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.
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.
In the herb terraces, the chamomile that bloomed so beautifully in spring is gone, and now the rose geraniums (pink flowers) and cherry sage (red flowers) continue to bloom, plus the lavender has started to produce blue flowers.
The rainy season is just around the corner and the herbs need to be cut back to cope with the high temperatures and humidity.
The terraced herb beds in the main garden is now bustling with activity. In the foreground are mint and rose geraniums, and the rose geraniums are beginning to flower. Up above, the lavender has not yet flowered, but the silver-tinged leaves are beautiful. German chamomile is beautiful with lots of flowers. The borage still has lots of flowers and bumblebees are always flying in.
Fern-leaf lavender blooms repeatedly in all seasons except summer. It has beautiful purple flowers, but unfortunately has little fragrance. I grow it in a planter on my deck by the railing.