Sunday, 5 July 2026

The Delargo Gardens June

Gosh What a month that was ! The hottest June on record and at last our stubbornly Pink Hydrangea has turned Blue.


 The lilies are gobsmacking this year. This is #

I know people who say that they don't like Begonias. This is the fabulous Santa Cruz. What's not to love!

The extra sunlight in the garden has been welcomed by the Hemerocallis 'Crimson Pirate' (day lily)   

Stately, stunning, very very tall and very smelly - Lilium 'Eastern Moon' (a Lilium longiflorum hybrid)

the lovely 'Queen Fabiola' (botanically known as Triteleia laxa, formerly Brodiaea laxa) 

Begonia Bella vista Red 

The salvia are starting to kick off -  this is Salvia 'African Skies'. It is lovely but it's parentage is unsure.

The must have salvia = Amistad, Which is also of unconfirmed parentage.

Thunbergia - Black eyed Susan.

 We adore Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) and it has been a mainstay and a joy of the Midsummer garden dispute the shade - this is 'Nicky' 

 and this Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' . More sun = Less blue but still fab.

That's it then me dears for the June Highlights now tiz time to jump up into the Land Rover and tour the rest of our vast grounds







As a Summer treat we are adding the view from the tea rooms kitchen window.

The profusion of flower and colour from Clematis 'General Sikorski' has been extraordinary and would brighten up any back passage.

 Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' 

our devoted team of gardeners and their apprentices have been working hard on sowing and growing on the bedding -

 for the grand parterre and the long Drive.

There tiz then me darlins please make use of the VIP Refreshment tent on the south Lawn this month kindly sponsored by Moët & Chandon

Donny has been busy helping the gardeners planting out the parterre but wanted you to see his choice for the Fuchsia Fest sneak preview.

Fuchsia 'Cliantha'

Well there tiz me darlins, There are more heatwaves to come in July apparently  but hey ho I will get through it stinko by my pool.

 So all that's left is, Ttfn From Donny

and Ttfn from me.

Toodle Pip. 

Sunday, 21 June 2026

Cookery Book number 355

 Having just catalogued Cook Book 355 I though a Book post was in order.

#355; The Art of Home Cooking, by the Stork Margarine Cookery Service. This is a replacement for my mothers copy and is the what she used when she taught me to cook when I was just knee high. Published in 1954 it is actually older than me. I wonder if any of our chums remember it in their Mum's or Granny's kitchen drawer.

 

 

It joins #354 Court Favourites Recipes From Royal Kitchen by the wonderful Elizabeth Craig also published in 1954.


 

 #15 The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook


some delight from  #342 Dame Edna's Coffee Table Book A Guide to Gracious Living  

there is an index so if you would like to have a go at any of the dishes I can post the recipe for you.


 What better to end with other than gratuitous photos of 'Fanny' #283 Fanny and Johnnie Cradock Cookery Programme the Book

 










 

please send a stamped addressed envelope to receive the recipes of your choice

Toodle Pip

Sunday, 31 May 2026

The Delargo Gardens - May

Wow 35.1°C recorded at Kew this month. We have had to do a bit of extra watering but the garden has loved it and grown like topsy.


 June should be the month for roses but for us it is late May this is our Essex Rose and below is the wonderful Gertrude Jekyll.
 

Both have been fabulous all month but Jon's cutting has now taken off and wants to conquer the world.




 We choice our three Clematis from the three different groups to spread out the flowering through out the summer. Hey Ho they are all in flower now and that is fine and fab

Clematis 'General Sikorski' - Group 2

 Clematis 'Nelly Moser' Group 2

 Clematis 'Rouge Cardinal' - Group 3

Clematis 'Comtesse De Bouchard' -  Group 3


 Hey Ho they can flower when they like and I will get the same pleasure. As does Thalictrum aquilegiifolium
 

Tradescantia

Veronica with Mexican Fleabane

 
 We love our Geraniums and they are all about to kick off



 

as are the Salvias we have some newbies to show of latter in the season

 


So much to look forward to but till then lets enjoy what we have now and take a tour of our vast estate.

 

the Mound
The Terraced Garden
Wine Time

if you have a look up our back passage you will see Scilla Peruviana if you can get this then get it and grow it. It is amazing.

 

I thought you might be interested to see how the Taro is doing. It had another hard unprotected Winter but it is back ! 


 And our Cymbidium orchid is still refusing to stop flowering. I think it will get into June and then it will be off for it's Summer holiday in the garden

 

 

Donny is reminding me to mention the Fuchsia Fest Sneak Preview. This week it is the tiny Jewel like, 'Just Pat'

 

Well there we are then me dears May has been amazing and I am looking forward to seeing what is going to happen in June. We Hope to see you then but till then -

 

It's Ttfn from Donny

and Ttfn from me

Pip pip