and the livin’ is easy… Another earworm. Sorry! But this week summer in the northern hemisphere began although I always think of May, June and July as the summer months as August is often cooler. Saying that May has been a cool month and this last 10 days or so, a dry month. Which is…
Author: Heyjude
I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.
Spring Bulb Wrap-up 2023
I’ll start with the new bulbs purchased last autumn, all from Peter Nyssen this time: (£68.95) Iris reticulata (15cm) Fabiola: violet-blue with a darker tip, white blotch (these were incorrectly packaged) and what I did receive were Rhapsody: Blue bird blue, falls royal-blue with yellow and white rimmed blotch. Alida: pale silky blue, mid-blue fall…
Nature Photo Challenge: Haven of Peace
This week Denzil is looking at places where we find peace and tranquillity in nature. Where and what is your haven of peace, your oasis of calm? How do you benefit from going there? As I live in the countryside I am fortunate to be surrounded by nature. And my garden is a great source…
Flower Portrait: Camassia
Camassia also known as wild hyacinth, Indian hyacinth, quamash or camas is a genus of plants in the asparagus family native to North America. They like to grow in moist meadows and will naturalise and multiply. Flowering from late spring to early summer they fill the gap after the narcissus and tulips have stopped flowering…
Six on Saturday | (Chelsea) Garden Views
Given that this week has been the Chelsea Flower Show with all its media coverage I thought I’d take a look at my garden to see how the views compare. Of course we all know that the show gardens are precisely that. For show. Not for copying except some of the planting ideas may inspire…
festival of spring #10
I am going to join in with Dawn’s Festival of Spring which will last for 10 -12 weeks in celebration of this season and share something that is happening in or around my neighbourhood each week. For my final post I am going to share a few photos of the wildflowers at this time of…
Flower Portrait: Lantern Tree
Crinodendron hookerianum known as the Chilean lantern tree, is an evergreen tree in the family Elaeocarpaceae. It is endemic to Chile. A beautiful, ornamental, evergreen shrub or small tree named after the lantern-shaped, crimson to deep carmine-pink flowers, suspended from the undersides of its branches from May to August. It is perfect for a partially…
Six on Saturday | The Heat is On
After a rather chilly weekend this week has been fairly sunny and even pleasantly warm in the sunshine. I took advantage of the fine and sunny weather to pop down to my closest National Trust garden near Penzance to have a slow and gentle wander through the grounds, it is definitely rhododendron season. Wednesday saw…
festival of spring #9
I am going to join in with Dawn’s Festival of Spring which will last for 10 -12 weeks in celebration of this season and share something that is happening in or around my neighbourhood each week. Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is also known as the May Tree and is so called after the month in…
Flower Portrait: Echium
Pride of Madeira, Echium candicans, is perfect for adding a touch of drama to both exotic and cottage garden settings. Like all echiums, its flowers are adored by bees and other pollinators. Tall spikes of intense blue blooms are borne on strong branching stems in spring and summer. In milder climates, like Cornwall, it can…
Cornwall in Colours 