The bags are packed. We’re ready to go. I’ve just cut the last rose that got straggly because it wasn’t cut in Spring. I’ve told the neighbours what needs to be done, which pots have to be taken in for the winter, should the frost arrive before we’re back. Everything else is in the hands of the other gardeners.
So let’s have a look at the front garden before we go.
The front garden didn’t really exist when we moved in. There were some concrete flower beds set out in a geometric pattern. The flowers were long gone and it looked very bare and desolate.
We completely redid the front, but that’s a story in itself. There was, and still is, a row of roses along the front fence that we give a lot of attention to, as they are very old indeed.
We put in more roses behind the old ones, all shrub size. The one above, ‘Ballerina’, is now flowering a second time and is always very prolific with dainty small blooms.
The ‘Bravo Babylon Eyes’ persica rose is a new addition to the front garden. Not exactly the one I was looking for, which was ‘For Your Eyes Only’ (honestly, who thinks up these names?), but it’s close enough. I fell in love with this hybrid because there was one in front of the office building in Kreuzberg where I worked for many years. Now I’m retired and I missed (among other things) this rose.
Easily overlooked is this little beauty, coral bells. There is the sanguinea that flowers in red and also the heuchera with dark red leaves and tiny white flowers.
Even when not flowering, the red leaves provide a nice contrast to all the green when not much is in bloom.
We have three different kinds of Japanese anemone in the front garden: light pink, dark pink (and filled), and white.
The pink one spreads quite a bit, so we’ve transplanted several into the back garden. The dark pink and white flower later, which extends the flowering period nicely.
There’s also plenty of lavender in the garden, but this one has white flowers and is flowering long after the lilac lavender has been and gone.
The front garden is a real eyecatcher for passers-by who often stop and speak to us, saying how much they love it. The front stairs are a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by.
For many years, I looked after the pots on these stairs, making sure that there was at least a splash of colour to brighten up people’s day. Now, our neighbours have taken over that job (one thing less to to) and it’s looking very nice.
From the top of the stairs you can look over the whole front garden, as the picture at the top of this article shows, and the one below.
That’s it. Of course, there’s more. But you’ll have to wait till the Spring for season two, just like in real life.
There is, of course, the Greek garden…
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