Gardens and wildlife

[Lovelyness]

It’s bluebell time

 

[Maz]

Beautiful Ours aren't ready yet Should be by May

 

[Maz]

Impressed! You must have very green fingers to save them and them thrive All looks lovely. I didn't know they had Lidl and Aldi in Germany. Is there a favourite plant there for you? Not sure I can identify them but one looks like a small azalea?

 

[Maz]

Of course they are German companies, I forgot that Ah geranium yes - that will be the one I thought might be azalea probably. I love fuschia - never yet managed to keep one alive for more than a year but that's partly our climate in the north on a hill! The purole one might some kind of aubretia? There are so many similar plants that colour! I wonder if @Lovelyness can identify any! She is keen on plants too.

Not silly at all to talk to them! Seems they like it

 

[Socks' Mum]

They are growing happily The pond is very pretty and clever

 

[Lovelyness]

Of course they are German companies, I forgot that Ah geranium yes - that will be the one I thought might be azalea probably. I love fuschia - never yet managed to keep one alive for more than a year but that's partly our climate in the north on a hill! The purole one might some kind of aubretia? There are so many similar plants that colour! I wonder if @Lovelyness can identify any! She is keen on plants too.

Not silly at all to talk to them! Seems they like it

I did have a look, but I’m not sure what they are

 

[Maz]

When I was a child I had an aunt who had lots of very mature fuschia bushes in her garden. Where she lived was a fairly mild climate. We used to twizzle the flowers and call them dancing ladies At least I think it was the fuschia flowers that were the dancing ladies - might have been a similar looking plant! But seeing mature fuschia bushes in abundance is quite special.

 

[Lovelyness]

My grandad used to grow fuschias. They were his favourite flower

 

[Lovelyness]

I’ve had lots of sunshine for the new plants the fuchsias are beautiful I hope they grow. I bought these on offer for 2 euros!

View attachment 13202

What a bargain! And such a pretty colour too

 

[Maz]

Beautiful! Especially the dancing ladies (fuschia). Try twizzling one of the flowers and you'll see why we used to call them that - the long dangly bits twizzle around like legs and the top bit is like a ballet dress

 

[Socks' Mum]

The bin plants are doing good too

View attachment 13203They seem grateful you rescued them

 

[Maz]

Our bluebells are just finishing - they've been out for a couple of weeks. Really enjoyed sitting out in the lovely weather last couple of days (later in the day when less hot).

Also a photo of my cowslips from three years ago (before the blooming rabbits ate them - they've disappeared now).

 

[Maz]

Aw sorry - yes it's very English countryside

 

[Lovelyness]

It’s a very beautiful view

 

[Maz]

It is - especially on a sunny day. Shame I didnt photograph it before the bluebells got past their best.

 

[Kenxomt]

I love threads like this because they remind me to slow down and actually look at what's growing around me. On quieter days, I mix in a few houseplants to bridge the gap between seasons, and it’s been fun seeing how they complement whatever’s happening outdoors. It keeps that green, calming vibe going even when the garden looks sleepy.

 

[Pastacat]

Besides hamsters and cats, I also really like invertebrate/creepy crawly critters. Here are some of my critter pics:

Honeybee


Cabbage butterfly


Cellar(?) slug


Seven-spotted ladybug


European Firebug


Black burrowing bug

 

[Maz]

Those are great What camera do you use to get them close up like that?

 

[Pastacat]

Those are great What camera do you use to get them close up like that?

Just my Redmi phone. I physically get close to them, zoom 2x and stay still for a while so they 'pose' for the camera. I think with bees and wasps, it's a bit risky to get too close, but I have only been stung once in my life.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Brilliant. I like the ladybird Nice and shiny