Late August has arrived and whilst we’re still in the thick of wedding season, it was nice to take a few moments the other evening to observe changes in the cutting garden.
Dahlia season, i’m pleased to say, is here!
Even in the evening the garden feels lit with the bright glow radiating from the dahlias and surrounding blooms. As you’ll have gathered my garden is curated mainly for weddings, so you’ll find plenty of soft creamy shades of yellow and plenty of white.
The back border that was only planted this Spring has burst into bloom, windswept as you would predict from summer Pennine gail’s. But despite bent stems, it is glorious and the prospect of it continuing to develop for years to come excites me now I can visualise the outcome a little clearer. It’s a mix of prairie planting and hardier perennials and shrubs which will withstand our climate.
We have had some issues with the compacted clay soil in the back border, with it being the first year of cultivation the soil still needs some amending. The long, dry periods we have had led to some deep cracking, leaving roots exposed to the elements. I’ll address this in autumn with heavy mulching and planting more ground cover to protect the soil.
My floral workshop is also 95% complete, with just some guttering to sort and water collection tanks to install - another autumn / winter job. But for now i’m thoroughly enjoying using the space and welcoming freelancers on site to assist with our larger event floral installs. A real milestone for sure.
The top lawn area is as wild, weedy and wonderful as ever. A place for the ducks to rummage and make a mess. For nature to co-exist in harmony with gardener.
I just love the vibrancy throughout the garden currently!
Our sweetpeas continue to romp away, now overflowing in heaps with no net left to climb.
Further shrubs will be added to the back border to add more height and depth. Something to play with this October.
The final flush of rose buds are starting to burst, we’re probably a fortnight away from a bed full of colour and beautiful to enjoy before the season ends.
It’s still incredible to reflect on how this space has evolved in just a couple of short years. Gardens take work and dedication, real effort and commitment. They’re not something you can step away from easily and that has been testing at times. I still have a really long way to go, like any gut renovation property, this is still very much the beginning. But moments like these when things feel more tangible, it certainly makes the long days and back pain worthwhile.
Grateful to be here and for this to be our journey.
Hattie x