Late Summer

Now that the rain has finally made an appearance the plants look so thankful in the yard here.Perovskia likes it dry anyway so that doesn't count,but the maize,acidantheras,gaura,leonorus leonitis,hibiscus etc. have bulked up nicely.There's a stunningly intense little italian larkspur(dark blue) that I've yet to discover a name for and the figs are joining the raspberries for sensational JAM (50/50).the american Heritage tomatoes are providing a great range for interesting salads (Ananas Noire,Purple Calabash etc.) and all the sicilian oleanders that I grew from seed are storming ahead now.
Onthe pot front there are some big jars coming up as well as a number of sizes of the Hawk 3 leg shallow planters.The English Garden magazine has an advert for my cowhorn sculpture "ZEBU" (£500) and is to run an article on me in the December issue I think.
At Farnham in Surrey the Crafts Study Centre has commissioned me to design/build a new garden for the frontage of their lovely building,so that's next on my list.I shall be doing a slide talk on it all there on Oct.15.
The Yew Tree Project at Salisbury Arts Centre (www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk) has spurred me on to make a shield sculpture which stands on three legs and is covered with yew slices.It's a sort of protection racket...
Otherwise a day course at West Dean (www.westdean.org.uk) on Sept.16 on sculpture in gardens;Jardinique Contemporary Art Show near Beech,Alton Oct,13/15 and the Brighton Crafts Fair onNov.23/26.
The farmer next door hopes we will have a nice back end.Well you do,don't you?