Grenville's Outbox

We have them in a large pot.This year has been a good time for them- they have put on a good show

One of my favourites as you know Spritz!

Thanks folks for all your kind comments.
Im not sure about the comment regarding our special guests arriving in all their regalia and in the carriage.It is more likely to be the official limosine. It would be more appropriate as the weather has been dreadful here in Bristol recently, but I would think they will both wear their beautiful gold chains.
We have asked for the occasion to be as informal as possible, but the media will be invited apparently. We shall have to wait and see.
Friends and neighbours are also helping us to make a cream tea with the 'wow factor' as well!
We hope to have plenty of photos to share with you all.
Lets hope for some better weather!

Peter,
Both Spritz and myself are both on a 'mission' to convert you to growing flowers as well..... does that come through in our replies? On a seroius note you are doing a great job...... but....... how about some 'themed' areas. For example: exotic ,cottage garden, seaside, southern hemisphere, tropical, gravel garden, colour themed, climbing plants scrambling over the fence panels, a water feature, seating area, some statuary or art in the garden, an arbour, pergola or summer house, a shady area,vegetables or fruit.
Let us know how you get on........!!!!!!!!

Hi Clarice,
Thanks for this information. I havent come across any council run garden centres in our area yet, but the idea sounds interesting. If you visit the centre near you soon could you let us know what you think? Also could you kindly ask them if they have a list of other centres in the U.K or a website? It would be nice to see if there are many that are up and running,and we will pay a visit if there is one reasonably close to Bristol.
Looking forward to hearing more about them.
Best wishes,
Grenville.

Hi Peter,
You have a lovely area to work on and adapt. What is the overall size of your garden.... and how about a water feature of some sort?
You could also cut into the rectangular lawn to create some more curvaceous shapes in order to make some themed areas in the garden.
Some climbers could also scramble over the fence panels to soften the boundaries of the garden.

Thanks Mike and Clarice,
Sometimes we have to ask visitors 'to move along the bus'. We have become very skilled at crowd control!

Thanks Mike. Hope the 'lol' therapy works......When will the rain stop I ask! Thunder storms here in Bristol today. Heavy black clouds and lots of rumbles....We are feeling all 'loled out !!! '
Best wishes,
Grenville and Alan.

Stunning!

Is this dreadful weather all 'Bonkers' fault again?.Is there another evil plan being hatched...... Can you warn 'M' again please Spritz? We may need to take evasive action!

Exactly right Andrew. I totally agree.
If we pay due regard to the 'rules' then the boundaries can be pushed to make positive changes for the future. Some of our greatest designers and innovators have done this over many centuries and managed to make positive changes and improvements for the future. In my view the same applies to gardeners and garden design.

Hi Spritz,
Your photos meet any colour criteria- they are lovely.
The weather here in Bristol has been exactly the same today. High winds and lashing rain!. We even opened our garden for a private visit.......All part of the gardeners diary. We have to take the rough with the smooth!
Best wishes from
Grenville and Alan.

Hi Spritz. I agree totally.
We have broken the rules as well as we were told 'You can't do that in a small garden!'
Gardens are never finished or are never perfect.
If they were they would be boring!
I much prefer to do it myself as gardening is so satisfying and even if I were to be lucky enough to be a millionaire I would still roll up my sleeves and want to do the designing and gardening myself as its so creative.
I firmly believe that gardens reflect the personalities of their owners, so, like each and every one of us they are unique, and that is what makes each garden so special. Dont feel guilty about breaking any rules. Thats exciting and exactly how ideas and conventions change.
Keep up with your good work Spritz!

Great Blog Andrew.
Ive always maintained that part of gardening is about painting with plants. With my background in art I really enjoy pushing the boundaries and use colour pattern texture and form.

I will still call you 'Blodwyn' if that is O.K otherwise I will become 'confused from Bristol' !!!!
Best wishes from Grenville and Alan.

Welcome and best wishes from Grenville and Alan.

Have a great time and dont forget to take a nip of that special amber nectar!
Best wishes from Grenville and Alan.

A great photo Peter.
I find the patterns and colours on their shells fascinating.
The detail is amazing, and they are amazing creatures that have inhabited the earth for a long time.

Welcome to this great site and happy gardening!
Best wishes from Grenville and Alan.

Super- They will be nice to use in the kitchen as well.

I agree with Spritz and the other comments one hundred%!!! I was so fortunate to be able to retire from work four years ago at the age of 56. Gardening is so creative and rewarding. Im so busy now it's sometimes difficult finding enough hours in each day to complete all the tasks!

Alan is a professional photographer and there is nothing to beat B & W Photos for clarity, for creating mood and depth of focus.Alan still maintains that Black and White is the best.Some of the most iconic world photos are in B & W. Its also the best medium to use in order to appreciate and learn about the craft.The photos you have displayed of your sons work are well crafted and full of lovely contrast and drama. You just would not get this drama by using colour.....CONGRATULATIONS to your son!
Best wishes from Grenville and Alan.

Super and what a lovely wildlife habitat.

I hope the 80 year old person uses washing powder to hand wash items of laundry Andrew otherwise all sorts of images spring to mind!. I much prefer to think about Davids suggestion that the cake was in the shape of a white goods appliance....We dont want to lower the tone!

This border and planting/colour combination is lovely, and we were so fortunate to see the 'real thing' when Spritz kindly invited us to see her garden in June 2008. The late Christopher Lloyd would certainly approve, and so do we!!
It certainly has the 'Wow factor' as we call it!!

A beautiful and stunning combination. My favourites as well.

Its now got pride of place in one of our containers alongside the Cerinthe. Thank you Spritz - they are lovely.

You know Im a fan of Salvias Spritz!

Yum yum! delicious combination of colours

Lovely delicate flower.