Spring has sprung in an East Kent Garden

At long, long last, spring has sprung in this East Kent seaside garden. Alliums have slowly released their many hundred stamens, and are being hungrily fed on by bees of all sizes.

The poppies are breaking free of their sheaths, revealing silk-like purple and red blooms beneath.

One of our latest acquisitions, which I have named a Roo Roo (but I believe is related to the Rhubarb, but thinks it is a Ghunera) is growing bigger than I ever expected. I am hoping that it will provide some shelter for our wildlife barrel of water, so that frogs re-visit to shelter, sunbathe and spawn. Having visited Chelsea Flower Show this year, one of the most striking features for me was the splashes of orange, mainly in the form of Geum. This is reflected in the fashion for the season which appears to be nautical with a flash of orange.

To reflect this fashionable edge we have introduced some Welsh Poppies alongside our Stipa Tenuissima which amazingly has overwintered and is looking in fine-feckle.

I am so looking forward to the breaking forth of our frilly edged red, purple and pink poppies. Each flower is short lived, only lasting a week or even less if deluged, but the sumptuous pleasure that they bring is so well worth it.

Kissing in Kent

Botany Bay, Deal Pier, Turner Contemporary...top kissing spots

St Valentine's Day in only a week away. Apparently the origins of this day began in the court circles of England and France in the 14th century and it is thought that it linked in with the coupling of birds. Whether you love or loathe it, it is a time to think about doing something different. So, I've given some thought to good spots for  "kissing in Kent" and have a few suggestions which can be enjoyed if you fancy being romantic, or visited at other times of the year.

Botany Bay near Kingsgate in Kent

Botany Bay, Kingsgate, Kent

This is a stunning sandy beach, with sheer white chalk cliffs, which have been tunnelled out by the sea, forming natural white arches perfect for a kiss. Although beware the nesting seagulls overhead, and take particular note of the tide, as these cliffs and the beach become cut off at high tide.

Sandy beach at Botany Bay

If this beach looks familiar, you may have seen it on the advertising for Kent at St Pancras International and on the London tubes. Now, with the High Speed trains from London to Ramsgate and Margate, our corner of East Kent is more accessible than ever.

Deal pier
At over 1026 feet in length, you can take a stroll down Deal's pier, passing the fishermen on route, and steal a kiss at the furthest end. On a clear day you should be able to see France, and if the tide is right you may see the waves breaking on the six mile stretch of the Goodwin sands - home to a colony of seals and the death of many a ship which has become caught in it's sinking sandy banks.

The licensed restaurant at the end of of the pier - Jasin's Restaurant - is a RIBA awarded Best Constructed Building in Kent, and serves food all day, so if you fancy a full-English, excellent fish and chips, or one of the specials, and love gazing at the sea, this is a special spot.

Turner Contemporary, Margate
What could be more symbolic of Valentine's Day than the Auguste Rodin marble sculpture, The Kiss. Prominently featured at the art gallery, framed by the sun-like art installation with the sea as a backdrop, this is well worth a visit. The cafe has excellent food, lovely teas including Jasmine Pearl from Teapigs, delicious seafood and ever so tempting range of cakes.

Turner Contemporary at Margate

Snow Storm - Steam boat off a Harbour's Mouth, exhibited 1842 and seen by me today

I think that the Turner Contemporary, the new Art Gallery in Margate is one of the best thing's that has happened to the town for a very long time. It shows the commitment of the local people, the council, and funders to the belief that Margate can once again have a heyday as a fine seaside town. New to the Gallery is an impressive array of Turner paintings taking you on a journey through Turner's fascination with the four elements: air, earth, fire and water. I've always loved Turner paintings, particularly the turbulent sea scenes where water and air boil and mash together. This scene if my favourite from the new exhibition and I hope that many people visit, stroll along the sandy beach, and maybe visit the Lifeboat for a fine pie and a selection of even finer ales and cider. 

Sara's Chocolates, Deal

Flora Mayflower Oriental Tea at Sara's Chocolates

This is a fantastic chocolate-shop-come cafe, with a delicious range of hand-picked chocolates that are beautifully packaged in a wide variety of boxes, perfect for presents or for a treat for yourself. Sara also prepares really thick, warming hot chocolates (both dark and milk) which warm you from head to toe, as well as tasty homemade soups and specials such as hot camenbert which was served today. But, new to the shop is a range of teas, from Flora Tea, which have to be seen to be believed. Starting as an unprepossessing walnut-shaped ball, which then unfurls when seeped in boiling water to  reveal an inner flower surrounded by fronds of green tea leaves, combined with other herbs. I had a Mayflower Oriental tea, which was just beautiful. I could have been 200 metres deep diving on a coral reef with anenome fronds and orange/peachy flowers. If you love something a bit unusual, love the  delicate taste of green tea infused with herbs, and are happy to immerse yourself in the visual experience of watching this tea grow into an underwater garden, then you'll love this. [Sara's Chocoates is at 71 Middle Street in the historic town of Deal.]

Gardening on a chalk bed

Gardening on a chalk-bed

Zephirine-drouhin, loved by the bees too

What I've learnt from over 10 years of seaside gardening, is that most plants will survive if given some care when planting, so lots of compost and plant food, and plenty of water. If they can last the first year, then they have a good chance of staying the distance. So I have some newly planted roses,  William Lobb Rose, the new Rhapsody in blue which is featured prominently at Wisley RHS,  Souvenir du Docteur Jamain Red Rose,  Veilchenblau and an established Zephirine-drouhin rose  and a very vigorous Seagull-Rambler-Rose. The ramblers and climbers have been here for over anywhere between 5-10 years, so I only hope that the new roses do just as well. 

The sea today

What a fabulous sun-spangled sea on a bright Sunday morning in January. This is my sea - it crashes against the sea wall and makes such a thunderous roar. It's why i love living in Kingsdown and moved here permanently in 2009 with Daniel, my partner and two mouse-catching miscreants, Maximus and Archibald (who definitely don't like the sea as much as me).

Sea smashing seawall at Kingsdown, Deal, Kent