Colour

Looking at the gardens shown in the Chelsea Garden show, my  impressions were of calm, peaceful and soft colours. I loved the naturalness of the planting and the coolness of the blues and creams.

So here in my garden is the opposite.

Brash, red, pushy! A poppy that shouts out to be noticed. A poppy with twenty heads and still going strong. She reminds me of a loud music hall singer, flaunting her scarlet silk skirts and winsomely flapping those black eyelashes.

 I'm not sure why I planted it, it's so opposite to my usual designs....

But, the wonderful thing is that it is full of bees, from morning till night. Bees are wuffling around the black centres, getting caught up, falling out of the flowers, and coming back for more.

This is really more my style.

Zephirine Drouhin, the thornless rose.

But even she is being elbowed out by Poppy!

Do you find that startling plants appear in your garden?

First rose.

The first rose of Summer.

This lovely rose is always one of the first to flower,and the scent is amazing.

I think it is called 'Scent-sation'

A surprise visit.

No, it isn't a farmyard tale, just a surprise!

Out of the blue, my husband's daughter and husband arrived from Stockport on Saturday.

They had driven down early to spend the weekend and visit  Dad.

Both in work, they have very little time spare, but knew how thrilled he would be.

We have had two lovely days of catching up, talking non stop

and being grateful for family.

We still have tomorrow to enjoy with them before they drive back.

Downpour.

Rain!

We complained about the rain a few weeks ago.

Now, looking from my window, I can see roses perking up, new plants looking happy, a garden that is benefiting from an overnight downpour.

Isn't it odd. We long for the warmth of the sun, then realise that the garden tanks are dry, the new plants are suffering.....and pray for rain!

If it continues for more than  day we shall  doubtless be moaning for warmth.

And so it goes on.

The rose outside my window is full of buds, so I expect them to burst out soon with the encouragement of the rain.

Grey sky, rain pouring down. Somehow a photo never really catches it, bt if you click and enlarge, you can see what we call 'stair rods' of rain.

Wet paths, wet lawn...

and thunder and lightning thrown in!

Chelsea

How lovely to see the Chelsea Garden Show beginning this week. It is a huge English tradition that has been going since 1862, when it was known as The Royal Horticultural Great Spring Show. It encompasses garden designs, plants, and amazing displays.

It's held every year in the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital, and miraculously a flat piece of ground is turned into ponds, water features, stone work and so much more.

In the Great Pavilion are  displays of species such as Orchids, Roses, Clematis and many others.

I felt this year that the planting was much softer and gentler in colour and layout than in previous years. This photo shows the Laurent Perrier garden, all in cool creams with blue accents. I'd love to have been there.

To commemorate the 100 years since the start of World War 1, there are gardens designed on the theme of 'No Mans Land', and 'Help for Heroes'. These depict some of the awfulness of the trenches, yet with clever planting to soften it.

Tomorrow the garden designers will know if they have won any of the coveted awards, especially the 'Best in Show'.

The Queen visited today. I'm sure she was impressed by the loveliness of the roses in the Pavilion.

Maybe one day......!

Edit;
My favourite garden, the one above, has won Best in Show!

Garden glimpses.

At last we have some warm sunny days.

Days that you can sit out and feel the sun on your shoulders.

It was time for the garden furniture to come out and to make a little corner for sitting out.

The old bench, brought back from France, the chairs and the little table.

The overhead blind rolled out for a bit of shade.

The pots are planted with colourful geraniums , lobelia and roses. Sweet peas are making their way up the trellis.

You can almost feel summer waiting in the wings.

 A giant red poppy just about to burst out of its coat.

Six tomato plants ready to be planted in the greenhouse.

And some lettuce popping up in one of the high wooden raised beds.

I love this time of year.

It's all beginning.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day....but not in England!

Yes, I get two Mothers Days!

Sent by my daughter who lives in Canada, and who is very good at spoiling her mother.

Thank you to the many friends who have emailed me, sent best wishes, cards and beautiful flowers. I am very touched.

My husband is recovering , but slowly, from his harsh encounter with the ground last weekend. It left him very shaken but we are assured by our Dr that nothing is broken, just painful muscular damage.

Gradually the weather is improving, but it is still too cold to spend much time in the garden, so I dive into the greenhouse and do useful things like potting up geraniums. They will have to wait a little before they can go outside.

The tomato plants are in the greenhouse now, and I found some tiny seedlings from last year's plants. They may grow.

I'll post as and when..

Winner etc.

The winner of the draw for 'Daphne's Diary'

is................................

Peg.

Peg has a lovely quilting blog called Pieceful Peg.

So please send me your address, Peg.

I'm taking some time out from today. I will try to read blogs but won't be posting for a little while.

My husband had a bad fall yesterday and it has shaken us both up. He is needing more of my time now and although we do have a Carer coming in, I just don't feel I have time to write anything meaningful for a while.

More Cornish traditions.

The month of May in Cornwall brings out all the old traditions.

On May 8th the town of Helston is alive with the Flora Dance, also known as the Furry dance (I don't know why).

Hundreds of people gather from 7 am for the early dances through the streets, usually led by a brass band.

The 8 am dance is for the local children, all dressed in white. I guess they will have been practicing the steps for days at school.

 The midday dance is very elegant. It is by invitation only and full morning dress is worn, long dresses for the ladies. And very beautiful hats!

 Every year when we were children , we went with my mother on the bus to Helston, and the midday dance was our favourite. The dancers go through the streets and alleys. We always made for a delightful park by a lake and were so thrilled when we heard the music coming towards us.

We took a picnic so that we could have lunch by the lake after the dance.

There is another dance in May, on the 1st, I think, called the Padstow 'Obby 'Oss'

(Hobby horse)

Its a tradition that goes back in the mists of time.

I've never been to see it

I guess  all counties have their dance traditions, but these two are very specific to Cornwall.

May 1st

May 1st takes me back to France.

It's a holiday, a non-work day.

The streets are alive with sellers of the traditional 'brin du muguet', a little bunch of two or three stems. Scouts and Guides sell them, and they are snapped up.

Why?

On the 1st May you give Lily of the Valley to your friend, your neighbour...or you keep some for yourself!

I managed to find two or three stems in the garden, barely open, but still ready for the first day of May.

The scent is wonderful. I hope there will be more.