Stoneballs Company Summer BALL!

Recently, Stoneballs Company held it's annual summer 'ball' (such a clever play on words)
This is held to thank all our staff and friends who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to keep the ball rolling, juggling the many balls and any other ball related work themes anyone can think of. We are lucky to have such great people working for us and this is reflected in all the many messages of thanks we receive from happy customers. 
Thankfully the weather was perfect (although an early thunderstorm threatened to scupper everyone into the marquee but this soon disappeared) and a great evening was in motion. Food good. Music great. Dancing creative. Drink flowing. Conversation interesting.
Great party.

Post script

Basking as we all seem to be in the heat of summer (such glee!) Stoneballs Company ventures out of the heat (working of course) and into the shady coolness of the office to update the followers of this blog on the wonderful achievement of the QEF Garden for Joy at the recent Hampton Court Flower Show.
Deservedly, the garden was presented with a Silver Award - congratulations to co-designers Heather Appleton and Bella D’Arcy Reed.

Floral affairs...

Well - long time no write as they say - well those that start blogs and then get side tracked in mid flow. If anyone has been on tenterhooks waiting for Stoneballs' next blog entry (mum?) then the wait is over, we're back.
Yes, we know - we have missed commenting on Chelsea  but as always it was a most successful time for us (busy, busy, busy).
It's the inspiration gained by show garden revellers that is most striking - people flock to Chelsea to see exquisite and beautifully turned out gardens and go home and look at their own plots with fresh eyes, noses and ears and want to add, change revamp their plot.. It's the same as when you visit a designer show home - as soon as you get home you instantly dislike everything you have stuffed into your drab rooms. (Or am I the only one who thinks like this? Erk...) The same with Show Garden Voyeurism. Beware any jarring, misplaced, and obviously out of place plant/shrub when I get home - compost heap for you.

So, Chelsea has come and gone and well done to all those who took part. It is such a glorious way to really rock into our British 'summer', swiftly followed by Wimbledon - and then the Hampton Court Flower Show begins.
Hampton Court is a real show off for our British Heritage - with its Tudor backdrop, stunning gardens and glorious deer park. The 'new' Privy Garden is one of the most accurately reconstructed gardens because so much was recorded about the original 1702 garden. Unfortunately for the gardeners and workmen, William III died before it was completely finished (even more unfortunate for William no doubt) and all the gardeners  were so scared of not being paid that they submitted the fullest accounts for all their work. (garden designers take note) Luckily for the recent garden restorers as everything is logged and can therefore be easily recreated. 

While Chelsea's emphasis is on showy gardens (not to mention the guests), Hampton Court's has a slightly different character, focusing more on environmental issues and community issues. It is also the largest flower show in the world - good grief - that is quite an achievement and well worth a visit just for this fact alone.
Stoneballs popped down to Hampton Court this week and saw for ourselves the amount of work that goes on to transform a grassy field to the largest flower show in the world. Amazing really. And what preparation goes into every last garden, stand and exhibit. We were particularly interested as a supplier in the Queen Elizabeth's Foundation (QEF) Garden for Joy designed by Heather Appleton and constructed by  Big Fish Landscapes. Although still at the build stage when we visited it promises to be a vibrant and joyful garden. 'The QEF logo has inspired the uplifting theme of this garden. The design captures the bubbly atmosphere at QEF’s residential home for disabled young people, where every achievement, however large or small, is recognised and joyfully celebrated.' (RHS)

Good luck to the whole team involved in such a  massive but worthwhile task.

 http://qef.org.uk/
http://www.twigdomesticlandscaping.co.uk/
http://www.bigfishlandscapes.co.uk/

 

St Patrick's Day

 As a nod to our Irish friends Stoneballs Company wishes a very Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone. There will surely be loads of craic and laughs this weekend. Good craic is always social - something that would benefit all of us to do more of.

Lots of fun,social things happen in Ireland on St Patrick's day and Stoneballs Company have found a cracker of a link to blog about!



                                      Bol Chumann na hEireann or Irish Road Bowling!


This is an ancient game played by teams of players who basically hurl/chuck/lob/toss small metal balls down the road. It's a mix of bowling and golf, but the goal is to get it to the end of the line in the least number of throws.

The balls were originally made from stone - if anyone would like to use stone balls you know where to come. We're all for preserving past traditions.

Quite simple really. But the best things usually are.

Have a look at the video to see road bowling in action. Olympic sport?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12361591

1001 Uses of Balls……

It is with great cunning that we seamlessly slot the latest entry into our Blog.
February 28this soon to be upon us and although the next Leap Year is not due until 2016 we will persevere and use this date phenomenon as our starting point.
On a recent visit to Greenwich Observatory Stoneballs Company couldn’t help but be fascinated by the red Time Ball installed on the roof of Flamsteed House. (see where we have gone with this?)

