My small urban garden - open for charity under the National Gardens Scheme

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When my garden is looking as lovely as it does today I feel inspired to share with others . There is a gentle warm breeze flowing throughout the garden. The sun is shining through the finest open tracery of Acer, dappled sunlight and shade play among the delicate open leaves and the gentle scent of abundantly flowering roses captivates the flaring nostrils. A relaxing harmonious melody of chirpy birdsong flows throughout the garden. The flutter of wings in flight pass close by. The front hedge is awash with busy bees gathering nectar. I love perfect days in the garden and this is one of them (gentle laugh of pleasure). When gardening conversation turns to the subject of roses there are often groans of exasperation; black spot, mildew, rust are often mentioned and this aligned with the sad lack of bloom.
This need not be the case. At the end of the gardening season , when the weather has turned chill and the leaves have begun to fall I have found that it is helpful to start the garden housekeeping. All the debris is collected and the ground left as clean and clear as possible as this practice helps prevent the spread of disease . Just before spring arrives the following year a further clearning up takes place and a good mulch of well rotted manure is placed at the base of the roses to conserve moisture and of course provide a good feed (Roses in particular are gross feeders and also require a good supply of cool moisture at their feet). When the first buds appear the garden has been pruned and cleared and when the air is still, the first spray of a good all round fungiside/insectiside which is systemic is applied , being careful to avoid any possible nesting sites . After this no further spray is used until we are absolutely certain the nesting birds have raised their young and departed. During this time we tend to prune out any problems or pluck out any diseased leaves. A further application of granular feed is applied to the ground beneath the roses twice during the season as the garden is densly planted and therefor requires this. After this programme of care has been completed we sit back and watch the abundant rewards. Huge fat buds arrive , swiftly followed by abundant and perfectly formed draping clusters of delicately scented blooms . A joy to behold , so much so that my heart nearly skips a beat and my soul smiles unceasingly whilst this wonderful period of top notch performance flows forward. I love the shades of apricot peaches and cream provided by the David Austin English Roses growing in my front garden(see ‘you tube’ , search ‘Dering Road’ ) http://www.youtube.com . They are so disease resistant and have so much old rose charm in form fragrance and color. If well fed and nurtured they are profusely grateful in the flower and disease resistance. There is a clematis I truly love for the perfect complimentary soft blue color called Perle de Azure. At present it is thick with plump buds waiting to burst forth and join the roses ! I am so excited and just can not contain the thrill I feel at the prospect of seeing the colors together again, they really look wonderful. In front of this long deep front garden border is a pyracantha hedge which enfolds and protects adding grace with its abundant clusters of snow white delicate blooms. They surround the front border like a delicate bower. The visual impact is for me a delight to behold. It is the 14th of May and I am in love again ! The lilies will appear slightly later as the first flush of the roses die down and become more sporadic, they will compliment what remains and add further interest in the border. Much later in the season the Dahlia will rise extending the interest even further .
I shall upload further photographs and ‘you tube’ video as the garden continues to unveil its many layered gowns of color and scent ! More seasonal blogs will follow also……..I love sharing my garden , if I can inspire you to visit and create delight then my pleasure and delight will be equal in measure

• 15 May, 2011
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