Memories of Her Majesty the Queen

Watching the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen brought back memories. I never had the privilege of meeting her but my flowers did.

I exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show many times when she visited over the years. But, to my knowledge, she never came to our lupin stand.

Lupins for a Queen

However, my lupins though went to her. Beefeater and Masterpiece were used by Rachel du Thame to decorate the Royal Barge for the Diamond Jubilee in 2002. It was an enormous honour and a source of great pride to all of us.

Although I didn’t meet her I did see her at Chelsea. She always wore brightly coloured outfits so that she would stand out. She was a constant at Chelsea and she will be greatly missed.

Beautiful garden flowers

It was lovely to see flowers from Royal gardens bedecking her coffin. I particularly liked the dahlias, pelargoniums and Sedum. Most of the nation I was transfixed by the little spider that had stowed away in the greenery.

Plenty of colour still

Gardens at this time of the year still have lots of colour. Another very reliable autumn flower is crocosmia. Rosea has delicate pink flowers. If you want a dash of red, plant Lucifer.

Preparing for Harvest Festival

Like many others our village is getting ready for harvest festival. We are no longer asked to provide fresh produce. It’s a shame as it has always been a good way to send some marrows to a new home. Instead, we are asked for tinned and dried goods for the local foodbank.

Room for flowers too

There will be flower displays too. I will contribute Echinacea. I have some very beautiful Hot Papaya which has orange pompom-like flowers on dark stems.  Southern Belle’s dark magenta flowers are also striking. I will also throw in a few squashes, pumpkins and courgettes from the vegetable garden. After all it is a celebration of harvest. If the food bank doesn’t want them, I can always bring them home again.

Glorious year for apples

It has been a glorious year for apples. All varieties have thrived. I have never seen so many crab apples in every colour from pale yellow to deep purple. The cooking apple trees are groaning with fruit. And, I have more eating apples than I have ever had before. There are too many to eat, stew or press into juice or cider.

Fabulous penstemons

Penstemons are fabulous plants. They are easily cultivated and flower for months on end. They don’t mind drought, although this summer was a challenge. And they are not bothered by pests. As an added bonus they are robust enough to stand on their own without needing staking. What more could you want? The flowers resemble foxgloves and are from the same family. My favourites are the purple and white Charles Rudd and the scarlet King George V.

Gardening tips – Keep dead heading flowers to prolong displays.  Plant bulbs including snowdrops, crocus and daffodils. Keep mowing the lawn. You never know when it will be too wet to mow until next spring. Water pots sparingly. Remove dead and dying foliage. Bring tender plants into the greenhouse or a cold frame to overwinter.

#chelsea #lupins #flowers #dahlia #pelargonium #colour #crocosmia #harvest #echinacea #penstemon #bulbs