Saturday 30 May 2015

Photo Medley - May

It's time for this month's round up of photos, again, no particular theme here.

A stone lion at Harlow Carr. Two lions guard six Doric columns which were originally from the Cheltenham Spa Rooms in Harrogate and were donated to Harlow Carr by the Yorkshire Archaeological Society in the 1960's. This is the site where the main entrance to the gardens used to be.


There are a few willow sculptures around Harlow Carr, I believe this is a dragon.


The view from my bedroom window. I love this time of year when I can open the windows and get the scent of lilac wafting in.


Waiting for a poppy bud to open. I think poppies are so tactile, right from the time their hairy buds appear right through to the time their crinkly, papery petals unfurl.


I bought this geum - Koi last year. It's a dwarf variety, perfect for my border, and has the most striking orange-red flowers.


Borders at York Museum Gardens. I can't make my mind up about the heuchera, I have dark varieties in my garden, I'm not sure about the lighter varieties.





Poppy bud starting to open.


Peaches on my little peach tree. I'm sure lots of them will drop, the tree isn't large enough to support much fruit. I just hope that some make it to maturity.


Lily of the valley. I wish it would spread a little, though I don't want it to become a thug as it does in some gardens.


The poppy as it is today, almost fully open.


I hope you've enjoyed this month's selection of photos.

30 comments:

  1. Love your poppy photos they look as if they have come from another world.

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    1. You can see the petals all folded up as the bud opens up and then they come out all crinkled, they definitely look as if they've come from another world.

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  2. I like your photo medley. I could relate to all of them in different ways. I was disappointed that my lily-of-the-valley in a pot didn't flower this year. On the other hand, an orange geum I bought at an open garden plant sale last year that I thought had not survived is beginning to grow, although it's rather overwhelmed by peonies and poppies at the moment, which I appreciate in their own way. Hope your peaches don't drop. We have two small nectarines on the tree grown from a stone - enjoying them for their interest value!

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    1. I bought this geum from a local plant sale last year, it didn't flower then but it's saved its efforts for this year and it hasn't disappointed, I hope the same goes for yours. How exciting having nectarines growing on a plant grown from a stone, who knows, they might provide fruit.

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  3. Lovely pictures. I love geums as they remind me of my father. Thanks for taking me back!

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    1. Isn't it funny how certain plants can remind us of a certain time or of a particular person. Irises remind me of my grandma, as does dried honesty seed pods.

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  4. The lion is fabulous isn't he and I really like your freshly blooming poppy, it looks just like crumpled tissue doesn't it. So wonderful! xx

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    1. The lions are beautiful, set amongst the rhododendrons at Harlow Carr. I love poppies. I have to confess that I haven't grown many of them in the garden in the past but I've grown more fond of them of late and I'm loving watching them unfurl.

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  5. I love poppies so really enjoyed seeing yours as a bud, then a flower! Gorgeous! I wish I had that lion in my garden!!! The willow dragon is brilliant, how clever! That geum is a gorgeous colour.xxx

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    1. It's fascinating watching the stages of a poppy as it unfurls, such pretty flowers too. I'm really pleased with the geum, it's a lovely size for my small border and such a gorgeous colour.

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  6. I've always liked willow sculptures and your poppy pictures are just beautiful.

    You are so fortunate to see that lovely lilac from your bedroom window.

    All the best Jan

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    1. There's some lovely willow sculptures dotted around Harlow Carr, a beautiful horse but I didn't manage to get a photo of it as there were children all around it. I love my lilac, espcially at this time of year when it's blooming.

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  7. Lovely photos Jo, the sculpture in harlow is lovely...I would love a few o these on the bee plot!!

    Was nice to see the poppy opening out!

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    1. I can just imagine some willow sculptures on the bee plot, they'd look brilliant. Perhaps you should have a go.

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  8. Replies
    1. I like to put these posts together so that I can use some of the photos which wouldn't otherwise make it in to a post.

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  9. AnonymousMay 31, 2015

    A good selection of pictures. I especially like the poppy ones. Flighty xx

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    1. I had loads of poppies spring up amongst the potatoes at the allotment last year, I'm hoping that they'll reappear this year.

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  10. I remember the Doric columns when we visited, but not the lion. Love the colour of that Heuchera. Thanks for the photos, they were great. Take care.

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    1. There's two lions which guard the columns, I think they look so majestic. I'm not sure I like the lighter coloured heucheras, I've got Palace Purple and another dark one in my garden.

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  11. Willow sculptures do seem to be popular at the moment, I prefer the dark leaved heucheras too

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    1. I think willow sculptures seem to be the height of fashion, I do like to see them though.

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  12. I'm not very keen on the yellow / gold Heucheras either. I prefer the dark purple ones. Willow sculptures are not my kind of thing either, but they are fine in a public garden!

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    1. I've got a couple of dark purple heucheras in my garden, they've done really well since they were planted, I may have a go at dividing them soon. I like the willow sculptures but like you, I'm not sure I'd want one in my own garden.

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  13. What a bedroom view - I can just imagine how heavenly the fragrance must be!

    We have lily of the valley by our front porch - it has spread but not too much. I actually just took a few photos of it the other day as well.

    What a gorgeous colour on the poppy. The single poppy by our front walk has yet to bloom after a couple of years - I'm thinking it's a bit too shady in that spot. I'll likely have to move it at some point.

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    1. I love the view from my bedroom window when the lilac's flowering. Lily of the valley is a favourite, I'm not sure it's happy where it is though is it hasn't spread at all. I love watching the stages of poppies as they open up, it seems to take quite a while for the buds to pop and then all of a sudden the gorgeous bloom is there. I would think that if your poppy hasn't flowered after two years then it isn't happy and perhaps you do need to move it.

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  14. Oh your dreams must be sweet with the scent of lilac drifting in through your bedroom windows Jo :)

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    1. It's a gorgeous scent, I love it when the lilac blooms.

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  15. I did most certainly enjoy them Jo.
    I love lily of the valley. I would love mine to spread, to get out of hand :) It was my fathers and Grandmothers favourite flower..........

    I love the view from the window and the mention of the scent from the lilac. Beautiful.

    The anticipation of a plan breaking bud is wonderful. I never cease to become so excited about it.
    The day that I do I will give up gardening :)

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    1. I don't have room in my garden for any plant to spread too much but I'd like my lily of the valley to spread just a bit, I don't think it can be very happy where it is. I think anticipation is the main thing which keeps us gardening. I love looking at the poppy's creased petals where it's been folded inside the bud, I don't think you see this as clearly on any other plant.

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