July 2024

July is the month for sweet peas! Last year I decided to save the seed pods remaining on the last of the sweet peas, drying them and packing them away safely in my seed tin. I had grown a wide mixture of named varieties, all scented, and wondered if they would have cross-pollinated to produce some pretty surprises. These are some of the ones grown from those seeds; the plants are stronger and bigger than the shop bought cultivars. An example of hybrid vigour maybe?

July is also the month I begin working on Christmas cards as a good number are needed to fulfil gallery and shop orders; stock is usually needed in September, so I have to start early!

There is a ‘Christmas’ tab on the Home Page here, so if you are an 'early bird' and don’t want to miss out on particular designs which may not be re-stocked, you might like to take a look!

June 2024

Irises seem to be gaining in popularity and I noticed several were featured again this year in the Chelsea Flower Show gardens. A relative has childhood memories of visiting the artist and Iris breeder Cedric Morris at Benton End in Suffolk many years ago. Cedric’s Irises are now much sought-after for their beautifully subtle colours and forms and we have a small collection here. We particularly love this one called ‘Benton Deidre’. The iris season is fleeting; all too soon the glorious blooms are spent, but they bring much joy whilst they last.

The rain continues here, and the lawn is once again too wet to mow, although it is keenly nibbled at by numerous rabbits this year. They are very sweet, but terribly destructive, demolishing stems in the borders in order to eat the flowers!

I am putting together a new collection of cards for the shop at Kelmscott Manor  (William Morris’s wonderful old home in Lechlade, well worth a visit if you are in the area). I have been designing ‘naïve-style’ trees inspired by wall paintings in a 17th Century church in Norway; I will be adding these cards to my shop here this month. Hopefully there will be some June sunshine to brighten things up a bit after all the rain! 

May 2024

At last some warmer weather! May is such a beautiful month here when the garden really wakes up, the unkempt wisteria bursting forth, just overlapping with the fading cherry blossom. I grow plants from seed, many saved from last year’s flowers and vegetables, and they are nearly ready to plant out now, although I shall await a benign spell of weather.

The birds are very hungry these days; my tame robin takes food from my hand each morning as I prepare their breakfast bird table mix. It is wonderful to hear their songs, and yesterday I heard the cuckoo for the first time this year, always a moment of joy for me.

I am hoping for a spell of calm weather so I can photograph some more new work; I have pegged my prices despite the latest rise in postage – all cards are still post free.

Thank you for visiting my website, your interest in my work is much appreciated.

I wish you a warm and sunny May, full of the joys of Spring!