Monday, 1 August 2011

Garden and Family

Slipping a garden and family post in between holiday escapades
dear little Oliver is now 5 (hard to believe)

Master of the House
Here we see him in the play house that Alan and I and our son bought him for his birthday
We kept telling 2 year old Rebekah that it was Oliver's present to which she kept replying 'Oliver must share, share, share'


Oliver's Birthday Card



and on our previous visit these two little darlings offered to help clean  up their family room
They wiped the dining room floor tiles with anti-bacterial cloths and then proceeded to use the same cloths to clean the TV screen!
At least their heart was in the right place


August is the time when I begin to get a little bored with the garden
The early colour has gone, or is beginning to go over and it is not yet time for the late or Autumn flowering stuff
so lets have a look at what there is just now



I love this two coloured Spirea
I bought it for £1 in a market sale quite some years ago


I have a number of Thymes but like this one by the pond best



The Grace smoke bush never fails but likes to take over






The above two were taken Sunday evening when arriving back from another whole day walking the streets of London
many pictures from this day eventually
All I wanted to do was sit in the shade and recover 





I love this Itea Ilicifolia
It is taking a long time to establish itself and it is quite rare
The only place I have ever seen it was where I bought it
at Christopher Lloyds gardens at Dixter





Some of the new roses that I planted out front last November to replace the ones we used to have there


Well goodbye Tree
It had to go having become quite diseased


Will be gracing  daughter Janie's open fire come the winter

Having had a number of days out recently I have so, so many photos to post but will be back to recent holiday ones in next post


16 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Lovely to see the children growing up and being helpful!
Also loved your garden tour and the interesting Itea Ilicifolia which was new to me.
Your roses are delightful and look like David Austin ones -so beautifully scented and pretty but stems rather floppy if you want them in arrangements.
Still too hot here!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Little ones do love to play in their own special place and that playhouse seems to have been the perfect gift. Your garden looks like a great place to relax in the shade after a day out. Just as beautiful as ever to me. Here I'm staying indoors keeping cool. Thunderstorms are prevalent and it's hot and humid out. Hope your Monday is a wonderful one.

Needled Mom said...

I can't believe the little ones are growing so quickly. How does that happen? I love the "share" comment. Wonder where she has heard that before.

Your garden looks gorgeous. I love your beautifully roses. They have done well in spite of the dampness.

Willow said...

Happy happy birthday to Oliver!
The new roses are lovely!

Elizabethd said...

Your roses are just so beautiful. As you say, it is not the best time now, and I keep trying to find something new in the garden. The geraniums are the real splash of colour here.

Trisha said...

Oliver does look like a King, sitting there. Great gift for him; so glad he is sharing it. Your garden is so beautiful, I could never get bored with it. And, the fireplace is amazingly beautiful. Blessings.

Adrienne said...

Precious children! Lovely garden! I think grandchildren are the flowers in the garden of our lives. Thank you for sharing them with us.
~Adrienne~

Balisha said...

That little picture of the two children in the house is just precious. He's growing so fast. The card must have been made by you...nice job. Your roses are so pretty...I love them all.
Balisha

Anonymous said...

Your roses are absolutely beautiful! I can almost catch the fragrance!

AM Zafaran said...

The children are so sweet and innocent. Your roses are absolutely lovely and I really enjoyed seeing them!

nikkipolani said...

Lovely to be back at home with you enjoying the colours and fragrances and coolness of your garden.

Diane at My Cottage Garden said...

Lovely post today! Your photos are all wonderful. So enjoyed the roses.

Cally said...

Fabulous colour on that Thyme, I'd love to have one so rich, mine are paler, though still delicious and bee covered.

La Petite Gallery said...

Happy Birthday Oliver.
This was a great post. You have a gorgeous yard. I have that smoke bush also.
yvonne

a woman who is said...

I am impressed with the Ilicifolia and the place you purchased it =) The roses are stunning. The grands are getting so big. I love the tea party in the play house...good times Grandma.

Vee said...

Oh my! I'm shocked at how many of your posts I've missed. I don't know that your blog has been updating in my world properly. Well, I won't let that stop me in the future.

Your garden, as always, looks beautiful. I know how much hard work you put into it and it certainly rewards you.

Oliver and Rebekah are so cute!