In contrast to other aspects of the Dumfriesshire Garden in 2024, it’s been really a good year for hydrangeas. I particularly like the hydrangea flowers when they are first appearing, especially the green-white paniculatas. And the lace-caps. But incredibly long-flowering plants that they are, hydrangeas can also a delight as they subtly gain or loseContinue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Hydrangeas”
Author Archives: David Graham Clark
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Greenhouse
It was almost a second hand camper van, back in 2020. I was very tempted. Then reason kicked in. In all my years of gardening enjoyment, in various locations, I had never had my own greenhouse. Rationality prevailed and I chose daily enjoyment and utility over occasional camping breaks. It was undoubtedly the right decision.Continue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Greenhouse”
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Ferns
The fern by the water in the featured image here comes from the edge of the Dumfriesshire Garden. This large plant with its gorgeous fronds spreading gently down to the water of the Pennyland Burn is growing wild. I’m fortunate to have such beauty in the ‘borrowed landscape’. There are indeed many native ferns inContinue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Ferns”
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Early arrivals
Once things begin to move in the early season garden, every day can bring the pleasure of a new arrival. After a chilly spell, or perhaps at the end of days of false hopes, suddenly something is poking up through the leaf mould in the borders, with a clear message: Spring is round the corner.Continue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Early arrivals”
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Dogwoods
Oh yes, I know that the cornus is a plant much maligned – especially the ones with variegated leaves. I’ve addressed this before and remain resolutely a dogwood devotee, a cornus connoisseur, albeit an amateur one. Even if they are often seen in car parks and on roundabouts, they continue to get my vote. First,Continue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Dogwoods”
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Cammasias and Cosmos
These two favourites in the Dumfriesshire Garden couldn’t be more contrasting. One perennial, one annual. One lover of the semi-damp of the arboretum. The other more at home in a sunny, drier border. One first planted as bulbs that gradually bulk up. The other beginning life each year in a seed tray, before potting onContinue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Cammasias and Cosmos”
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Borders
There are seven distinct borders in my Dumfriesshire Garden. How I allowed this to happen, I do not know. When all is going well in ‘borderland’, there is always the temptation, if you have the space, to add something more. So here’s a brief tour of the borders, in what I mostly consider a belowContinue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Borders”
An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Arboretum
Welcome to the start of 26 reflections on my garden in south west Scotland during 2024: one for each letter of the alphabet and all of which will appear as the year closes during the month of December. I’ve written before about planting trees in the rented field next to my home. It all beganContinue reading “An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Arboretum”
A great week for Cicely and David – the play
Since it was first released upon the world at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, members of the ATLANTES palliative care group at the University of Navarra in northern Spain have been enthusiastic supporters of my play, Cicely and David. In one week this autumn however, their commitment went beyond anything I could have expected,Continue reading “A great week for Cicely and David – the play”
Picking apples
Late September brings a frost and then a blusterly gale. In between there is heavy rain. Early October sees the return of warm sunshine, and dry conditions, then a couple of nights when temperatures again plummet. I think it’s time to pick the bulk of the apples. They’ve not been at their best this year,Continue reading “Picking apples”
Quotidian 