Remarkable rhoddies

When I opened the curtains this morning the sun was shining on this magnificant bank of rhododendrons and it felt as if the world had turned mauve. The right combination of rain, sun and vicious pruning has produced a wonderful display. Look how much taller they are than the arches.

Making an entrance

Now

This area looks rather different as well. Same tree, but that's about all ...

Then

Is it cheating to get help with the weeding?

We realised in a moment of panic recently that the maintenance of the garden was taking longer than the time available and that we had no time left to get anything creative done in it (let alone work, eat and sleep). Time to call in the experts. Meadowbank Garden Services started today and made an excellent job of mowing and weeding.



By the way, this is what the area used to look like (from the opposite direction) ...

Isn't it great when a plan comes together?

Before

This week the French doors in the breakfast room were installed. Don't they look great!

After

Yeah!!! It's stopped raining!

Yesterday, for the first day since records began (6 April) it didn't rain. Hopefully we can now mow the meadow that is the lawn and weed the beds.

Tulips are not the only flowers

Just in case you are thinking we have nothing but tulips in the garden, here's a photo of a lovely azalea doing its best despite the rain.

Two heads are better than one

Look at this amazing tulip. It really is one stem with two flower heads. Never seen that before.

(Still raining! The eagle-eyed amongst you will see the raindrops on the petals.)