fruition. Everything is now in the ground, giving me the time

to actually sit in the garden and enjoy my surroundin­gs. Pretty blue Nigella

damascena nestle among the very regal looking Allium

cristophii, which the bees particular­ly favour. They also love the Iceland poppies, where they dance and tumble from one bloom to the next.

Of course, it wouldn’t be summer without roses and their delicious scent. My friend finally persuaded me to buy the Floribunda rose ‘Blue for You’. I’m glad she did – it’s free flowering, with a delightful scent that wafts in the breeze.

One of my all-time favourites is Alchemilla mollis, or lady’s mantle. It beautifull­y

complement­s any flower

arrangemen­t. I love the way it holds raindrops on its leaves, especially when the sun shines and it glistens. Delicate little geums hold their flowers aloft, while purple campanula spills over a wall.

Pond life is teeming, tadpoles have turned into baby frogs and there are numerous baby fish. Damsel and dragonflie­s hover overhead in the hope of catching insects. Birds adore the garden – goldfinche­s are very recent visitors and stop off in pairs to drink from the bird bath. Blackbirds splash around unashamedl­y before perching on the apple tree to dry off their plumage.

 ??  ?? Nigella nestles among the alliums The sweet scent of roses fills the air
Nigella nestles among the alliums The sweet scent of roses fills the air
 ??  ?? Floribunda rose ‘Blue for You’
Floribunda rose ‘Blue for You’
 ??  ??

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