June blooms

June 15, 2025June 15, 2025 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Blue_geraniums_and_yellow_day_lilies — Sunshiny June garden. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello there. What a glorious month to be outside in the garden. All the fine weather we had back in the spring has produced some fine garden blooms this year. Fortunately we have had some rain to revive everything and currently Mother Nature is providing us with a good balance of sunshine and showers which is helping keep everything fresh. The bank of blue geraniums and yellow day lilies is one of my favourite floral combinations at this time of year.

Scottish_Perennial_blue_geraniums — The bees love them too. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Yellow_day_lilies_June_2025 — Golden lilies. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

It’s been a great year for Campanulas. The wall variety is crammed with flowerheads and the taller varieties are popping up all over the garden.

Purplish-blue_wall_campanulas — Cascading wall Campanulas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

June_blue_Campanulas — Scottish blue Campanulas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins.

The old rambling rose in the back garden has been a victim of its own success this year. It has grown so tall and produced so many flower heads it is too heavy on top for its stems underneath and has to be tied back. The scent is as wonderful as ever.

Old_rambling_pink_rose — Rambling rose bush. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

More delicious scents in another part of the garden, from the peonies, also popular with our little winged friends.

3_perfect_peonies_June_2025 — Perfect, petaly and perfumed. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Amidst all the rainbow colours in the garden, these bright white Delphiniums are putting on a lovely show this year.

White_Delphiniums_June_2025 — Ice white Delphiniums. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

One of the more unusual plants in flower at the moment is the Phlomis with it’s tufty flower heads that remind me of tiny pineapples.

Phlomis_Russeliana — Fabulous Phlomis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

A_sunny_June_day_in_a_Scottish_garden — My sunny Sunday garden. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

That’s all from me for now. I hope you have a great few days and are able to get out and about in the sunshine. Until next time, thanks as ever for stopping by 🙂

Multicoloured May

May 4, 2025May 4, 2025 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Early_May_Apple_Blossom_2025 — Happy May! Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Happy May everyone! What a glorious start to the new month here in the UK with the continuation of fine weather and subsequent earlier blooming of many of my favourite garden flowers. I couldn’t resist sharing a few images of the garden as it springs into life in a riot of colours. Apple blossom is one of the prettiest of the fruit blossoms, and it looks like the old Lord Derby apple tree is going to put in another good show this year.

It’s the time in the gardening calendar when everything seems to take off at once, and everywhere has something colourful to show. The later flowering rhododendrons and the wonderfully bold and brash Azaleas, jammed packed with petals as usual, are putting on a great display at the moment.

Scottish_garden_May_pale_pink_Rhododendron — May soft pink Rhododendron. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_garden_golden_Azalea_May_2025 — Golden glory. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_agarden_red_and_deep_pink_Azaleas_early_May_2025 — Bloomin’ marvellous Azaleas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

May is all about bluebells and they have been popping up all over the garden since Easter, alongside other cooler coloured flowers like the forget-me-nots, mountain cornflower and the first of the lavenders.

Scottish_garden_bluebells_and_forget-me-nots — May blues. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Early_May_tufted_lavender_and_Centaurea_Montana — Tufted lavender and mountain cornflower. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

There are still a few reminders of the first spring flowers dotted around like this magnificent white daffodil and the very fragrant Narcissi. The Welsh poppies have put in an early appearance. Usually just one or two would be in flower by now, but this year, they are flowering all round the garden already.

Early_May_white_daffodil_and_Narcissi — White daffodil and Narcissi. Images: Kathryn Hawkins.

Early_May_2025_Yellow_Welsh_poppies — May poppies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

To round off my post, I have captured the two varieties of Aquilegia that opened up as I started putting this post together. Such delicate and intricate layers of petals, like frilly dresses, the flowers last for a fair length of time and make me feel that Summer isn’t too far away.

