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Agatha Christie's Greenway (Devon, England) - The House

I can think of two places that we visited where I enjoyed the house more than the gardens. The first was Greenway, not for the house itself, which was surprisingly small and cramped, but for the history behind it and the fascinating mementos on display. Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan were enthusiastic collectors. You can see their collections on display throughout the house - European and Oriental ceramics, pottery, African tribal masks, Egyptian artifacts, Tunbridge ware, china, trinkets, and books. The Morning Room has a portrait of Agatha Christie as a child and her doll Rosie, sitting in a chair - The Drawing Room was where the family would gather in the evenings. Christie would entertain guests by reading chapters from manuscripts of her latest books.  Agatha Christie's bedroom. Max always slept on a smaller portable traveling cot (you can see part of it in the foreground). It was his favorite bed and he carried it with him on all of his archaeological travels. N...
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Rainy Sunday


A second rainy Sunday in a row but I am not complaining. 64 degrees was the high today. I moved here for this kind of weather. 

 I don't necessary enjoy working in a wet garden though and did not get much accomplished today. I planted some things yesterday afternoon after work and forgot to get some autumn crocus in the ground. So I planted those between taking photos.

The autumn crocus that was already here are blooming. I am not sure exactly what they are - colchicum maybe?


I added some of these -


Taking a look around the wet garden -
I am getting ready to work on the center steps between the terraces. Those are the reason for the random stones. The railroad-tie steps are too steep so I am going to add some pavers and hope that will work.


Around front between the front borders. The grass, which has been unwatered, is just now returning to green. There are many bare spots. I plan to redo this pathway next year. 

I've never really been a big fan of hibiscus but this 'Midnight Marvel' is growing on me. In Alabama, they were always eat up with holes from insects feasting on them. So far, that hasn't been a problem here. 

Rose 'Golden Celebration'


Persicaria 'Blackfield'

Callicarpa 'Profusion' (Beautyberry)

Begonia grandis 'Heron's Pirouette'
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. chavlinessSeptember 23, 2019 at 7:43 AM

    The pink crocus has popped out in my garden too, but now that you mentioned it, there is no sign of crocus sativa yet; I harvest the saffron if I get to it before the rain destroy the blooms. Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' is very nice! I love that amazing dark foliage.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 23, 2019 at 10:22 AM

      I may try to harvest the saffron. That sounds like fun!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 23, 2019 at 1:29 PM

    I hear ya about the hibiscus being eaten alive. Mine looks shredded. Maybe the bugs don't recognize the dark leaves?? My crazy fall crocus don't bloom. The green comes up during the spring but not a bloom the past few years. Maybe I need to move them. I miss them. Your garden looks so lush. I hope the stones help with the steps.

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  3. SallysmomSeptember 24, 2019 at 10:44 AM

    Oh, my, amazing how much you have done. It is beautiful!

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