It was time to cut the grass the other day, leaving the circular lawn to be a flowery meadow once more for a few months. Asking Derek, the gardener, to cut twice round the edge of the lawn and then just once up the centre towards the pond area, leaves the rest to grow lots of small flowers before the grass gets too long to hide them.
With thousands of little flowers, just think of all the extra nectar and pollen there is available for any passing bee, butterfly or any other insect.
And just look at my beautifully clipped Chinese Ginger Jar ( yes, it deserves capitals!) that Derek clipped when he had finished cutting the grass. It is so well done, so solid, neat and tidy, I hate to admit it but it is better than I could do it – he has a job for life now!
It certainly makes an interesting focal point from the other side of the garden by the woodland and I love the contrast.
Sitting on the swinging seat under the dead oak, this is the view across the circle towards the bog garden. You can just about see the central path crossing from left to right, but this will disappear when the grass either side grows. While sitting here we have seen different varieties of butterflies from the flower borders, Meadow Browns and Ringlets, they lay their eggs on the long grass. All the extra insects bring in lots more birds and we have even seen bats swooping across hoovering up the midges that dance around in the sunlight, less to come and bite me!
A view towards the house with a second Viburnum plicatum Mariesii, there is a third hiding off to the left, you can tell I like this plant! I get as much pleasure from this area as I do from the woodland in Snowdrop time and will be coming each day to see how many more different varieties of flowers have popped up. I can certainly say that Derek made a terrific job of reshaping my rather fat ginger jar, the topiary and the meadow make a lovely contrast and they both make me very happy!
Your meadow really is doing so much for the wild life Pauline. It’s like adding an extra dimension to the garden. I am glad you have so much pleasure from it. And the Chinese Ginger Jar is indeed very well done!
Thank you Denise, I’m so glad you appreciate it, I hope the bees do too! It certainly does add a new dimension , that area is now completely different to what it is for the rest of the year.
Tasks like these make such a difference to the look of a garden, don’t they?
I so agree Cathy, they make all the difference and add more texture too.
The Chinese Ginger Jar looks most resplendent indeed Pauline. The viburnum plicatum is beautiful and makes me wish I had a white flowering one instead of a pink ‘un. Still to see the first bat of the year here.
Thank you Anna, my ginger jar makes a very formal focal point, it can’t be missed across the little meadow! The Viburnums are a favourite of mine and I love them at this time of year when they are covered in flowers.
The ginger Jar is perfect and I do love that view with the Viburnum. Your gardener does a great job with the mowing too!
Thank you Cathy, glad you like the ginger jar! I’m pleased with this present gardener and hope he stay for quite some time.
Just love the flowery meadow, the wildlife will thank you for it. Wow, Derek has done a marvellous job of your Chinese Ginger Jar! Lucky you having bats.xxx
Glad you like the meadow Dina, it certainly stands out with all the yellow and white flowers. I agree, Derek did ever so well with the ginger jar, I needn’t have worried! Bats used to roost behind our tile cladding, not sure if they are still there or if the ones we see these evenings come from other buildings in the village.x