Early_May_2025_pink_Aqualigea — Pretty in pink: the first of the Aqualigeas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I hope you have enjoyed my flowery photos. I’ll be back in the kitchen for my next post. Until then, happy gardening and enjoy the late Spring colours 🙂

Easter baking: hot cross muffins (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

April 16, 2025April 16, 2025 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Gluten-free_dairy-free_vegan_Easter_hot_cross_muffins — Happy Easter 2025! Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. Easter is finally upon us. It feels like it’s been a long wait this year. We have had a long spell of warm, dry and sunny weather here in the UK which has brought with it a glorious Spring, full of flowers and blossoms. The daffodils are going over now but they have put on a great show this year, but it is the primroses that have really stolen the show. The dry weather has meant that there have been fewer beasties around to dine out on their delicious petals.

Potted_garden_Daffodils_April_2025 — Daffodil assortment. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_garden_primroses_April_2025 — April primroses. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

To celebrate the season, I have been baking. A twist on the yeasted fruit and spice buns which are traditional at this time of year, these muffins are easy to make and delicious served warm or cold. They freeze fine as well. I use a gluten-free bread flour which has xanthan gum added to it. Use a plain version if you prefer for a softer and more crumbly muffin.

Basket_of_gluten-free_vegan_Easter_muffins — Freshly baked and ready to serve. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Single_gluten-free_vegan_Easter_muffin — Easter on a plate. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I made my own cases. If you fancy having a go yourself, you will need 10 x 12-13cm squares baking paper and a bottle or jar that fits snuggly into a muffin tin. Line up the paper square over the muffin tin and push it in place using the end of the bottle. You may have to pleat and model the paper a little to make it fit the tin more neatly, but the weight of the cake mixture will hold it in place.

Making_muffin_cases — Homemade muffin cases. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Makes 10:

Ingredients

1tbsp ground linseeds (flaxseeds)
225g gluten free bread flour
2tsp gluten free baking powder
1tso ground mixed spice
115g light soft brown sugar
175g currants or other chopped dried fruit
50g plant-based butter, melted
175ml plant-based milk (I used oat milk)
2tbsp carob or maple syrup
100g natural marzipan

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C, 170°C fan oven, Gas 5. Line 10 muffin tins with paper cases. Mix the linseeds with 3tbsp cold water and leave for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder and spice into a bowl and stir in the brown sugar and currants. Make a well in the centre.

3. Pour in the melted butter, milk and linseed mixture, then mix everything together to make a thick batter.

4. Divide between the cases, smooth the tops and bake for 30-35 minutes until risen and lightly golden. Transfer to a cooling rack and brush the tops with the syrup. Leave to cool for 15 minutes.

6_steps_showing_how_to_make_gluten-free_vegan_Easter_muffins — Easter muffin making. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. Meanwhile, lightly dust the work top with icing sugar and roll out the marzipan to a rectangle approx. 7 x 20xm. Cut into 20 thin strips.

6. Arrange the strips on top of each warm bun to form crosses. Serve the buns warm or leave to cool completely if preferred. Best eaten within 2 days of baking. Store in an airtight container or freeze when cold.

Making_marzipan_crosses_for_gluten-free_vegan_hot_cross_muffins — Marzipan crosses. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Easter_2025_gluten-free_vegan_spiced_and_fruited_muffin — Too good to resist. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Whatever you are doing this coming Easter weekend, I hope you have a lovely time. Until next month, I’ll leave you with this image of the first bluebells to open up in the garden. The sunshine has encouraged them to flower a few days earlier than usual. Happy Easter everyone 🙂

Scottish_garden_bluebells_April_2025 — Bluebells for Easter. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Spring has sprung

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Scottish_garden_Tete_a_Tete_daffodils — Mini golden blooms. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello there. At last it feels like the season has changed to my favourite time of the year. Lots of new buds and blooms poking up out of the barren soil offering some glimpses of what is to come over the next few weeks. The Tête à Tête and crocus are amongst the first spring flowers to show once the snowdrops start to fade. I love the colour clash in the borders and beds.

