PUPS AND PEONIES

Meet Morgan - My New Gardening Intern

As you know, I love all things green. So when my dear pal, Lady Bray, entrusted me with her precious garden while she headed off to Italy for a sun-soaked holiday, I leapt at the chance.

She has the most beautiful garden - with all my favourites: hydrangeas, orchids, sweet peas, fuchsias, rambling roses, hostas, ferns, buddleias, agapanthus, lilies - you name it, she’s growing it. So gorgeous it could take a prize at Chelsea.

Throw in her equally precious pup, Morgan and rescue cutie, Jess, to take care of, and I was in heaven.

But as I waved Lady Bray off, a creeping sense of anxiety started to set in. Keeping her beloved peonies and pups alive for two whole weeks? Now, this was going to take some doing. I may even need to cut back on the gin.

I mean, we all know what an English summer can be like. With its mix of heatwaves, downpours & cold snaps, Very quickly, my days became a whirlwind of garden duties and canine antics. Night shifts standing guard over the hostas with my trusty head torch against slug attacks. Dawn alarms set to check for whitefly on the hibiscus. Basil leaves constantly scrutinised for signs of the dreaded caterpillars. Always accompanied by my enthusiastic, four-pawed Gardening Interns. Morgan who liked to help mainly by chasing butterflies and Jess by bringing me nicely chewed up wellies. Spreadsheets emerged to meticulously monitor watering schedules, ensuring not a drop too much or too little. With a dedicated section for Morgan’s special watering’ of the geranium pots. Oops.

Lady Bray loves to grow her own vegetables too, so her greenhouse and kitchen garden posed a few challenges - mainly keeping Morgan out - and Jess from digging her way over to France. But, thankfully, the cherry tomatoes and lettuces kept on cropping and the herbs, beans, and squashes kept on growing. Phew.

Despite the fun-filled chaos, there was a certain rhythm to the madness. Quickly I bonded with my charges, spending much of the day chatting to the plants & playing with the pups. Always rewarded come evening with a nice chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

Finally, the day of Katie’s return arrived. My knees shook. My heart raced. But as she walked through the garden, her face lit up with delight. Every plant was alive and well. She was thrilled. Double Phew. So, we celebrated as only English ladies do. With several jugs of Pimm’s. Under a golf umbrella. Well, it is summer in England, after all.