John's Garden

Don't you find that one of the biggest pleasures for gardeners is to visit other gardeners and their gardens?
We visited John's garden is in Perthshire the other day and had a wander. There's always so much to see and inspire.
We've known John since our days in Orkney when he reclaimed the walled garden at Kierfiold from the brambles and other weeds. It was opened it to the public with a small nursery attached and John also ran classes in horticulture.

His trade mark plants are hardy geraniums, aquilegias, primulas and crocosmia.
John trained at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and is a very knowledgeable plantsman. His memory for the Latin names puts me to shame!

I am joining Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.  I hope to see you there.

How does your Garden Grow?

I was at a function last night in aid of Scotland's Garden Scheme and I was asked by several people how does our garden grow? Well, actually it's not bad! But did I say that?  "No" I launched into a description about everything that I thought was wrong!

The list included the gaps in the borders, the plants that didn't manage to overwinter, the lack of rain,  And yet really it's looking good enough this early in the year. Have a look....

 Allium on the point of bursting open. There are a large number in pots for filling in the  gaps in the borders or for cut flowers.

 One of many buds on the quince tree waiting to open . Hope we have as many fruit.

 My favourite rose Canary Bird smothered in blossom.

 The tree fern frond tentatively unfurling.

The delicate nodding head of a semi-aquilegia flower.

The cardiocrinum and the shuttlecock ferns intermingle in the shade border.

 The ornamental garden taken from the house with part of the reproductive garden beyond.

So this is the question for today. How does your garden grow? (And the subtext is "are you a bit more positive then me"?)