Good deed for the day...
I found this Queen Buff Tailed Bumblebee (?) on the hard paving.
She waved her leg at me meaning 'back off you're too close' but never being one to leave well alone, I gently moved her to this pot of hyacinths. Safer and more tasty.
She was grateful and spent at least half an hour sipping from the flowers.
Queen bumblebees hibernate over winter emerging in early spring to nest and lay eggs.
I hope she'll feel welcome and find a good place to nest close by.
Early flowers are so important for bees. Find out more @bumblebeeconservationtrust
It's not raining, it's not frozen and it's not blowing a gale. #littlewins
We're just doing a bit of weeding and pest control.
And more...
I'm planning lots more poppies next year 💜
I'm pleased to say I've seen lots of hoverflies in the last few days. Also bees and moths plus a few ladybird larvae.
I hope the hoverflies are enjoying the huge number of aphids!
I've heard many people say ' where are the insects this year?'
I hope what I'm doing here is paying off.
-Growing a diverse range of plants.
-Allowing wild areas.
-No spraying.
Do you buy your self flowers (see what I did there)?
Here are some of my bouquets from last year.
Consider buying locally grown flowers and contribute to the eco system, local economy and reduce transport miles.
Bunches are from £10 available for collection and bouquets are from £30 for collection or local delivery.
I hope to be able to supply bunches from April. Watch this space for progress!
As the days get longer, it's tempting to start sowing seeds but we need to sit on our hands a couple of weeks longer.
It's still too cold and dark for seedlings to thrive.
I've got plenty of packets ready to go so perhaps I'll make a planting plan instead.
You never know when it will be the end for the dahlias.
I cut these on Friday, expecting a frost but instead we got torrential rain and gales which certainly didn't do them any good.
Anyway I got to enjoy these over a dreary weekend and the poor plants survive.
One of a kind.
I promise it's not dyed Gill @fieldhouseflowers 😆
Any suggestions about what this chrysanthemum was thinking?
Every bouquet is different even though I often think I'm cutting the same colours.
There are still treasures around if you know where to look.
Just a few more Straw Flowers in their cheerful, bright colours. Hang to dry and they keep their colour beautifully.
Bee friendly.
Scabiosa ochroleuca is covered in dozens of bees and hover flies. There is a real hum.
This plant is a hit and easy to propogate from seed once you have one plant.
Thanks for all your kind comments about our cancelled open day.
And in case you didn't get the message - yes we have cancelled.
I've heard of a trend for no flowers at funerals, which I think is sad, and not just because I grow cut flowers.
Families often choose flowers with special meaning or favourite colours.
I get that flowers are expensive, and that is always a consideration.
There is also a trend for creating special, individual designs which are seasonal and bring joy to the families involved at a sad time. Let's hope that one takes off.
Also they don't use one bit of plastic...
Scorchio!
Hot colours for a hot day.
This is not a drill, this is climate change.
It's time to evaluate how we are living on this planet and what we need to change. Quickly.
Quality - you might not be sure about the quality and vase life of #britishgrownflowers .
My flowers are cut to order, left to hydrate overnight and if I don't think a flower will last at least 5 days, it won't be in your bouquet. Many in the mix will last longer.
The key is choosing the right varieties and cutting at the right stage.
Why not try locally grown flowers?
July bouquet
I've never had dahlias flowering in June before, sometimes they barely make July. Wine Eyed Jill is, as usual, ahead of the crowd but I'm always happy to see her and her yummy colours.
A Thank You bouquet delivered just a few miles away today.
Yellow flowers
Don't you love yellow flowers?
Especially with white?
