It is the Easter weekend... the sun is trying to shine... and I am about to set the table for lunch and bring the cushions back out to cosy up the terrace in the hope of a sunny afternoon...
This weekend I am thinking about the garden... This past winter was very harsh and many established plants have been lost... severe winds and minus temperatures have done quite a bit of snap freezing... The big picture is still very beautiful... how could it not be in this magnificent corner of Provence... but much of the detail has been lost... The garden beds have been depleted, the hedges burnt severely and some of our fruit trees have died...
I am trying to think of this as a fresh start... a time to simplify, a time to plant a little hardier and a time to re-fashion some garden beds... I am going to surround myself with my favourite gardeners, their words of wisdom and their visual brilliance... I am going to pour over my most favourite gardening books... and see if I can come up with some alternative ideas...
From my collection... Gardening Books to love
and if you can manage to find a copy of An English Garden in Provence... it is the most engaging read and superb book... definitely one to add to the library...
May the Easter bunny find you all safe, happy and relaxed... Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you next week... xv
Exquisite!! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to You and Yours Vicki! Enjoy the Spring Sunshine :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you and your family. Your house truly epitomizes the soul of Provence. As i write this note, my gardener just knocked on my door and i am ready to start my day in the garden. A beautiful sunny day to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, After a harsh winter it is always difficult to access the loss of to a mature garden. We occasionally get damage to plants from extreme cold, but nothing like your winters in Provence. With such lovely garden books I'm sure you will find just the inspiration you need to make changes to your gardens.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter
~Emily
The French Hutch
It's heart-wrenching when a mature garden is damaged by a harsh Winter, but that's the cycle in nature. I've been thinking of ways to protect my fruit trees from harsh winters and early morning frosts. Every time I hear that a frost is coming, I run outside to wrap the trees in burlap. It would be great if they were planted next to a wall or fence and I could easily pull across a curtain to protect them. As I put in new fruit trees, I'm going to make sure that they are near structures that will protect them from winds and I can hang a removable curtain system for Winter and Spring use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the list of gardening books. Sorry to hear about the harsh winter and "fresh start" is a great way of looking at it! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki!
ReplyDeleteI wish you a Happy Easter!!
Thank you for the recommendation of the books!
xx
Greet
Spring is such a wonderful time of rebirth and rethinking of our gardens. Truly a celebration of nature and our own creativity. Your gardens are always stunning and
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the work you put forth to their beauty.
I have many of the books you have mentioned and find wonderful inspiration from them.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy Easter.
When my dear garden mentor, in her early 80's, lost several mature pine trees in an ice storm I called her to give sympathy.
ReplyDeleteShe said, 'what do I care about those pines, I didn't plant them. Now I get to plant trees I want where I want.' She's in her late 90's now, still enjoying her garden.
My little garden in Georgia, USA has gained the most from studying gardens in Italy. Especially Lucca. Combining their style with Rosemary Verey's, The Garden In Winter.
Done deal!!
Have fun refining your garden. Gorgeous patio pic.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
wishing you a Happy Easter!!!
ReplyDeleteEaster quotes
Vicki Happy Easter to you and yours! Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe had such early Spring and now some cold snaps that I hope too many flowering flora do not perish!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Winter, although it can be harsh, is necessary for the rest for all things in nature. Other creations need sleep, if one would want to call it that, just as we do. Just think of it as a time of rest, quiet, and rejuvenation. But it is a new beginning or an awakening, come Springtime. For each day of winter, it means that Spring is that much closer.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
What a fabulous Easter task..to rethink/redo a garden. The great thing about gardens is that they are never finished and we can be constantly changing/editing/pruning/weeding/fetilisng et al! A bientot.
