Lately I have neglected the blog in favour of doing some gardening. Now, my garden is an atom of a thing as it is truly pocket-handkerchief size, so it’s hard, in retrospect, to credit that doing very little to such a tiny space took up a vast amount of time. Admittedly a lot of that was thinking time: pondering what plants to buy, wondering were in the tiny space to put them, and trying to figure out by reading plant information labels at garden centres which were the best buys in terms of colour and longest flowering times.
Work in progress
The garden was theoretically ok as it was but it just wasn’t ‘me’ so I wanted to put my stamp on it by tweaking it a little. I started out with a rectangular shaped garden with narrow flower beds on three sides, there was a hole in the ground where a pond once was and the rest was hard surface of either brick or patio slabs.
Essentially it’s still much as before but I tried to, and hope I have, softened it somewhat. I decided that removing most of the paving slabs and replacing them with gravel would have that softening effect. I planned to get someone in for a day to do this, however I discovered to my surprise that the slabs came up easily so I removed some of them. In deference to my lower back I will get somebody in to take up the remainder but getting even a few out of the ground was a start and once I had put a couple of bags of gravel down where they had been, I had a feel for how the garden could look, and I felt encouraged to do some planting.
Work done to date, more to do
The main object of the new planting was to try add long-lasting colour so all the plants were picked on that basis without me being sure if they were right for my garden’s orientation and its resultant distinct lack of sunlight. Time will tell if they thrive or even survive. The names of the plants, that I hope will flower all summer, as transcribed from their labels include: solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’, polygala myrtifolia, Erysimum Bowels’s mauve, geranium m ‘Bevan variety’ …
I took down the climbers that crawled over the fences as they were deciduous so they looked bedraggled and straggly in winter time. The hole that once was a pond got filled with bags of compost and some soil borrowed from the flower beds and then I planted an olive tree in it. I am going to have to prune said tree severely every year as it has the potential to grow large (ten metres apparently) and I want it to stay the size it is!
There’s much more to do but at least I have started.
Just Add Attitude 
I LOVE your garden, it’s just the right size as far as I am concerned and it looks whimsical and lovely. Your choice of plants looks great and I love the pavers and stones as well as the adorable little birds. I think you have done a fantastic job,
Thank you so very much. I LOVE your comment. 😉
That is a beautiful garden! Hope flowers last very very long 🙂
Thank you I am hopefully they will. 😉
Hi B, that is a really lovely garden – health to enjoy. I particularly love the olive tree. I am reminded of the sign in Avoca which says the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now. In your case, now sounds best to avoid too much pruning!! Hx
Thank you so much H, that’s kind. I lusted after an olive tree for my small space but worried about it taking over day-of-the-triffids style so I think I am going to have to keep it in check! I do know that Avoca sign and it’s a great saying.
Sending many good wishes through the ether. Bxx
What a beautiful start you have made. Love the wee ornaments. I hope you will continue with progress reports.
Thank you very much. There is quite a bit to do but I am very happy with how the garden is shaping up and I love looking out at it. 😉
If looking at your garden makes you happy, then you know you are on the right path.
I agree. 😉
Lovely, lovely, and *well* worth neglecting a mere blog in deference to work on such a sweet garden!
Thank you Kathryn and sometimes neglecting one thing in favour of another is a good idea.
It looks gorgeous. Don’t worry, olive trees grow really slowly, you won’t have trouble keeping it in check and they are easy to prune.
Thanks D, that’s great to hear because I was worried about the olive tree taking over.
Working in a garden is hard work but so rewarding when you get to sit and enjoy the beautiful flowers. I think it looks lovely and will only get better as time passes.
So true, hard work in the is rewarding when the time comes to enjoy the space. I still have a lot I would like to do to the space and I will get it done bit by bit. 😉
Just don’t overdo…the garden waits patiently for us even though it might not be perfect.
Thanks I will try not to. Years ago in another garden I made the mistake of planting things too close together forgetting totally that they would spread out quickly. 😉
What a fantastic garden! I can imagine bringing a lounge chair out there and just reading in the peace and quiet. What a lovely space 🙂
Thank you. It is a quite space which I love and as there are lots of trees behind I get to see some wildlife – birds obviously and also grey squirrels. 😉
Gardening is the best reason for neglecting blogging! Your garden is beautiful!
Thank you so much. 😉
ohmygoshthisissoadorable!!!
all I manage to grow are sorry little succulents…. meeeeeh 😦
P.S. also I manage to stalk a florist friend’s highly inspiring blog 😀
Thank you so much. I will have to wait to see if everything I planted survives as the garden doesn’t get a lot of sun. 😉
Great to have a florist friend with an inspiring blog. 🙂
I think you could go with plants that don’t need much sun, then?
and yeah, her blog is pure eye candy. I don’t buy a lot of cut flowers, because I prefer them, well, alive, but can’t deny the beauty of her arrangements. plus, she also works a lot with succulents, and those survive their centerpiece role 🙂
I would love to check out your friend’s blog, if you have time could you let me know the name of it. 😉
sure! she’s in my hall of fame, like yourself.
http://botanicart-blog.com
but be warned, it is an addictive kind of beauty! 😀
Thank you so much. 😉
you’re very welcome ❤
Great work on the garden B, we were only talking about it a week ago…. Love the plant choice, try a lemon tree for the Gin and Tonics! Keep up the good work. Axx
Thanks so much Ann. And maybe some grapevines for a glass of read wine! Bxx
Your garden is really pretty and I think that planning is really important as well as lots of fun!
Thank Meg – the planting was fun. 😉
The transformation is wonderful already (and I love the birds). Don’t worry too much about the olive tree. They grow VERY slowly (well ours do).
G XX
Dear G,
Thank you, as always, for your comment. And I am very glad to hear olive trees grow VERY slowly.