Sweet peas and super special visitors

At Heale this week BOTH of my sisters visited. Not unusual you might think but one of them lives in Australia and not been back for two years so this was super special for me! such a treat to show them around. They Loved it.

We worked with the Sweet peas this week, time to layer them down and train up the canes again. Quite a process which attracts a lot of attention from visitors. Many people think they are Peas or Beans and cannot believe that you can do what we are doing to a Sweet Pea! Removing every plant from its cane, laying down, removing tendrils and side shoots. Then laying along the ground and tying to a cane about 6 or so away. The whole process of flowering begins again. The plants look great when you are done, all refreshed.

I have really enjoyed the Sweet peas this year, at home and at work, such a glorious flower, delicate like silk with a heavy scent.

We also spent time cropping all that veg we have been working hard to produce. Broadies, Toms, Rocket, Salad, Carrots....some of the Carrots are so vibrant -Atomic Red- super on the plate.

The Courgettes are just beginning to come, a mix of green and yellow.

Much to see in the garden, Eremurus (Fox Tail Lillies) are strutting their stuff in the veg garden.

Romneya coulteri, I love this plant, a big fat yellow centre mimicking an egg, sitting atop a white  petal plate.

Gunnera is almost at full size, rising from the deep. Lunaria (Honesty) has gone to seed and looks just beautiful.

Thalictrum delavayi is trying to reach to the sun, a purple stemmed beauty, planted at Heale in a gravel border with tall grasses.

It has been hot but a gentle breeze and you appreciate the Stipa giganteum wafting and early doors the sound of the Sheep and a trickle of the river. Glorious.