Tara's June Letter

June brings longer, warmer days and, with luck, plenty of summer sunshine. As I write, the scent of summer blossom is all around. The air smells sweet, and a gentle warm breeze carries the hum of the bees, which love the nectar-rich plants in our garden.

The month of the rose

June is the month of the rose, and my white climbing rose 'Rosa Wedding Day' never fails to impress, producing beautifully lavish blooms year after year. Her beauty is breathtaking: the pure white flowers sparkle like lights against her rich green leaves, and most years she flowers until the end of November.

The long days of June leave so much time to enjoy the outdoors after a day at work; I am often still pottering in the garden, glass of wine in hand, well after 9 pm. These lengthy evenings in the garden are to be treasured.

Memories truly are treasures no one can steal.

Memories of the veranda

I grew up in the tropics, where the houses have beautiful verandas all the way round: wide, open spaces for relaxing, with the fragrance of jasmine climbing around the house.

As a child in Sri Lanka, I spent many hours on the veranda, playing cards and eating mangoes we had picked by scrambling up the trees, then nursing bruised knees while lounging on rather nostalgic Lloyd Loom chairs.

I still remember the scent of roses all around, and my grandmother gathering the petals to make delicious rose tea, which we sipped on the veranda while she recited beautiful tales of faraway places.

Summer living outdoors

This is the month to celebrate the outdoors with picnics and summer gatherings. Time spent outside, away from our technological world, has become so important. Even a small outdoor area is precious: a place to connect with nature, a breathing space in which to relax and entertain friends and family with good food and a jug of Pimm's, for this is the season of Pimm's.

Food and drink taken outdoors on a summer's evening is a magical affair. To make outdoor dining special, bring out a pretty tablecloth, a few cushions and cosy throws, and dress the garden table with empty jam jars filled with flowers from the garden. Finish with tea lights on the table, and let the party begin.

For summer-living inspiration, the 'Spirit of Summer' fair at Olympia London is well worth a visit. It has everything for stylish summer living, showcasing home and garden interiors, fashion and beauty, great food and champagne tasting, with experts on hand to show you how to lay a beautiful tablescape and refresh your living spaces, inside and out.

A long-held ambition is a visit to Glyndebourne's famous gardens for a picnic and an opera; that is something to look forward to.

Make the most of these long, delightful days. Dine alfresco, whether in your own garden or with a picnic in the park, where a mini banquet is the perfect way to enjoy the season. Or hold a summer soirée in your garden, your own sanctuary, and enjoy the simple pleasures with your loved ones.

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