“Flowers always make people feel better,
happier, and more helpful;
they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.”
Luther Burbank
“Flowers are the essence of the world”
The Last Gardener of Aleppo
“In a Summer Garden” by Frederick Delius, performed by Aarhus Symphony Orchestra:
When I think of paradise, it starts with my garden. When I think of my garden, I feel like a tree with its roots down in the soil. In an age of rampant technology and commercial development, we do need to create a personal relationship with the Earth by planting a garden. I followed the Roman maxim: ‘One who plants a garden, plants happiness.’
The pink climbing rose over the front door is Aloha, created in the Forties. It flowers from spring to autumn and is stunning. The white rambler rose growing next to ivy, is also beautiful, and the white flowers look so well overlapped with Aloha’s deep pink.
The famous rose Peace, a climber, was created in 1945 in celebration of the end of World War II, and mine is growing and climbing by the back door, next to the conservatory. It is a remarkable rose, cream with pink edging, and it flowers profusely from spring until the first frost. If winter is mild, it may flower at Christmas. It is one of the first roses to flower and it is the most popular rose in the world.
Our relationship with nature is eroding rapidly as increasing pollution is causing a rise in levels of asthma, depression, and anxiety. Trees help to stop the build-up of CO2 by removing it from the air and storing it as wood. Tropical rainforests were able to act as ‘lungs the of the world’ but now less and less so because they are losing their ability to absorb greenhouse gas as rising temperatures are killing trees. According to recent research, within 15 years, the Amazon rainforest will start producing more carbon dioxide than it sucks in from the atmosphere. Scientists had predicted that rainforests would eventually stop storing CO2 and start releasing it, as dead trees release greenhouse gas when they decompose, posing a big concern for the future of humanity.
The new findings are worse than the most pessimistic predictions and suggest the process will begin decades earlier than forecast. This is why I write with such passion about planting trees in all gardens, even the smallest. Yet some of my neighbours have cut down mature apple trees, while others have uprooted large bushes. If we all linked our gardens by planting as many trees as possible, we would have healthier towns and clear air. There is an admirable initiative going on in the UK to plant thousands of trees and getting everybody involved.
“Life” by Ludovico Einaudi (courtesy of Beatriz):
I draw strength from the peace, tranquillity and clean, fragrant air that is my garden. It is also a safe haven for many birds and other wildlife. When I moved here, there was just a space in the front and at the back. It meant that I could create a garden that would be an oasis of many plants, mostly evergreen, and as many trees as it was possible to fit in. As I could not expand the garden, I had to go up and raise the level of the whole garden by at least a metre, and in some places by two metres. This allowed me to plant trees, and as many plants as I wanted because having legroom everything would flourish. The colour was created by using three main species: roses, hydrangeas and clematis.
Hydrangeas are very generous in their insistence on flowering for months until the first frost. They come in many colours; from pink, red, blue to purple and white.
One of the most versatile plants you could wish for the garden is clematis; it climbs, twines, spreads across the whole side of the house or the garden wall. When flowering it provides a spectacular display of colour. I have one in the front garden, over the wooden arch, that is flowering scented cream bells in late autumn and winter.
The whole length of the garden on one side has a brick wall, and the rest are six-foot wooden fences. In the front, the sun comes from the east, and by eleven o’clock moves towards the back which is south facing.
At the very back border of the garden, I have planted a row of conifers. Conifers have a bad press, but this is irrational as planted in the right place and for the right reason, they are an asset. Mine are tall but not dangerous as I have raised the soil level and the roots are firmly in; also they ‘link arms’ and support each other. Their lower branches were removed in what is known as Japanese cut, to allow light and the sunset to flood the garden in the late afternoon. The conifers give the garden a feeling of seclusion, and in winter protect the house and the plants from the cold, wind and ice. They are needed to keep the air clean as trees always do, and despite the house being approx 90 yards from a heavily polluted High Street, the air here is clean and fragrant because there are flowering plants in the garden in each season. The ground around the trees has many large ferns growing with a hedgehog house hidden within.
The conifers are also providing a safe, nesting place for the birds and a drey of our resident squirrel.
I am also a defender of much-maligned ivy. The ivy that covers the entire length of the wall in the front is beautifully golden-green all year round and brings colour even on the dullest of days. It flowers in autumn when other pollen is gone and bumblebees and other insects love it. For us, the flowers exude a strong scent that is very attractive.
