Monday 29 July 2013

colour


I sit outside under a bright blue sky with a mug of tea and look at the riot of colour 


that has taken over my garden.


This delicate poppy is growing amongst the lettuces, there technically it is a weed, but I can't possibly pull it up, so there it stays, and the bees are happy.


A single white scabious flower adds a dash of cool to a fiery hot mix of pinks, reds and oranges.


There is no planning involved, I fling things in with blissful ignorance, and am invariably surprised by the results. Who knew that fennel and sweet williams would go so well together...... or perhaps you think they don't...


The alstromerias grow taller and taller, some of them are as tall as me. 
I don't have a vase tall enough to display them in!


There is colour in the vegetable patch too, bright yellow pumpkin flowers and tiny bulbs of green pumpkins forming, I shall be watching avidly for them to start to turn orange.


I can't sit outside for long though, I will burn, I'm currently having a love/hate relationship with sunscreen..... The first brand I bought made my eyes and face swell up, not pretty, and quite painful... The next brand was better, no swelling, but a ugly blotchy rash.... I bought an organic brand which is more of a barrier cream, no swelling or rash, but I still burn a little with it... and I really really don't like the feeling of the cream as it doesn't really soak in to your skin...... I think what I need is a really big floppy hat (if anyone knows of a good one let me know.....). 

of course living in the north I don't normally worry about sun that often, we don't usually get much.....
 the last few weeks have been astonishing.........  

Today we have grey skies and the promise of rain, but I have a pile of  colour to play with; a stolen bag of scraps, with a quilt in their future, because it's always quilt weather, whatever the colour of the sky.

19 comments:

  1. Wowsers. Your garden is splendid- how? Not that I doubt your green-fingered skills. I love the fennel/sweet William mix. Perhaps my poor neglected garden will see that combo next year...
    Ax

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  2. I love gardens where flowers and veg are mixed together - yours looks lovely and a riot of colour :)

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  3. Wow, your garden really is colourful! And a poppy is never a weed ;)

    Re. the sunscreen, I've had similar problems in the past ... have you tried this, it's worth every penny
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Badger-Balm-Baby-Sunscreen-87ml/dp/B007B1D0YY

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  4. I opened this blog and said "Oh,pretty!" aloud and the cat was the only one who could hear me)

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    1. ah thank you, as for for talking to the cat I do that all the time, the cat's don't seem to mind x

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  5. I love the riot of colour - and I have severe poppy envy!

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    1. it's a glorious one isn't it. no idea what it's called, hope I can save some seed for next year x

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  6. Love all the colour! I have poppies in my veg garden too and I can't even pull them up once they're over as I love the structure of the seed heads!

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  7. Your garden looks lovely. I know what you mean about the sun, I've been wearing Twiglet's factor 30 as I just fry !!
    twiggy

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  8. Anything goes when it comes to flowers. I love it. Such good therapy after a long cold winter. Definitely get a large straw hat. I can vouch for them. They really work but hold on to it when it's windy. It's not cool to run across a cricket pitch after a hat!

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  9. Absolutely delightful photos. Your garden looks lovely. Enjoy the sun safely.

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  10. What a beautiful garden you have. It's a joy to look at. Sadly, I have no flowers this year. The veges are coming along nicely though.
    I have not found a sunscreen that I can use either. I have even tried ones for babies. I don't get a rash, but my eyes burn and water and I get a low grade headache. Not fun.
    Do have a wonderful holiday.

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  11. Hi Tess,

    Your garden looks wonderful with all the beautiful colours - love the poppy.
    I think a large straw hat is a good thing and to cover up with a thin cotton shirt.
    Hope you are enjoying the week and sunshine
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  12. Wonderful colourful plants! A big floppy hat sounds a good idea. We have put up an awning in our garden for those of us who can't stand the heat to sit under! Hope you find some nice sun screen soon too. Enjoy the weekend.
    Helen x

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  13. LOVELY garden moments, Tess! So sorry about the sunscreen mess though... Sunscreens are a problem, aren't they? It's hard finding the perfect one that's light, irritant-free and offers good protection. The hat idea is good! Look forward to seeing what all the scraps will become... Happy Days ((HUGS))

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  14. I love the riot of colour in your garden....just beautiful....and the purple poppy in the lettuce patch...of course it must stay...get rid of the lettuce and make it a flower border!1 Joan

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  15. I bought a hat pattern. I admit that at my current rate of production, I may not be able to help out this year.

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  16. Have fun with your fabric scraps.
    Are you going to The Festival of Quilts at the NEC? I'm hoping to go on Sunday, if our car has been mended in time.

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