Golden_Tete_a_Tete_in_March_sunshine — Gloriously gold in the March sunshine. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_purple_crocus_March_2025 — A riot of purple. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

My greatest joy this spring so far is this Mimosa plant which is standing proud in my unheated greenhouse. I bought it as a potted plant last February, and kept it wrapped up in fleece throughout the winter. Now it is covered with the most delightfully fluffy little flowers.

Mimosa_plant_in_flower_Scotland_March_2025 — Overwintered greenhouse Mimosa. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Elsewhere in the garden, the spring heathers are in full bloom. Today I saw my first bee of the year buzzing around the white one; a good sign of things to come.

Scottish_garden_white_heather_March_2025 — Spring heathers. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The Hellebores are much more advanced now, heads beginning to straighten. A welcome splash of colour in the shadier corners of the garden.

Scottish_garden_Hellebores_March_2025 — In the spring sun and shade, garden Hellebores. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

There have been some clear skies this weekend, and today I managed to capture my favourite shot of the white Pieris against the blue background. The Erythroniumn (Dog tooth violet) also opened out today in the warmth of the sun.

March_2025_White_Pieris_flowers_against_a _blue_sky_and_the_first_Erythronium — White Pieris and Erythronium in the early spring sunshine. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Regular as clockwork, the Chionodoxa start putting their vibrant blue heads up above the soil and gravel at this time of year.

First_Chionodoxa_of_spring_March_2025 — The first Chionodoxa of 2025. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The first Rhododendrons have been coming out in flower since the middle of last month. This pink one in the back garden is at it’s peak right now. The flowerheads remind me of candy floss.

March_2025_pair_of_pink_Rhododendron_blooms — A perfect pair of blooms. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I’m going to finish my garden round up with one last image of my Mimosa plant which I captured today in the sunshine. The flowers looked exceptionally vibrant and the scent is honey-sweet and earthy. Delicious 🙂

Greenhouse_Mimosa_in_full_bloom — Yellow pom poms of sunshine. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Until next time, enjoy the spring flowers. I hope to see you again in a few weeks. Thanks for stopping by!

January skies and the first flowers.

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Fiery_Scottish_sunrise_January_2025 — Fiery sunrise over icy hills. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

A very belated happy new year to you. This month has flown by. All the festivities of a few weeks ago seem like a long time away already.

It’s a quiet time out of doors in terms of gardening. The weather has been quite kind so far. Little snow and rain, some stormy winds, and some very cold nights, but nothing extraordinary. The days are slowly drawing out again and there have been some beautiful sunrises.

Early_morning_sunrise_January_2025 — End of the night, beginning of the day. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_sunrise_January_2025 — Sun up on a chilly day. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Whilst there have been lots of lovely starts to the day, I haven’t seen much happening in the skies at the other end of the day, apart from this sunset which is punctuated with puffs of white cloud which look like plumes of steam.

New_year_Scottish_sunset — Early new year sunset. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

There have been many postings on social media of the Northern Lights here in central Scotland. It usually means getting up in the middle of the night to look, and to be honest, when it’s so cold, I am not motivated enough to do it. However, earlier in the month, there was an alert that the lights were visible at a much more sociable time. So I ventured outside in the back garden on a wonderfully clear, crisp night and saw…….absolutely nothing! However, pointing my camera at various points in the sky, the lens picked up this faint purple glow in the north-east sky. To the eye, the sky was almost black except for the stars.

Pink_purple_glowing_night_sky_January_2025 — Purple night sky. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

To finish this short post, there are a few flowery delights in the garden at the moment. I just hope the Periwinkle, Rhododendrons and snowdrop survive any cold weather that’s heading out way in the next few weeks.

Scottish_garden_flowers_January_2025 — Early bloomers. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Have a good rest of the month and I’ll be back posting some time in February. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

October’s fine harvest

October 20, 2024October 20, 2024 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Scottish_garden_cooking_apple_harvest — Another bumper year from the old apple tree. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. Well, that’s just about everything edible in from the garden for another year. It was a fine bright day yesterday, perfect weather for apple and pear picking. What a bumper harvest this year: 35kg apples and 10kg pears – woo hoo!

