Such a lovely morning at a workshop with Sarah of English Peonies learning how to make and wrap a hand tied bouquet.

My own garden is tropically green (more of that another time) and although my little back yard is awash with geraniums in pots which love the heat, the flowers I have in the flower beds have really suffered this summer.  So it was a joy to wander around Sarah’s glorious walled cutting garden where dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, roses and more were just waiting to be picked.  We wandered round with secateurs and buckets trying to decide on a colour scheme, it was like be let loose in a sweet shop!

My own attempts at growing dahlias have been largely unsuccessful due to a losing battle with slugs so it was lovely to see so many different varieties in one place. It’s strange how fashions change because only a few years ago they were rather derided.

In the end I went down the pinky mauve route while my friend opted for a vibrant mix of hot summer shades.

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Sarah passed on some useful tips on growing dahlias, and helping survive the slimy onslaught of the dreaded gastropods so hopefully next year I will be able to add some extra colour to my flower beds and, with luck, enough flowers to pick for the house as well.

Meanwhile at home I’m gearing up for that reinvention of the Planet Penny studio space. With the new floor down the first arrival is to be a little stove to make it cosy in the winter and it arrives tomorrow. I’m very excited!

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