Getting there

Been busy doing brick wall and fencing for back yard at home. Not finished yet but getting there. 

All of the wall finished and two thirds of the fence.

Five extra courses of bricks to give the plants a fighting chance. Although this may all change when the courtyard is dug up to route the new drain.

But why does every job always seem to take longer than you think it will?
Notwithstanding the peculiar weather - our efforts have been intermittent. 

Rain and then hot sun, the yard faces south east and gets plenty of everything. 

Here's the fencing above for the climbers - plants (a Rambling Rector rose, a Mrs Cholmondeley and a Warszawska Nike clematis) are in. I do think next door's cat currently uses it as an assault course but with a little luck next year we shall have a green barrier too dense to scale.

I've protected and painted the fencing with a coloured preservative to match the brickwork so the fence and the bricks tone in and the effect is visually co-ordinated.

In small areas it's important not to get too many different colours or materials or the area looks even tinier.

Use the KISS rule - "Keep It Simple Stupid".

Some new plants (Echinacea Purpurea 'Bressingham hybrids') now flowering and giving life to the space.

With the usual potted violas, pelargoniums, bacopa, trailing lobelia and ivy moved around to suit the mood.

We have cut and come again lettuce (in a window box) 

and spinach in a bucket/basket with other vegetables ready to harvest. 

The potatoes are in a dustbin,
  

 the tomatoes in a recycling box, 

the courgettes, peppers and chillies in growbags. 

Small space but good to sit in, relax and enjoy the fruits of one's labours.

And maybe have a glass of wine?

Plants galore

In addition to seeds I could not resist the opportunity to go and buy some perennials for the little front garden.

A bit of a trek but always well worthwhile I set off for Reighton Nurseries where I have been buying plants for a long time. 

It's a gardeners paradise - and I'm not the only one who thinks so.

http://www.gardencentreguide.co.uk/reighton-nursery-filey?gclid=CLvKqJXfl74CFdMftAodbV8Ayw 

Sadly no web link but the comments say it all.

Three huge fields of perennials and then one with shrubs/trees.

Field 1

Field 2

And more waiting in the wings.

All this and for beginners free garden advice is available. 

Plant hardiness is never in doubt given that the nursery is on an exposed site and a short distance from the Yorkshire coast. 

They breed them tough here - or they don't survive.

But the best bit are the prices. A real Yorkshire bargain.

And this is my little haul - 5 wheelbarrow loads and

 a Malus x scheideckeri 'Red Jade' which is a weeping crab apple, perfect for a small garden. 

And here we are!!!!

Herbaceous perennials;

Lavender

Sea Holly

Echinacea

Sweet rocket

Ladies mantle

Old Carnations

and a little bit of ground cover in the shape of purple bugle.

and for those who like the Latin versions:

Lavendula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue'

Eryngium giganteum 'Miss Wilmott's Ghost'

Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Parasol'

Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora

Alchemilla mollis

Dianthus 'Duchess of Westminster'

Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'

Planted with lots of love and fertiliser.

Just need sun and rain now for them to do their thing and grow.