I spent the glorious-weather days of this Saturday and Sunday reacquainting myself with the garden – hello tulips, oh, I’d forgotten I’d planted you, hello geums, you’re about to flower, ooh you lovely pear blossom… Anyone else talk to their plants? Goodness me, I had forgotten just how much I LOVE my garden, being out there, deep in the foliage, weeding, cutting back, pottering and how GOOD it feels (particularly now, in these extraordinary and sad times). It’s been a long, long wet winter but two days outside in the warm spring sunshine up to my shoulders in plants has done me the power of good.
Today has been cloudy and cold, with a strong wind and not conducive to spending hours in the borders, but I did have a wander and collected a few treasures so that I could join Cathy for a Monday vase. Four different varieties of tulip (‘Queen of Night’, ‘Sarah Raven’, ‘Ballerina’ and a violet-purple one whose name I can’t recall), some bluebells from the bottom of the garden, Cerinthe major (overwintered), Erigeron karvinskianus, which is coming into flower on the steps and walls, and some Heuchera leaves.
I also took a few photos while I was in the garden to give you a flavour of what’s going on out there. Look at that orange tulip with the forget-me-nots – I’m fairly sure it’s a ‘Hermitage Double’; there aren’t enough to pick for a vase so I have made a note to plant more for next year. Always more tulips 🙂
My vase today and these photos are especially for my dear friend Gill whose mum very sadly died on Friday (she is very much in my thoughts), and for my mum and my mother-in law who can’t come to and see the spring flowers this year…
We have three pear trees – an old established one in the back garden and two young ones in the mini orchard in the front garden. All three are covered in blossom so I think/hope it’s going to be a bumper pear year this year.
I hope you are finding ways to cope at the moment. Many eminent gardeners have written expansively on the therapeutic effects of plants and the very act of immersing oneself in the act of gardening – it is calming, healing and restorative, and it helps us look forwards to the days to come and all the beauty and good times ahead. If you’re reading my blog, the chances are that you know this already 🙂
With love xx
acoastalplot 
Very beautiful flowers. Almost like jewels. Such sad news though. Sorry to hear of Gill’s bereavement. Keep strong and keep enjoying your flowers. Gardening is certainly helping me through. Karen xx
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Lovely! The pointy red tulip in particular. Tulips are my absolute favourites for a vase, but I never grow them myself. Couldn’t get them to look good in the ground even if the squirrels didn’t dig up every bulb whenever I’ve tried.
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Bluebells from the bottom of the garden – how wonderful is that!
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Such lovely, lovely photos of your gardens with the stone walls for backgrounds. Makes me wish I could just sit down there and ponder life. Your gardens are both peaceful and energizing. Love it all!
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Beautiful flowers that will surely offer a bit of comfort to your grieving friend. I spent the best part of the weekend in the garden, with glorious sunshine and feel so much better for it. The garden seemed to appreciate the attention, too. Have a good week.
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These are the most vivid colors so far, with a little white fleabane flower trying to hide in the mix, like a black can in rich green grass. The blue goes both ways, fitting in with pastels (like in the other vases today), or the vivid colors like here.
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Tributes like this, for friends and family who have been bereaved, are one of the few ways we can offer support at the moment – the inability to be with someone dying, or to reach out and touch them or hug the bereaved, is tragic. Thank you for sharing this tribute for Gill’s mother, and for sharing your garden too with us and your own Mum and Mum in law. I am glad you are taking strength from being in the garden, reacquainting yourself with old and forgotten friends. It is always good to see the wider picture and put a vase in context – spring promises so much, doesn’t it? That double tulip is stunning and I must go and look it up and check its credentials! Thanks Sam
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Every year I see your tulips and think how beautiful they look and wonder why I don’t have any. Must, must plant some. We’re so lucky to be able to escape into our gardens. Anne x
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Beautiful. Very sad news about your friend’s mum. I know what you mean about the garden being therapeutic. I’ve spent a handful of afternoons out there lately and it’s left me feeling amazing. Look after yourself my friend. CJ xx
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Some lovely pictures, I don’t recall seeing a pond in your garden before. The garden looks nice and wild, in a good way.
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Your garden is beautiful, an oasis to spend time in. What a difference 500 miles make, we are still far behind and my tulips are not ready yet. Take care x
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I can’t really add much to what everyone else has already said – spot on and kindest thoughts to your friend. I appreciated your vase, lovely flowers and thoughts.
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Some gorgeous colour combinations Sam, both in the vase and in your garden. I do know what you mean about gardens being such a huge support and retreat – I am so glad my parents have their garden to keep them occupied while they are totally shut off from friends and family. I also know what you mean about needing to plant more tulips! 😃🌷😃
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Yes, wonderful colours (and lovely hard landscaping too. I wish we had rocks around here.) Devolved support and electronic connections go some way to keeping in contact with our families and friends, but I’d really love to be able to give my parents a hug right now. Best wishes for Gill and take care yourselves.
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What will you do with all your pears? That is a marvelous selection of tulips, I especially love the lily-flowered form. Take care.
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What would we do without our gardens? Perhaps more people will discover the beauty and solace of gardening during this otherwise ugly time.
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Hello Sam from Liz at Lilli Pilli on the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia. I’ve just discovered your lovely blog thanks to Jane, a.k.a. The Shady Baker, a fellow blogger here in Oz. I look forward to your updates and postcards from your part of the world. I was writing about food and also blogging up until a couple of years ago when I decided to take a break. Now I spend my days cooking, gardening, walking with my partner, Peter, and our dog at the beach, or just relaxing and watching birds in the tall trees all around our home. Like you, I find the garden is keeping me sane. Your tulips are outstanding and I love your photos. I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your friend’s mother. One of my friends has just lost her elderly mum too. It’s an awful time. All the best.
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A lovely thing to do for your friend in her bereavement. Being unable to be with family and friends who need comforted is the worst thing about this. But your tulips really are balm for the soul. It is hard to suffer bereavement when spring is so gloriously full of life all around. I feel that every year at this time, as my Mum died 28 years ago this week. Normally I would buy a lovely bunch of flowers for the grave, but I can’t buy any locally and in the garden the daffodils are over and there’s not enough of anything else flowering yet to make a bunch. Perhaps some twigs with new green leaves emerging??
My garden is my salvation at the moment. I feel so much for your young adults, as mine are close enough still to school and university days for me to remember how much all of that means to them. And I feel for the support team i.e. the parents – that is a lot to negotiate. Glad you are finding refreshment in your beautiful garden.
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