Alliums and osteospermums

A bit of a purple post today, due to the rather gorgeous alliums currently flowering away.  I have two varieties in the garden - Allium Gladiator above was purchased last autumn and the bulbs were HUGE!  I was expecting a suitably enormous flower head, but in fact, they have turned out to be not much larger than Purple Sensation (the other variety I have) although the stems are much thicker and more solid.

 Here is Allium Purple Sensation which has been reliable since they were planted about three or four years ago.  I have noticed that the flower heads seem a bit smaller than they were - weather conditions, or aging of the bulbs?

 Another Gladiator -  I bought three bulbs.

 Gladiator flower head close up.

 A trio of Purple Sensation.

 Just for a change, here is an osteospermum which I found at the weekend at a florist's in town.  It is only an annual, but I shall enjoy looking at the deep purply/maroon flowers over the summer.

Velvety rich purple petals - lovely!

Moroccan market

Last week there was a Moroccan Market in Lincoln High Street and Chris and I visited on the last day, Saturday.  There were a lot of metalwork teapots, lanterns, leather bags, slippers and jewellery, but it was the textiles that really appealed to me.  We did ask the stall holder's permission before taking the photos.

 I just loved the colours of these scarves - silk and velvet apparently - "and all hand woven".  The stall holders were very persuasive and  managed to persuade us to buy two things - more of those later.

 The patterns on the bowls were really beautiful.

The ceramic and metalwork bowls were particularly fascinating - intricate patterns and metalwork applied on the top.

 Then there were a couple of rug stalls where the pattern and colours almost exploded out onto a rather dull May day.

 This rug reminded me of a lovely patchwork.  Some of the squares were raised, which gave a contrast of textures.  If only I had had the money...

 It really brightened our day.

 You can see the raised areas in the design more clearly here.

 So what did we buy?  Chris bought this lovely ochre bowl with hand painted decoration and I went for a pink striped scarf.

What a fantastic market, full of exotic colours and textures.