Several years ago we planted a small border with a colour scheme of purple, white and green dedicated to my Great Granny who was a Suffragette, was imprisoned in Holloway, went on hunger strike and was force fed. In the family but not in my possession, we have the Holloway brooch designed by Sylvia Pankhurst and given to all those incredibly brave women who fought for our right to vote. To honour her, we have our Suffragette Garden.
1. This was the garden two years ago in Spring, a bit later than now.
purple-white-and-green-garden
2. Now it is looking tired with just a few individual splashes of colour and it needs renovation. This is my main project for the moment. We want colour all year round. We have Clematis, one white and one purple for later in the year. We have Japanese Anemones and we had Tibouchina Urvilleana but it isn’t looking very well. I’m thinking of a couple of small Hebes, one white and one purple. If anyone has suggestions to help, especially plants that won’t demand too much attention, I’m all ears. The white Narcissi at the road end that were once lovely have almost all come up blind for the second year…..
Not enough colour, lots of clearing work to be done
3. There are pops of colour to be seen but fewer Crocuses than two years ago. The birds up-rooted lots of them.
Crocuses
4. Only one Hyacinth is showing and that one a bit thin.
Lonely Hyacinth and much weeding to be done
5. The Clematis is showing lots of growth and rather early so we hope there is no cold spell coming to knock it back, fairly unlikely here in Cornwall but by no means impossible.
Clematis growing well
6. And just to show you – The Holloway Brooch, on which we base our colour scheme.
Pop over to The Propagator’s blog to see more contributions to Six on Saturday from gardeners all over the world which are fascinating to read.
Helen Johnstone
February 24, 2019 at 6:44 pm
I like the colour scheme
mybeautfulthings
February 24, 2019 at 6:47 pm
Thank you. 🙂
utesmile
February 24, 2019 at 12:05 pm
I agree that garden need some attention, You will enjoy doing it though once you find the right things to plant, like one blogger answered you, that sounds really good!
CadyLuck Leedy
February 24, 2019 at 1:02 am
Wonderful story and details about your Great Granny. I love family history and think it is important to carry it forward. Many people have no idea of their roots! I can’t give you any ideas about your garden, but when I read what HeyJude wrote I know if it was me I would follow her lead………a great way to preserve your family lineage!
mybeautfulthings
February 24, 2019 at 7:46 am
Yes, I loved her ideas and will move forward with hope for a beautiful garden again to honour my Great Granny! Thank you for you comments. 🙂
Piglet in Portugal
February 23, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Wow, what happened to your Suffragette Garden. It was stunning? Do tulip bulbs only last one year?
Heyjude
February 23, 2019 at 6:54 pm
A wonderful idea!
How about anemones and dwarf irises and more crocuses? I planted Jeanne d’Arc (white) and they are gorgeous! Hebes are easy to look after. What about purple osteospermum for summer? My ‘Tresco purple’ flowers almost all year round and it is classed as hardy (though last year the snow killed it). And lime green Nicotiana with purple Aquilegia as annuals in summer. Room for a shrub? Choisya or a white Hydrangea. Summer bulbs? Ixia Spotlight (Suttons) are white with purple centres. Is it a sunny or shady area? White dahlias or chrysanthemums for late autumn.
As for the blind narcissus I would dig them up and chuck onto the compost heap and plant new ones.
mybeautfulthings
February 23, 2019 at 7:55 pm
This is a wonderful reply! Sunny in the summer and in an open area. Thank you so much. I will note all these down and let you know how we get along. 🙂
Heyjude
February 24, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Most of what I listed likes a sunny spot.
Bernice
February 23, 2019 at 4:30 pm
That is quite the story about your great granny! It is amazing what women back in the day went through for women rights. 💕💕💕
mybeautfulthings
February 23, 2019 at 5:20 pm
Yes, she must have been quite something! I’m not sure I would have that courage… 🙂
Bernice
February 23, 2019 at 8:24 pm
Me either!