Floral Close-ups

The garden beauties were ready for their close-up tonight...
A host of mini golden daffodils:

Sumptuously blowsy apple blossom crowning the rosemary below...

The resplendent clean-scented rosemary, in all her flowering glory...

Floral Moments

"Oh, to be in England! Now that April's there"... so said Robert Browning, in 'Home Thoughts from Abroad' in the 19th Century.

 

We've been lucky, in London, this April (especially over the past few days) with gorgeous sunshine and relatively balmy temperatures.  I love my little garden, so thought I should share some pics with you... Daffodils aren't usually one of favourites but I couldn't resist these little cuties, to the left (above) on my marble table.

It's a shame you can't get the full benefits of the apple blossom, to the right in this picture - it's very lovely... I adore the contrast with the vast rosemary bush beneath (one of my favourite scents - very invigorating and clean) strewn with delightful lilac-purple flowers.

Inside my little house, the deliciously fragrant theme continues with these stunningly gorgeous, deeply-scented pink lilies.  Ah! little pleasures...

A Visit to Wisley

Vast, beautiful and diverse, RHS Wisley is a natural haven of beauty - moments from the traffic-laden A3. Although the crowds are likely to stay with you, when you visit at weekends, it remains a garden of delights with space for tranquillity, contemplation and inspiration.

Find your favourite tree and relish the glory of its changing colours through all its seasonal guises. Explore and track down plants and varieties - new and old - to transform your house and garden.

If it’s convenient enough for you to get to on a regular basis, you’re likely to make new discoveries with each visit. Frequent visitors should take advantage of the Royal Horticultural Society membership scheme; if you join-up you’ll save the £8 adult entry price and can bring along a friend for free.

little things...

How often do you stop to think about the little things that brighten your day?  Not necessarily the most important things in life like good health, great friends etc., but little things that give you joy when you stop to look at them, or to savour them.

Yes, today is another very wet and gloomy Bank Holiday Monday in the UK, so two of my little joys have been glancing over at my fresh white jug of  Sweet William flowers - every time I pass-by - as they sit on my little mosaic table, that was a great bargain find 10 years ago. And relishing my afternoon cup of hot green pomegranate tea in my favourite new mug...  

How about you?  What are yours and how often do you stop to enjoy them?

the joy of serendipity

The sun was shining and I craved a lovely, long riverside walk, so I headed-off from Kingston, along the towpath to Hampton Court.  En route admiring the serene swans grooming themselves all-in-a-row, the glorious houses, trees in blossom and beauty of the setting. 

 At Hampton Court, I crossed over the bridge and wandered into the pretty village of East Molesey.   It's a rare gem, that luckily seems to have managed to maintain its identity and individuality,  amidst today's sea of copy-cat high streets.  I spotted a beautiful little shop there that drew me in; a new and inviting florist, on its opening day. What a pleasure - and such a sweet story of serendipity - I discovered on talking with the owners. 

Graphic designer, Jules, lives next door; for many years one of her deepest yearnings had been to obtain the lease for the neighbouring premises and set-up shop there.  Pippa had retrained as a florist, after a career in advertising.  Whenever she walked past the shop she knew it would be the perfect place to bring her floral dreams to fruition.  A few months ago, Jules found out that the shop had become available - determined - she obtained the lease...

Pippa's boyfriend was driving past one day shortly afterwards, when he spotted Jules, busy outside. They started talking and he told her of Pippa's great passion for the shop. So, Jules and Pippa met, became business partners, with a shared vision and turned their dream into reality. The shop is a real delight - on all levels - and reflects their twin passion and determination.