Forget the neighbour's wife, it's all about my mum and her beautiful, hectically rampant garden. I've just come back from a week away on the central coast in this most charming and relaxing of gardens. It took my eyes some time to adjust to the lush green everywhere, it almost hurt to see it when compared with the parched brown and dismal greys of my own garden in Canberra.
The photos don't do it justice, this garden is a blend of natives with some rarer cottage perennials. Mum and I tend to buy from the same mail-order specialist nurseries and have very similar taste in plants. The green-eyed monster was hard at work as I wandered around seeing many of the plants scaling majestic heights that are struggling to get off the ground in my garden.
Mum, when she rings, speaks of rain in a hushed whisper as if even mentioning it will jinx its return. Here, the lightest drop of rain sends the entire family to the window, willing it to continue. If I see a thunderstorm on the tv I wish I could grab it with both hands and keep it in a box to unleash on the garden when there is need.
This post was not meant to be so melancholy but when will it ever rain again?
OOoh, what's that in the top photo. Yes, I am sorry, my garden is also looking rather green. The olive tree I dug a whole garden for is looking particularly happy where I've put it in.
Posted by: katiecrackernuts | 01/26/2010 at 11:07 AM
Great photos. Love the rusty urn!
Posted by: flowerpress | 01/26/2010 at 06:10 PM
beautiful pics. Our garden is parched too, the only saviour is washing machine water pumped out onto the back yard (eco safe washing pwder!) Makes a little green go a long way :)
Posted by: Pinkie Winks | 01/28/2010 at 04:59 PM
Oh, I'm the same. I stand on the deck and *will* those clouds to come closer, and I curse them when they keep heading towards the coast. I can only hope that the farms are at least getting some of it on the way there!
There is so much I want to do in the garden, so many plants, a rose garden, more fruit trees - but we are so reliant on rain that it makes it seem too hard at times!
Your mum's garden is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing those photos.
Posted by: Michelle | 01/29/2010 at 09:51 AM
Having just returned back to Melbourne after a weekend away in Canberra I think your rain dance has worked a treat! I hope your garden is looking a little happier now.
Kate
Posted by: Kate | 02/14/2010 at 07:39 PM
I so love your garden photos, particularly of succulents. My partner is very skeptical about my love of succulents - maybe I should show him some of your photos.
Posted by: Jen | 03/22/2010 at 10:58 AM
First time I have seen this flowers and they are unique though they are the only ones that I don't have in my garden.
Posted by: Small Garden Ideas | 03/26/2010 at 09:53 PM
For whatever reason, your mention of a dry garden conjured the thought of a book on my shelf, which I think you'd like. At least in spirit. If you haven't seen it, keep an eye out for _Derek Jarman's Garden_
http://www.amazon.com/Derek-Jarmans-Garden-Jarman/dp/0879516410/
It's charming in its small way.
Posted by: Rebecca | 04/26/2010 at 02:12 AM
oh ..I wish we could swap seeds...
Posted by: kaylovesvintage | 06/14/2010 at 07:02 PM
and we went to the Derek Jamans garden , 3 weeks ago...I love it there and did change a part of my garden to a sea garden( not easy but I will get there one day)
Posted by: kaylovesvintage | 06/14/2010 at 07:04 PM
Hi,
I love your photographs and hope you keep on blogging here!
Posted by: cornel | 09/09/2010 at 08:29 PM
Lovely post and I love the pictures! keep them coming I thourghly enjoyed it
Posted by: Tree surgeons London | 11/24/2011 at 08:35 AM