Postcards from a early summer holiday

On the way to Wales we stopped at Stockton Bury gardens. I loved the Tulipa Sprengeri under the dappled light. This was the view from the table eating breakfast each morning. Nuthatch cottage, Cwm Irfon. I could have spent all day …

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Iris x fulvala ‘Violacea’

Let’s just ignore the fact I haven’t blogged for ages… For a variety of reasons, none of which are very interesting. Instead, enjoy this picture of the beautiful Iris x fulvala ‘Violacea’ which I recently saw at the National Botanic Gardens …

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Pulsatilla vulgaris

One of the most tactile flowers I can think of, Pulsatilla vulgaris, is also known as the Pasqueflower. Pasque comes from ‘Easter’ (Pasqua the Italian – finally high school Italian pays off!) and it predictably flowers around Easter. As you can see …

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Tips for increasing potato yields

When at potato day at the end of January, I picked up Alan Wilson’s new book, The People’s Potatoes. I’ve already written about the engaging talk he gave on 20 Challenges and Opportunities for Potatoes, which he also talks about …

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