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 🙂

Scottish_garden_in_June — The most colourful time of the year. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

September retrospective

September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Scottish_Pink_heather_and_autumn_leaves — Early Autumn vibes. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I hope this posts finds you well. The season has definitely shifted here in central Scotland, and Autumn is upon us once again. It’s been a mixed bag of weather with some unseasonal, very hot and humid days back at the beginning of the month, and now wet, windy and stormy ones to bring the month to a close. On the whole, it has been quite mild. Given this mixed bag of growing conditions, it is a wonder that the plants know what season it is, like these foxgloves still producing flowers since June.

Late_Scottish_pink_foxgloves_September_2023 — September foxgloves. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to harvest the plums from the small tree in the garden. Like a lot of fruit trees this year, the harvest was good and there were a fair few plums to pick. All now cooked and made into jam 🙂

September_2023_Scottish_garden_Victoria_plum_harvest — This year’s plum harvest. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The next garden harvest will be from the apple tree. I think we’re looking at a more modest harvest this year compared to last year’s bumper crop.

Apple_tree_in_fruit_September_2023 — The old apple tree, September 2023. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Hydrangeas do quite well in the garden due to the acidic soil. This one was planted back in late spring, and although the blooms naturally fade at this time of year, it still adds some colour and cheer in the flowerbed.

Red_Hydrangea_bush — Fading gracefully, red Hydrangea. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

No post from me at this time of year would be complete without a few images of the Japanese anemones. They have done very well this year, surviving the heat and now the wind and rain. As delicate as they look, their hardiness still amazes me.

Scottish_garden_Japanese_anemones_September_2023

Close-up_on_two_pink_Japanese_anemones — Autumn favourites. Japanese anemones. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

My favourite rose bush in the garden didn’t do quite so well earlier in the year, so I was very happy to see new buds forming at the end of last month and some healthy foliage forming. In the past couple of weeks, new heavily scented flowers have opened up along with fresh green leaves.

Old_Scottish_pink_rose_second_flowering_September_2023 — Pink rose, second time around. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

After my hedgerow harvest post at the end of last month, I have been on the look out for more wild berries. Whilst the blackberries and sloes have finished now, there are still plenty of elderberries ripening. On a walk last weekend, I picked this container-full. Once the berries were removed from the stems, I had just under 2lb of fruit which are now stashed in the freezer for later use.

Scottish_elderberries_in_the_wild_September_2023 — Ripe Scottish elderberries, September 2023. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

That’s me for another week or so. I will be back in the kitchen for my next post. Until then, enjoy the change of season and thanks for stopping by 🙂

A look back at June in the garden

June 29, 2023July 14, 2023 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

End_of_June_Scottish_garden_flower-bed — Everything in the garden is blooming. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. It’s been a very different June this year here in central Scotland. Having had a very warm May with little significant rain, the first 3 weeks of June followed along the same lines. Subsequently, many of the flowers that are usually around for at least a couple of weeks have bloomed early and only lasted a few days in the heat and drought. The weather has broken now, but it has left me wondering what the garden will look like in July and August with so many favourites having bloomed early.

Lilac_Allium_June_2023 — Early June Allium. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Back at the beginning of the month, the Alliums were blooming proudly and looked striking with their tall long stems and intricate star-shaped flower heads. Usually, June is all about Lupins and foxgloves. This year they began flowering in May, and sadly by the middle of the month, they had faded and dried, and the few second flowers also came and went. The foxgloves still have a few flowers at the top of their very long stems, and the bees are still managing to collect pollen from the bell-shaped blooms that remain.

Pink_and_white_lupins_under_a_blue_sky — Purple, orange, pink and white lupins earlier in the month. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Early_June_foxglove_and_Persicaria_bistorta_with_bees — Flowers and bees in early June. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I think the biggest mark of difference in the garden this summer, are the geraniums and day lilies. Both usually provide colour into July, but all the geranium petals have fallen, and only a very few day lilies are left to flower.

Midsummer_geraniums_and_day_lilies — Midsummer blue and gold. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

So here we are at the end of the month. There are still a few peonies in bloom providing rich colour and delicious fragrance, and the old rose bush (which hasn’t failed yet) is looking and smelling wonderful at the moment.

Mid_June_deep_pink_Peonies — Mid June Peonies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

End_of_June_old_rose_bush_in_full_bloom — Bloomin’ marvellous. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’ve started harvesting produce from the greenhouse. The baby cucumbers I’m growing were about 3cm long at the beginning of June, and this week, I picked the first couple of fully formed fruit. In the shady parts of the garden, the wild strawberries have done well again this year.

First_baby_cucumber_ripe_and_ready — First pickings. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

End_of_June_wild_strawberry_harvest_2023 — June 2023 wild strawberry harvest. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

At ground level, these two Dianthus varieties are my favourite plants in the garden at the moment. If I keep removing the spent heads, I am hoping that new buds will keep forming and that there will be flowers for a couple more weeks yet.

End_of_June_Dianthus_flowers — Lilac and pink Dianthus. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’m closing my post with a flower that’s just opened up this week. The first of many (I hope) Japanese Anemones in the garden. This one’s about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. And that’s me, until next time, have a great few days and thanks for stopping by 🙂

Early white Japanese Anemone. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Midsummer rainbow garden

June 24, 2021June 24, 2021 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 3 Comments

Midsummer_in_a_Scottish_garden — Midsummer garden. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello everyone. I hope you well and that the sun has been shining wherever you are. It’s been a mixed bag here. Some sunshine, some rain, but warmer temperatures on the whole.

