I’m feeling a bit weary. Making the most of a reasonably dry day yesterday, I spent all day painting the repaired fence. Yet there seem to be so many things that still need doing. The swing seat has yet to be uncovered and treated. The blue shed could do with a fresh coat of paint – but that will require emptying a water butt so I can move it to paint one of the walls. I’ve yet to set set up the water feature, check on the Dahlias, clean the mini greenhouse or sow any seeds. I’m not usually this behind with everything but the weather really hasn’t proved very cooperative on the days I don’t work. I hope things improve soon. Anyway, time for Six on Saturday, and we start with the newly painted fence…
1-3. Worryingly, I discovered that the one original fence post we left in, thinking it nice and sturdy, without any sign of wobble, is rotting at the base. Typical. Still, it’s painted now, although an hour after finishing the heavens opened. Let’s hope the ‘Misty Heathland’ paint really is shower proof after 60 minutes. What’s that? It looks grey? Well, it didn’t on the little wooden sample at B&Q – it was a sort of creamy colour. The Honesty has begun to flower here, there and everywhere, and my new small tree has arrived – Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale.’ It’s going to take the place of the Callicarpa which hasn’t lived up to expectations.
4-6. Next up, a Bleeding Heart which resembles upside down turtles. The white variety has never survived the winter here for some reason, but this one, planted last spring, has returned. I was given a free packet of mixed double Tulips by J. Parker’s when I placed my bulb order last autumn. I shoved them in a pot and really wasn’t expecting to like them, thinking I was a bit anti double tulips. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. And finally, the Bee Fly has returned to the garden, just in time for the Forget-me-nots. This little chap was enjoying the sun near the fragrant Coronilla.
They were my Six on Saturday, a meme originally started by The Propagator. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, head over to the blog of the current Six on Saturday host, Jim.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
A pretty cercis that brightens up this area I’m sure! Nice catch and pic of the bee fly: not easy …
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This one seemed quite chillaxed while I was stood next to it painting the fence.
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I know what you mean about being behind on all the gardening jobs – on the rare occasions my free time has coincided with good weather, my to do list just gets longer each time.
Love the bee fly! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in my garden. The cercis is gorgeous.
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I only became aware of bee flies a few years ago. They’re quite entertaining to watch.
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I think we all feel the same, behind on all the jobs thanks to the weather! Your bee fly is unusual, Don’t think I’ve ever seen one here. Love the Cercis, a super addition and I think the freebie tulips give a nice pop of colour.
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The rain and wind does seem to have been relentless so far. I planted the Cercis and a new shrub on Sunday, in between showers, so that’s two less jobs to do!
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Nice one and turtle bleeding hearts is spot on, I hadn’t seen that in them before.
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It’s all I see nowadays when I see them. I just wish the white variety would survive the winter.
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That Cercis will certainly pack a lot of colour early in the year in your garden. That pale colour of your fence shows up the shrubs and plants beautifully.
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Orange tulips look particularly good against it! I need to get some orange Black Eyed Susies to grow up against it in the summer.
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I always get excited to see your garden, come spring time! 🌸🌼 Those double tulips were certainly worth it, very pretty. Gorgeous Cercis and bleeding heart.
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The spring flowers have arrived earlier this year but the weather has yet to get into the spirit of the season!
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Oh, you’re in good company! I’m way behind with just about every task imaginable. I like the colour you’ve chosen for. Your fence. Is that a ‘Ducksback’ paint? We’ve been using it here in black and one year on, it’s still looking good.
But to your lovely selection of flowers. Honesty is always pretty and the double tulip mix is beautiful. You always make such good choices of trees & shrubs – I LOVE the blossoms on the Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale.’ See, now you’ve got me thinking that I really, really need one here! 😆
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It is a Ducksback paint! Its seems to go a long way and it’s nice and thick so doesn’t go all over the place (having said that I ended up with quite a bit on my glasses and in my hair).
The way the flowers cover the trunk on the Cercis is very unusual. It’s a bit of a twig at the moment but hopefully it will bush out one day.
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I feel your pain on the paint Color. So much is grey in the uk … I know you wanted it to merge with the sky 😕 I love the bleeding heart 🌸 flowers.
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I hadn’t even made the connection with the grey of the fence and the grey of the UK – especially the sky these days!
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What a lovely six. The cercis is so pretty. Where do you get your trees from? And the mixed tulips are very colourful, I once had a free pack from J Parkers and was surprised how good they were.
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The Cercis and a few others over the years have come from Ornamental Trees. Some have been better than others – a few have been rather spindly and my parents ended up with some far better specimens from their local B&M Bargains. Charella Gardens have provided some good half standards but they have less choice.
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Lovely selection! that cercis is beautiful. I have one in a pot that someone gave me but I cannot get it to flower. Callicarpa can be moody – mine berries better now I have two (cross-pollination maybe?) I’m sorry to hear you have mixed results with the bleeding heart but relieved to know it’s not just me – the white ones seem the miffiest of all, they seem to think they’re annuals in my hands!
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Ah, I did read somewhere that Callicarpa produce more berries if you have a few of them for pollination. I’ve tried growing the white variety of Bleeding Heat twice and failed – a pity as I think I prefer it to the red one!
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I really like the dicentra. Wonderful collection.
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Thank you!
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Really nice photos this week, have you got a new camera? Love the bee fly. Very envious of the cercis, looks beautiful.
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Thanks. No, it’s the same camera/phone. The sun may have come out for a moment which might have helped!
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The Tulips in the first photo are lovely, and all the other blooms, too. Great photo of the bee fly!
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Thank you. The bee fly is great fun to watch hovering as it enjoys the nectar of this and that.
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The bee fly is new to me. Very interesting fellow. Thanks for giving him a spot in your six!
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You’re welcome!
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