I have very fond memories of the scented sweetpeas growing over a fence. I was too young to record when my grandmother was actually sowing them each year. These sweetpeas I sowed early this year in pots, pinched them out, but they grew vigorously anyway and then I had trouble to detangle all the stems before planting. It is worth any trouble: They have a divine scent!
From this perspective the butterfly looks like a huge, furry monster. It is welcome of course, no matter from which angle.
This is at the edge of a damp meadow near the plant centre. The large trees are wingnuts and the opulent lichen create an eerie atmosphere. It attaches itself not only to the trees, but also to the wooden benches. And to my hair probably, if I keep still long enough.
It feels like a trampoline. All the bits that drop from the trees build up on the ground and make a springy floor in the New Forest.
This happened by accident. Family bought these, Echeveria elegans I think, from Flying Tiger and after some neglect, they dropped a few leaves – from which tiny roots started to appear. It was taking advantage from us not cleaning the window sill obviously. We transferred them to some pots and from the base of the leaves, tiny new plants grew. That’s it. Propagation from leaves in a nutshell.
Suddenly you run into them: Invisible nets, flexible barriers. After so many spidery threads end up in my face I change the way I move: Gesturing with my hands in front of me when I pass between plants.
This picture says everything about the state of my lawn. Very rough.
Can’t wait – so I pick them, when they are small and sweet. They never make it into the kitchen!
This reminds me, I still haven’t been to Mottisfont to see the roses…