I have a very simple post this week. Several plants in the garden are about 2 weeks behind this year, and this has enabled me to put together a post I have wanted to do for a while but have not, until now, had the selection of colours to make it work.

Below is a compilation of flowering plants from my garden photographed this week from Midsummer’s Day on Monday through to this morning. All the colours of the rainbow plus a couple more. I hope you enjoy them.

Deep_red_Aquilegia_plume_thistle_and_Skimmia_Japonica_berries — The reds: Aquilegia; Plume thistle, and Skimmia Japonica berries. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Peachy-red_Azalea_orange-yellow_lupin_and_Pilosella — The oranges: Azalea, Lupin and Pilosella (fox and cubs). Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Yellow_flowering_Sedum_Lysimachia_and_Day_Lilies. — The yellows: Sedum, Lysimachia and Day Lilies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Green_Euphorbia_flowers_lemon_thyme_and_fresh_sage_plants — The greens: Euphorbia, lemon Thyme, and sage. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Geranium_Magnificum_nlue_Campanula_and_Centaurea_Montana — The blues: Geranium Magnificum, Campanula and Centaurea Montana. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Purple_lupin_trailing_Campanula_and_deep_violet_violas — The violets: Lupin, trailing Campanula and Violas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Gertrude_Jekyll_rose_deep_pink_Foxglove_and_white_and_pink_lupin — The pinks: Gertrude Jekyll rose, Foxglove and Lupin. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

White_hebe_flowers_white_Veronica_and_white_foxglove — The whites: Hebe, Veronica and Foxglove. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’m heading back to the kitchen for my next post. I will see again in a few days. Until then, take care and keep safe 🙂

In praise of peonies

June 28, 2018 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 7 Comments

Fuschia-pink_peonies_with_bright_yellow_centre — Fuschia-pink peonies in full bloom. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I hope you have all been enjoying some warm sunshine these past few days. The temperature has shot up in the UK and we have all been experiencing long, hot, summer days, and records have been broken every day this week.

I am away from home this week and I know that when I return at the weekend, the lush garden I left behind last Saturday will probably be looking less so. This week’s post is a look back at one of my favourite garden flowers, the peony, which I captured before I headed away.

Fuschia-pink_peony_in_the_sunshine — Sunlight through peony petals. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

There are 4 varieties of peony in the back garden. All have the delightful sweet fragrance that these blooms are renowned for, and to me, they are one of the quintessential old-fashioned blooms of and established flower garden.

I hope you enjoy them 🙂

Scottish_garden_border_bed_with_peonies_and_foxgloves — Peonies and foxgloves. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

4_varieties_of_peony_in_bloom — 4 perfect peonies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Mid-summer garden

July 1, 2017August 8, 2017 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

Kalmia_bush_in_flower — Kalmia bush and flowers. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Half way through the year already. I can hardly believe it. It’s also just over a year since I published my first post on this blog. What a year it’s been. So many flowers, plants and recipes. So much colour and flavour.

The last week of June has been a turbulent one here in central Scotland. After several days of warm sunshine, suddenly the winds got up and the rain came down. The flowers and shrubs certainly received a bit of a battering, but most have recovered. I have two Kalmia bushes in the garden. When in bud, the bright pink tightly closed flowers remind me of pink icing piped through a star-shaped nozzle (you can see a few in the picture above). As the buds open out, the unusual pink flowers turn into little lanterns or fairy-sized lamp shades. As the petals begin to fade and fall, it looks like someone has scattered pink confetti over the lawn.

Foxgloves_campanula_and_phlomis — Blue Campanula and pink foxgloves; golden Phlomis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Mid-June to early July is probably the best time of the year for colour variation in the garden. There are a lot dainty blue and white Campanula all over the borders as well as different shades of foxgloves – these both seed themselves year after year. I have two clumps of yellow Phlomis, with small crowns of flowers that remind me of little pineapples. The velvety, sage-green foliage comes up in mid spring and lasts long after the flowers have bloomed.

Lilium_martogan — Lilium martagon (Turk’s Head Lily). Image by Kathryn Hawkins

I discovered this small lily underneath a rhododendron in the front garden a few weeks ago. One by one the individual blooms have opened, and finally yesterday, I managed to capture them all open at the same time. It is like a small tiger-lily, so pretty and dainty. I can’t remember planting it, or even having seen it ever before!

Iris_Foedissima — Iris Foedissima. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

This fine fellow was new in the garden last year. Actually, it had probably been in the garden for a while, but it was hidden away in an old compost heap. When the compost was distributed, it sprouted up. Given a more prominent position in the garden, it started flowering last summer. This iris is one of only two native varieties in the UK; it is not the most colourful, but certainly interesting, and it has a rather unfortunate and unflattering common name: “stinking iris” – but this one doesn’t seem to smell at all!

My last image to share this month, is a plant not strictly in my garden, but something I am proud to have raised given the climate here. It is a small Oleander bush. I have kept it through the winter months, swaddled in fleece, in my unheated greenhouse, and this spring the flower buds started appearing. On warm days, it does stand outside for a few hours, and brings a hint of the Mediterranean to the more traditional flora and fauna.