continuation

Eventually the day dawned, the day the precious plants were to arrive. The Baron had ordered them all from Kew Gardens in Capital, they had been tended on their long journey by an expert sent by Kew to help Old Joe to get the very best from these plants. Old Joe may only be an old head gardener, but his whole life revolved around his precious garden and plants. Learning about new species was something he really enjoyed, learning all he could helped his alleged green fingers.

Finally the large covered lorry arrived, it was a very unusual sight hereabouts as there were so few motor vehicles, horse power was still the order of the day.  William, the expert got down from the front of the lorry and came to Joe, they introduced themselves and shook hands. Like Joe, William was enthusiastic about plants. Joe took him and showed him the glass house and all that had been done with the staging and trellises etc, William was delighted, “This will do very very nicely, they will thrive and enjoy themselves here.” he told Joe.

Old Joe blew a whistle he kept in his pocket, and soon along came Jethro complete with a large handcart. Now the three of them could start to unload the precious cargo from the confines of the lorry. It took an age to unload everything, plant after plant appeared, there were tree’s, shrubs, all manner of exotic and succulents with fabulous foliage. Many took Old Joes breath away with their beauty and scent. Slowly they moved all the plants into their new home, taking great care and paying great detail to attention they listened as William shared his knowledge on each species. All of this was filed away in Old Joes head, he never forgot anything, whereas Jethro had employed pen and paper, noting down the names, feeding and watering habits. They spent the entire day placing the plants to their best advantage, the final ones to be placed were the climbers, they were gently transferred into the beds prepared for them and attached to the awaiting trellis.

The final climber to Old Joes delight was a grape vine, he had made a special place for this, with it’s own latticed framework, it had it’s own list of do’s and don'ts with it. Joe was delighted, he had never grown a grape vine before and was very keen to do so, it would become his pride and joy he thought.

Weeks passed, everything had settled in well, and some had even grown a tad. Now that Old Joe was happy with the new acquisitions, he sent word to the Baron that he and the Baroness should come and visit the glass house.