Named after the huge Rouge de Bordeaux fig that shades the terrace nearby this is one of the two beds dedicated to culinary and healing herbs, cottage garden flowers and old roses. This is the most shaded of the two and is dominated by a  delicate Rosa Mutabilis Chinensis, sometimes known as the butterfly bush. The densely-leaved bay tree, so long a resident of this bed was replaced in spring 2011 by a Neville Copeland crabapple. with its dusky pink blossom and wine red fruits. The hope is for enough fruit for a jar or two of glowing jelly. Duchess de Nemours peonies, white dicentra and a deep burgundy Louis X1V rose live here too, along with white phlox and other butterfly and bee-friendly perienials.
    Last year I finally removed the sage that had grown woody and replaced it with a patch of wine coloured day lilies. I shall miss the soft grey leaves of the sage but a new plant has been dug in further up the garden. The Louis XIV rose seems to appreciate the green tea leaves with which I anoint it on a regular basis.
    The copper, apricot and rose-pink flowers of the Mutabilis Chinensis have long added grace and delicate charm to this bed. In just four years it has become a vast, sprawling bush and is edging the herbs out. I don't mind.  The fennel that winds its way up through the darker Louis XIV roses lends a light, airy touch. The bay is magnificent even in the depths of  winter, though the whole bed is becoming shaded by the nearby fig tree. I had intended to prune it this year but have decided to let it cast its cooling shade over the garden table.
    The herbs have been moved to pots this year. With the exception of rosemary, bay and comfrey, they are not happy in my rich garden soil. Planting in pots allows me to give the oregano, thymes and tarragon the gravelly soil on which they are happiest. This year they are scattered down the kitchen steps onto the terrace along with larger pots of Spearmint, Moroccan and garden mint, together with tubs of Tradescant roses and black violas.