28th March

Last of the Autumn Flowers

I went around my garden this morning looking at the last little splashes of colourful flowers as the leaves are starting to fall from the trees. A handful of nasturtiums, a lace cap hydrangea, and a couple of harebells was pretty much it. I always mourn the end of the paintbox coloured nasturtiums once the first frost arrives, they seem such childlike flowers, full of optimism as their vines climb about the garden, and seeding in the most unlikely places. This year a couple of ambitious plants climbed up the fence and through a rosebush by the clothesline and amused me by nodding at me against the blue sky as I hung out the washing. Flowering where they find themselves, and bringing a brightened moment to whoever notices.

6th March

Autumn is Here

For the first time for several years I have no sunflowers in my garden. I am missing them sadly and find myself peering over fences and around the edges of buildings as I pass someone else's joyfully glowing sunflowers. I have attempted to capture the hot, slightly hazy feel I get when standing in the garden surrounded by tall, pollen laden sunflowers, with the buzzing of heavy bumblebees in my ears. Next year I will have to be more vigilant and make sure I don't miss the moment to grow them. I am a bit surprised that there were no seedlings from last year's crop, but the birds were very busy last autumn and maybe they ate every last seed.

20th February

Fairies at the Bottom of the Garden


Maybe that should be 'furries'! There are often cats, other than our one, sunning themselves at the bottom of our garden! I love this time of year when everything has gone past its main growing and has become unruly! I have a big old grape vine with lots of grapes this year and self seeded nasturtiums, runner beans, and the odd escaped convolvulous that are flowering madly at the moment. The autumn has started with its cooler mornings and fine hot afternoons too, so the flowers all glow in the light. There are also a few butterflies about and the evenings are still and warm. All very attractive to fairies and furries alike as we all soak up the warmth and fruits that will see us into the winter!