Will be be talking about our Mediterranean summer for years to come? I think that maybe we will. The summer that our garden was made for arrived in Cornwall without an airport queue in sight.
Our sub tropical garden relished the height of summer through July and August and the palms were almost smiling. Mid-September and the Autumn Equinox has brought the last weekend of summer and with it the rains to return the lush greens to our garden.
Now as we anticipate the soft, peaceful days of the autumn ahead, it feels a good time to look back over our Mediterranean summer in the Ednovean Farm Gardens.
And what a summer we’ve had this year. It’s been a summer that has road tested our drought proof planting and turned the lawns into a ghost of its lush glory. Such compensations though!
Summer dreams that touched my imagination
The quiet pleasure of the early morning in the courtyard, when padding up and down to lay the breakfast tables.
The silent company of the play of light on the fountain, the arched fronds of the swaying palms, glossy figs and the formal box. A waft of a breeze might carry a hint of the mingled scent of fennel and lavender through the morning air . Summer dreams that touched my imagination.
The Ednovean Farm garden has been on a journey through many seasons with us now through the years but this hot dry summer has been remarkable. This year has been an excursion into Mediterranean living, to celebrate the long warm days with suppers in the garden.
Making the most of the alfresco table.
We set up an alfresco supper area in the Italian garden, this year, with an ancient trestle table decked with vintage table cloths. A wonderful way, to celebrate the haven that a garden provides.
Summer progress
As summer progressed, the Agapanthus gracefully withdrew from the sun baked terraces, leaving the vibrant Crocosmia Lucifer and the drought proof Russian sage for a still vibrant display.
Nightly watering
Every night two watering cans and a dipping tank became part of my day. The unchanging routine of watering the pots around the courtyard. The careful process of carrying waste water from the stables to the tree ferns. I’m aware of wasting water because for many years I pulled buckets of water up from an underground tank for the horses. Water became something not to be wasted – to this day a dripping tap drives me mad!
The golden days of Autumn ahead
The lower light of approaching Autumn has now brought that special golden glow and a scattering falling leaves!
The mellow peace of the changing season.
To live with a garden over the years, is to connect with the passing seasons. And with each passing season, it feels more of a privilege!
With each changing season now, the importance of making a promise to the future of the garden. For me that’s always planting of some spring bulbs as a promise to myself of the gardens continued life through the seasons.
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