Red Roses My Love

Well I have never seen such a deep purple nigella before. It was a total surprise. Where did it come from? I`ve no idea.

Today was a day to wander around the garden and enjoy the fruits of our labours, literally.

When I added these to our pick at home, I was able to make my first batch of raspberry jam. It is so satisfying to make, as it sets so quickly. Can`t wait for toast and new jam tomorrow for breakfast.

 

The lavender hedge is doing well after we removed the wire net tunnel and weeded around. The net is now behind forming a wall. I do not trust those rabbits.
 

The first dahlias are out. The variety is My Love which has proved to be a strong plant and one of the easiest to take cuttings from. 

These are the first dahlias from seed, in bloom.

Steve and I set up a strong framework for the longest stand of sunflowers, using two stakes and the old yurt frame poles. It meant that we were able to remove all the canes which are never strong enough to support fully grown sunflowers when it gets windy.

 

 

The alstromerias in this clump have survived upright. Elsewhere in the garden they have been flattened. They make a good cut flower.

 

 

These incredible red roses appear to be too heavy for their stems and I keep finding them bent over which is a good excuse to bring one home.

 

 

And finally I picked the first bunch of sweetpeas.

 

Bumble Bee Frenzy

Every year I collect a lot of poppy seed and its all pretty random, though I do keep the different types in separate envelopes. I just scatter it all over the garden and there is always a wonderful show.

But this year, the colours are amazing, deep dusky pinks in all shades, to almost purple. Is there an outside influence that has caused this? Usually the colours are mid-pinks and pale mauves.

Blended in with the foxgloves we are awash with colour. 

Just outside the garden I scattered them on the chipped bark.

When the sun shone, the bumble bees were in a frenzy to get to the nectar. We stood and watched in fascination.

The cute guinea pigs were enjoying a feast of fresh young grass.

And the very first sweetpeas were out.
 

A Better Day

A couple of days ago we had "one of those days"

Anne discovered Ermine moth caterpillar infestations in our little orchard and we spent most of the visit collecting them. With a plastic bag over my hand, I just grabbed handfuls of web, dead leaves and either bundles of eggs or tiny caterpillars. It was not pleasant and it was too windy for Neem oil spray.

The next thing we found was the rocket plants eaten from above. Not sure what by though.

And finally the wind was playing havoc with the delicate poppies and many other plants.

Luckily today was better.

The poppies are just lovely in deep shades of pink and red.

  

 

I had to clear a space for tithonia plants. They are Mexican sunflowers and a little touchy so I hope they do well in this spot.

 

 

I picked some of the redcurrants so I will be making jelly tomorrow. There were a few green ones but I`ve been picking them out. The crop is really good this year.

We began another batch of comfrey mixture. It is growing prolifically alongside the tortoise run. As I cleared it, the perfume of the honeysuckle was over-powering.

 

The very first passionflower is open. When I planted this small cutting last year alongside the fence, I never thought it would flower so quickly. There are many buds to come.

 

Today was definitely one of the better days.