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CHRISTMAS WISHES
... to one and all, who visit This is my Patch.
Happy new year too, and hope to see you all again in 2010.
Louise x
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24/12/2009
27/11/2009
17/11/2009
08/11/2009
06/11/2009
05/11/2009
04/11/2009
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NASTURTIUM
The nasturtiums are continuing to romp away happily, doing me a great favour this year by covering up two heaps of compost I plan to move in the Spring. These are the climbing variety, and their growth spreads further than most varieties of Nasturtium. Originally seeds potted up by me, they continue to self-seed in situ every year.
It looks like these plants have survived being decimated by the Small/Large White butterfly, but will be knocked back by our first frosts.
Wikipedia says, Nasturtium comes from the Latin nasus tortus, meaning twisted nose, in reference to the effect on the nasal passages of eating the plants.
It's amazing the funny facts you learn when you have a blog!
o
25/10/2009
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COMMON TOAD
The other morning after a heavy downpour I didn't see it, but I certainly heard a toad in the damp undergrowth.
The photo above was taken back in July when I inadvertently disturbed this rather grumpy looking warty one, which was nestling right in the middle of the Giant Scabious which I was giving a cutback.
I can't help but think its skin reminds me of a well-toasted pitta bread!
Toads spend much of the year on dry land, so I hope it managed to find another safe place to shelter in the garden, with a rich foodsource, ie slugs, insects and worms.
Did you see the tumbling Venezuelan Pebble Toad on the BBC programme Life. Click here if you didn't, but we warned the clip also contains a toad-eating tarantula!
It's amazing, and really quite amusing, and remarkably no toad was hurt in the making of the film!
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24/10/2009
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THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN
In the main, the colours of Autumn are red and brown.
Here are some photos on the red/brown theme which I took yesterday.
I believe this to be a Harvestman? Looks like a spider, but not a spider at all.
Only if you like spiders, click here to see some great photos.
A Garden Snail mulch, a tip picked up from Michelle at Veg Plotting.
My garden is full of snails, so I have no problem in collecting vacated shells.
A seedhead of Iris Pseudocorus, the yellow flag iris.
I love these!
I usually bags a few whenever we go for walks along the beach. Only ones with holes!
Evergreen and deciduous leaves.
I've noticed wasps foraging amongst these.
More pebbles, mementos from holidays and days out.
Bird seed.
Don't forget today is RSPB Feed The Birds Day, tomorrow is as well. Infact, why not feed them every day!
The birds in my garden enjoy fatballs and mixed seed, but on the whole ignore peanuts!
I know for some of us the clocks go back tonight, but if you've the time, you could read my other post from yesterday.
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23/10/2009
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RAIN CLOUDS, A BLUE SKY, AND A RAINBOW
A morning of heavy downpours, and an afternoon of sunshine. A mixed bag kind of day for gardeners.
A Yew tree which sits at the top of the garden.
From this spot, if you look North, you can see the South Downs. Unfortunately if you look South, you cannot see the sea for rooftops!
With water droplets and sunlight, a rainbow forms.
22/10/2009
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COMMA
The beautiful Comma butterfly, with its crinkle edges, is often spotted at this time of year building up fat supplies on nectar.
One plant they favour is nettle, of which I leave in a wild patch, in a mainly undisturbed part of the garden.
Verbena Bonariensis, a plant I love for encouraging all species of butterfly, and the Hummingbird Hawkmoth. A plant I loathe when it comes to pulling up hundreds of self-seedlings, in early Summer!
The Comma will hibernate upside down, camouflaged on a tree trunk, or amongst decaying leaves.
Click on Butterfly Conservation, to visit their informative website, teamed with great photos.
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11/10/2009
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SEEDHEADS
I collect seedheads in dry weather, as they ripen.
The Honesty seeds above were from my Dad's garden. The way the seeds form in their own little paper bags fascinates me.
This years Lupin seeds, from plants given to me by my Uncle.
Seeds are for sharing. Remember my cerise pink Hollyhock, from an earlier post? Plants, especially annuals, seed prolifically and it's produced hundreds of seeds.
If you live in the UK and would like some, please e-mail me your name and address, or leave a comment on this post, and I shall post some off to you.
o
07/10/2009
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GARDEN ORNAMENTS AND A GIVEAWAY WINNER
Having inherited garden ornaments, I share my patch with ...
a one-eyed, chewed-eared cat
and a rather cowardly lion.
A little stargazer
and a beautiful water carrier.
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A merry-looking piper
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and a Greek god!
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... and the winner of my 200th post garden/flower themed mystery giveaway is Re!
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23/09/2009
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HEMEROCALLIS
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In my garden Hemerocallis, the Day Lily, is at its best in July. Positioned in a sunny position, it provides a daily succession of orange flowers; each single one withering by the end of the day.
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The name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek words, day and beautiful.
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Many other types of plant have a second flush later on in the year. I wish this one did; it would sit perfectly alongside the Autumnal pink, copper and red colours of the Dahlia.
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Illustration, 1885
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27/08/2009
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... now here's proof I have a fox in the garden!
Can you believe this urban fox was quite happily sunning itself on a bare patch in our garden. I managed to take this photo through the window. Unfortunately it sensed movement, was spooked, and took off like a bullet into the undergrowth.
Just a relief I don't keep chickens!
o
16/08/2009
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MICHAELMAS DAISY - love, daintiness, after thought
When colour is beginning to fade in the late Summer garden, the Aster or Michealmas Daisy as it is commonly known, is just coming into bloom. This perennial, with its pale mauve daisy-like flowers is a real treat, not only to the human eye, but to butterflies, bees and hoverflies.
Aster comes from the Greek word Asteri, meaning star. This celestial body puts on an outstanding performance when planted in a sunny position. The variety I grow is quite happy to self-seed in cracks between paving. Its tall, and wiry stems would benefit from staking, to protect from wind damage, if only I could push a cane through concrete! Its foliage can be prone to mildew, but when growing in extreme dry conditions like mine, this just doesn't happen.
This is my 200th post!
The names of all who leave a comment on this post will be entered into a draw, to win a garden/flower themed mystery givaway.
I shall pick out a winner on September 30th, so there's plenty of time to get your comments in.
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