Scottish_garden_pear_harvest — This year’s Concorde and Comice pear harvest. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’m glad to report on the back of last month’s post, there have been runner beans to enjoy at last. I picked off the last of them yesterday and took the plants down. As I type, the weather has become very stormy and I am pretty sure that the beans wouldn’t have survived a pounding from gale force winds.

Late_harvested_runner_beans — Runner beans at last! Images: Kathryn Hawkins

In the greenhouse, some plants are shutting down like the French beans, cucumber and tomatoes. There are a few tomatoes left on the vines to ripen, but I was pleased with this basket full. The baby sweetcorn I planted (almost too) late is also about ready to pick.

Homegrown_Scottish_garden_runner_beans_and_cherry_tomatoes — Last of the runner beans. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Greenhouse_baby_sweetcorn — The sweetcorn fairies are coming. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Looking forward to next spring, the potted mimosa plant is doing well in the greenhouse and has set lots of flower buds. Now all I need to do is keep it from the harm of a potentially very cold Scottish winter.

Flower_buds_on_greenhouse_mimosa — A hint of spring. Mimosa flower buds. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Outside the garden is alive with beautiful colours of the Japanese maple and Autumn crocuses.

Autumnal_shades_of_Japanese_maple — Glorious Autumnal shades. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

October_2024_autumn_crocus_in_Scottish_sunshine — Sunny Autumn crocus. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The deliciously scented pink rose is out flowering again. Such a heady aroma when you catch the scent in the air.

Late_flowering_rose_October_2024 — In the pink in October. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’ll end my post with a nod to the next season. I’ve been working on Christmas projects for a few weeks already but in the garden the holly trees are bursting with berries this year. Some would say that this means we’re in for a cold winter, but I’d prefer to believe that it simply means that this year has given the trees just the right growing conditions to produce a huge amount of fruit. We’ll see…..fingers crossed I’m right.

Scottish_garden_holly_and_red_berries — Bursting with berries. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’ll be back recipe posting in a few days, something suitably spooky for Hallowe’en. Until then, thanks for stopping by.

A September garden tale

September 29, 2024September 29, 2024 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Concorde_pear_tree_Scotland_September_2024 — End of September and the pears are almost ready for harvest. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello there. It’s nearly the beginning of a new month, and Autumn will soon be in full swing. September has been a pretty dry month here in central Scotland, unlike other parts of the UK. So dry in fact that the water butt is almost empty which is almost unheard of at this time of year. But no doubt Mother Nature will make up for it next month and you’ll be reading about it in my next garden post!

The day and night temperatures have lowered as the month has gone on. A few days ago, it was gloriously sunny and warm, and the sunflowers and rose opened up in response.

Sunflower_and_pink_roses — Sunshiny flowers. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

In the greenhouse, the Cobra French beans are still producing flowers and juicy green beans. Such a tasty treat.

Cobra_French_beans_growing_in_late_September — A very beany harvest. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

And so to my tale. I was late planting runner beans this year and ended up leaving them in the greenhouse in large pots for quite some time. In mid August, the beans were failing to pollinate behind glass, I carefully moved them outside. After a few days of warm sunshine, regular watering and some feed, the beans started to form and began to develop very quickly. So pleased was I, I had a whole post planned on how to successfully grown runner beans late into the season.

Early and mid-September_runner_beans_developing — Late starting runner beans. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Then, early one morning in the middle of this month………

Deer_damage_to_homegrown_Scottish_runner_beans — Deer oh deer! Images: Kathryn Hawkins

……this is what I woke up to! And here’s the culprit. Now a frequent visitor, he/she has also taken a liking to Salal berries (amongst many other plants!). I’m not too bothered about the berries as they are very hardy, but, the beans, I could have cried!

