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A blog about my garden, my inspiration to garden and things about gardening that make me happy. UK No: 1 Garden Blog 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 (Vuelio). Garden Media Guild Blog of the Year 2019

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Madam and the wonky arch

January 15, 2026

Forest Whitby Arch garden arch gardening my garden winter garden tasks

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The Blackberry Garden Plant of the Year Award 2025

January 04, 2026

althaea cannabina Blackberry Garden Plant of the Year Award Chrysanthemum Mavis Smith gardening Mad about Mangave 'Praying Hands' my garden Plant of the Month Viola Bunny Ears

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End of Month Review - December 2025

January 01, 2026

cyclamen coum Daphne Jacqueline Postill End of month review End of month view my garden pleached hornbeam

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Calmer Camellia for Christmas

December 28, 2025

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Plant of the month - Clematis cirrhosa

December 21, 2025

Clematis clematis cirrhosa clematis cirrhosa var. Freckles gardening my garden Plant of the Month winter colour

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Tree Following December 2025 - Oops

December 07, 2025

my garden quest for a quince quince brothers quince fruit Quince Major Quince Minor tree following

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End of Month Review November 2025

November 30, 2025

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Gone over, but not forgotten

November 27, 2025

Autumn garden cut flowers dried flowers my garden roses

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Get stuffed

November 20, 2025

Autumn garden dahlias Dicksonia Antarctica my garden

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The Courageous Cerinthe

November 16, 2025

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Proper Autumn

November 13, 2025

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Letter to the garden - November 2025

November 06, 2025

gardening hope my garden signs of spring

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Garden Media Guild Blog of the Year 2019

Alison Levey: I have been writing about my garden on ‘The BlackberryGarden’ blog since 2011. I am an amateur and somewhat obsessed gardener and I am based in Leicester. I write about my own garden and what inspires me to garden: gardens I have visited, plant fairs and garden shows. I also review garden related books and products. The Blackberry Garden is not a ‘how to’ blog, the aim is to talk more about the enjoyment of gardening and it is read by people who garden and people who do not, all readers and followers are very welcome.

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Feedspot Top 100 UK Gardening Blogs

Vuelio 2020

Popular Posts

Proper Autumn

It feels like we are now in proper Autumn. We are past the stage of the odd flutter of leaves, we are now at the stage of serious denudement. As I set out on my usual walk I paused to admire this sight. This tree has shed so many leaves, and there they lie, creating a shadow of leaves on the ground like an Autumn comforter to keep the ground warm for as long as possible. The forecast has been quite mild so far but as I write this there is a forecast of frost on the horizon and even some sleet. This particular day it has been raining steadily for most of the day. The leaves are sodden and gleaming; shining as much as they can when there is a serious deficit of sun. There is a definite Autumnal smell in the air: it is a little bit damply, mushroomy and snaily. I think it ought to be an unpleasant smell yet it is not, it is the smell of the season and that makes it welcome and good. It is, I suppose, the smell of the start of decay. I a...

End of Month Review October 2025

Autumn is now well and truly upon us. The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in and a chill is descending. In the front garden the Magnolia Soulangeana is starting to shed its leaves. The leaves do not rot quickly and at some point in Spring I will remove some of them from the ground to let the plants underneath get some light. I never rush to do this. The leaves form a natural mulch. The hanging basket by the front door has an interloper. I am not sure what this is, but I am letting to grow to see what it is. It has flower buds on it so I am hoping it does not get frosted and die before it flowers. Whilst the nights are starting to get a bit chilly, the dahlias have not called season's end just yet. They are still boldly growing. I pop my head into the greenhouse to see how the potatoes are doing. They are growing well. I have not furtled yet to see if I can feel any actual potatoes. If you look closely you might see a ginger t...

The Courageous Cerinthe

Regular readers will remember that last year I had the front and side garden of the house renovated. Old dead trees, the Knot Garden and a couple of sheds were removed to create more open space. This year has turned into a delight of discovery as plants have suddenly appeared especially in the gravel of the side garden. I have written previously about the field of verbascums that has appeared and the magnificent Burdock plant. The Burdock is still there, I feel I should remove it but something is holding me back. I will do it, I am sure I will do it...... This Cerinthe has popped up by one of the random rocks in the side garden. I have not sown any cerinthe for a few years and not any near here for a good couple of years. Yet here it is: not only growing, but flowering despite it being November. What has triggered the flowering I am not sure and I am quite frankly worried about it. I had wanted this plant to over Winter, flower next ...

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©Alison Levey and Blackberry Garden, 2 February 2011 to 31 December 2026. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alison Levey and Blackberry Garden with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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