Author Archives: Ruth Paris

Just two years from planting this tree in the shelter of a high wall…

An unexpected joy; having failed dismally to get these to flower in the greenhouse, I apparently shoved a couple of leftover corms into a stony isolated bed beside the mulberry tree and forgot about them. Then this happened! They’ve been … Continue reading →

What a surprise amid the mud…

birthday present – new water collection tank!

Hmm, so much for daily checking on the Cox’s Orange Pippins (planted only last year) to ensure harvest before they drop … I found this beauty on the ground. I suspect the local magpie. But it was unmarked and completely … Continue reading →

I had forgotten that I planted a tiny little melon seedling in the glasshouse… then mistook the rampant foliage for the adjacent cucumber… So it came as a great surprise to find a cluster of melons hidden amid the leaves. … Continue reading →

Weeding in the brassica cage, I came upon this fine fellow under a large cabbage leaf. So pleased to see that at least one of the disappeared tadpoles had made it to frogdom! Such a miraculous transformation.

Ever since falling in love with one in the entrance to the large glasshouse at RHS Wisley, I wanted to grow a brugmansia. When I finally achieved my dream of having a “proper” glasshouse myself, a seller on ebay provided … Continue reading →

Starting at the top by the house on a beautiful summer’s morning…

Such a joy – all planted last year and now first flowering, despite the aphid invasion….. And saving the best till last – over 50 buds in its first year!

Whew, that was a lot of compost – all from the wonderful Urban Wyrm.

The ancient pear tree nearest to the house has been bedecked with blossom this year – in the breeze it looked like a snowstorm!

Not enough growing space for all the seedlings being potted on in the glasshouse + scruffy looking grass in what is supposed to be a “meadow” = opportunity for more raised beds! Now just need to import more loads of … Continue reading →