Summer surprises continue in the garden. We have a bed which is useless for growing vegs. It has tree roots and a hedge sucking the moisture out. I had lots of seedheads on the poppy plants last year so during the autumn I shook them liberally over this bed.
When the poppies started to grow in Spring they were very overcrowded and I thought they would be no good but I left them to see what would develop. Now there is a beautiful display of small but pretty poppies. Along with them the self-seeded borage have complimentary blue flowers. Such a lovely sight.
I also planted some sunflowers in the same bed. Because of the poor conditions they’re very small but still lovely and they attract the bees.
I have grown enormous sunflowers in the past. They’re great fun to grow. I love their cheerful faces and the seeds are good for the birds after they’ve flowered. I’ve also painted them a couple of times.
I have a little tile decorated with two sunflowers bought from Jackfield Tile Museum in Shropshire. It’s tube-lined which means it has a raised outline. A favourite object.
The tile has a pleasing Art Deco style. It’s a style I’m fond of and I’ve collected a few bits of this type of pottery over the years. They used to be easy to pick up in charity shops but since they became more widely collected they don’t turn up as often because they’re sent to auction. Here are some I love.
Although I love the sharpness of Art Deco I also really like the round base to the last jug. Round shapes are pleasing and perhaps that’s why I love to see a cabbage when it’s a fat ball and promising good eating. I had three left in the polytunnel which need using now so I harvested one and made my cheesey potato bake. Tasty, simple and satisfying.
I steam the cabbage and some carrots over the boiling potatoes. When they’re tender I place the vegs in a baking dish, heat the oven, mash the potatoes and mix in some grated cheddar. I spread the cheesey potatoes over the vegs then pop the dish in the oven for about 25 minutes at 200C/180C fan oven until they’re nicely golden brown. Especially good with home-made chutney or picalilli.
Summer seems to be flying by so I’m soaking up all the pleasures I can in the garden. Here are some more of the season’s lovely flowers.
Enjoy whatever summer brings, sunshine or showers. Bye for now. I’ll be with you again next week.
Living a contented creative life. 
Hi Freda, I have enjoyed seeing more of your summer flowers and the art deco pottery, which reminds me of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I would love to visit one of his houses in Scotland. Last weekend we visited my sister-in-law who has a lovely garden in the mild, seaside climate of North Wales. She is a very keen plantswoman and has some very unusual specimens, whose names I don’t know. She has a huge palm tree, stunning roses and some beautiful calla lilies and callistemon. Her garden is like a sanctuary, I love it. Very different to where we live in the Pennine area of North Yorkshire.
From Maggie
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N. Wales is lovely Maggie. It was where everyone from our area went for seaside visits and holidays when we were young. We’ve travelled quite a bit throughout Wales and it’s all lovely. We don’t travel much now but have happy memories of holidays there in our little caravan. Glad you enjoyed the photos. xxx
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