This is the original Observatory building at Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675 on the instructions of King Charles II as a scientific institution for navigational research. The Royal Observatory also became the source of the Prime Meridien of the world, Longitude 0° 0' 0''. Every place on the Earth is measured in terms of its distance east or west from this point.Since the late 19th century, the Prime Meridian at Greenwich has served as the co-ordinate base for the calculation of Greenwich Mean Time. Before this, almost every town in the world kept its own local time.The Time ball station sets its clocks according to transit observations of the positions of the sun and stars and in this way keep world times and therefore dates accurate.

The bright red Time Ball on top of Flamsteed House is one of the world's earliest public time signals, informing ships on the Thames and many Londoners of the correct time. (The red ball, with a winch,was originally made of leather, which must have become like lead when soaked.) Each day, at 12.55, the time ball rises half way up its mast and at 13.00 exactly, the ball falls, and so provides a signal to anyone who happens to be looking.

Of course, if you were distracted and looking the wrong way, you had to wait until the next day before it happened again!

Always keep your eyes on the ball.

Valentine's Day

Perhaps this day should be renamed Hallmark Day or Interflora Day.

 
Most of the red roses available in the UK for Valentine’s Day are exported from Kenya where 120 million cut rose stems are shipped, most of them destined for Britain.

 Stoneballs Company could now fill its blog with information about roses but no, we have resisted that easy journal entry temptation.

If you don't want to spend vast sums on extravagantly arranged blousy red roses or the cheap garage forecourt flowers are already hanging their heads in shame on the front seat of your car, (turn the heater down) then read on.....


An alternative to show your love you have really put a great deal of thought in to a Valentine gift is an almond tree.

Van Gogh

The name Valentine is associated with the Christian Saint named Valentinus who was a priest near Rome in 270 A.D. Valentinus was imprisoned for holding wedding ceremonies for soldiers who were forbidden to marry as they were considered to be better fighters if they were single.
Before being executed for his ‘crime’ he healed the daughter of his jailer, Julia who was blind and whom he had befriended.
On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it, "From your Valentine." His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D.

It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. The almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.

Some facts to consider before the purchase of this truly romantic gift:
 
· Almond trees are in the same family as peaches and plums and the nuts grow as kernels within the fruit in the same wa
· Almonds can be grown from the nut (or seed) but it is more reliable to buy young tree, either bare root or pot grown, which will fruit in its second or third year
· Easy to grow but cropping will be light unless the right weather conditions prevail: warm, dry summers and frost-free winters
· Good drought resistance once established.
(with thanks to www.allotment.org.uk

Alternatively, a bag of almonds may be a compromise gift…..but perhaps that’s straying a tad far for some people …… healthy though.

 

Disclaimer: Stoneballs Company Blog can be held in no way responsible if the gift of a bag of almonds is not received in a welcoming manner by the recipient.

 

Shrove Tuesday / Lenten Rose



Lenten Rose at Ordnance House

The word shrove is from the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for sins by way of confession and penance. Shrove gets its name from the shriving that Christians were expected to do in order to to receive absolution before Lent begins. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of "shrovetide".Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

So, to take your mind of food if you are fasting for Lent, take a walk round the garden and gaze in wonder (similar symptom to low blood sugar level) at the gorgeous injection of colour provided by the Lenten Rose (you may need to take several walks to fully take your mind away from food if you are partaking of a serious fast, but it will be worth it to see these flowers in all their glory).

Just to confuse the Lenten Rose is actually a member of the Hellebore family (the flowers are simlar to small roses) whose early blooming season happens to coincide with Lent - injecting colour into the early spring garden after a long, bleak and dull winter-scape.
The petals of the Lenten rose are actually sepals, and do not drop as with other flowers, but last for a couple of months. Darker purple blooms often fade to a pastel pink over the 8- to 10-week bloom and fruiting period.They have coarse-textured, dissected evergreen foliage, which combines especially well with delicate foliage such as ferns or rounded foliage of hosta. Eagerly self seeding, soon small seedlings will appear in dense clusters around the plant which can be easily be transplanted to additional sites.

Enjoy this plant as spring is definitely on the way.

Chinese New Year / Feng Shui

The Chinese New Year on the 10^th February will be the year of the snake. The Chinese will buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing. It is also traditional for every family to clean the house in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red banners wishing good fortune, happiness, wealth and longevity. Much feasting will take place with families getting together to celebrate ending the night with firecrackers. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.

So, with a Chinese theme in mind we are taking a look at Feng Shui in the garden. We could have gone down the snake path (but as one who would concrete over the entire garden if one encountered a snake – deep fear and revulsion I’m afraid- I know they are perfectly harmless and good for the garden but no amount of persuasion would effect relaxation if a snake made an appearance) so for those who would prefer the snake option we refer you to the following link:

http://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/wildlife/reptiles/grass-snake.aspx

Meanwhile, back to Feng Shui……..

