What a week.....
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After an incredibly busy week for us both it was so lovely to a actually take time for lunch, go outside and take a walk around the garden. When I walk around I always notice something news thatβs what makes gardens so magical. Itβs living and breathing and always growing. Todayβs discovery came in the form of a Dog rose.
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Rosa canina/ Dog Rose/Dog berry or Witchesβ briar are a familiar, scrambling beauty that adorns hedgerows with its pale pink flowers. Dog rose clasps on to other shrubs with curved spines to grow.
It is best seen in flower in May and June with fruit ripening around September and October.
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The dog rose is a common symbol in medieval heraldry. It has a less regal connotation in Germany where it is linked to the Devil and its fruits were said to be used by fairies to make themselves invisible.
The root of a dog rose was thought to be able to cure the bite of a wild dog. (Thankfully the Head Garden is too lovely to do any biting so we have no use for it!)
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It was just so lovely to see the busy bees working their magic.
#next year I am definitely going to be more prepared and make a note to give it some rose fertiliser in early spring and I will continue to dead head the flowers.
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Who else spends their evening researching flowers.... ππ»ββοΈ
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These gorgeous Aquilegias or affectionately known as Grannyβs Bonnet have just suddenly appeared in our garden. According to Gardeners World they self-seed readily, and look wonderful naturalised amongst shrubs and roses, and grow well in shade.
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At the end of summer once the flowers have died back and the seed pods become prominent you can collect the seeds which is what I fully intend to do and sow into trays.
Will take a video of the collection so watch this space!