ReplyDeleteLovely image .. wishing you a sunny, joyful Easter weekend.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Vicki ,A lovely picture enjoy your lunch .x
ReplyDeleteWe had a very harsh winter 2010/11 and enjoyed a mild winter this year. I am saddened for the loss of your plants but you have a great outlook. It's an opportunity to start fresh in some areas, trying plants you've been admiring but haven't tried yet. I hope you find some new favourites.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Vicki. I love the garden and am wowed over the mature growth of the vines, I'm contemplating my own wisteria canopy and this is a great shot! I too have antique iron garden furniture but not that lovely, glowing honeyed stone yours sits upon. We had a mild winter in the New York area so everything is coming up early. All the heather is in full bloom, the roses are full of new leaves and buds and the peonies are leafy. I only lost a few boxwoods in a freakish snowfall in October so I really should be planting now!
ReplyDeleteGood luck and have a wonderful joyous weekend.
Best wishes for a lovely Easter weekend Vicki!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Vicki!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Beautiful Vicki! Wishing you and your family many full healthy blooms this Spring!!
ReplyDeletexx
What a great picture!!!!! I just last Sunday finished painting all my vintage metal outdoor furniture white...... I still have primer in my hair BUT it looks much better.
ReplyDelete(the furniture not my hair) Have a Happy Easter!!!!! Maryannexo
Happy Easter to you & yours. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteTeresa
xoxo
A very happy Easter to you as well Vicki, wishing you all the best this Spring!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Judith
Happy Easter to you and your family! You may also want to look at "The Undaunted Garden" 2nd edition by Lauren Springer Ogden...granted it is about the Western US...but there are similarities in climate and she has an enthusiasm for a simple yet beautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteBonne Pacques et Bonne Chance!
Beautiful image Vicki, I hope you and yours have a gorgeous easter...The weather in Aus as been spectacular :) xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteSo sad about the loss of your beautiful plants...love the photo, still looking totally gorgeous. Happy Easter xox
ReplyDeleteI love your wisteria
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Vicki - all the best with the garden. Same where we are: we've lost a lovely olive in the courtyard (growing in the ground, not a pot). A very tricky - yet mainly dry - winter.
ReplyDeleteSimplifying ~ such a magical word, especially in the hands of someone with a beautiful eye such as yours, Vicki. Happy Easter to you and your loved ones...
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you too Vicki and all your bunnies. Enjoy the day. Much love XO
ReplyDeleteA very happy Easter to you and your family! Warmest wishes for a wonderful spring!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
I love your garden!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely Easter holiday!
Best,
Christina
Vicky- I'm so sorry you lost so many plants and trees. You did have a rough winter. I know it's hard to lose those plants you've helped grow - makes me sad when this happens to me.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm certain you will create an even more incredible garden. Share the process with us - I'd love to learn about your adventures.
Happy Easter to you and your family!
Blessings to you and your family on Easter, dear Vicki!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
- Irina
Happy Easter Vicky to you and your family! ~Delores
ReplyDeleteThe Wisteria looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy easter Vicki.....I am sure you will overcome some of the "gardening" losses...
ReplyDeleteOur garden become pretty much non existant with the long draught we had here in Melbourne..Although the drought has now broken, i still have not achieved much to bring it back to its former glory!!~
x from Oz...andrea
A fresh start,just the perfect outlook for this time of year!
ReplyDeleteciao lisa
Oh how beautiful this picture is, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a most wonderful Easter.
~ Clare x
Vicki have a wonderful weekend, love to see a photo of the tables all set.
ReplyDeleteLooks georgous to me already : ) I'm sure you will have a beautiful garden again this year. With all the inspiration you are surrounded by, how could you not?!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely Easter as well!
Danielle xo
Hi Vicki, Just came over from The Enchanted Home! I knew before I came here that I would love your blog and I do! So glad I found you!
ReplyDeleteSharon
This is such a beautiful image. I can't wait for my wisteria to flower - but I think I have quite a long wait yet here in the UK. It tumbles over an archway and every year seems to look prettier.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
Nice blog. Provence is on my list of Top Ten Places I Have Visited
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