Small Wonders: Flowers
Flowers to brighten your day
Hi all. It has been a long time since I posted. I had initially intended to post weekly, but you know how it goes, life and work gets busy and some tasks come to a standstill. It didn't help that my weekly posting schedule was a bit ambitious, so going forward, I'll aim for fortnightly posts.
I'm easing back with a straightforward topic - flowers. From the humble daisy to the proud dahlia, they add colour and beauty to everyday life. Even on a dark day, a little flower is something to behold. A few years ago, during long Covid lockdown walks, I started to notice and appreciate the flowers in my neighbourhood.
Since then, I've experimented with growing many varieties. I used to not know a pansy from a petunia, but now I can identify many common flowers. With a bit of familiarity, their characteristics are actually surprisingly easy to spot. If I can't identify the flower, I look at the foliage - for example there are different types of zinnia, but I can always spot them by their leaves.
An added bonus is that growing flowers attracts bees and other pollinators to the garden - a win-win all around. Here are some flowers I have previously grown, I hope some of them can brighten your day.
Cosmos
Typically in shades of pinks and whites, cosmos have large blossoms with delicate papery petals, and feathery foliage. The top right photo is the seashell variety.
Sunflowers
Despite their short-lived blooms, sunflowers are spectacular. Once they go to seed, save some for next season and then put the flower-heads out for the birds to devour, they love it.
Dahlias
I've grown many varieties of dahlia, all have been beautiful - they really are an eye-catching flower. When grown from seed, you never know what you're going to get, which is fun. They can be compact bushes or tall plants with large flower-heads.
Zinnia
I personally love zinnia for their bright flowers, thick green leaves, long flowering season and quick growth. They come in many varieties and colours, and the bumblebees love them too.
Tulips
Its always exciting to see a tulip bulb pierce through the soil in spring. There are so many stunning colours, I particularly love the two-tone varieties.
Lobelia
I love purple, so of course, I love lobelia. They come in many dazzling shades of purple and white. They are small plants that grow well in pots and hanging baskets.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons come in so many shades, from bright yellows to pale pinks. They don't take up much space and are full of flowers which the bees love.
Daisies and Osteospermum
Low-maintenance and prolific, the easiest way to add colour into your garden is to plant perennial daisy bushes. They have grown well in pretty much any spot we've placed them.
Flowers galore
Here are some other flowers I've grown and loved:
Top row: Poppies, cornflowers, coreopsis
Middle row: Dianthus, marigold, more dianthus
Bottom row: Calendula, petunias, pansies
There are many more varieties of flowers I could have included, but I'll spare you. Comment below, which flowers do you love to look at or grow?
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Sarah
READ(S) OF THE WEEK
Here I share a book/audiobook or two that I am currently reading:
AUDIOBOOK: The Untitled Books by C.J. Archer
I recently discovered The Glass Library series of historical fantasy mystery books set in 1920s England. This book is the third in the series.
IMAGE OF THE WEEK
Flowers for love, friendship, birth, and celebration. Flowers for grief, loss, remembrance, and condolence. In March this year, I marked the one-year anniversary of my beloved dog Sam's death by placing our garden flowers at his grave. I was surprised how the age-old ritual provided comfort and beauty on a sad day.
