Greetings everyone and welcome to my final newsletter for the year.
‘Where did the month go?’ I hear you ask. It’s a well-known fact that time speeds up as we get towards the last days of the year, I am sure you have felt it.
So here we are on the last day of the year which coincidentally happens to be my birthday, and I would like to celebrate by sharing with you some of the beautiful things that happened in my garden this month, show you some noteworthy books that came my way, take a look at a special event happening in 2022, and
finish off with some fireworks.
Enjoy the celebration!
A wander around the garden
Let's begin with a wander around the garden.
As the temperatures heat up, it promises to be 38C here today, even the roses appreciate some shade. This is my Shade Garden quietly waiting for the second flush of blooms for the season. The deep red roses at the top of the page are also in this section of the garden.
Around the back in the Sunken Garden, Soul Sister tries to peek through the picket fence. I know I have some Soul Sister fans amongst my readers, this one is for you!
Below a single stem of Governor Marie Bashir makes an impressive display in the Picture Window Garden.
And the palest of pinks, this is The Prioress, a David Austin Rose. This rose opens ups to expose golden stamens which are a favourite for the bees.
And if everything has been a bit too hectic lately then the next one is for you. Take a look at all the buds on my Tranquillity rose. I'll call this photo A Promise of Tranquillity.
And finally, I know this is not a rose but I had to include it because it makes me laugh. This is the first bloom on my tree poppy and I think it looks like a pom pom in a poncho! Tree poppies don't mind hot and dry conditions so this
is planted in the Sun Border.
And it seems I am not alone in naming the sections of my garden, Chris from Macleod tells me she also has names for the different parts of her garden including Compost Corner, the Purple Patch and the Birch Rockery! I think we all need a Purple Patch in our gardens!
Holidays are the best time to catch up on your reading or to discover new books and I have made two discoveries which I have to tell you about.
The first is an absolutely beautiful journal called Bliss - a year in my garden by Carole Howlett.
Carole was on a writing retreat with me in Bali back in October 2019, so I was delighted to see her book in print. Carole made good use of her time during lockdown photographing her garden and the birds that visit, and over four seasons Carole has captured the splendour of her oasis for us to enjoy. Predominantly a native garden, it certainly attracts the birdlife and Carole has taken some amazing images of
them.
With a soft cover and 220 pages this book has lots of lined pages for making your own notes, each page framed with beautiful photos. It would be perfect for recording observations of your own garden, or a special gift for friends overseas, I could imagine writing up my recipes in it, and as any stationery lover knows, you can never have too many notebooks.
Congratulations Carole on creating such a beautiful book and I particularly love the photo of your Just Joey rose.
Carole's book can be purchased here.
The other book I have to mention is also hot off the press.
Craig Castree's Edible Gardening Secrets is an inspiring book of wisdom which will make you see your garden in a whole new light. Working with Nature, not against it, Craig's helpful and carefully explained tips provide practical solutions for many gardening challenges. Over time the suggestions in this book will make your garden healthier, more productive and
attractive, and your gardening experience more enriching.
Craig's book has inspired me to enrich my sandy soil by top dressing my mulch with compost, and what's more you don't have to dig it in, you just let the worms and the other soil creatures do all the hard work for you!
And I will also be having a go at growing herbs from cuttings in water in filtered light on the window sill, now that I know the difference between softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings.
Craig's book can be purchased here.
2022 World Rose Convention News
THE 2022 WORLD ROSE CONVENTION IS COMING TO ADELAIDE, and you are invited to join us in the beautiful city of Adelaide for the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) 19th World Rose Convention from 27 October to 3 November, 2022.
The week long convention will feature garden tours and excursions, wonderful guest speakers on topics including the history of gardening in Australia, the legacy of Australian and New Zealand rose growers and breeders, the importance of parks and gardens in our cities, and roses in cuisine, art and floral design, just to give you a hint of what’s in store.
Also planned is an indoor rose and greenlife exhibition and floral display with garden related themes, held on 28, 29 and 30 October at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
A pre-convention tour to Sydney and the Blue Mountains, and post-convention tours from Adelaide to Victoria and Tasmania are also on offer.
The full exciting program can be viewed here and registrations open on the 10th of January.
Postcards From My Readers
Thank you Lyn from Kilmore for sending me a photo of this beautiful bouquet, a snap shot of your Summer garden!
And Vicki Sullivan sent me birthday greetings with this image of her wonderful painting of Fantin Latour roses from her garden. Thank you very much Vicki, I love your rose paintings!
Thank you Ronda and John for the beautiful birthday card with a wonderful design of peonies and roses by the luxury interiors brand, the Designers Guild.
And now for the fireworks...
Let us say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new with a fireworks display in art, I hope you enjoy these images and that they bring you happiness and good luck!
Czech painter - Tavik Frantisek Simon (1877-1942)
Dieppe, John Duncan Fergusson, 1905
Firework display at the Castel Sant Angelo - Joseph Wright
Nagaoka Fireworks - Kiyoshi Yamashita
Until next time,
Love and roses,
Michelle
Please feel free to share this newsletter with your family or friends if you think it would brighten their day. And they can join the list so they don't miss out on the fun each month by clicking on the pink button below.
My Novel: Rose Garden Reverie
A story of transformation set in a rose garden with rose care tips throughout the seasons.
The soft cover book is 110 pages long and costs $20 (Australian Dollars) per copy via the button below with free shipping worldwide.
Also available from online book sellers.
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May the beauty of nature inspire you everyday
Michelle Endersby Art
www.michelleendersbyart.com
phone: 0400 473 173
[email protected]
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