Diane's back garden
(Nov 1991 to June 2002)
November 1991
"When I moved in on
1st October 1991, the garden was all grass,
with some very new privett plants along the southern boundary.
Patio doors went straight out onto grass, so I decided on a small
paved area just large
enough for a garden bench so I could sit on it in the morning sun
eating breakfast.
I wanted areas that I couldn't see from the house - a challenge
in such a tiny space.
It had to be low maintenance - all perennials and small shrubs.
As it is a small space, colours are limited to pinks, whites,
blues and mauves.
The garden needed to attract butterflies and insects
but not birds that could become delicacies for the local feline
population.
And I wanted my garden to be getting established next summer so I
worked into the dark evenings
digging out the 20 year-old builders rubble, lit with a torch to
have the planting areas ready.
My neighbours must have wondered what mad-woman had moved
in!"
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"Before a year had
passed, my garden was taking shape and looking good.
I was given cuttings and divided plants by family and friends.
Bedding plants filled any gaps.
A beer barrel intended to be a pond failed to fill (due to a bung
hole!)
so became a large planter - for a few years until it returned to
my original purpose for it.
A passion vine flourished against garage wall that soaked up the
days warmth -
flowers would still appear when the fruit was turning
orange."
June 1993
"At the start of
June 1993 the garden was looking so pretty.
the hardy geraniums had just flowered,
and a plant with large prickly leaves was fascinating me.
I was sad that my 2 week holiday coincided with the garden
looking so good.
BUT
I returned to a riot of pinks and whites - fairyland!
(however, a friend expressed concern at the mess!).
The mystery plant had grown from 4cm to a 200cm teasle!"
June 1996
"June is still
probably the prettiest month of the year in my garden.
The hardy geraniums did a wonderful job of breaking the soil up,
and are slowly being replaced with a wider variety of interesting
perennials.
Each year my garden looks slightly different
as plants seem to slowly wander around finding their own home,
or get eaten by the ants (more of a problem than slugs).
New plants are likely to find themselves in large pots so that
they can be moved around the garden as needed."
July 2001
"The beer barrel at
last is a small pond,
and home to 3 small frogs who moved in this year, along with 2
goldfish.
A small copper water feature livens up this corner of my garden,
and I've added some lights so that I can enjoy it at night.
A wider variety of plants helps my garden to look good most of
the summer,
and to be interesting during the winter"
