A world in a drop

After yesterday's post, we noticed that the photograph of the raindrop on the allium bud showed the opposite border upside down.

Here it is right way up. A world reflected in miniature. Or at least a small border in that world. And you can see the beautiful blue sky that lasted for around half an hour before the next torrential downpour. April showers a month late.

After the rain...

...comes sun. And a million sparkling drops.

Gnome man is an island

I was this chap at Malvern, and thought immediately of the Garden Monkey.


Sorry, GM x

Malvern show gardens

Several people have already put up photos of the show gardens at Malvern, including Patient Gardener, VP and Arabella Sock. I have to say that, to my untutored eye, the gardens seemed of better quality than I have seen in previous years. And there were more, too. Having the creative imagination of a gnat, I can only admire the way that the designers can think up a concept and then bring it to life with living material.

Debs at Beholder's eye won a silver medal with her imaginative and romantic Lola

Having forgotten which other gardens are which by now, these photos hopefully show some of the exuberance of spring.

Sarracenia surrounding a circular pool were eye-catching.

Beyond here be dragons...

Alliums featured in a lot of the gardens, which is A Good Thing as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry Joe Swift - there weren't many gardens which concentrated on the colour green.

And just for Arabella, who missed out on a hug...

James Alexander-Sinclair demonstrates new Acme™ Rapid omelette-making device

"Just gently press on the back of the device, whilst whispering gentle words of encouragement"

"And voilà!"

"Oops. Just don't forget to place a bowl beneath the device before activating it".

Malvern - the floral marquee

SomeBeans has banned me from buying any more seeds this year. He didn't, however, mention anything about not buying plants. So, it was with itchy fingers that I entered the floral marquee on Saturday.

It's always the first place we go, to try and avoid the huge crowds later in the day. And what a wonderful sight to the plant lover. Such variety, such care taken over the displays. So many great plants that I wanted.

I'm not a huge fan of bonsai, but this hawthorn was eye-catching.

I'm also not a fan of auriculas, but another great display. I can see why people get obsessed with the different flower colours, the doubles, the farina, even if I can't understand it myself.

This peony, on the other hand, is so delicious I could have eaten it.

From peonies to pleiones - I wish I was brave enough to try and grow them.

This angelica looked stunning against the canvas of the marquee.

And finally, to continue my obsession this year with tulips, I loved the light coming through these petals.

I didn't actually buy any of the plants above, though. I bought...

Astrantia 'Hapsden Blood', Geum 'Borissii', and Centaurea montana 'Alba', each of which I've been able to split. Very restrained of me, I think you'll agree.

Celebrity gardener threatens to eat chick unless audience buys new book shocker!*"Go on... what's 15 quid compared to the priceless life of a small chick?"*

*No - not really. Joe was overcoming his chicken phobia. I can report that he is most definitely a Very Nice Man.

The other Malvern spring flower show

What a weekend. I'll write lots on the Malvern spring garden show tomorrow when I'm back home, including which garden designer was upstaged by an egg-laying chicken. However, just in case anyone is thinking of going to the Malvern Show tomorrow and wants to round off a great day out with something even more spectacular, I'd recommend a trip to Cowleigh Woods in West Malvern.

And here's why...

And then we had a quick trip to Welland Village Hall, where there are these beautiful green-winged orchids.

Stunning!

A walk on the wild side

There really is nothing better than a hedgerow in May. The flora of North Wales was enjoying early May sunshine on Sunday.

I wonder if Arabella Sock can use her new found tracking skills to work out the direction of the prevailing wind?

Cowslips

"Fwinging" ferns

Stitchwort

Dog violet

Wood anemones

Fresh leaves!


Marsh marigolds
Bluebells - spring summed up in sight and smell.

Oak before ash...

...we're in for a splash; ash before oak, we're in for a soak.

In North Wales yesterday, the oaks were definitely predicting a drier summer than we had last year. The ashes had barely started to show their leaves. This might tie in with the Met Office predictions that this summer may be somewhat warmer and drier than the past couple of years. But then again, after two years of heavy summer rain, I could have quite a good go at predicting a drier summer too, without the need for huge levels of number crunching.

For other weather related folklore, have a look here.