Lovely blooms.......

Yesterday Poppi and I visited Elder Care. We went to speak about gardening for wildlife. Great Grandma (on the right) looked on with pride, as Poppi talked about the flowers.

Poppi is shy ........she started to relax.....

She liked the retired bee keeper.......Poppi is a bee person.......

Maureen thought Poppi was the prettiest bloom......I thought Maureen looked extremely elegant......

Eric was our favourite....97 years young and a retired farmer. I could have listened to him for hours. He has lived in our village all his life and knew much about the land and the old ways. As we went to leave he told me he had written a book about his life. I was stunned when he said "Would you like to read it?" I said "It would be a priviledge." I am looking forward to receiving it, I am sure it is going to be most interesting and that I will learn much about a bygone age......

Gardening in the afternoon.....and look a coneflower.....several have popped up around the pond. I lost most of my plants, but some have thankfully survived.

There is also one coming into bloom in the circular bed......I really love these blooms.........they remind me of friends across the pond......
This beautiful white foxglove should be in bloom May/June......she is late but worth waiting for........

My little white globes (Echinops) are pulling in the bees and all sorts of flying insects......

and just take a look at this little beauty.......Cosmos seashells......

isn't she just so perfect. Thank you Beckie, thank you Rose.....will think of you both as I sit by the pond sipping tea.......

and finally the Oriental Lily 'Time Out' is in bloom. Her perfume is overpowering but quite intoxicating. It is lovely to walk out into the garden as the sun goes down and smell her perfume on the evening air........

Cottage gardening......

My father is a cottage gardener.......

His chaotic planting........

and lack of colour co-ordination......

irritate my mother. Neat rows and park like landscaping is her way.
As a child I would help Dad in the garden......
happy to dig in the garden that danced with bees and butterflies.
As I walked the garden today I realised.....I am without doubt.......following my fathers path.

What is the secret of a cottage garden's charm? Cottage gardeners are good to their plots, and in the course of years they make them fertile. But there is something more and it is the absence of any pretentious 'plan', which lets the flowers tell their story to the heart.

William Robinson 1883.

Sunday Safari.

I have a new friend. The Blue Tit followed me to the bee and butterfly garden....

I started this border in the autumn last year........and planted in the spring....

Native and non natives........mixed together in a large bed........I have been so pleased with the results. I am going to enlarge this border when the weather cools down.....

A silver Y moth hitches a ride on verbena bonariensis.....

The beautiful peacock on Buddleja Davidii......

Comma on another variety of the butterfly bush......

A Painted lady sunbathing......

Red Admiral on another Buddleja......

Pretty Speckled Wood on our native fleabane.......it has been a wonderful summer for butterflies.....they like this border........and I am loving it to.

Our native plantain....common, easy to grow and important to insects and birds. I am particularly fond of this little bloom. I love its simplicity..........

I had a wonderful safari....even the rear end of this little bunny did not bother me today...........well it did a bit.......

Quiet times.....

Teasel petals.........

bird feathers......

caught on a spiders web.....

make the perfect dream catcher.

An Emperor dragonfly came to say goodbye.......

I watched a kestral.......and time stood still.

Sunday safari

It is party time at the teasel's. I believe the invitation read 'All bugs welcome.'

First to arrive were the hoverflies,

I watched them fly in......

The bees were next, and they took up most of the feeding areas......

The cabbage white sat alone just enjoying the moment.

The rich coloured Peacock came in full dress, no tattered wings for her......

The Five Spot Burnet moth flew in and all the birds took flight. She is extremely poisonous.....

The Gate Keeper refused the invitation.....sweet marjoram was just too much of a temptation......
A hush descended as she made her entrance......the underwings showed her pretty pink patch as she fed on nectar.......

She is the painted lady...........

Quote: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.......

A sweet bird.......

As I gazed from the bedroom window this morning I noticed a bird bouncing across the garden. I knew from experience not to go out, as the bird would take flight without any hesitation. I got my camera and just hoped it would come a little closer. I eventually got one photograph.......click to enlarge.....

A juvenile mistle thrush.....what a lovely surprise.......

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Birds and blooms......

This time of year, my mind drifts towards Autumn. I start to plan. Changes for next year.

But this is July, I must make the most of this time.....enjoy the garden.......

I have given the birds so many places to hide here....it is difficult to find them but I hear them all the time.....and see them on the feeders. Today a juvenile male chaffinch sat in the branches of the old apple tree.

The chaffinch is such a soft looking bird........and this little chap seemed ok with my camera......

He stayed for quite a while......
and his sister joined him.

I am delighted to see that the Echinops is just getting ready to bloom......

this one has just started to grow some hair. When they are in full bloom I shall post again....they will be covered in insects.....they are insect magnets......