In a corner of my garden...

...sheltered from the elements is...

JP's Grave

...a new little garden especially for my dog, JP, who died unexpectedly and suddenly, this week.  

And now we lay you down to sleep,

A devoted friend who earned his keep,

As you leap and bound through the starry night

Keep us safe and and bathed in light.

(Verse sent to me by dear friend who knew Dog)

In this respect gardens have real healing properties....just digging the grave myself helped overcome the shock and sadness a little bit, and it was the least I could do for my friend of the past decade.   It will continue to be a comfort.   Not just to me, but the healing process helps my little granddaughter too.  She is not yet 4.   This afternoon, the first place she visited on coming around to see me was JP's grave.   She added a pretty bird's feather to it to 'make him happy'....

Never under estimate gardens to help heal.   Never under estimate graves and special places to help quicken happy memories of past loved ones.

I have under-planted the bare patch with bulbs, lots of bulbs, I don't know if they will grow.   There are Ipheon, Scilla, miniature Narcissus, Muscari, Camassia and Snowdrops as well as the already blooming cyclamen in the photo.

Today I plucked up the courage to contact NGS (National Gardens Scheme) to ask about possibly entering this little garden.   My request was greeted with enthusiasm and encouragement...but having looked at the photos on their site...well, not so sure.

First of all I wouldn't open the garden in 2015 - it would be 2016, so that gives me a bit more time.

Secondly, I have the opportunity to decide between now and next year when entries close.

Lastly, if I do get another dog, not to replace JP but because a home is not a home without a dog...well, the 'new' dog might be a digger...a garden wrecker....

The idea does appeal to me ...as a goal...and undoubtedly as a challenge...as if gardening isn't enough challenge in itself.   Oh, it might be fun...I'll see.


What has been going on, other than burials, in my garden this week.

Continued autumn colours and continued bulb planting.

Virginia Creeper looking lovely now.

I have planted many bulbs in the ground and just as many in containers for the patio, aiming for early spring colour that will go on through to late spring.  It's an experiment.   In due course I will show you the results..both good and bad.

Today the Sambucus Nigra arrived.   I have grown this from a cutting before but I haven't been able to source one to take a cutting from.   I used to have a lovely one in Dorset.   It is really an Elder.  But this is black and has pink blooms that are lovely.   I also have a Buddleja Lochinch to go in between the greenhouse and the sheds to act as a bit of wind-shelter when it grows bigger.

Sambucus Nigra and Buddleja Lochinch

The other Buddleja I have growing is huge now.   I pulled it up by the roots where it was growing...in cracks in the paving round G and D's house a couple of years ago...hopefully this one will do as well and act as a butterfly magnet and a windbreak too.

The other little job I have done this week is re-pot a Pelagonium, a variegated, scented one that has salmon pink flowers.   I did this specially for my eldest grandson who is now living in his own cottage on the farm where he works.   A few years ago he helped me propagate the mother plant....so now I'll give him this one back.   I've loads, quite a few different varieties, he can have more if he likes.

I found the container in a local junk/antiques shop.   I don't know if he'll like it, but I do.   I think it is suitably masculine too.

There is so much to do.   Plants to get undercover before we have frost.   The weather at the moment is unseasonably warm and is likely to stay that way for the weekend.  I shan't be here so I hope there is no sudden frost.

I will chat to you again next week.   I look forward to seeing other-peoples' gardens back in Dorset this weekend!   Maybe get a few ideas...and inspiration.   Take care and happy gardening.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there - I do not sleep.

I am the thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints in snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

As you awake with morning's hush

I am the swift-up-flinging rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there - I did not die.

(Verse sent from another friend who knew JP well)

(Thank you to everyone, more than I care to name in case I forget anyone, you know who you are, thank you for your kind words this week regarding JP's sudden death.)