taken around the plot this morning.
I’m surprised to see these linaria maroccana Fairy Bouquet that have appeared over by the log pile. I know what they are as I grew some in 2008! They’re a pretty little snapdragon-like flower, each one only as big as a little finger tip.
The annual cornflowers (centaurea cyanus) have started flowering. They’re mostly blue but there are a few pink ones as well.
Plot neighbour George kindly gave me this genista a couple of years ago which is happily growing, and now flowering profusely, in the top north-east corner.
The lamb’s ears (stachys lanata) that I was given I replanted in the square planter. I took all the dead and tatty leaves off when I did and now it’s looking good, and growing well.
I can’t resist showing some pot marigolds, which are now flowering all over the plot. My favourite one so far is at the bottom of this photo.
I moved Fox Junior, the plot guardian, earlier in the week. He’s still sitting under the rose Pretty Lady but now he’s looking towards the log pile and pond rather than up towards the roadway.
Have a good weekend!
[Click on any photo to see a larger image]
Flighty's plot 
Genista has a delicate flower with a yellow shade to match; I far prefer it to the flower of the Gorse, which is deep but very bright egg yolk yellow and rather fearsome. But then, the bush it grows on is no fun. It’s is probably warning fauna and man to keep off! All that said, a profusion of Gorse flowers on an otherwise harsh landscape, which is where they are usually to be found, does make a change and alerts you to the onset of a milder season.
I do not think I have ever seen linaria maroccana, or, if I have, I have not recognised it.
My plantlings are a long way behind yours; if they get the time to produce flower, I do not think it will be for long. xx
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Menhir I see that this genista is called Spanish Gorse. It’s interesting what you say about gorse flowers.
I’m not surprised, and being such as small flower it’s easily overlooked.
Fingers crossed that the next few months are good so that they do all flower for you. xx
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The Genista is a name shortened, if memory serves me correctly, from Plantagenista, named after that illustrious historic royal house, which had mainland European lands to its name. The plant really flourishes in warmer and softer climes. It is likely to be its source that makes it the gentler species that it is.
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Menhir thanks for that. xx
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The cornflower and the genista are particularly lovely. I have been thinking that I need a little logpile in the garden, especially as there will be lots of little froglets soon (all being well) and the garden doesn’t have many places for them to hide. I shall have to look out for some logs I think. Your marigolds are looking lovely, I do so love to see them dotted around amongst vegetables.
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CJ indeed they are. Even a small logpile is beneficial so start looking. Thanks, it’s more a case of the vegetables being dotted around among the pot marigolds! xx
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The plot is looking gorgeous with all those flowers x
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Jan thanks, and there are lots more to look forward to. xx
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awesome
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Linda thanks. xx
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Hi, just found your great blog and am now a follower. Look forward to reading more :o)
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Julie hello, and welcome. Thanks for your kind words, and for following this blog. I’m now following yours. xx
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Love that linaria. I’m surprised it’s survived all these years – maybe some dormant seeds 🙂 Great update, Flighty. Happy weekend.
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Nikki I think that it was probably among the wild flower seed that I sowed thereabouts a couple of months back. Thanks. You too. xx
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You’ve got a lovely selection of flowers on the plot. I especially like the cornflower, I had one in the garden but it died back over winter and never reappeared. I don’t know linaria maroccana, I shall have to look that one up.
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Jo thanks. These cornflowers are annuals which I collect some seed from and also let self-seed. That linaria variety is an annual unlike most of the others which are perennials. xx
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Oh I do love cornflowers, they are a must in summer. Everything is looking lovely. I particularly love Fox Junior….nice to meet him and he looks great there.xxxx
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Snowbird me too, and it looks like there’ll be lots on the plot this year. Thanks.
Mary, a plot neighbour, gave him to me when she learned that I like foxes. xx
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Did the linaria pop up in the log pile after a five-year dormancy? The cornflower is such a beautiful blue.
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Liz I doubt it, and was probably among some mixed flower seeds that I was given and sowed in the spring. It sure is. xx
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