My wife and I started gardening in Fukuoka (Japan) in 2003. There was nothing but muddy clayey sloping land. At the beginning we made several structure such as steps and paths, and planted turf, fruit trees, roses, herbs etc.
In 2010, we visited several famous English gardens, including Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Mottisfont Abbey Garden and Hidcote Manor Garden. We were shocked by the glory of those gardens. Since then, we have been trying to make small but glorious gardens by ourselves.
The rose geraniums and cherry sage are still in bloom. The cleome, which has become a perennial in our garden, has also started to flower. As we enter the rainy season and the weather becomes wetter, we plan to prune the herbs in the herb beds.
A variety of herbs are growing in the terraced herb beds. Rose geraniums, cherry sage and Salvia guaranitica are currently in bloom. Bees and hawk moths come to the flowers to feed on their nectar. A little pruning is needed to improve air circulation before the rainy season begins.
The early summer sun is strong, and on clear days it can be so bright that the contrast becomes too harsh, making it difficult to appreciate the beauty of the flowers and foliage. However, in the early morning, at dusk, and on cloudy days, the colours and shapes of the plants stand out clearly, creating a beautiful sight. The photographs below were taken in the afternoon, once the sun had gone down. Please also take a look at the video.
Two varieties of reddish-purple flowers are currently in bloom in the main garden. One is the hyacinth orchid. A member of the orchid family, it is a truly magnificent plant with beautiful foliage. It thrives in the partial shade of the garden room and blooms beautifully every year. The other is the bulbous plant known as Babiana. We grow it in pots. It is a deep reddish-purple colour, and the stamens are the same shade. Its leaves are more slender and elongated than those of the hyacinth orchid.
Spring is now in full swing, and the terraced herb beds are bustling with lush herbs and flowers. Along the fence above, the Jasminum polyanthum is in bloom, filling the garden with its sweet fragrance.
In the herb terraces, the third tier mainly features rosemary, the second tier has lavender, and the lowest tier is planted with mint, rose geranium and cherry sage. As the rosemary had grown too large, I decided to pull it up and plant new seedlings in its place. I also decided to plant new seedlings where the lavender had died back.
Herbs such as rosemary, lavender and mint are growing thick in the barb beds. Cherry sage has red flowers and rose geraniums are beginning to bloom with pink flowers. We are finally entering the rainy season and a hot and humid summer.