Making a Rockery in my Scottish garden

Do you remember what I started off with?
The rocks were already in place for the rockery, so all I had to do was choose plants  - mostly alpines  - and then what type of gravel to put at their base to improve drainage and stop them rotting.

This was before, you can see the rocks on the left of the photo.

Here are some of the plants -

 the gravel is "golden buff" colour - on a dull day, it looks a pale stone colour

on a bright day, the gravel looks white!

So there's my rockery planted  - next is to plant the climbers for the trellis, get the paving laid, new gravel, then I can plant the main body of plants!

Making a creative space in my Scottish garden.

I am a creative person and I love to have a space which is conducive to creating. You all know we've moved recently and I have a new garden.
Well, I have this...

It's the ultimate in low maintenance gardens - and whilst it would suit some, it doesn't do anything for me. So I am going to change it. I thought too, that I would blog all the changes, so if you want, you can watch as I make a creative space. Like a very slow motion Ground Force, for those of you who remember the programme!

When we moved in, the removal men put a lot of Paul's wood store in that shed. That shed is rotten. I wanted it gone. The first thing therefore, was to make a new store for all Paul's woodturning pieces.
We decided it would have less impact up against the garage at the other end of the garden, especially if we painted it green.
The transformation of our 30x30 plot begins!
Wait! I hear you cry. 30 by 30 foot? Pat, that's tiny, compared to your old garden. That's true, it is. I'll let you in to a not-so-secret. I am getting older with every day. I have moved to a beautiful country. I don't want to be like so many of my older reflexology clients, who were tied to garden work all day because they still had their large gardens. I don't mind some garden work, but not at the expense of seeing this wonderful new country, Scotland. Its magnificence will be my wider garden - and no mowing involved. Why not keep the ultra low maintenance garden then? Because I still love to see plants and flowers and all gravel with no green doesn't do it for me. Are you ready now? Shall we begin?

The woodstore starts...

 The woodstore completed, inside all shelved out and containing Paul's wood.

Have you ever seen any of his turning? Here's a small example... my very own wand and wand stand...





























 
We'll go back to the garden. What does every garden need but a plan?
So, here is the plan, worked out on graph paper, so that everything will go in its place.

Plants have been ordered through J Parkers HERE
Some specimen pieces and rockery plants will come from Bridgend Garden Centre HERE
and if I happen to be in the supermarket and can't resist a special offer, I may pick up the odd piece too.
Mostly though, I am guided with my ordering and specimen plants as to what will grow in Scotland - and it is this book, Garden Plants for Scotland HERE, given to me as a present from my friend Lynne, that is invaluable in making good choices.

This is a long post, the next ones in this journey will be more pictorial. Will you join me for the transformation?

A garden project

After the steps were built, we had in mind a new garden project. We wanted to make a new flowerbed.
We've had a few days off, so decided to tackle the flowerbed while the weather was with us.

Here it is:

removing the top layer of grass

Digging out the concrete rubble which had been buried beneath

Our little visitor. Did you see him in the last photo? He was hunting for worms as we took a break.

Missy the Supervisor checks the quality of works

and here's the finished flowerbed.

and Missy, enjoying the sunshine now the work is done.

We have a couple more days off and will be enjoying those, at home.
I shall be writing some more to my second book, Leaves for Chloe.

Hope you've enjoyed the pics.

The Weekend Balance.

Last week I spoke about balance and how hard it was to find and keep it in this internet age.
This weekend we decided to try a whole weekend with any computer time.

This is how it went.
We talked more, we decided to make some steps from the patio into the garden. We have a sunken patio, but no steps out from it.
This weekend, that all changed.

Here is where we started, with the new slabs lined up ready.

Halfway through the work, the Supervisor had to check it out!

and here is the almost finished project.

Why couldn't we finish it completely? You'll never guess.
When we went to the bag of ballast, a family of robins had made their nest in it! We wouldn't disturb them, so the prettying up of the edges will have to wait until the breeding season is over.

I also framed up a couple of my paintings, then hubs hung them for me

We then sat in the garden, talking, reading and playing with Missy.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Computer free weekends may become our new normal.
Whatever you did at the weekend, I hope you enjoyed it.

Missy's Bank Holiday

Yesterday was a Bank Holiday in the UK and it was a beautiful day.
Here's little Missy - and her bank holiday fun.

What are we doing today?

we're having a day in the garden

the apple tree is in blossom

daddy is building a shed

mummy is painting

I can run and frolic in the sun

see off the Essex lion

check the build quality

and claim it for me!

We hope you enjoyed this peek into our holiday.

Garden Days

Yesterday I was in the garden, because we had the most beautiful sunny day.
I did my ankle exercises, gave myself a reflexology treatment and admired the beauty, which the sun had encouraged.
I couldn't help but take some pictures and its my pleasure to share them with you.

Bridal Wreath

Saxifrage

 

my mossy stone bench

Elephant Ears

Forget-me-not

I also did some more writing to my second novel  - but you don't want to see a photo of my netbook, do you?  Of course you don't - but the words are flowing nicely!

Forging ahead

Hubs and I are on holiday for a week, we've already been out, buying garden plants for me to make my little haven look as pretty as a picture.
We've bought a beautiful hellebore, a sweet smelling evergreen called sarcococca - or Christmas box. Some allium bulbs, a paeony and a bleeding heart.

hellebore

I also picked up a book in a second hand store called 'Creative Editing- spot what's wrong with your writing before your editor does'.

Its the most wonderful book -  a little gem. Its already had me looking at certain parts of my book and thinking - this must change! Which in a way is a blessing, because I heard yesterday that I didn't make the winning five to be mentored. Perhaps in this writing journey I am being helped in a different way.
I am half way through the editing book, once I reach the end, I will apply what I've learned to have the best, most polished novel I can have. Once that's done, I'll look at sending out to agents.

Plans for the rest of the week include a rendezvous with a writing friend from my first course, lunch with another friend, another day - and garden haven planting! Whatever you're up to this week, have a fab one! x