Young_deer_in_Scottish_garden — Bean and berry eating Bambi. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

September_runner_beans_fleeced_for_protection — Bambi-proof, fleeced beans. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

After some hasty fleece wrapping, a few days on, the beans seem to be thriving again. The foliage and beans further up the stems were undamaged, and this is how they look this weekend; I may get to taste homegrown runner beans after all this year 🙂

End of September_Runner_beans — Beans in recovery. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Another garden visitor who does no damage, is this delightful Robin who has started singing his heart out most days in the holly tree. Not the greatest of photos, but his song is an absolute delight to hear, and it is so loud!

Singing_garden_robin_September_2024 — Singing his heart out. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’m ending my post this week with an image of a radiant September sunset I captured this week. No sooner had I taken this picture, than the colours faded and it became dark very quickly. It was a glorious sight for a few short minutes at the end of a busy day. Until next month, thanks for reading my post. Best wishes 🙂

End_of_September_sunset_2024 — Scottish September sunset. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

It’s beginning to feel a bit like Autumn….

August 31, 2024August 31, 2024 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Scottish_garden_plum_and_pear_trees_ August_2024 — A promising harvest awaits. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. It certainly feels like the season is beginning to change here in central Scotland. The daylight hours are shortening and there is a distinct nip in the early morning and late evening air.

Ripening_pears_plums_and_apples_late_August_2024 — Ripening orchard fruit. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Really happy to see so much fruit on the pear, apple and plum trees this year. It must have been all the rain we have had. Not long to wait until the picking starts 🙂 I have already harvested a few potatoes, and a few greenhouse tomatoes and French beans. Such a treat, and there is plenty more to come.

Late_Summer_garden_produce — Garden and greenhouse treasures. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Around the garden, there are still some signs of Summer like the orange lupin flowering for the third time, and such a large bloom. Usually the second and third flowers are small, but this one is a real beauty.

Late_Summer_orange_garden_flowers — Late Summer flowering Crocosmia and a late blooming Lupin. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_garden_Lacecap_Hydrangea — Lovely Lacecap Hydrangea. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

And the bees are still very busy, especially around the Echinops and Golden Rod.

Scottish_garden_bees_in_the_sunshine — Busy bees in the sunshine. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

But you know the season is changing when the first Autumn crocus emerges in a darker corner of the garden, and the late flowering heathers are in full flower.

Late_August_2024_Autumn_crocus — Delicate lilac crocus blooms. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Scottish_Autumn_heather_August_2024 — Scottish Autumn heathers. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

A few nights ago, as the daylight was fading, a new visitor came up the driveway and started tucking into the fallen sunflower seeds from the bird feeder. He/she stood on their hindlegs to reach a few seeds caught on the stone wall. You’ll see it is quite a chunky fellow, and is obviously finding enough food to keep its strength up:) The other image is of a magnificent Peacock butterfly absorbing the warmth from the sandstone wall outside my office the other day. What a beauty.

Garden_hedgehog_and_sunbathing_Red_Admiral_butterfly — Night and day time visitors. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

My final images this month are of the Rowan tree in the back garden which has been quite bereft of berries for several years. This year it is laden, and so much so that they are beginning to fall to the ground before the birds have started to eat them!

Scottish_garden_Rowan_tree_Laden_with_berries — Ripe Rowan berries. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

That’s me for another month. See you in September! Thanks and best wishes until then.

July fruit and flowers

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 2 Comments

Scottish_Morello_cherries_July_2024 — Mini harvest of Morellos. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I thought I’d take a look back at the month and post a few pics of what’s been happening in the garden. This is the time of year when the soft fruit is ready. The cherries were picked a few days ago. The Morello tree is only very small, but I picked enough for a pie and managed to keep them protected from our feathered friends.

Basket_of_homegrown_Scottish_Morello_cherries_July_2024 — Ripe and juicy pickings. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Only a few of the original canes of raspberries remain in the garden now. PLanted about 18 years ago, they still produce a fair few berries over the month. There are still a few left to ripen.

Homegrown_Scottish_raspberries_July_2024 — This year’s raspberry haul so far. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Brightening up what continues to be a very up and down summer season this year, are some very colourful blooms. These 3 golden beauties produce new flowers right through until early Autumn.

