Sunday 16 May 2021

The garden in May

The garden has exploded in colour and growth after the recent rain.  It is a joy!  There are quite a few photos in this post - I just can't help myself when there is so much to look at.  Above is rhododendron Tinkerbird and her flowers have opened seemingly overnight.  
What you can't get from the photos is the delicious jasmine scent from these flowers and the scent wafts around our little enclosed garden when it is sunny.
The flowers are so pretty with their delicate flush of pink.
This is a real Spring view - apple tree, bright green foliage and tulips.
The lewisias are coming into flower too.
My favourite Ballerina tulips after last night's rain.
The pink fringed tulips which I didn't plant, but which have flowered on and off for the last twenty years.
This narcissus (Pheasant's eye, or Narcissus poeticus recurvus) was one of my Granny's favourite flowers.  She would be so pleased that I am such a keen gardener.
Granny used to walk to collect us from the bus stop and walk the mile or so home.  She was a fount of knowledge about wild flowers, shrubs and trees.  That is a wonderful memory which I treasure.
Aquilegia or Granny's Bonnets. I think this is a self seeder from another plant further up the border. 
Self-seeded bluebells, but such a lovely blue, I am very happy for them to be there.
Tulip Ronaldo, still in flower, looking lovely with the raindrops.  
These have lasted really well this year.
Raindrops on roses, well, raindrops on rose leaves.  This is Olivia Rose Austin.
Another lewisia.
Finally, (well done if you have made it this far) here is Magnolia Fairy Blush.  So pretty, so reliable and really needing a bigger pot now.
White flowers with a tinge of pink, just like the rhododendron at the start of the post.  I love this time of year! 

8 comments:

  1. Hello Ellie, the tulips look even more stunning with raindrops on them. Oooh, now I do like those Lewisias... I've never had those in my garden but I think that needs to change! My grandad, like your granny, was a fount of horticultural knowledge. I just wish I remembered everything he'd told me. The Pheasant's Eye Narcissus is a beaute. Lulu x

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    1. Thanks, Lulu. The garden was looking particularly photogenic yesterday. I bought several lewisias and they have all come through winters with no problems - all living in pots. They have such lovely coloured flowers. I think I need to buy more of the pheasant's eye narcissus in the Autumn.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
    You must be so excited - and delighted.
    A woman on a bus told me something years ago which made sense to me. She said 'you can water enough to keep things alive - but they need rain to grow...'

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    1. Thanks, EC. I am delighted at the moment - my favourite time of year, lots of beautiful bright greens, setting off the flowers so well and some rain after a very dry and cold Spring. That woman on the bus was very wise.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. What gorgeous eye candy, Ellie!! Thank you for publishing these! ~Andrea xoxo

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    1. Thanks,Andrea. Plants in the garden are looking really lovely at the moment and I felt this needed to be celebrated!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. All these flowers are absolutely gorgeous but I have to say the last one for me is superior! What a fabulous photo and the raindrops are so .... real! :-) I so love the name Magnolia Fairy Blush! keep well Amanda x

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. The magnolia has had very little attention from me and probably does need re-potting or at least top dressing. However, it flowers beautifully despite my lack of attention. It is a lovely plant.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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