Fuchsia

First frosts never touch these, however frail they look.










These Fuchsias hang on well after the frosts.
It always surprises me how tough they are, as they look so dainty.
There is a wonderful scented clematis montana Marleen growing through it and an old french rose [Rose 'Albéric Barbier']that I don't much like.

I always think that its crumpled white flowers look like dirty tissues stuck up a shrub. I've never even taken a proper picture of it.
I leave these three strong shrubs fighting it out amongst themselves.

I'd like to show you the very tall monastery wall at the bottom of our garden that is the only remnant after Henry VIII pulled down the main buildings. There are still traces of the old windows, now walled up. And of course, I keep on finding medicinal plants popping up over the years. Some seeds stay viable for more than 400 years it seems. I ought to make an inventory of the Monks' gifts to me, and find out what some of these old plants were used for.
Tell you one thing though: there seems to reign a sense of resentment around this area. Those Monks, driven from their home, or worse, seem to still be floating about in spirit. Some occurrances in neighbouring homes seem to be driven by evil, or at least misery. I've often speculatated exactly what did happen here in the 16th century.

Pictures not very good. Somehow they never come out right.
Anyway, this will give you an idea. At approx. 20 feet it is about three times my height.

For Nick at Floral Friday
Link below.