Delightful miniature lilac

This year the lilacs seems to have been particularly spectacular. Maybe because we've had more time to appreciate them. The little Syringa palibiniana I have had growing in a pot for well over 20 years has excelled its self. If you have a small garden or little space for the standard varieties (which can take over) I strongly recommend this gem. It needs little attention, has seldom been re-potted and seems happy with just a little top dressing and feeding. It smells divine!

Unexpected over-wintering climber!

So we are all confined to home, which suits some much better than others. I definitely count myself as amongst the lucky and plan to be making the most of the extra time in the garden - and sharing the pleasure! One of the things I love most about gardening is the unexpected surprises. This spring I have been amazed to discover that both the cobea scandens and eccremocarpus scaber - two half-hardly perennials that are usually tender in our climate - that I grew from seed last year have over-wintered in the area nearest the house, the eccremocarpus looking stronger than ever and flowering beautifully. I just need to go and pull it back from shooting up next-door's overgrown buddleia!