A trio of different stems in my vase this week picked in a yet another shower of willow catkin snow. It's difficult to go venture out at the moment and risk opening one's mouth for risk of swallowing some of the fluff. The back of the house is becoming reminiscent of Miss Haversham's abode as cobs of snow congregate on the window sills and cover the decking. Oh for some rain to dampen them down. Our prolonged dry sunny spell continues unabated by even a gentle shower. Hopefully the annual shedding should be over soon. In my vase are :
- Aquilegia - this one gate crashed it's way into the garden this year. I'm not sure yet whether it's a case of live and let live or whether it will be going into the green bin.
- Briza media or quaking grass. I wonder why I have sown seed of this earlier in the spring when it has popped out as usual in various spots. During winter there's no sign of it so maybe it's a case of out of mind until it's time to think of seed sowing.
- A stem of rosa glauca - although the little pink flowers are pretty enough it's the buey/grey foliage of this rose which is it's most attractive feature. I like the red veins too. You may see some greenfly on the bud plus a smidge of willow snow. There seems to be an abundance of aphids in the garden this year and there is much squidging going on. I don't know whether this is down to a lack of the insects that might nibble on them or another factor. I wonder if other U.K. gardeners have noticed an increase in numbers?
Thanks go as always to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for hosting. I'm looking forward to seeing what delights are in other vases. Here it's too hot for me to venture out in the garden until this evening where as always there are jobs to be done including what seems to be a round of never ending watering. Until then there might be time for a bit of gentle sitting in the shade and listening to an audio book. Hope that you enjoy your gardens this week.
A white aquilegia would surely be one for keeping? Is your hay fever affected by the willow shedding? It's only fairly recently I realised what all the white fluff was - fortunately none on the garden, but there are several in the car park of the place where I go for swimming/fitness classes. You are right about the rose foliage - it's lovely. As for the briza, I have such mixed feelings about it but love its dangly heads, which are a great addition to a vase
ReplyDeleteI think that on balance I will keep the aquilegia Cathy although it is tucked away in a corner. Yes my hayfever is definitely affected by the willow shedding and now on top of that I think that I've picked up a summer cold which has gone to my chest.
DeleteIt's a subdued but pretty arrangement, Anna. I'd no idea that willow catkins produce that kind of debris. I saw a post online that mentioned that it can be a public health risk in some areas!
ReplyDeleteI have read similar reports Kris. Apparently it is a major issue in Bejing and there are efforts going on to stop the female trees from producing catkins.
DeleteSuch a pretty aqueligia and briza is wonderful for flower arrangements. I cut Rosa glauca right down each year and feed it so that so that I get big blueish leaves..
ReplyDeleteThanks for you kind words Chloris. I must be more rigorous about pruning my rosa glauca 😂
DeleteLove the foliage choices!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna 😀
DeleteA pretty summery posy Anna, with that lovely rose foliage setting it all off. Yes, we have a lot of aphids here too… the long damp spring and now heat has been ideal conditions for them I suppose. My house sparrows are however doing their best to get rid of them for me! I have never tried growing the annual Briza, but must try, as they are so much bigger and more attractive than the perennial I have. Hope the willow finishes shedding its catkins soon! I know how irritating they can be from my old garden, clogging up my lawnmower in particular! LOL!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to hear that your garden has lots of aphids too Cathy but then perhaps we have had similar weather this spring. Fortunately our excuse for a lawn is usually spared much in the way of willow snow 😂
DeleteI am sure that you will have already decided on the aquilegia, and hopefully it is a stayer, it looks so pretty in your delicate arrangement. Yes we could all do with a shower. I happened to see that part of the Bristol Botanical gardens was suffering from 'blown in snow' yesterday and straight away felt for you.
ReplyDeleteYes it's a stayer - for now - Noelle. We had a couple of hours or so of rain accompanied on Saturday evening so there was much rejoicing. Thanks for your sympathy with regard to the willow snow.
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