Pam Keeble's garden - slow worms and roses!

I have had an extraordinary week as far as slow worms go!  The first one was basking on the path - left her (I think she was a she because of size) to it and later saw her slither off under the plants.

About a week later I came into the kitchen in the evening to find a very large slow worm on the kitchen floor.  I say he, again because of his size.  He was extremely active flicking his tongue this way and that and moving around.  What was so extraordinary was the route he had to take to get to the kitchen.  There are eight steps down from the garden, then across a pebbly area, over the outdoor mat which is spiky plastic, over a grid, a sill, down three steps into the kitchen!  Anyway he proved rather difficult to take back out to the garden wriggling like mad, but I finally managed and off he went under some bushes.  I have been very lucky with these encounters considering the position of the garden and the fact that there are walls of one sort or another on three sides, with a steep embankment up from next door.

The roses have been absolutely stunning this year which has been wonderful.  I have planted various clematis and tall plants up against the wall bordering on next door, which I had cleared of ivy.  

Crown Princess Margareta, my new wall with clematis and tall plants.

Try clicking on the photo to see this and other photos in this post more clearly

Things are beginning to flower now which is pleasing.  I had to dig out masses of daisies from the lawn, but in spite of putting down grass seed at least a month ago I still have a large bare patch.

The Lady Gardener

Unknown

Lady of Shallot

A Whiter Shade of Pale

A beautiful but unknown peony

Climbing Rose

 

My little wild flower patch is looking good with different things coming up all the time.

There is a blackbird who definitely thinks he owns the place as he chases every other bird away!  He serenades me from morning to dusk which is beautiful.  A thrush also sings from Charles' tree next door - his patch extends into Hog Lane so I can always hear him and he is very vocal!

We have been blessed with the weather during this lockdown thank goodness, but I was pleased that we had a bit of rain last night.  Watering was becoming very tiring!

Best wishes

Pam