At the back of the garden next to the Stumpery, there is a wooden arch that I built when foxes damaged the eucalyptus tree, and sadly it had to be cut down. I have used part of the trunk to make the arch, and I have planted by its side a Harkness spectacular climber, Seagull. It flowers and cascades in all directions over the arch, and is sparring for admiration with the huge heads (football-size) of Annabel, a white hydrangea, growing nearby.
Further along the back, there is an Edwardian style set of two armchairs and a table, and close by grows a climber Edna Harkness, a deep red colour rose. This is the best place to sit with a cool drink and relax in the tranquillity of the garden. Another similar place is a seat by the pond, secluded and surrounded by the many flowers, including roses and heavenly scented violet phloxes.
I have fed the birds for many decades. I provide for the robin special seeds (without oats), and fat with dry mealworms ‘candles’. I feed the birds ALL year-round, especially at fledgling season. This is the time and in the winter when they really need all the help they can get. A pond, however, small will be a great attraction to insects and frogs. When I first built one, as the water was poured in, I could see two frogs hurrying from different directions to take over their new acquisition. A plaque above the pond says: ‘The Kingdom Of Beautiful Frogs’.
There are quite a few fruit trees in the garden that I have grown from tiny saplings, and they now produce kilograms of fruits; apples, pears, cherries and plums. I have also some blueberries, raspberries, red currants and gooseberries. By feeding the birds I have their binding undertaking that they will help to keep the garden free from aphids.
My determination to keep and preserve my garden, as it is, came from watching with horror the new owners of the houses around me cutting down beautiful apple trees, uprooting and throwing away masses of beautiful plants, because they have no time or patience to do any gardening. They don’t obviously understand that if everybody were to plant a few, even dwarf, trees, and many shrubs, our street air would be cleaner and we all would be much healthier. As I have no power to persuade others, at least I am making sure that my oasis of green and colourful plants, and the wildlife in my garden are safe.
Another well-known method of creating an interesting picture in my garden is to plant roses beside apple trees. Again, this year the roses are all over the branches and the deep pink of the blooms ‘beautifies’ the green of the apple tree. Another apple tree is ‘decorated’ with the large, lilac flowers of a rhododendron that was planted in a large tub (as I have alkaline soil ) by the side the tree. It grew taller and taller until now it is more than halfway through the canopy of the tree, and it looks spectacular.
Early flowering bushes like Skimmia Japonica, Ferris, Weigela, and others, have already provided fine dining to all the insects in the garden, including some butterflies.
There is a great need to plant many plants that are attractive to honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other pollinating insects as our town and cities are expanding at an alarming rate. We are now building on our green countryside, the fastest rate in 25 years, and planners are busy filling up the previously protected spaces between the towns, with new towns. No doubt once built it will be much easier for the developers to expand in every direction. In the meantime, our honey bees population is dwindling. Councils everywhere are cutting down huge numbers of trees (110,000 in 3 years) to save money on their maintenance, oblivious to the fact that the absence of trees – the lungs of the Earth – makes pollution, which kills humans and children in particular, rise to an unacceptable level. There are still many gardens that are not wildlife-friendly, and yet it is easy to turn any garden, even tiny, into an oasis for birds, insects, hedgehogs and frogs. Many newspapers and gardening programmes offer detailed advice on what to plant. Although I am just an amateur gardener, I am passionate about nature, and I will include in my blog all the plants that are loved by my army of wildlife garden helpers, in full Technicolor for those not as yet convinced.
One plant that is often misunderstood is ivy. The conviction among many people, even gardeners, is that nothing will thrive close to ivy, and roses, in particular, will perish, their root smothered by the ‘rampant’ ivy. As always, what is needed to solve the problem is ‘know-how’. Apart from the fact that ivy is extremely attractive all year round as an evergreen, and it will brighten every dull and dark winter’s day with its golden-green, lush foliage, it is also invaluable to both birds and insects. It offers safe nesting places for small birds, and flowers (highly scented) late in the year providing food for the larger birds and nectar for the insects. The solution to growing many plants, including roses, next to walls covered with ivy is simple: leg room for all the plants. My brick wall is covered with a thick layer of ivy, but in front of it I built a metre-high bed, in length 10 metres. The bed has all the plants that I wanted to include: Japanese laurel (two), Weigela (two), three very large climbing roses, three hydrangeas, two pyracantha and a collection of trailing plants that are cascading down the edge of the bed. I have included the pictures of white roses and Weigela as hydrangeas are still in bud. The scent of roses and pyracantha is intoxicating not only to scores of honey bees and bumblebees but also to me and my visitors. All I can say is long live the wonderful, beautiful ivy.
