One of the exciting things about moving in to a new place is the fact that you never quite know what will come up in the garden. We first viewed this house in January. I could see that there was a climbing hydrangea to the right of the front door and a honeysuckle to the left wrapping itself around the drainpipe. I was pleased with both of these discoveries but particularly the honeysuckle. When it flowers it’s syrupy, sweet scent will be one of the first smells that greets us as we step up the steps to the front porch and enter the house. Smells are very important, especially ‘first smells’, which is why I insist that my cat, Boo, goes to the toilet outside as soon as it is warm enough for her to be out there all day. She’s been a bit spoilt of late due to the rain but I’m getting to the end of my patience with the litter tray!
Anyway, back to the garden.
I knew, in January, that there was a Hawthorn of sorts growing here.
What I didn’t know was that it would look like this around the time we moved in. There were several Hawthorn trees at the last house and they have a wonderful shape and very distinctive trunks. The blossom on those was white in colour and I loved them. This deep pink however leaves me standing in awe. It’s quite spectacular.
I think that the exact variety is Hawthorn Crataegus Laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’. They are extremely hardy trees and will produce copious amounts of berries in the autumn that will stand the birds in pretty good stead and will also allow me to make some great Haw jelly that I have never attempted before but is apparently a great alternative to Cranberry Jelly.
It was Friday afternoon, almost two weeks ago, Robert was at work and it was my job to pick the keys up from the estate agents. The twins were at my mum-in-law’s and Jodie came with me. After pulling in to the empty drive, I whooped and hollered a lot, shed a wee tear, hugged my sister, screamed a small amount and then saw the Hawthorn. It was the perfect backdrop to my ‘Just Got the Keys to the New House’ photo that everyone has taken. God bless the iPhone.
I then took this one and sent it to Robert at his desk with a note saying “Hello from our new neighbours”
William Morris said “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” I think the same about the garden however what I may love another may loathe. Personally I have taken a long time to come around to the Hosta but I believe that this new garden may see some with a variegated leaf to sit alongside two Hakuro Nishiki, Salix. One of which I planted in about seven minutes flat when the sun came out a couple of days ago.
I have a feeling that this garden is the garden of a lifetime. But I never want to forget that first time I drove up with the keys to the house in my sweaty palm and saw the vibrant pink of that Hawthorn. Thank you to whoever planted it all those years ago. You have made me a very happy gardener.
I love you and thank you for reading today. I’m certainly getting my blogging groove back and loving every single second.
Cherry x
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That is the most stunning tree, such a glorious colour. It really looks like it’s celebrating Spring. We have a white hawthorn one side of our garden and a mid-pink the other. I love them. You probably know this already but hawthorn burns extremely well, so save any bits that get blown off or you trim back and use them for kindling. I’d love to have sheep for neighbours!
What a beautiful setting! You even have sheep surrounding your property. It’s straight out of Jane Austin.
Congratulations to you and your family. Wishing you many years of happiness in your new home.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Oh I think I have one of these too in my West Sussex garden. I had no idea what it was but now I do. Thank you! It is so pretty against the green of the other trees in the garden – Enjoy! FIngers crossed it warms up a bit – what is with this weather??
Looks like paradise!
So happy for you and your family! Your new home and garden are beautiful. Looking forward to watching you put ” your touch” on everything. Wishing you all many years of happiness. Blessings to you!
I love your garden! You are one lucky girl! I love the vibrant pink and it’s good around this year when there are not much bright coloured flowers around yet! The sheep are so cute!
- Becky Xx
These are just beautiful photos & you should be very proud indeed. Love the idea with moving to a new place just to enjoy the (good)surprises yet to experience!!! Enjoy your beautiful home forever…
Great post again and love the views of the garden. Glad you have your blogging groove back too
have missed your posts.
Low x
gorgeous garden. It’s funny, someone mentioned the heart cloud – I looked at it and saw an angel..We all have our own ways of seeing things which is as it should be.
The phrase that stood out for me Cherry was “sent it to Robert at his desk” How grateful you must be that you are together in such a beautiful place after the stressful year that you have been through. All the best in your new home.
So beautiful. What a gorgeous colour! Just been to final inspection for my son and daughter-in-laws’ new home in the Dandenong ranges. Rained most of the day, but it still looked beautiful surrounded by tall trees. They move in on Tuesday. First home ownership for them too:)
Wow what a lovely garden, I long for my forever home for my hubbie and daughter but for now we are renting and thats fine for now. When its our time im sure we will find our perfect home. Whilst i am waiting i am using your website for home tips and i absolutly love it. xx
So happy for you! It’s lovely to be surrounded by such beautiful scenery, the view must be awesome. Keep up the blogging, want to see more of the new house!! xxx
Cherry beautiful property! !!! Have a great day!!
Waaaw…gorgeous!!! You lucky girl!!!
OMG just enjoy your gorgeous new garden,and all the very best in your new home too! I cant wait ot see updates of what youve done both inside and out in this new place! That pink is out of control for that hawthorn!
What a beautiful colour and a beautiful moment for you to have had Cherry. I’m sure that one will stay with you with no effort at all. I’m not really a ‘mover’ but all the excitement is giving me a little bit of itchy feet – which is silly because I love where we live and we’re about to start a loft conversion which will be great – I think you’re just sweeping me up in all the adventure.
Loving having the regular posts back and can’t wait to see what comes next.
Take care, Bex.x
PS. My friends used to have a litter tray that was like a pet carrier (ie with a roof / lid and cat flap type door as they had to have their tray indoors permanently. Worked a treat and also prevented any accidents!
Lovely! I am quite jealous of your neighboring sheep. I have a view of a very busy road out my window.
That deep pink against the green grass is wonderful. You have all that and sheep too! If you never did another thing or acquired another thing, with your children and all the family love, you are rich indeed.
I like the last picture with glorious sunlight hitting your garden. Now that IS a free gift!
Beautiful Cherry… did you notice in your first picture above the beautiful hawthorn tree the cloud looks quite like a big fluffy heart… perfect for all the love you share with your family, us who come in here to read all about you… and also with mother nature ♥♥♥ Enjoy your forever house xxx
And we are loving having you back!
My Mother has a hawthorn like yours, when I got married this time last year and we had drinks on the lawn it was looking as splendid as yours is – this year not so much as one blossom petal yet – how lucky was I?
utterly divine.
I love that you are blogging so much again, I’m impressed that you find the time & energy!! Whatever you have, you need to bottle & sell it, I could certainly do with a dash of your zest!
x
Your garden looks wonderful. How lovely it is that you can plant whatever you like, knowing that you will be enjoying them for years to come. I hope to one day get to my ‘forever home’ too but in the meantime I have potted plants to lift my spirits and lots of them!