Aquaria

 

I don't know if it's the same in the USA, or indeed in other parts of the UK, but down here in Bournemouth there is definitely an autumnal chill in the air first thing in the morning, and last thing in the evening. A sense of winding down a little in the plant world, and the next phase in the growing season. Secateurs are out daily again, to cut back and dead head. Certain things, such as Agapanthus and Crocosmia, get to keep their seed heads on, as they are quite attractive and won't flower any more anyway. Others, such as Gazanias and Cannas, will keep producing more flowers until October if dead headed regularly. A lot of herbaceous perennials have one main flowering period, but some, such as the Heuchera below, will continue to throw up the odd flower spike if kept tidy.

 

Spring/summer pruning brings problems such as birds nests, and we have to go very carefully indeed during that time, particularly when hedge trimming. If we come across one, then the entire area is left alone. At this time of year though, the birds have flown, and all that's left are the empty nests.

 

 

 It's also time to tidy up the Chamaerops humilis, and if there are those of you out there who have done this, then you will know why they can be tricky. Although it's a bank holiday weekend, we decided to work yesterday, as there was a lot to do at a couple of particularly nice places. It wasn't like work really, with being able to do what we want, when we want and for as long as we wanted to. The residents at both places are truly lovely people as well, and so we gladly set about our work at the first place with happy hearts. That is until the Chamaerops were reached. We were both working at opposite ends of a difficult border. My end had a rockery that plunged steeply, and Amanda had the Chamaerops end. As you can see from the picture, the stems are killers, with the thorns facing upwards towards ones secateuring hands as they head down to snip. Let me just say that there were words coming out of my sweet wifes mouth that I never thought possible, as she received stab after stab, and to also find the pain increase after several minutes.

 

 

And so dear reader, why the title 'Aquaria'?

We were kindly given tickets to see the show of the same title during it's brief time at the Bournemouth International Centre. What can I say of the show? Breathtaking, spellbinding, visual, colourful. It's kind of like watching something in 3D while on LSD. Still not sure of quite what it was that we witnessed, but it was still really quite amazing. What do you think?

 

 

It's Sunday morning now, and we are on the second cup of tea. Our second Acacia tree pruning is on the cards for today, and it will get done. I did however treat myself to a new fishing reel yesterday, and so I think a little fishing later may also be on the cards. Will tell you all about it soon.

 

TTFN