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Garden Photos

	This pool is set into a patio and has a filtration system behind the wall, through which the lion's head spout circulates the water via an upper tank to provide a cascade and the sound of running water. I planted the 2 pots of Wisteria a few years ago and they've just started to grow well although I suspect they'll be constrained by the pots in time. The one on the left is a Sinensis and it flowers quite well throughout the summmer. The pool has lots of water lillies which keep the water clean, and plenty of fish although the local heron is doing his best to remove the fish.
This is a view of the upper garden past the patio, pergola and pool. The lawn curves round to the top of the upper garden past another pool, and a statue and bench. It's starting to mature quite well although there's still a lot of empty space. The planting was done through a membrane to keep the weeds down, and there's lots of bark for the same reason. However, the birds love to peck at the damp bark for insects and have a habit of spraying it all over the lawn.
	There's a Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens in the foreground which is the only one remaining of 3 planted a few years ago. I've replaced the others by a number of hebes of various low lying flowering varieties. The birds love the chipped bark that's used to keep weeds down, and they peck it all over the patio looking for insects and grubs. I'm thinking of complaining.
The lawn sweeps round a stand of flowering cherries on the left and a drift of silver birch trees on the right. The ground under the Prunus is populated by Vibernum Davidii, Osmanthus Tricolor and Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia' (the latter isn't doing too well in the deep shade that exists there). There's also a Hypericum patulum 'Hidcote' that was a gift from a friend who works at Hidcote Manor. The ground under the birches is covered with Houttuynia Chameleons which are starting to do really well and cover the space.
	The big tree on the left here is the Robinia Frisia which I love. The leaves are such a beautiful colour at all times of the year, but especially in the Spring when they're luscious. It's surrounded by Photinia 'Red Robin' engaged in a fight for space with Malva Sylvestris (mallow). I've decided the mallow is just too invasive and leggy, so I'm removing it completely this year. Rosemary likes Symphytum (comfrey) and insisted on planting some here but it's getting too big and will probably have to go next year.
There's a few examples of Cordyline on the rockery and around the small pool. The big beast on the left here is Cordyline australis which has flowered this year, and a very impressive sight it is too. The other one in sight here is, I think, Cordyline indivisa. Behind these are various bamboos of which I don't know the species, but they're getting a bit big and I might have to reduce them somewhat next year. There's a few hardy palms on the right which are looking quite good now, but several died while they were getting started.
	At the edge of the gravel on the right, there's a drift of Sysirinchium Striata which is only just starting to pick up after planting several years ago. I can't say I like it a lot. There's also a few more bamboos which divert your eye from the statue, sundial and bench - it's very "twee" isn't it, but feels surprisingly peaceful when you spend time there in the evening.
Looking back at the small pool and rockery with the Cordyline australis, Cordyline indivisa, and bamboos. In the background is my favourite in the whole garden, the Robinia Frisia in front of which is a lot of Escallonia which is making wood not flowers currently.
	This is a closer look at the Vibernum Davidii, Osmanthus Tricolor, Juniperus Sabina 'Tamarisciflorea', and Hypericum patulum 'Hidcote'. Apart from the Juniperus, they've all done really well this year. There's also a Symphytum (comfrey) in there, and that's also done very well this year unfortunately.
To the right of the silver birch drift there's Cotinus 'Royal Purple', some Elaeagnus 'Limelight', Euonymus 'Emerald Gold' and the usual Forsythia.
	As I've said earlier, this is the Wisteria sinensis which flowers quite well throughout the summer. It doesn't seem to like as much water as the Wisteria on the other side of the pergola but this dry summer has been an exception and I've filled the pot with a gallon of water every evening.
The lower garden consists mainly of trees and lawn. Most of the trees are firs of various kinds although there's a few notable exceptions. Here on the right is a flowering pear with a characteristic hanging shape.
	Dave Muston has very kindly named the flowering, hanging, ornamental pear tree as Pyrus Salicifolia Pendula. Thanks Dave.
On the other side of the gravel drive is a hanging willow which seems to do very well. Behind it there's more Prunus and a big Pyrancantha that can't seem to stop growing - yet pruning it is a painful experience.

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