Tag: Narcissus

Blooms in the Breeze

Published on by Catherine33 Comments

Here on the Ayrshire coast, we’ve had a good week of mostly sunny, albeit very blustery and cold, days. The chilly temperatures were bearable as long as I was bundled up, and I did my best to be outdoors at every opportunity. Although I grumbled (a lot) about the cold that the strong north-easterly wind was bringing, I’ve got to admit, it was better than the constant rain we’ve been enduring. It was wonderful to wake in the morning to sunshine filtering through the windows and the birds twittering in the trees.

However, another Saturday has arrived, so let’s get on with this week’s selection of garden images.

Six on Saturday

Tulip humilis. Despite being in the shade, a beam of low sunlight has illuminated one of the emerging tulips, giving it a lovely glow. The hazy effect surrounding it was created by the nearby leaves blowing wildly in the wind. Despite the wind, Tulip humilis stood its ground. A surprisingly strong little flower! I’m looking forward to seeing the other flowers pop up in the pot.

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Winter into Spring

Published on by Catherine35 Comments

Six on Saturday

The transition of winter to spring is beginning and at last, bulbs in my garden are starting to bloom, adding little pops of colour to borders and containers. They’re a welcome sight.

Crocus. These fragile-looking little crocuses were quivering in the wind, but I have to tell you they were hardier than me, and it took a big bowl of hot soup to warm me up when I made it back indoors! Look how well these freshly emerged crocuses have held up against heavy rain and strong winds. Nature is amazing!

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The Crab Apple v The Wind

Published on by Catherine19 Comments

The crab apple, Malus Evereste is a delight to behold every May. It’s Spring – the days are getting longer and we can finally feel warmth in the afternoon air. April winds tear through this little garden at a ferocious rate, then ease off at the beginning of May, I was happy and relieved that the old crab apple hadn’t flowered too early this year.

But the reprieve from the wind was short-lived as once again it tore through the trees, the bushes and the flowers at the start of the week. The blossom was just opening on the Malus when the grass below started to turn white. Our littlest grandson had gone into the garden to play and returned within minutes calling out, “Quick Gran, come and see this”. It’s becoming a regular cry when he discovers something new. This time he spotted the petals strewn across the grass. I stood him under the tree and shook one of the lower branches. The blossom came tumbling down on his head and he squealed with joy.

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Easter Weekend

Published on by Catherine23 Comments

This weekend we’re forecast to have blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine. That doesn’t happen too often on an Easter Weekend holiday. I’m planning to spend the day working in the garden, but yesterday we had two young grandchildren with us. Swimming at the local pool took up most of the morning then home for lunch and out again for a pleasant walk in the local nature reserve where we even spotted two deer.

We stopped at the seafront on the way back because I knew the ice cream van would be there. The prom was very busy and I prefer not to be there when it’s like that, instead I’m happy to leave it to those who can only visit on holidays and weekends. The wind was very cold, though it didn’t dissuade some hardy folk from paddling in the water. But you can’t pass by the ice cream van when you have a four-year-old and a nine-year-old with you! After the ice creams were scoffed we headed back to our house where they played in the sunshine in the more sheltered garden until Dad arrived to take them home. It was a lovely day.

I hope you’re all going to have a lovely weekend with loads of sunshine!

But let’s get on with this Saturday’s six. First of all, we have Narcissus Tete Boucle. This is one that I haven’t grown before. Initially, I wasn’t too sure about it, but as the flowers continued to open my opinion changed. I’m smitten. I’ll grow this one again.

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The Learning Book

Published on by Catherine6 Comments

Our littlest grandson has been trying very, very hard to understand the seasons. It can be a confusing concept for young children to grasp, especially when seasons don’t behave as expected.

A couple of weeks ago we were treated to a very sunny afternoon. We’d been through a long spell of grey, dark, wet and uninspiring days. It was like that when we left to collect him from the nursery that afternoon. But on the drive home, out came the sun and we made the decision to stop off at a local play park. It was by the sea and bitingly cold. I thought, if I can endure the cold wind for 10 minutes or so, that’ll be enough time for all of us!

When we arrived at the play park he asked,

“Is it summer?”
“Do we have sun cream with us?”
“Can I have an ice cream, please?”

You’ve got to love them at 4 years old!

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