plum fruits set

Our garden redesign last year saw a sunny, sandy south-facing side of the garden planted with shrubs, herbs and fruit. Here it is, one year on. The fence is still stark and awaits cloaking with climbers, but we have a clear idea of where we are going from this photo.

The foliage on the plants gives good contrast and interest. In this section there's a black currant and a Victoria plum. The thymes and other herbs planted along the path in front of the bed established well last year and clearly liked the sunny, free-draining conditions. Insects love flowering herbs - so this is especially good for wildlife.

The Victoria plum can be seen on the right of the photograph to the rear. Plums flower early, and so succumb to frosts. Here, the little white flowers have been pollinated and small fruits have set.