Tuesday, 9 June 2026



 Most people worship the sun but gardeners pray for rain. In the past week my prayers have been answered. 
 Spring was a virtual drought in south-easterly England. February had been very wet so the dry March was not a problem, plenty of moisture in the soil. However there were no April showers to speak of; I actually got the hosepipes and sprinklers out later in the month. Watering in England in April??
 This continued into May and plants were starting to wilt with no rain and record heat. We had flaming June in May but fortunately May weather has arrived in June. Ah, damp cold days at last- glorious!

Sunday, 7 June 2026

 

Hence the colour in the painter's palette: Cornflower blue.

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

 

 Giant Scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) attracts a multitude of pollinators: bumblebees, honeybees, solitary bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths. 

Sunday, 31 May 2026



 This Red Admiral was very interested in my potting table, or rather the splashes of water I made as I worked. It was a hot day and butterflies need to drink; note the long tongue supping...

Monday, 25 May 2026