rather than plotting, as the weather is so warm. Mind you I have cut the grass all round the outer edge, but will leave the paths for now.
I’m pleased to see that the second row of broad beans have started appearing, as have the beetroot and carrots.
Yesterday I’d just got there and was opening the shed when there was a squawking behind me. Turning round I was surprised to that it was a starling by the nearby pond. Perhaps it was telling me that it needed refilling. Being that close I got a good look at its wonderful iridescent feathers gleaming in the sunlight.
Out the front at home this lilac has started flowering, and these two plants are looking good.
The pink/white flowering plant is a skimmia japonica and the white one is a choisya tenata (Mexican orange). (My thanks for identifying these, and the post has been edited accordingly).
Have a good week!
Flighty's plot 
Once I’ve got my new allotment planned out I’ll be getting a lilac. My gran used to have one and my parents had a lilac tree at home. I miss the scent and the bees!
I think your white flowering plant may be Mexican Orange Blossom – Choisya ternata 🙂
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Jo good for you. My mum had a couple in her garden. Thanks for identifying the white plant. xx
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I love lilacs, beautiful, and wonderful scent as well. I was going to say Mexican orange blossom as well, I used to have one here. Hope you have a good Sunday. CJ xx
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CJ good for you. Thanks for confirming the white plant. I did thanks, and hope that you did too. xx
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I think starlings get such a bad press because they’re a little greedy but their feathers are beautiful when you take the time to look at them. I get a good look at them because they’ve started visiting the window feeder so I see them close up. I love lilac, mine hasn’t started flowering yet but it won’t be long.
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Jo I agree about starlings. Lucky you as close up their markings and plumage is amazing. Lilac is certainly a lovely flower. xx
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It’s so good to ‘potter’ I love it.
Lilacs are just great in every way!
All the best Jan
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Jan it sure is, and I do too. I agree. Thanks. xx
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“Just now the lilac is in bloom”. Lovely! It’s pottering here too – because everything is damp from downpours overnight and now drizzling. Have a good day!
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Liz it seems to be a popular flower, and rightly so. It looks like it’ll be a wet day here tomorrow. I did thanks, and hope that you did too. xx
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And I bet those shrubs all smelt lovely on the warm air?
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Dorris sadly I have a very poor sense of smell so rarely get to appreciate such scents. xx
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That’s a shame. It’s surprising quite how many people have little or no sense of smell. Useful some days though !
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I was puzzled about the ‘Spirea’. I am glad it has been identified as I might have gone on the hunt for this alternative variety to the creamy white one I have. Sounds like you are having a productive time Mr F. xx
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Menhir I had a feeling that I’d got the name wrong but thankfully was soon corrected. I like to think that I have been. xx
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It’s a pretty-looking tree. I have no idea of it’s hardiness, though by the look of its blossom I don’t think it would withstand the kind of wind and general weather conditions flora and fauna have to tolerate where I live! xx
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Menhir the one here is a low growing shrub in a fairly sheltered and sunny spot. xx
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Pottering is my very favourite activity in the garden. Totally relaxing. Lovely to have a lilac, you just can’ t beat it for scent.
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Chloris good for you, it’s mine too. It sure is. There is a white one as well. xx
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The lilac looks lovely. There is something quite magical about catching the scent on the breeze on a warm day. What sort of carrots and beetroot are you growing this year?
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Liz it is and it’s one I can see out of the front window. Sadly I have a poor sense of shell so it’s rather lost on me. I’m trying Royal Chantenay carrots and Baby beat beetroot, both varieties that I’ve not tried before. xx
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Oh…to go a pottering…just heavenly, and a lovely change from grafting. My carrots are only just coming up too and no sign of the beets yet. Oh, wasn’t that warm spell lovely, overcast and drizzling here but still warmish. How lovely that you got to enjoy the starlings feathers, they really are so beautiful, I imagine they are incredibly iridescent to each other. I have that Mexican orange…it really does have a lovely fragrance.xxx
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Snowbird it is, and I agree. That’s good, and I’m sure the beetroot will appear soon. It sure was. It’s wonderful looking plumage, especially when seen close up. I ‘ll have to see if I can scent it given my poor sense of smell. xx
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My lilac came as a shoot from my grandmother’s garden. Such a lovely reminder of her. I love that scent. I have a jug of flowers on my office desk right now.
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Karen how lovely, and a wonderful way of remembering her. xx
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Oooh, I’m envious of your lilacs! Like peonies, lilacs are difficult to grow here and while there are varieties hybridized for our climate, I’ve had very little success. So enjoy the beauty and scent of those lilacs for me!
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Nikki they do well here and are seen everywhere. It’s a shame that they don’t do well there. I’ll most certainly do that for you. xx
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