Tag Archives: garden

My Sunday Photo: 24 June 2018

Orange LilyIt seems rather fitting to herald the arrival of summer with a picture like this one, showing the vibrant colour of this species of lily flowers. Although they don’t last long, one plant can have several buds that open in succession. They also have quite an intriguing scent – but watch out for those stamens, because the pollen can stain clothing quite badly!

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My Sunday Photo: 10 June 2018

Rose - Not PerfectThis shot is one of several that I took yesterday. I love the wonderful shape and line, colouring, and all the features that make roses beautiful – including, of course, the scent, which sadly I can’t send to you over the internet.

But as I viewed this little set of pictures, a train of thought came into my mind: the roses I had photographed were not perfect. They would not have won any prizes in a flower show. One or two petals, as you can see here, were damaged and turning brown at the edges, or a little bit shrivelled. But wait – does that mean that these roses weren’t beautiful? Indeed, might they be even more beautiful for not having been sprayed and snipped to within an inch of their lives?

By now, many of you will have guessed where these musings are leading. We have an industry that depends, for its very existence, on convincing people, women in particular, that they must devote lots of time, effort, and most importantly, money, in the quest for bodily perfection of a kind that isn’t actually attainable without photo-editing software.

Ladies – and gentlemen, too – take care of yourselves, by all means, but don’t set out to be what you’re not, because an original is worth far more than a cheap copy.

Thank you for reading.

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My Sunday Photo: 22 April 2018

MagnoliaI’ve always loved to see magnolia flowers in spring, but only recently have I come across this stellated kind, which also has a lovely scent. Most flowers can help to lift one’s mood, but this one appeals because of its delicate structure – it seems to symbolise a certain gentleness, somehow. It is also unbelievably white, almost dazzling by day!

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My Sunday Photo: 25 February 2018

MSP180225Despite the cold, this hardy shrub reliably survives and flowers. Witch hazel, or hamamelis mollis,  has a subtle scent that will remind you, if you are a certain age, of that hanky you were given to dab on a bruise! This species is both useful and beautiful. I’ve  featured it here before, but I somehow don’t get tired of it…

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My Sunday Photo: 28 January 2018

SnowdropsAnd so once again, it’s the time for snowdrops. I’m always glad to see them because they seem like a promise of a spring to come. They bring their special beauty, just when everywhere tends to look a bit drab. The fact that the weather has been mostly quite mild, and so they came at a time of rain, rather than snow, makes them no less welcome!

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My Sunday Photo: 12 November 2017

Sage in AutumnThis week I went looking for something different from my usual autumn pictures, and here it is. Amazingly, sage just keeps growing, almost defying the approach of winter – this is lovely if you use it for cooking!
I love looking for the shape and line in all plants; here, the almost monochrome look also appeals to me – remember, monochrome doesn’t have to be black and white!

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My Sunday Photo: 29 October 2017

Fuchsia in AutumnIt never fails to amaze me, how some flowers just keep going until autumn is well on its way through! Although sometimes there doesn’t seem to much about in the way of floral cheer, I found this in my father’s garden only yesterday. This particular variety seems to hang on incredibly well – usually until the first severe frost. And magenta is a colour I love – or have  mentioned that before?

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My Sunday Photo: 4 June 2017

Antirrhinum or Snapdragon FlowerSometimes, just sometimes… it’s worth getting up early. Because, if there’s anything I find more fascinating than flowers, it’s the combination of flowers, sunlight, and raindrops. Early yesterday morning, this trio came together.
Water is fascinating. Not only essential for life, but able to contribute beauty to so many other things. Frost patterns on leaves in winter, raindrops on flowers like this antirrhinum, clouds in England’s ever-changing skies… and so many more.

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My Sunday Photo: 28 May 2017

Purple IrisThese irises have only just come into flower in the last day or two. I love them not only for their vivid purple colour, but for their amazing array of shapes and markings. I noticed that they have little, if any, scent, yet bees find their way quickly and unerringly to the centre of each bloom. Do they navigate by those markings, I wonder?

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My Sunday Photo: 7 May 2017

LithospermumLithospermum is a plant related to borage, that grows in many parts of the world, and makes a lovely garden flower in Britain. This clump seemed to cheer up a dull day – and blue is rather a favourite colour of mine.
If you click on this picture to enlarge it, you’ll see the detail in the blooms (they’re actually about 15mm across.)

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