2025/19 - Explosion of Greenery

 Almost the month of May and my plants have exploded into growth.

This beauty, which we call a perennial cornflower (centaurea montana), or korenbloem in Dutch, has decided she wants to grow in this spot this year. That means she has 'walked' four metres from her original spot. As I think she's lovely, and so do the bumblebees, I do not mind at all!

Next to the greenhouse the many bulbs are spent, the only ones still there are the tulips. But the lilies, bearded iris, digitalis and especially the aquilegia are now asserting themselves in between the hydrangeas. As I allow the bulb greenery to die down naturally (I have only deadheaded them), this bed is a bit scruffy right now.

For some reason unknown to me the Papaver has also upped roots and is now living next to my water butt. Could it be that my artful dried flower arrangement in the corner of the greenhouse is to blame? I stuck some lovely Papaver seedhouses in there...Anyway, it can stay, because it always makes me giggle at this stage of its development. Tell me, what does it remind you of? Quite!

The aquilegias on the other side of the greenhouse are more sheltered, so already in bloom.

My sugarsnap, doing well next to the broad beans, which are also doing well so far.

Well. I planted 6 Camassia bulbs last October, and this is the only one that has come up! That is very disappointing, I must say. According to Monty Don it is a thug which will spread all over the place. Hm. I wonder.

They were supposed to pop up in between this lot. 

But my rosebush is looking fresh and it is full of buds, as are the three other roses I have. I love roses, and they had a tough year last year. So it pleases me they are looking so well.

On the other side of the artichokes, against the obelisk, the clematis and perennial lathyrus are climbing up it. But: I also spotted that grape I planted three years ago! Wow, I thought that had died! Not so, which is absolutely great. I did take a photo to show you, but when I looked just now it only showed my reflection, sorry.

I mowed the last bit of the grass this morning, so the silene is standing out and there are masses of marguerite coming up as well as teasels. It will be colourful and attractive to lots of insects.

This was in May 2024. It does not show, but the flowers were actually as high as my waist.

Right. Time to make a salad, as my salad greens have exploded too!

Would you be interested in my other blog on my author website, here is the link: Renée Grashoff Schrijft There I write about my hometown and books.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Renée Grashoff