Another tip well-known to seasoned gardeners is to plant in overlapping groups of plants. Starting in the winter months with hellebore and evergreen, scented, winter flowering clematis, then following with early spring-flowering plants like Skimmia Japonica Ferris, then tulips and daffodils, rhododendrons, and roses galore in the early summer.
“Almost June” by Ludovico Einaudi:
From June onwards, hydrangeas and later roses and buddleia will provide colour and food for insects. Depending on the size of the garden, if possible, it is good to have a few fruit trees, when in bloom always appreciated by bees. These can be a dwarf variety, which means they won’t grow over two metres. Low-level plants should include flowering herbs like rosemary, sage, fennel and chives, and daisies, valerian and tall, perennial lobelia. Cow parsley adds frothiness to the display. I should add that when in flower, pyracantha branches look like scented candyfloss. Sowing masses of nasturtium, either trailing from the high edge of the beds, or anywhere where there is a bit of soil, will result in a fantastic hot-colour display for several months (Monet garden). I have to also mention the dreaded by many, namely – wasps. I have never been stung by them, but in late summer I feed them sugar syrup in a saucer, and they recognise me as friend. They repay me by eating aphids which is greatly appreciated, as my garden is wholly organic.
Speaking of beautiful flowers, I cannot conclude without mentioning the gardens created for the Chelsea Flower Show in London, the quintessential event of the summer:
“Summer” from “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi (courtesy of Kvant Video Relax):
naturetails 
Your garden is beautiful and definitely shows your passion for nature. Thanks for sharing you garden.
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consummate photography!👍🏼 i love your thoroughness & obvious love of all the subjects you write about🙏🏼❤️thank you for inspiration✨💞✨
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Thank you, Kenne, for your wonderful comments! Nature is my adopted middle name, and I love anything connected with; writing, gardening and visiting places like forests.
Thank you, Kenne for sharing my feeling for my garden, greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you for your beautiful comments! Nothing could please me more than to inspire others to love nature, and when possible, to plant!
Joanna
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What a beautiful garden Joanna. I love its look, the flowers and allowed to grow naturally.
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Thank you, Sadje, for you lovely comments, and for pinpointing that all my plants are growing naturally.
Your words, Sadje, are greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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You have an awesome garden…great job, Joanna!!
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Thank you so much, Indira, for your wonderful comments! All greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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It’s my pleasure 🌹🌺🌸
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Thank you again!
Joanna x
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❤️❤️❤️
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Xxx!
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Your garden is wonderful. I have no words to tell you how much I loved your post: the amazing images, the descriptions, the music
Once again I will say that I really like the way you post the information. I always learn something new and for this I can only thank you with all my heart
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Thank you, dear Luisa, for such a wonderful comments! You lifted my spirits! Every word you wrote is beautiful and deeply appreciated!
Joanna xx
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You are so very welcome. Joanna
It’s always my pleasure!
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You are very kind, thank you!
Joanna x
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Happy garden to you.
Your kind of Clematis is very much a garden flower. The Clematis drummondii that grows natively in Austin has only small flowers, but the feathery strands they produce are a delight.
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Thank you, Steve, for your lovely comments! You are right, flowers here are different to what you see on your photographic journeys but is the pleasure of traveling. When I go to Spain, I wish to see something new and not known to me!
Thank you, Steve, again, and your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Not only does your garden look wonderful Joanna, you’ve made it come alive with your images and words. I’m in total agreement with your sentiments about plants, and you’ve given me an added incentive to get the garden into shape for the wildlife and insects that need these plants to survive. Your love of nature is infectious, and I can’t wait for the weather to play ball so that we can do our bit to help it provide us with the raw ingredients for us humans and wildlife to live together in harmony. fabulous post Joanna.
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You are no amateur gardener Joanna! You have created a masterpiece and you know so much about all of your plants. I am sure they do well because they are so well cared for not just for their beauty. Separating ourselves from Nature can only bring about our downfall if we do not correct it which is why your writing and your beautiful photographs are so important. My previous house stood at the base of a very steep hill and it was ivy that held it together. Otherwise I think the slope would have ended in my living room. I did get stung by wasps and I am allergic but I did not hold it against them. I was probably getting inn their way. I wish you a wonderful Spring and Summer. Yes, I remember the Chelsea Flower Show!
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Thank you, Malc, for your wonderful comments! I am so happy that you will work in your garden as nature and gardening are the best healers.
The gardeners and beekeepers are the longest living people, I believe for that reason.
Lets hope the weather will improve, today is dark, stormy and not conductive to any outside work.
Joanna x
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magnificent!
