Late spring in the garden

Summer is finally on its way! We're getting a lot of rain and the weather is starting to warm up. Mid-April I removed the spring bulbs and replaced them with summer plants.

The colour scheme will be green, pink, purple, white and yellow. So far I've planted snapdragon (antirrhinum majus), purple alyssum, dahlia, pansies, violas, purple verbena, pink and purple petunias, lupinus, tobacco flower (nicotiana), sweet peas (lathyrus odoratus).

I've also started a herb garden of lavander, rosemary, basil, chives, parsely, dill, coriander (one for seeds, one for leaves) and mint. I'm not really doing veggies this year, since we won't be here for the most part of summer, but I do have two cherry tomato plants in with the basil.

May 2009

At the end of April, Yves' mum bought us a much needed lawnmower. I've mowed the lawn three times so far (about once a week) and at the moment am trying something where I let wildflowers (mostly daisies) grow everywhere except for the area around the terrace. This area is kept mowed like a bowling green and the unmown daisies form a natural border around the neat green patch, making the terrace area into an outdoor room.

The formal area is for dining.

I've also mown a narrow winding path from the terrace to the garage. You can almost make it out in the middle of the above photo.

Going for a cottage garden feel around the back.

Charlie likes to rest under the pink laurel.

End of March - early April

Mid-late April

View from the games' room

Early March

Mid April

End of April

Early May

Charlie surveys the backyard.