Thursday 30 July 2009

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........



19 comments:

Roses and Lilacs said...

I hope you tell us a little about the old gentleman's book after you read it. You blooms are so lovely.

This is my first season to grow cosmos and I wish I'd started growing them years ago. Wonderful, long blooming plants. My oriental lilies are just opening too. Need to get a photo soon.
Marnie

Cheryl said...

Dear Marnie......I am looking forward to receiving the book....At 97 he may forget, but if I do receive it I wil let you all know.

I have always grown cosmos but I have to say I love seashells...I am so grateful Beckie and Rose for thinking of me.......

marmee said...

what a lovely day...i bet you made a lot of people's day when you visited elder care. i am sure there was some fascinating lives in that room. poppi must have brightened up their day.
you really have to find that book if he forgets i am sure it is a treasure.
that cosmos seashells looks so feminine...i love it. my cosmos are very slow growing this year...due to rain and cooler temperatures i imagine. i really love them though...maybe august will be their month. i love all your blooms...they seem delicate and perfect for your garden...as always it's been delightful visiting you.
happy summer!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

What a great post, please tell us about the book written by the elder gentleman after you read it.

Liz said...

Lovely photos, Poppi is such a little cutie :)

I love the white foxglove, I've been on the hunt for some myself this year and hopefully some of the young Foxgloves I planted a few weeks ago will be white!

Lovely Cosmos, I've never heard of that one before! Hmmmmmm I can feel an obsession beginning... ;)

Cheryl said...

Happy summer Marmee....I am not sure if the book is in print or hand written....we will see....

I had a lovely morning....so interesting to hear about the area, bee keeping and how the elders gardened....

Cosmos is a beautiful bloom...mine have done very well this year. I have hardly had any rain, so perhaps this suits them......

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz....I shall keep seeds from foxglove and cosmos for you. Of course the foxgloves are often cross pollenated, although I did keep a white this year, which surprised me.....
The cosmos is gorgeous....I can't stop looking at them at the moment....they start all sort of crinkly and shy....when they open fully they are just so pretty......

Will send you an assortment of seeds in the autumn sometime.....

Libby said...

How lovely, I think its lovely when young and old meet!!!
I look at your beautiful garden and think maybe I should return to the cottage garden look, I have tried it but everything flops and leans as it reaches and searches for the sun, which is hidden by massive Silver birch in my neighbours which are very closely planted!

Rose said...

Cheryl, I'm sure your talk was a big hit with the seniors, but I have a feeling Poppi was the star of the show:) I can see the delight in their eyes visiting with such a sweet little princess. I'm sure you brought a great deal of joy to everyone there.

I'm so happy your coneflowers are blooming! You mentioned once that you had purchased some of the newer hybrids but didn't have much luck with them. I haven't tried any of those yet, but the old standard which I grow is definitely the easiest to grow. If I thought they'd survive the shipping, I could send you dozens of seedlings:)

So happy to see your cosmos blooming--mine are, too; I will have to show them in a post one day.

NCmountainwoman said...

What a wonderful experience for Poppi. The elderly have so much to teach us if only we would listen. I love this post and will be back again and again to look at the charming photographs. thanks

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

What a wonderful time at Elder-Care. I know Poppi was like a breath of fresh air to all.

What a treasure to be invited to read a book by someone 97! The changes he has seen! If you do get to read it, I hope you will be able to share some of it with us.

Cheryl said...

Hi Libby....I have to say you are absolutely right.My gardens are full of plants that flop even in full sun. Fertile soil makes them grow way beyond the height they should, so even when I stake the tops flop....but hey that is what my garden is all about....the wild look!!!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I am sure you and Poppi were a breath of fresh air for the Elders. Of course Poppi is the prettiest bloom no question of that.

Ruth said...

What a lovely picture of Maureen and Poppi! I am sure they all loved your beautiful little granddaughter.

beckie said...

Cheryl, Poppi is quite the wildlife emissary. She seems to be enjoying it as much as her audience.

I'm glad you like the cosmos-my white ones are bee magnets, Yeah Coneflowers! The pink ones reseed themselves so freely here. I hope they do they same for you.

Have a great weekend!

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
What a remarkable day you and Poppi shared with the Elders. Remarkable that Poppi has you and you honor those that have walked before you. Taking her, to be part of this generational passing down of information and care, shows how respectful you are. I am honored to call you friend. Reading Eric's book will be a treasure. He "saw" you! Amazing time.
So lovely to have flowers from friends. I can smell lilies all the way across the big blue pond and the wide Prairie!
Lovely time with you this morning. I am off to hunt bugs!
Sherry

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

What a fun day for all involved. I hope you'll share some of what's in that book. Your own grandmother is still living? Wow, that's great! :)

Cheryl said...

Hi Monica.....Poppies gt. grandmother......my mother in law!

Tootie said...

I enjoyed reading about your visit. You must feel so honored that the gentleman liked you enough to offer to share the story of his lifetime with you.

I have never heard of a stoat. Now I have to go look that up. :-)