Elderflower Cordial

Elderflower Cordial

  May 26, 2020    AnnS

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Elderflowers come from the elder tree that generally grows as a shrub or small tree.

It’s abundant throughout the UK, in woods and along roadside hedgerows. From late May you’ll see masses of tiny white flowers hanging in sprays which develop into purple elderberries later in the summer.

The flowers are flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers appearing in June. The fragrance is sweet and summery and it attracts masses of insects.

I usually make  Elderflower Cordial using the recipe from River Cottage - Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall.  It is so easy and I drink it all summer with sparkling water and a slice of lemon.

This recipe is so easy and you will want to go out and pick your first blooms.

https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-cordial

I picked 25 flower heads this afternoon and added slices of lemon along with 1.5L of boiling water.  Tomorrow I will strain and add the sugar.  What could be simpler and by the weekend I will be able to drink with a slice of lemon.

Enjoy

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Lupins

Lupins

  May 25, 2020    AnnS

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Lupinus, commonly known as lupin or lupine, is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centres of diversity in North and South America. 

I love Lupins, they are a cottage-garden favourite  and inf-act suit any garden offering height and colour to the middle of a border in May and June. They bear impressive, pea-like flowers, which are loved by bees. They make a perfect cut flower., but I much prefer to see them in the garden.

Last year I gathered their seeds , sowed them in pots and now have enough plants to perhaps start my own garden centre.

I grow them on a bank in my garden which is normally quite wet, but they appear to be thriving for now. 

I plan to have some of my Lupins in pots scattered around the garden so I can see where they will look their best.

Years ago when I travelled by train I would see Lupins on railway sidings , they always looked so pretty standing tall and colourful.

Long live the Lupin

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Mt Badger

Mt Badger

  May 22, 2020    AnnS

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Success last night from my trail camera.

A fleeting glimpse of Mr Badger

Don't blink or you will miss it

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Trail Camera

Trail Camera

  May 21, 2020    AnnS

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I have seen the evidence in my garden of wildlife that comes during the early evening and night-time. The badger that scurries along the woodland path and the Monk-Jack that eats the fallen bird seed and digs small holes in the lawn looking for tasty grubs. There are birds in every tree either nesting or just waiting to join the queue for the many bird feeders I have scattered around the garden.
Time for a camera to see what actually comes into the garden. I bought this camera from Amazon. It had good recommendations and was an average price. Amazon is a safe/ go to store in these times of lockdown and under normal circumstances I may have shopped around.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wildlife-Activated-Waterproof-Scouting-Surveillance/dp/B07XXNJ71Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=13ECWNX3L4HU8&dchild=1&keywords=tc20+trail+camera&qid=1590086358&sprefix=Tc20%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-3

However with Prime delivery it arrived the next day. I had to buy a card and batteries.  I must buy rechargeable batteries.  Very easy to set up, no fuss just format the he card, insert the batteries, follow the set up procedure and ready to go.

I have placed it in several places in the garden and as yet no luck apart from taking photo's of the horse in the next field.  I just need to try as many places as possible.  Such fun.  Every morning I rush out to see what has been captured on film.
Perhaps tomorrow.

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Albrighton Rambling Rose

Albrighton Rambling Rose

  May 17, 2020    AnnS

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My first rose of the year is the Albrighton Rambling Rose.    I bought this last year and planted it a very large tub beside the back door.  Last year I had lots of buds, but the greenfly came and destroyed them before they had time to bloom. I was onto this year and so far lots if buds already to bloom. I actually lived in Albrighton for a few years which is home to the famous David Austin Roses.  His fields are just full of every conceivable rose and the smell is amazing.  Last year when I visited the Chelsea Flower Show I went to see his display- wow just amazing to see all his blooms.
I may buy another variety when I can get to the garden centre.

https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk

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Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show

  May 15, 2020    AnnS

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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, formally known as the Great Spring Show, is a  garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the The Royal Chelsea Hospital in London . It has been held at Chelsea since 1912, it is the most famous flower and landscape gardens show in the UK and perhaps in the world. The show is attended by members of the British Royal Family and attracts visitors from all continents.

Highlights to the Chelsea Flower Show include the avant-garde show gardens designed by leading names with Floral Marquee at the centrepiece. The Show also features smaller gardens such as the Artisan and Urban Gardens.

Last year as part of my retirement gift from work I was given a trip to London to see this Flower Show.  I think it is every gardners dream to visit Chelsea.  My garden will never be like they have on Show, but it is my garden and I can dream.

I loved my day and I can hardly believe a whole year has gone by.  I have used several ideas in my own garden and have so many memories.

I share a few photographs with you here.

This year the Flower Show has gone digital and I look forward to see what is on offer. Nothing can can replace the sights, sounds and smell of Chelsea.

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Dandelion Watch

Dandelion Watch

  May 10, 2020    AnnS

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The warm and sunny days of April have brought out the Dandelions in my garden. So many of them that I set up my 'Dandelion Watch'. I like dandelions,  don't get me wrong but they are everywhere: the borders, the lawn, the wood, the path and driveways. I decided to try and control them and only have them in certain parts of the garden. They were definitely not allowed on my lawn or the flower borders. They needed some thinning out from the wood and it really was a no-no on my paths and driveway. I have one place they would like, a nice sunny spot a grassy area I am trying out as a bit of a wild garden.  The bees and insects appear to like them there and they wave their yellow heads to attract everything that flies past. Every morning I go out with my trowel and bucket to dig up the ones that appear everywhere else apart from the designated area.  I don't want to use harsh chemicals on them and digging them up can be quite therapeutic. I have to be careful as they have a long root system and this can be left behind if not not fully pulled out.   I have read that you eat dandelions and they are good for all sorts of things.  I am happy to leave them for the bees in their own area.
As I looked out at the garden I felt quite pleased, I was winning the war, more or less all gone apart from where they should be. Then I looked again and all the yellow heads had turned to seed heads. They were waving around in the breeze just waiting for the right moment to scatter once more all over my garden.
Am I winning the war against my dandelions? NEVER. They have a mind of their own and perhaps I just have to accept they are here to stay.

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