Leucanthemum_Argyranthemum_and_Coreopsis_July_2024 — Left to right: Bananas cream Leucanthemum, Argyranthemum, and Sunfire Coreopsis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

All the lavenders and bellflowers (Campanulas) in the garden have done very well this year – they obviously appreciate the mix of sunshine and showers we’ve been having for the past few weeks. Very popular with our little winged, buzzing friends as well.

Scottish_lavender_and_pale_pink_Bellflower_July_2024 — Lovely lavender and beautiful Bellflowers. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The old white Hydrangea bush is putting on a great display of blooms this year. Elsewhere in the garden, these more recently planted mauve and blue varieties are also thriving. The colours are at their most vivid at the moment.

White_Hydrangea_bush_July_2024 — Gloriously white Hydrangea blooms. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Mauve_and_bright_blue_Hydrangea_flowers — Cool coloured Hydrangeas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Last year a white Delphinium was added to this flowerbed which did so well, another one was planted a few weeks ago. The tall stems add great height to the beds and make the Hydrangeas look even bolder in colour.

Blue_Hyrdangeas_and_white_Delphinium — Bold and bright Summer shades. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

And that’s me for another post. Looking forward to the month ahead, I’ll be back in the kitchen for my next post. Until then, thanks for taking the time to stop by 🙂

All the colours of June

June 15, 2024June 15, 2024 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 2 Comments

Purple_and_orange_garden_Lupins_June_2024 — Scottish garden Lupins on a sunny day in early June. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I hope you are well and enjoying better weather than we are at the moment. Fortunately I took my photos of the garden earlier in the week before the weather turned unseasonably chilly and wet. Aside for the glorious colours outside right now, it has been hard to believe that it is actually June!

June_2024_Scottish_orange_Lupin — Peachy-orange Lupin. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The Lupins started flowering earlier this year and subsequently many of the flowers are now going over, especially after getting a pounding by the heavy showers. Behind the Lupins, the yellow daylilies grow. For the short time they are in flower, the contrast with the blues of the lupins and geraniums is glorious, and their scent is very perfumed.

June_2024_yellow_daylilies — Bold and bright, yellow daylilies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The garden was full of Aquilegia in May this year which is unusual, 2-3 weeks before they usually flower. Most were over quite quickly, but these ones are lingering on in a shadier part of the garden. The one growing on top of the wall is very hardy and seems to enjoy being “king of the castle”. I have tried to sow the seeds elsewhere but it never seems to take anywhere else.

Violet_aquilegia_growing_on_top_of_an_old_wall

Deep_blue_aquilegia_and_lilac_Meadow_Rue — Violet Aquilegia growing on the top of an old wall; a deep blue Aquilegia and delicate lilac-coloured Meadow Rue. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

At last the peonies are coming out. Just a few single blooms at the moment with their delicious sweet and perfumed scent wafting around the flowerbeds.

White_and_deep_pink_peonies_June_2024 — Fragrant June Peonies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I lost quite a few of the lilac globe Alliums this year. Only a couple came up and they got blown over quite quickly. These 3 varieties seem to be a bit more hardy and are coping well with the elements.

3_varieties_of_Allium_Siculum_Moly_and_Nigrum — Allium Siculum (bell-shaped), Allium Moly (yellow) and Allium Nigrum (white). Images: Kathryn Hawkins

This pale pink Lupin was one of the first to flower this year, brought on by the sunshine of last month and better weather at the beginning of the month, it is a little bit more sheltered than the others. The pink Bistorta grows very well in the garden and the bees love it. The foxgloves and pink cranesbill geraniums are also favourites of our little flying friends.

June_2024_pale_pink_lupins_and_pink_bistorta

Close-up_on_pink_foxglove_and_cranesbill_geranium — All the pinks. Top: Pink Lupins and Bistorta. Bottom: close-up on pink foxglove and cranesbill geranium. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

That’s my garden round up for this month. I’m back in the kitchen for my next post. I hope to see you in a couple of weeks when hopefully the summer will have returned 🙂