I can't believe these photos are taken 20 years apart. Not much has changed, even the door mat is the same. The front door and the blinds have been replaced, the carpet in the hall has been replaced with wooden bamboo, the shrubs have been weeded out and the woodwork has been painted. In those 20 years, several other families have lived in our house as we rented it out while we lived abroad from 2010-2021 and Stephanie is no longer with us.
Peter and I bought the Jasminum x stephanense earlier in April and planted it by the front door in a pot. It is highly fragranced and we wanted it somewhere where we would see it every day.
We've involved our grandchildren with planting flowers in memory of Stephanie as they are too young to have remembered her and sadly our 3 year old grandson never got to meet her, she also has two new nephews born this year.
Our granddaughter planted these Angel Wings tulip bulbs after the funeral in October, given to us by a friend. As she watered them she said 'stay hydrated Stephanie'
They flowered in time for Mothers day.
Our grandson planted a rose bush 'In loving memory' that my mum bought for us to mark the 6th month anniversary.
The garden, although north facing, gets a lot of sun and isn't over looked. The old green house is ready for the tomatoes and the compost is doing well in the new containers Peter built. We've bought a new post to re site the clothes airer so it doesn't block the view of the garden when sitting outside.
Apple
They sit amongst the bamboo, magnolia, willow, bay and olive trees and shrubs, also in pots. There are a couple of exotic fruit trees, lemon and orange that are growing very well.
BBQs are being enjoyed.
How is your garden coming along? Any plans? Or are you at the stage where you can just sit and enjoy it?
Oh wow! Those two photos, it is hard to tell they were taken 20 years apart.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have some flowers to remember Stephanie and have the whole family planting and looking after them.
Your garden is looking fantastic. My plants are growing well and over the weekend I planted the last of my seeds.
That jasmine sounds gorgeous, and a lovely way to remember Stephanie. Fab to see the grandchildren involved, but I guess less so Olive! #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteI love that the grandkids are helping. My kids loved to help me with the gardening when they were little. In our old house they had their own little patch where they grew vegetables and herbs. Our garden was a lot bigger though. I can't seem to get any help now although my youngest has promised to help me move my plants into bigger pots, I should have gone for bigger grown plants to start with, but they are doing well so far. My garden needs mowing but it's a job I can't do. So I'm trying to convince myself that the long grass and dandelions are good for nature. I'm going to have to end up paying someone to mow it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way for your grandkids to keep connected to Stephanie and for you to honor and remember her at the same time! A lasting remembrance for sure! I'm envious of your sunny yard. We have mostly shade and have trouble growing anything... and the deer and rabbits that visit also cause a bit of frustration! I can tell that your garden gives you joy!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I would never have guessed those 2 photos are taken 20 years apart
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to remember Stephanie and to involve your grandchildren #pocolo
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