Just a quick note, this, because I've been away and need to do some more book editing. Where have I been? Visiting a garden, natch - Somerleyton Hall in Norfolk. The yew maze was particularly fine, as was the soon-to-be restored peach house and numerous other gorgeous greenhouses, which turned me green with envy.  I particularly liked the one pictured here, with a lovely fish pond inside. The oblong-leaved white water lillies were exquisite but I have no idea what variety they were.

The fully fruiting lemon tree in one of the greenhouses  also had me drooling. A personal citrus supply has always been a pipe dream, as you can see from the pic of me enjoying the lemon scent of the fruit (I wasn't feeling very photogenic that day, hence the somewhat mysterious shot).

The black coral pea growing up the walls behind the pond also caught my attention - Kennedia Nigricans apparently grows like a weed in Australia but I presume I'd need to grow in a greenhouse in the UK. But perhaps I can grow the glossy black and yellow pea-like blooms after all - I've just seen some seeds for sale on eBay ...

While I have been gone something has been digging around in one of my flower beds, the sweetcorn has gone from a standing start to several inches high and my new raised bed hasn't been constructed. Oh, and the celeriac is as puny as ever. Plus ca change ...

 

Comments

[dr. charles]

I'm drooling over the lemon tree, too. A little water, sugar, and freezing temperatures and you've got lemon sorbet.

Congratulations on the book! When do you anticipate it's release?

And regarding you link to guerrila gardening, would you be interested in joining this year's contest:
http://drcharles.blogspot.com/2006/05/first-sunday-in-may-2006.html
if so, tell your friends!

take care

[Mark Tobin]

Great lemon tree! Having moved to Australia last year, leaving behind our allotment in Warrington, one thing we made certain of here was a garden with a lemon tree. We had a reasonable crop last summer and having pruned the tree there are enough young fruit now to keep us in G&Ts through next summer!
Mark
Melbourne, Australia