Sunshine and showers.

I am not a fair weather gardener.     I love to be out in the elements.

Today, has been a day, of sunshine and showers.       I must confess I quite enjoy working in the rain, providing it is not too heavy.      

I cannot believe tomorrow is the longest day......the Summer Solstice.

How quickly time passes...........

I always feel so happy when I am in the garden.

Sometimes I just sit......

and let everything flood in.

There is always something to surprise......

Gardens are such mystical, magical places.

Flowers are in profusion,

mallows are amongst my favourites,

and just perfect for this cottage garden.

Aquilegia 'Dragonfly'.      So nice to see her blooming amongst the grasses.     I never used to like yellow blooms.   I love to see them in the garden now,  they always brighten the dullest day.

Happy Summer Solstice.........

A day in the life of a wildlife gardener.

Each day the mallards come to take a bath in the pond.    They leave such a mess, plants upturned, and worse of all they disturb the sediment at the bottom of the pond, which blocks the filter.    We all prefer to wash in clean water....I suppose it is the same for ducks.

Sawfly larvae are stripping the silver birch trees.    I remember the words of Piet Oudolf (my hero) "Such instances pass, and most plants have evolved to cope with such onslaughts."

The pigeon is back, I think he is ringed.   He looks healthy.....well he would be, this restaurant caters for everyone's taste.

Butterflies are back.   Not in huge numbers, but they are here. 

So many species in decline.   When they visit the garden, for a brief moment in time, I feel everything is right with the world.

Leucanthemum 'goldrush' a new planting....temptation is a terrible thing.

Evening Primrose......a weed to some....wildflower to me.

Cerinthe planted in the border.   I have not done this before, I usually keep them in pots.   They are growing into 'mini shrubs' and look absolutely exquisite.  Note to self: do this next year!

Maltese Cross spreads like wildfire in this garden.    I like her, especially when mother nature gives a helping hand and ox-eye daisies appear beside her.

Oh dear, another new planting.    I told you temptation is a terrible thing.    Veronica grandis.....well she is lovely, isn't she?     And of course, the bees will love her more than I do....

Rambling Rector and I have had such a battle.   I gave him the best of everything but for two years he failed to bloom.    I was about to give up on the 'Rector', so pleased I didn't, for now he scrambles through elder and is such a pretty sight.  More than that, his perfume is exquisite, and delights this gardener from dawn till dusk.      As I stand taking in his beauty I hear the skylark sing.   I walk to a clearing, I cannot see him, he is too  high but I can hear him.   I think of Gramps and recall how many times we stood together looking at the sky......looking for the skylark.

I go inside to find my treasure box.    Photographs, precious images, of my time spent with Nannie and Gramps.      Sweet memories......I loved to feed the rabbits....Ha:) I am still doing that now.

Just had to show you this one.   My Nannie had found me in the goose pen, I was feeding them.   Everyone else was frightened of them and would not go in without a stick to 'shooo' them away.
They never hurt me but then I liked them.    Nannie really told me off....and Dad took the photograph.   I think my face says it all.   Mr P always says my facial expressions say more than words ever can.....I think he may be right.....Ha:)

Candy floss and fairy castles......

The blooms of Sorbaria remind me of candy floss...fluffy and light.

Bees are attracted to the blooms.   I wish I could be a bee for a day and spend my time visiting flowers.

The seeds of the honey lilly are very beautiful.   They remind me of fairy castles.

If you plant en masse your imagination can run wild...........

Someones secret summer, someones silent thoughts.

I walked the garden yesterday with my brother.

We are kindred spirits. We are similar in nature.

We talked about our parents. The changes sadden us both.
We work as a team, we share responsibility.

As he was leaving he told me how beautiful the garden looked.

Of course, I think it is beautiful but I am always surprised when someone else does.I love every inch of this garden. Before I moved here, I would day dream, imagining how the garden would look.

It has been with me all my married life.

If I live to be hundred, it will not be long enough to garden. I think I may garden in heaven. Ha! That is, of course, if I reach such high places.

Several weeks ago, when I walked the woods with Riley and Poppi, I stumbled across this rusty seat frame. How could anyone have such lack of respect for such a beautiful area. I carried it back to my daughters house and when I left put it in the car. I knew I could find a use for it (in the garden) and sure enough I did.

Hot, heady days......

"Nanna, look at all your lovely flowers." Poppi said, as she sat amongst the buttercups. She brought a smile to my face but then she always does. The dry hot weather continues, and as with most things there are some advantages, like ripe alpine strawberries. Poppi and Riley soon cleared them.

Honeysuckle is in bloom around the garden. The scent during the evening has been wonderful and attracted many moths.
Oriental poppies were cropped by the rabbits in early Spring. They have bloomed more freely and have not grown so tall. An advantage in this windswept garden.

Hemerocallis 'Europa' grown by the previous owner. It has taken me a long while to love these simple flowers but love them I do. The original 'orange tawny' was grown by the herbalist John Gerard in the early 17th century.

Sisyrinchium.......such a delightful plant. It does not like water around it's roots and has made it's home in the gravel drive. It is more than welcome to stay....I love the buttery blooms.

Hypericum, a lovely bee plant. This one is a dwarf variety and frequents the alpine troughs.

So far this year, the lillies have not been eaten alive by the dreaded 'lily beetle'.
I have seen them in the garden.........






Clematis abound.......most of them are cheap buys. This one hides some ugly netting.





Elder black lace, a particular favourite of mine. I have around eight shrubs in the garden now. Taking cuttings each year, potting them on and then into the garden.





Sweet William, I have not seen this for years. It has also appeared in the gravel drive...what a gift.

I was determined this year to get Cosmos to bloom early. I sowed seeds in February, and kept them in the house. As the seedlings grew I potted them on, eventually putting them in the garden (around a fortnight ago). This is the first bloom, I am so thrilled. This is a dwarf variety so hopefully they will not flip flop all over the place.






This lovely plant arrives each year. It has spread around the garden. I love the delicate flowers........I wonder where it came from.





This is my favourite clematis and was left by the previous owner. It scrambles through the old pear tree and blooms for weeks on end.


Lavender, who doesn't love lavender. I could not have a garden without lavender growing in it.....
Sweet peas are in bloom.....gorgeous.



Cerinthe Major....my all time, favourite annual.





A new purchase, couldn't resist, and it is just perfect for this garden. Aruncus dioicus (sylvester)........it is just beautiful. It should grow in leaps and bounds reaching a height of 120 - 180 cm (4 - 6ft).


Angelica is the plant for any bee lover. Mine is positively buzzing......



I always plant my tomatoes in tubs on the patio. I have never known them to fruit so early. If the weather continues to be as warm, it will not be too long before I am picking them.


I have found the garden a struggle this year. The dry, hot weather, has been exhausting. I now have a virus, which has been with me for five days. Constant headaches and painful joints are stopping me from gardening. Hopefully it will pass soon and I can get on with all the chores that are mounting up.





Hope you are enjoying your weekend.......