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Joanna, you have an amazing garden, the flowers/trees, they show your love of nature. Thank you for sharing. 🌺
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Thank you, Carolyne, for your wonderful comments! I do appreciate your words of praise, although there is always someone better than we are! But I have affinity with the plants an strive to give them the very best in life. I am luck not to be allergic to anything, and I have friendly connection with wasps and bumblebees. One wasp comes into my kitchen and buzz around me as to say, we are out of sugar, those pesky ant had it all! Of course, I put out more sugar, and they appreciate my help that is why I have never been stung. The queen bumblebee sleeps all winter behind my dresser and in the spring goes out but greets me every time I am in the garden.
Thank you again, Carolyn, for your thoughts, all deeply appreciated!
Joanna x
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Thank you, GP, for your kind comment! All very much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you so much for your beautiful comments! Your kind thoughts are deeply appreciated!
Joanna
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Your flowers, vines, etc are AMAZINGLY beautiful! 💕🌺
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A big thank you, Monica!
Joanna
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Thanks for sharing your extraordinary garden with us–not only the photos and plant descriptions, but also the why you have made the decisions that you did. You have every reason to be proud of your divine accomplishment. Do you care for it by yourself or do you have help (seasonal , special occasion or otherwise)? The quotes and music enhance the already useful and beautiful post. Well done, Joanna!
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Ideal weather for frogs 😊x
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Thank you, Pat, for your wonderful comments! I don’t have any help wih the care for my plants as they wouldn’t like strangers to touch them, but I do have help when needed with the construction of the ark, fences and carrying compost and top soil in. In comments to Carolyn, I wrote about my special, even unique friendship with wasp and bumblebees, perhaps you will find this interesting.
Thank you again, Pat, for your kindness, much appreciated!
Joanna
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Yes, Malc, you are right, but storm?
Joanna
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I suppose when it thunders they could always hide under a lilypad.
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Fascinating. Interesting that plants do not like strangers. Will have to read those comments.
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Thank you, Pat for your interest. I might re-publish my post about plants intelligence. All astonishing facts are based on the scientific research, and it is not my imagination that say so!
Joanna
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🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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Dazzling color!
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Thank you, Dorothy, for your kind comment! Much appreciated!
Joanna
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What a wonderful space you have nurtured here Joanna, working alongside nature. I’ve planted lots of trees over the years and there is always space for a tree, even in the smallest garden!
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Thank you so much, Peter, for your wonderful comments! I watch Monty Don’s gardening programmes, and he is often showing the gardens of likeminded people who planted trees even in the house in big tubs, or on the barges.
Thank you, Peter, for sharing our passion for planting which stands for love for nature!
Joanna
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Joanna you saw many flowers in your garden . These are photos so amazing. Anita
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Commencing with enchanting quotes and blossoming flowers instantly entranced me and transported me to your paradise of happiness. Roses look like the windows of that paradise.
However, returning to reality, I concur with your assessment that the current situation is grim. Despite the convening of international conferences at regular intervals, it appears they serve merely as platforms for empty rhetoric. While industrialisation is undoubtedly crucial, there exist avenues to mitigate its impact. The conversion of green belts for industrial and residential purposes is gradually suffocating the earth’s lungs.
Your enthusiastic endeavor to create a garden tailored to your preferences is truly commendable. I can envision Roses, hydrangeas, clematis, and other flowers flourishing amidst fruit trees and conifers. The Kingdom of beautiful frogs adds an extra layer of uniqueness to your paradise.
Your insights on conifers and ivy are greatly appreciated. All photos are awesome. Your meticulously adorned garden is a source of pride, and we’re proud to have you as a valued member of our wp community. Thank you, and best wishes for you and your paradise.
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Thank you, Kaushal, for your wonderful comments! I know that likewise minded people are working at reversing the consequences of destroying the natural environment, but if it is enough only time will tell.
I do my best here, and at least I know that I am not adding to the problem.
Thank you again, Kaushal, your kind wishes and thoughts are much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Anita, for your kind comments! I am glad that you like it, as you are the master of perfect photography!
Joanna
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You’re welcome, Joanna, always!
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Thank you!
Joanna
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Gardening with purpose is a fading artform which you have mastered to perfection. It provides food for the soul and oxygen for the life of all creatures in your neighborhood even those two legged ones who fail to understand your efforts. Stewart
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Your garden is stunning, Joanna, especially the roses.
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Thank you, Stewart, for your thoughtful comments! Your kind words are much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Lauren, for your lovely comments! Yes, roses are my favourite flowers!
Joanna
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