Tuesday 29 March 2011

The Earth Laughs in Flowers

Sometimes the flowers speak for themselves!














 






I think you'll agree Spring has sprung, but we could really do with some rain (sorry).

Saturday 19 March 2011

Did you know

* Daffodils are members of the Narcissus family.

* Daffodils originated in south west Europe.

* These days, the majority of daffodils are grown in the Channel Islands, Great Britain, The Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly.

* There are over 25,000 varieties of daffodils and they come in yellow, white, orange and even a peach/pink shade.  

* The sap of daffodils can be damaging to other flowers. If you’ve picked them for the house, then it’s best to leave them in water on their own for at least 12 hours, before mixing them with other flowers.

* The national emblem of Wales is a daffodil and Welsh people usually wear daffodils on St. David’s Day.

* The Victorians thought daffodils were symbol of regard.

* Every year, Prince Charles is given a daffodil as a form of rent for land on the Isles of Scilly.

* The daffodil is used as a symbol by Marie Curie Cancer Care to help raise awareness about cancer.



Something is stirring in the carpark bed.  These sticky fat buds are on one of the Hydrangea bushes planted last summer.  Still a little early to cut the stems back yet.  The stems will provide some protection from the biting spring frosts


Even on a wet day, there is brightness.


They might not look much yet, but the Busy Beez planted their first potatoes this week.  Over the coming weeks foliage will appear. This will be covered with more compost until the bags are completely filled.


Young trees beginning their new life with Shooter's Grove...


...and one of the more established trees.


One more daffodil fact.  All parts are poisonous.

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Whiff of Spring?

As we begin our struggle to shake off winter, there are some little gems the Busy Bees wish to share with our followers.


All the hard work back in the autumn has really paid off as these troughs now heave with colourful bulbs and bedding.


Dwarf varieties of Narcissus contrast so well against the bright blue of the Iris and sky blue wall.


Delicately nodding...


...or jam-packed in for effect.


You just can't blame nature for giving it 100%

The birds are singing, and busy with their nest-making.  It won't be long before we know if the blue-tits have returned to our Enviromental Garden.