Our native Maiden Pink grows in the southern half of England and is now on the Red Data list. A few years ago I managed to source some plants from a wildflower supplier. They are now thriving in the garden. These dainty little flowers attract many insects including butterflies. 
Common valerian, another UK native, has the most wonderful scent. I bought a plant several years ago........it has self seeded all around the garden.
Persicaria amplexicaulis Firetail.........a new plant to the garden. It spreads rapidly, and the pretty flowers dance around in the breeze. It is also a great support for other blooms in the borders.
This is Riley's favourite flower........iris germanica.......he loves the colour and the beard.......
This is one of my favourites at the moment. Another cheap purchase from the supermaket......
Paeonia lactiflora 'Shirley Temple'..........what can I say.....she is absolutely beautiful.
Sisyrinchium.......I really do like the pretty buttery blooms. Whilst they only last one season, they are great at self seeding, so you never lose them.
Sisyrinchium.......I really do like the pretty buttery blooms. Whilst they only last one season, they are great at self seeding, so you never lose them. I do not have a name tag for the clematis.....she has reached the top of the pear tree and is in full bloom.......
It is hot and humid today....a little too hot for me. The swallows are enjoying the heat and visit the garden frequently. They arrived from Africa around six weeks ago......always a joy to know they have returned to our part of the world.
It is a good year, so far, for bees.......
the gardens are positively buzzzzzing......
I am thrilled that the plantings are attracting more and more of these important creatures......where would we be without them??
Also lots of caterpillars.....if anyone can help with the id of this one, I would be more than grateful.
And finally the speckled yellow, a familiar sight along woodland paths during June and July. This pretty moth is found mostly in SE and SW England. I believe also north Wales (but I am not absolutely certain). They lay their eggs on wood sage, and dead-nettles...........I have both in the garden, so fingers crossed.Enjoy your weekend and happy gardening...........
25 comments:
Your pinks are beautiful. I bought a hybrid of some sort this summmer to fill in a little color here and there. All of your wildflowers are beautiful. I love to see what grows in your garden. Riley has great taste in Iris. Wow, the clematis is a wonder growing so high. The speckled yellow is a cutie too. We don't have a butterfly that looks like that. I will look at my caterpillar book when I get home, I am at work now. I don't remember that one but it might be in my book. Cheers.
Thanks Lisa.....that is really kind of you. I have looked through my books and seen some that are very similar. I must say I struggle with id for the caterpillars.....
Hi Cheryl
I love 'Shirley Temple'!
I use valerian a fair bit in teas and as an essential oil in the bath (when I can't sleep), but I had no idea the plant was so pretty!
Lovely to see you have red list plants thriving in your garden.
Dan
-x-
Hi Dan.....shirley temple is pretty gorgeous.
Valerian is a beautiful plant and the perfume is quite lovely. I am lucky it does so well here.
Growing wildflowers is a passion of mine. We have lost so many of our natives.....I wish everyone would just grow a few.......
Beautiful flowers and blooms. Cool shots of the caterpillar and the pretty moth.
Very pretty pictures, hot and humid for over a month here, sweltering days and nights, take care, Gina
Hi Cheryl, I love Valerian--it sure does self sow. Cats like it too. I never noticed a particular scent, but it supposedly has calming properties. Does Red Data list mean a plant that is threatened?
What amazing color combination on your lovely flower! Very beautiful - and great closeups! Iflorist.co.uk
Hi Monica....yes that is right. It does mean the plant is endangered, threatened or very vulnerable.....
Hi Cheryl,
Well, there you go, learn something new every day! I never realised pinks were actually natives, they seem too 'blousy' to have been a native flower :D
It does look lovely and I may give them more respect now!
I wish we had as many flowers in bloom, one day - one day!!!!!
(I know I keep saying that)
I hope you've had a nice weekend and have managed to get plenty of jobs done :)
Cheryl, I love that first photo of the bee in the pink bloom! You should frame that one and hang it on a wall somewhere--so pretty. I got a start of valerian this spring, but mine doesn't look nearly as pretty as yours. I didn't realize it was a self-seeder, too--I seem to have planted a lot of those in my butterfly garden:)
You asked about Beckie in a comment recently--she's doing fine, just very, very busy lately. In fact, we spent the day together yesterday. I told her you had asked about her, so perhaps she'll e-mail you soon.
Cheryl,
What a gorgeous photo of the Speckled Yellow, not something we see here in West Wales at all. It must have a very specific area. Can't help with the caterpillar I'm afraid but will look through my moth id book just in case I can spot it. I love your plants. We seem to grow similar things in our gardens but I'm afraid I regret the day I sowed those valerian seeds. It is a voracious self seeder and I am now resorting to pulling it out wherever I see it as it chokes everything in sight. I know it has great benefit for wildlife but nothing else can get a look in! Lesley
Hi Cheryl, I read this post last night and have spent some time trying to identify your caterpillar...to no avail I'm afraid :( I will try again though, when I have a moment.
Your blooms are as lovely as always, Shirley T really is beautiful!
I had never seen or heard of the Speckled Yellow until I saw yours yesterday and since then have seen one on another blog.
Hi Liz.....the maiden pink is very delicate. The blooms are really tiny. I decided to plant them a few years as they are struggling in the wild. I am so glad I did as they certainly draw in the bugs......
You have many lovely flowers in your garden Liz and remember you can enjoy the lovely astrantia and other blooms that I cannot because of my rabbit problem.
Enjoy your garden......
HI Rose.....tku, I liked that photograph, it is pretty. Sometimes we just get lucky....
Valerian is lovely....I have never regretted planting it. I must say though that some people are finding it very invasive. I have found it to be a gentle invader....my soil is heavy clay so perhaps that is why.
That's fine Rose...tku for letting me know that Beckie is ok. No need for her to email, just glad that she is not unwell......
Have a lovely week.....
Hi Lesley....I understand what you are saying. Valerian is not that aggressive in my garden....your soil must suit it better.
I have a problem with purple loosestrife. Although I love it, it is getting out of hand. To try and dig it out is a nightmare. I did not plant it, I inherited it when we moved here.
Thank you re speckled yellow and caterpillar.....
Hi Jan.....thank you so much for taking the time to try and id the caterpillar for me. I am wondering if it may be the drinker........that is the closest I can get.
I had heard of the speckled yellow but never seen one before. It was a lovely surprise when it visited.......
btw Cheryl, is your moth 'the drinker' Euthrix potatoria???
Remember, the Caterpillars can look significantly different with each instar.
Pinks are so very nice, and your do not disappoint. Love the Valerian--I am wondering if it would do well for me. Love the white Iris. Funny how the money spent on a bloom doesn't reflect the beauty promised within.
It is so refreshing to see a gardener who respects the insects. I loved the photographs.
HI LIz.....tku
If you look above your comment that is the conclusion I had almost reached. Thank you for confirming, kind of you.
Hi Cheryl, yes even the caterpillars in the garden are beautiful, as long as it doesn't finish the leaves of our favorite plants. Even that swallow looks happy overlooking your garden, haha. That little butterfly is very difficult to focus, i bet!
ha ha, and here I was thinking I was so clever! :)
Oh well, at least it's good to know we've come to the same conclusion.
Cheryl, The photos of the bees are superb~I wanted to reach oput and pet them they were so close and clear shot! It amazes me that grocery stores are selling some of the best plants~here, too. I've gotten several beauties that weren't at the local nurseries. I love Shirley. Does red list mean endangered? gail gail
Why have you stopped blogging.
I love your garden.
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