Last autumn I hacked back an overgrown climbing rose. I had let it run free to see if it would flower more, but it was still heavily overshadowed by my neighbour’s large conifers.
With the rose reduced in size the previously swamped clematis armandii ‘Snowdrift’ has finally started to flower. More of a trickle than a cascade so far.
However, the clematis armandii ‘Appleblossom’, planted at the same time as the ‘Snowdrift’, now cascades down the trellis. The pair make a textbook example of the direct sunlight requirements for most flowering climbers to give a good show.
On the other hand some plants only require the light of dappled shade to produce a display of delicate, drooping jewels.
Helleborus orientalis
Share this:
Agnes Ashe 
Oh that is just so beautiful Agnes. How nice to be on the doorstep of nature and have its beauty all around you . . . Does it bring you calm and comfort?
Well it would if I felt I had time to be out there when I wanted to be. Working from home I’m my own task master and I only allow myself gardening time at the weekend. However, I have been spotted very early on a sunny work day in my dressing gown with the camera capturing that early morning light – now that’s what I call nice work!
One of the thought-provoking things I’ve noticed about your photos from NSW is the difference in the light compared to your European shots. We all take it for granted, but light makes such a difference to our environment.
Ah yes, it is a harsh light in Australia – part of the reason you English roses staying looking young for so much longer than we do. Until you have lived in both environments, it is hard to explain. Of course, there was all that talk about a hole in the ozone layer back in the eighties. . . Bill and I had a garden – once. I kept dreaming of the day we would sit there and enjoy our labours, but in eight years, it never happened. I came to the conclusion that we did not own the house – it owned us. We have lived in apartments ever since. Back to light – I have a firm belief in its effect on our well-being. I have a friend who lives in Sweden – imagine! 6 months of dark. And if you have ever suffered depression, then you will understand how much the sufferer needs the dark, or the depression breeds from the dark – a chicken and egg situation – which came first? But once the depression takes hold, then light is an aberration, the ability to tolerate it again is a sign of recovery. Not that I ever studied medicine, so I could be talking out of the top of my head. For me, living directly on the coast, it is the wind and its sound that does my head in .. . .
That’s interesting, your point about depression and its dark/light dynamic. I’ve never really thought about it before in those terms, but I do remember my mother wearing sunglasses nearly all the time when she had an episode of depression following a distressing event. The vet came to her home to put her elderly dog to sleep and it all went terrible wrong and turned into a botched killing affair. It shocked her into depression which lasted nearly a year. Her recovery was slow and it involved her going out into the fresh air and daylight every day.
Your coastal location looks very inviting. I’d love to live that close to the sea.
Absolutely magnificent! The photographs are each like a painting! Just exquisite. I’m in awe.
Thank you. I’ve been enjoying your photos from Morocco and Barcelona. Gaudi was such an amazing architect. I’m such a fan of his use of ceramics and stained glass.
i only got to see it for a couple of hours. we overnighted in Barcelona on the way back from Morocco to the states. we got there about 5pm so the light was starting to fade…did get to see the crypt…still to come on my blog! Gaudi was amazing when you think he did all that without computers! what a guy! glad you are enjoying…will be back to visit you and see what you are up to!
Lovely photos of flowers – can’t wait to see what has survived our never ending winter.
Yes, I see from some other bloggers you’re experiencing a long winter with plenty of the white stuff. Those first green shoots will be very welcome.
They look lovely! I don’t have any garden and therefore very envious of your green-finger talk. One day, I would love to live in a house with a garden, not in a flat with no planter and wrong facing windows… 😦