that the weather has improved and I’ve done some plotting the past few mornings.
I forgot to mention that a couple of weeks ago I was weeding and disturbed a rather distinctive Cinnebar moth, which is one that I’ve not seen before. Today the dog rose was covered in ladybirds which was good to see, on one of the first white love-in-a-mist flowers was a bright green Flower beetle and a blue butterfly fluttered past me disappearing into the potato foliage.
The rose Pretty Lady would normally be just starting to flower now but has been blooming for the past couple of weeks, and I’ve already started dead-heading it.
It provides a real focal point and various people have stopped to look, smell and talk about it yesterday and today.
The other flowers that are really looking good are the collomia grandiflora. This picture shows how small the flowers are. See also the new header picture.
This coming week, weather permitting, I’ll be sowing and resowing various flower and vegetable seeds. I’ll also be planting my cucumbers, squashes and tomatoes.
Happy gardening, and have a good week!
Flighty's plot 
It makes such a difference to a gardener when the weather’s fine and we can get out to the plot. Your Pretty Lady rose is absolutely beautiful, it’s flowering so well and I love the collomia grandiflora, I don’t know that one at all. Is it one of your new ones to try this year? I’ve sown some wallflowers and sweet williams today thinking ahead to next year already.
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Jo it sure does. Thanks, I think that the rose is the best it’s ever been. I’ve had the collomia on the plot since 2009 but this is its best year so far, I do collect the seed and be happy to send you some to try. Goodness that’s forward planning! xx
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Thank you very much, that would be lovely.
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Jo you’re welcome. I’ve made a note so I hopefully won’t forget! xx
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Wonderful weather today, the sort of day to sit back and enjoy your handiwork. I’ be been battling with my ground elder which has pretty flowers on ready to seed around even more.
I love your rose and the Collima is a gorgeous colour.
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Chloris I made the most of it by plotting all morning. I’m glad that there’s no ground elder on the plot.
Thanks, there both lovely flowers, and colours. xx
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My garden is craving sunshine! A few hours in a week is not enough. Lots of my plants are growing incredibly slowly. At least I have not had to do much watering yet.
BTW, I sowed some of the Calendula seeds you sent me, and I now have some very healthy-looking plants. They are only about 4 or 5 inches tall still though.
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Mark I think that we’re all craving sunshine. The lack of it has certainly slowed a lot of plant growth. That’s one consolation.
That’s a good height for seeds sown in the spring, and it won’t be long before the first buds appear. Cheers.
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Your rose looks spectacular Flighty, how lovely. Glad you got some better weather, it was beautiful here yesterday too, but raining now.
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Janet thanks, it sure does. Me too, shame that your good day turned rainy. xx
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Please forgive me, but I don’t do flowers very well. Most flowers do not like me unfortunately, just a few like Gladioli, Lily of the Valley, etcetera, that seem to grow without any interference from me…!
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Cath that’s a shame. I enjoy growing flowers as much as I do vegetables. xx
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glad you are feeling better, the weather can really get us down when we can’t get out, as others have said your rose look lovely, I’ve found if I can get some sand down around plants it helps with the slug problem, it scratches their skin which they don’t like, I love your description of the wildlife in the first paragraph, Frances
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Frances hello, and thanks. I’ll bear that in mind about the sand. That’s nice to know, I find the plot wildlife fascinating and often colourful xx
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A little bit of sunshine has made all the difference to the mood of the weekend but unfortunately hasn’t dented the enthusiasm of the bugs to eat my veg! I wanted (needed!) to put my tomatoes out this weekend but I’ve lost half my french beans to slugs (and they’re taking the name of my mange tout very literally) so I’m almost afraid to put anything else out – especially as some more rain is forecast! I do like to see your Nigella, it’s such a beautiful flower. I think I may have sowed too late for flowers this year – hopefully I can keep the plug plants going and get good strong plants for next year!!
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Caro it sure has. I’m the same but waiting until later in the week. Nigella is one of my favourites. You may be lucky and find that they will grow and flower this year. xx
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I know I need to do some weeding in my veggie garden but at the moment I’m busy working on my book. So between chapters I shall pop out and do a bit. What a wonderful rose.
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Paula don’t leave it too long! That sounds like a good idea. Thanks, it sure is. xx
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That’s a really lovely new header photo. Those flowers are new to me, and so pretty. Glad you’ve been able to visit the plot and get some things done. I’m not surprised that everyone stops to admire that rose, it’s stunning. You must look after it very well!
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CJ I’m pleased with it as header pictures are often a bit of a problem. Thanks, me too and I feel better as well. It’s never bloomed like this before. All I do is deadhead and prune it. xx
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What a fabulous moth! I would love to see and photograph one. I’m glad you are happier Flighty! 🙂
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Doris it sure is. Me too. I didn’t get a good look at it as it flew away from me and I didn’t see where it went. Thanks. xx
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With such gorgeous flowers you should be happy 🙂 But I know what you mean. We have had a glorious weekend. I love those collomia grandiflora, never seen those before!
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Mo yes seeing them really do lift the spirits. Thanks. I hope that you made the most of it. Me too, and I don’t know anyone else who grows them. xx
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Oh goodness, the header is stunning! I love sweet delicate flowers xxx
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Carrie I’m glad that you like it. I do too. xx
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A little sunshine works miracles doesn’t it? Lovely to hear your garden is teeming with wildlife, and that Pretty Lady looks laden with blooms, mine are just beginning to come out. xxx
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Snowbird it sure does, but today is damp and dull again. It’s always good to see the wildlife, and especially something different. It’s lovely to see the roses at this time of year. xx
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We have the Cinnebars near us too, but I’ve yet to see one this year. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
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Pianolearner lucky you, I hope that you see at least one. Cheers.
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You’ve got me looking up collomia. Such sweet blooms. My roses were early this year, too. How healthy yours is looking.
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Nikki collomia comes from your part of the world. So I saw. It is now, but if it’s a hot summer it’ll start suffering sadly. xx
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