SuburbanGaze

Using the  Colour Wheel  as a guide we have picked two long flowering plants whose colours are opposite each other on the wheel.  We have planted them together in the same bed. We have chosen  Euphorbia x martini Ascot Rainbow & Allium cristophii. They are stunning together with the bright greens of the foliage and the analogous red centres of the Euphorbia flowers clashing nicely.  The purple of the Allium and the bright greens of the Euphorbia being directly opposite each other on the Colour Wheel add an instant sense of harmony. 

The two circles of grass have been provided with some TLC , they are plants themselves after all.  We have bought some clip-on shoe spikes which, when walked all over the grass will improve aeration, aid drainage, reduce dampness and therefore reduce the ideal growing conditions for  moss .   The powder product contains a few active ingredients, nitrogen added to the soil is needed for healthy green plant production, phosphorus is a fertiliser that in a field grass would normally get from grazing cattle (digestion) and strengthens the root system and finally potassium helps against infection.   The liquid product does all of the above but also greens the grass and can be applied during wet weather.

The first two circles are complete and the garden is beginning to pop. 

It was worth the wait as are most things in the garden.  The alpines in the wheelbarrow really do look at home and have established well. Beats taking it to the tip.  

An Iguana for a fence panel.  Looks great against the slate grey that we have started to paint them all. 

The instant border pack that we purchased in February is now ready to place out as all chance of frost has passed.  This is all going in the new border adjacent to the pond that last year was planted up with a wildflower seed mix and lots of poppies.   It is just the need to follow the plan, make some changes to accommodate the evergreen shrub and the plum tree and then get them into the ground.  We have fed the young plants with some water and bonemeal to increase phosphorus in the soil and aid production of bigger plants with longer-lasting blooms.

This photo represents why that slow sloping beach is really important for wildlife to enter and exit the wildlife pond.  This little robin is just about to have a bath.   A close friend has just returned from RHS Malvern Spring Festival with this awesome addition to our garden - we have named her Philomena.

Having completed the first circle shape in the lawn and cut the pathway for the second, we are now locating an adjoining third.  We are using the stone circle as an homage to the original garden in the design.   From here we have a path in the foreground of the photo that ends at the shed door.  This design ensures that we can reach the shed from the house without standing on any soil or grass.   We have established the stone circle in one of the brightest and sunniest parts of the garden.  The long-term plan is to create some privacy with the planting scheme/choices by breaking up the garden into zones.  At some point we will add some bistro-type furniture (when we find something we like) where we can enjoy a morning coffee. The planting border to the left of the picture should be a few meters deep at it widest point and curved at its edge as it follows the circles down the garden. - No straight lines here!

A lovely gift from a thoughtful friend.