Sussex Garden

I hope to keep updating this page as the year progresses but the weather in 1998 was so erratic that the flowering season was poor - then we had a new puppy Chas who ate the flowers as they appeared

This is Chas the "destroyer" at 10 months December 98

1999

January

The winter so far has been fairly mild with a lot of gales and rain.

The first day of the year - and the cultivated "primroses" are still blooming but the important thing is that the daffodils, tulips and snowdrop bulbs are all showing through.

The hebe bush has been flowering for months - hope it is again when the bees and butterflies need it in spring.

Abigail decides to investigate the pots.

We originally built the raised garden with a fishpond to make sure that the bichons wouldn't fall in or just paddle - but Chas is so small and light he can - and regularly does - just jump up on there and drink the water!

We have decided that after 10 years the fish should go to our son's larger pond and we will redevelop the area.Henry is in the front.

By the 22nd January the first crocus are in bloom and Chas is checking that the roses have been pruned properly! Already this is the wettest January this century.

On the 26th January there are daffodils in flower on the estate - whilst sudden squalls of rain with thunder and lightning and another gale stop us getting in the already wet garden. It can only get better :-)

Above -The snowdrops are just opening on the last day of January and by 15th February there are masses of them all around the garden.

On 17th February the first daffodils opened - and Chas shredded one of the flowers!

It's going to be a battle!!

It's March and Chas has let most of the daffodils bloom!

(21st March) The first day of Spring has seen rain and wind but the dark clouds show up the winter flowering blossom tree in our front garden.

APRIL ..in South East England ..

the month when there are still daffodils - the tulips are appearing - and much of the blossom is out.

The highly scented currant bushes (RIBES) are in full flower - ranging from the very pale pink to the very dark red .

We keep trying different varieties of tulip

Above taken 1998 below taken 1999 same time of year

Can't blame Chas for the poorer display this year - he hardly ate any of them!

The male blackbird keeps singing and looking in the window - he obviously remembers the currants we gave him last year at nesting time.

Chas contemplates the bluebells which have been large and strong this year due to the wet early spring. If you wonder why Chas is so much in evidence and Abigail and Henry aren't it's because he is in the garden most of the day. When they appear it usually leads to a frantic chase!

Whoops it's MAY....

Suddenly the Canary Rose is in full bloom

This is last year's photo of a pink azalea - it looks identical this year!

Lilac

From 1998

The 1999 Iris is the same as the 1998 one above whilst the Tamarisk below is better for not being cut back last year. Yes that is a rare picture of Chas asleep under it in the last days of May.

JUNE

June 3rd - The pansies are starting to grow in the pots and the poppies are in full bloom - and fenced in to stop you know who eating them!

The clematis above with rock roses at it's feet and the honeysuckle below (on the old apple tree) are at their best now.

JULY

The *Peace Rose* in the front garden is 30 years old

From July 1998

At this time of year there are many fledglings - this young *Blue Tit* missed it's footing on the garden house and fell at my feet. A few drops of water and 5 minutes rest and it was flying again :-)

The raised flower beds are quite prolific but are still fenced to stop "you know who" from digging in them.

Just in case you think our garden isn't used <g> here's a visiting rescue dog being chased by Chas and Henry whilst the happy son of the new owner tries to catch them all.

Here's Chas with the rose he "pruned" earlier in the year - didn't he do well!

The hanging baskets on the old apple tree and the pots on the patio are suffering from a very hot, dry few weeks .

Here's Abigail and Henry quietly coming in to the garden to enjoy the warmth whilst Chas is asleep.

Much too hot for chasing games.

5th March 2000 - This is much more traditional - the weather has been colder and the flowers are later than the last few years. The large golden daffodils seem to be "blind" this year and the ones that are in bloom are very pale.

To try and keep up to date - nearly all photographs are taken with a domestic video camera and transferred with a Hauppauge TV capture card often the same day.

Home page

GARDENING LINKS
www.e-garden.co.uk
www.garden.com		Hundreds of links as well as excellent gardening guides. www.gardenguides.com/

You can E-mail us at

Webmaster