Author Archives: Helen Johnstone

About Helen Johnstone

I live in Malvern, Worcestershire and am a very keen gardener. I started the Patient Gardener Blog in January 2008 as a way of recording what was happening in my garden and connecting with other like-minded people. I started a second blog PatientGardener 365 January 2013 in order to try and post a photo a day to capture what is growing in my garden or places I have visited

A Magical Place

Posted on May 20, 2013

I have always loved rhododendrons.  From an early age I remember playing hide and seek inside old specimens at Saville Gardens which was close to my family home.  The flowers are everything I like in a flower – blousey, exotic, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arboretums, days out, gardening, May, Shrubs, Spring, Visiting Gardens | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My garden this weekend – 19th May 2013

Posted on May 19, 2013

I have been completely immersed in gardening this weekend and its been wonderful.  The sun has shone and now on Sunday evening I have pleasantly achy limbs. I have been busy planting out plants that were waiting on the patio … Continue reading →

Posted in Big border, Bulbs, May, My Garden, My garden this weekend, Spring | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Listen

Posted on May 17, 2013

  This is written in response to the latest prompt from the Grow Write Guild – the theme is what your garden sounds like. If you click on the link on the bird names you will hear what I hear. … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, gardening, Grow Write Guild, May, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Creative Thursday: Felted Bag

Posted on May 16, 2013

Just to prove that my first Creative Thursday post wasn’t a one hit wonder here is another project finished.  This is the first thing I have crocheted that isn’t a granny square or a scarf.  Admittedly it is made up … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Thursday, Crochet, Interests | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Monthly Photo – May 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013

What a difference a month makes. I can now tell its a Horse Chestnut tree For more monthly photos check out Katarina’s blog Roses and Stuff

Posted in May, Monthly photo, Photography, Seasons, Spring | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Guest post for Notcutts

I have written a short post on the Floral Marquee at the Malvern Spring Show for Notcutts – you can read it here

Aside | Posted on May 14, 2013 | 1 Comment

Product Review: PureRain Watering System

Posted on May 14, 2013

I was asked a while ago to review a new innovation for plant watering, needless to say since I received the purerain handheld gun it has rained.  However the other week the temperatures briefly warmed up and I gave it … Continue reading →

Posted in gardening, Product Testing, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Garden This Weekend – 12th May 2013

Posted on May 12, 2013

I think this weekend’s gardening can be described as wet, windy, muddy with brief intervals in the greenhouse. The big project has powered forward with the last of the turf being lifted.  This last bit was used to square off … Continue reading →

Posted in garden, Garden Projects, gardening, May, My Garden, My garden this weekend, The Slope (incl Daisy Border) | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Malvern Show Gardens

Posted on May 10, 2013

I’m no longer much of a fan of showgardens and tend to gravitate to the nurseries and floral marquee more.  However, I thought I would have a quick look to see what was on offer this year.  Malvern has always … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Shows, Horticultural Shows, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

My First Show Entry

Posted on May 9, 2013

I have been wooed through the garden clubs I attend to enter the world of competitive plant shows.  My curiosity was raised last summer when I visited my first AGS show and this Easter I made the decision to compete … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Shows, gardening, May, My Garden, Succuluents, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments