New Responsibility

So, I haven't been on here for quite some time now. Things to do, not really in the mood for posting, basically not much of an excuse. 

Then the wife told me I could have responsibility for the front of the house, and, more importantly, do what I like. Sooooo, I have opted for a bit of hard landscaping as we have a car, campervan and a motorbike to park up.

I've tried to make it functional with a bit of pleasant  aesthetics as well. I suspose, to be honest, what really set me on this was the sad passing of a dear neighbour of ours, Win. She passed at a 101yrs and 9months and was an absolutely fantastic gardener. Her garden was the best in the street and she did it all  herself other than cutting her grass.

When she passed we asked her nephew (Win had no children) if we could have a few momentos from her garden. Mine was a trowel, two pots and a couple of hydrangeas. I've set these up with a small walled patch in the front and will work from there.

 Right, so this is the view of the plants, or rather conifers that I put in having first cleared all the rubbish that was in there and not doing to good. I decided to put the rred bark down as we have a bit of a problem with next doors cats (she has about 20) who seem to mess anywhere and everywhere, including on the gravel. The stones were there originally and I like them so decided to incorporate them.

 This rose bush used to be in the garden but kept growing so tall and never giving much flower. I dug it out, destroying most of the roots at the time. However, a bit of TLC and it's starting to recover. It's planeted directly into the ground near to the corner patch.

The holly bush is there simply because I like it. Most of the plants or bushes are ground covering, they stay green most of the year, are easy to maintain and present a pleasent look to anyone passing. Also, cats hate them.

 There used to be a pot here with a Fushia bush that never did really well, so I've moved the Fuschia, gave it back to the wife and put this Hydrangea in it's place, directly into the ground and it seems to be picking up well.

 These are the two clay pots and azalea's that belonged to Win. The plants were really looking sorry for themselves, so I've planted them in a good quality ericaceous compost. I've got a steady supply of rainwater (I've been listening to Monty) and hopefuly by next year they will have recovered.

So, this is how the front of the house looks now. Just a little corner on the far left that you can't see, but the car was in the way, so next time, I take a pic of the whole front.

Anyway, it's all mine now, haven't really done any gardening for many many years, the wife's always done it. It won't be all gardening pics as I enjoy some other hobbies. But I'll try and keep it interesting. If you'd like to comment, feel free to do so.