Chinese Feng Shui is both a science and philosophy, created to understand the harmony of nature and the natural world.
Applied to landscaping ideas or small garden design, Feng Shui offers a unique method of creating peaceful outdoor areas and proper arrangement of garden sculptures, objects and plants to attract abundance and wealth.

The theory of Chinese Feng Shui in design is that your personal spaces should work for you, providing relaxation and should bring comfort, peace and joy into your life. Design is an important element that protects the house and occupants and attracts wealth whilst being relaxing and pleasing to the eyes, radiating positive energy.

Good Feng Shui in the garden means a dynamic harmony of sounds, colours, images and movements using the 5 natural elements.  And what better way to bring good energy than with beautiful garden sculptures – especially those using the Earth element which is represented by soil, rock and stone.

Our favourite way to add the Earth element to a garden is with stone balls.  The round shape of the garden ball provides the Feng Shui energy of completion, while the surface colour and texture bring additional elements for each area of your garden. The sphere shape in Feng Shui reduces negative energy and helps in the flow of energy around the garden. All good stuff.

                       Stoneballs Company wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year 2013

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Pinterest

We've started a board on Pinterest - click on the link to take you there.

We are pinning a wide range of images of spherical shapes found in gardens - quite a regular occurence when you really start to look - which shows how important the sphere shape is in nature and the man made landscape.

Burns Night....

Quite a tenuous link here but what the heck - Stoneballs Company has very firm Scottish links!

Today is Burns Night which is celebrated in Scotland on or around January 25. It commemorates the life of the bard Robert Burns, who was born on January 25, 1759. and contributed a great deal to Scottish culture - Auld Lang Syne being but one ditty.

So, in honour of Robert Burns we turn our attention to Scotland today and the link here is the carved Neolithic stone balls found in parts of Scotland.

These are a uniquely Scottish find with over 400 found especially in Aberdeenshire, .
Many of the carved stone balls found have 6 carved 'knobs' / bosses or have intricate designs but some are plain and all are similar in size.

The uses of the stone balls found is unknown but many theories abound. Were they weapons, a throwing game, weighing stones or luck charms? 

For further information click the link.....

http://www.ashmolean.org/ash/britarch/highlights/stone-balls.html

Snowdrops / National Garden Scheme

Despite the wintry weather much of the country is currently suffering from, it's not too long before the first signs of
Spring appear - snowdrops being the first sign that all is not lost! Many gardens will soon be open to visitors to see the carpets
of this very welcome bulb.

Current research reveals that it isn't just a pretty sight but
can be used in the treatment of headaches, as a poison antidote and most interestingly as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease which is associated with a drop in acetylcholine levels. Galantamine derived from the snowdrop bulb may stop or delay the decline, helping to maintain memory according to studies by Dr Melanie-Jayne Howes of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

So, if you can remember do visit a local display near you. Check out the Yellow Book published by the National Garden Scheme (NGS) to find a local garden with Spring displays. (Pictured is last years display at Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire.)

Every year the National Garden Scheme across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors. Most of the gardens are privately owned and open for a few days each year. Some gardens open as part of a group with the whole community involved. The gardens give all the money raised directly to the NGS (including from the sale of teas and plants); the only exceptions being in some cases they ask that a small proportion goes to a nominated local charity.


Postscript:It was great news that Terry And Vanessa Winters are now listed in the Yellow Book so visitors who follow their blog and the creation of Ordnance House Garden will be able to enjoy seeing their new garden first hand. Follow the link for opening days.

http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/gardenfinder/garden.aspx?search=type:advanced-pc:sp5+1je-d:5-dr:6&id=29680

Snow Days

Hoping to avoid losing more shrubs (as we have in previous years) – we have invested in horticultural fleece. Our once 6 feet tall Phormium Tenax was reduced to a rotting stump a couple of years ago in similar snow bound weather. After stripping away the rotting leathery strap leaves (no mean task) we have nurtured and encouraged it back to life. Now the gorgeous, tender young leaves are wrapped up (and securely pegged down) in their duvet like fleece and hopefully will survive the cold spell.

Other snow bound shrubs have had the snow knocked off which may bend branches and bubble wrap swathe the pots on the terrace.

Snow days are a good time to have a look at the structure of the garden as the dark wood of shrubs stand out and you can see the role (if any) they play in the structure of the border. Are they spaced optimally? Clustered in unpleasing groups? Make a note and move them when the weather improves.

Snow days are also a good time to plan ahead on planting. If you care to follow trends in gardening current trends include Kniphofias (easy to grow and great impact in the border) clipped evergreens, Hydrangeas (very versatile as climbers or border shrubs) and (our favourite) Umbellifers are a huge favourite with designers and cover a range of plants – our favourites include Angelica archangelica, Astrantium and Fennel – all give a wayward and romantic look to the border.