Of Foxgloves and Giant Peony Poppies in Teddy’s Garden

Hello from the land of giant flowers!

Belled, ruffled, swaying in the breeze.

All brought to you from Teddy.

Because, let's face it, it's Teddy's garden now.

He's in charge, master verbena smasher and broccoli stalk chewer.

Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way.

He's also obsessed with the hose and makes it impossible to water, but who cares as long as Teddy is having fun right?

Splashing in the water, yanking it out of your hands, haha!

Can't help but laugh at the whole circus show, as we invite you into our happy place.

A few things have changed since our last visit…

The giant peony poppies have started to unfurl, one by one.

Exploding in a giant ball of ruffles, almost as if made by hand with crepe paper.

We run past the giant anomaly rose bush, up the little loggia stairs…

Wave at the blue girl roses in passing…

Open the gate, and sneak under the citrus grove…

Up those curious stairs I made from found items, and arrive at the Pierre de Ronsard rose arbor –

Right by where the peony poppies have decided to live this year.

They love swaying to birdsong, alongside the red oriental poppies, which glisten in an almost flame orange in the sunlight.

Of course, they also love to cuddle up to the foxgloves, whilst in a sea of Queen Anne's Lace, telling secrets all day.

And really, who wouldn't want to chat with the foxgloves?

So many little bells, all with a different personality and things to say.

Why, the bees go positively mad with joy, visiting each bell one by one.

They hardly know where to begin, buzzing around madly.

It is an east to northeast facing garden, with rolling hills, you see.

Which makes everyone happy in the land of sun and warmth (the blossoms in this case), because they might not make it if we faced the west sun all day.

I love to stand just down here, looking up at the slight slope.

(Which was much more of a hill, until I flattened it down little by little in 2020, with my trusty flat head shovel)

Just enjoying what everyone is up to.

Visiting them, admiring them.

Most of them volunteered from last year, self-seeding themselves, which amazes me extra much.

If that's even a proper phrase (which of course we know is not), but you know what I mean.

I just stroll around, taking in this beyond splendid time, when the garden fully bursts forth.

Right before it gets too terribly hot, but just warm enough for everyone to grow up to their full potential.

Mostly the early spring visitors of course, as the warmer weather flowers are still growing.

I marvel at all of the shades and tones of nature…

And the way the sunlight passes through the garden.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm just dreaming?

But then I'm reminded, by my lovely wild boy…

That I am not dreaming, as I put back the soil he dug up.

A fellow lover of the scent of earth and sun, to be sure.

So, I take a moment to pick some flowers, and bring some color into the house.

Stopping in my favorite spot again, before I go inside to arrange the petals.

Congratulating the giant peony poppies for their amazing act of holding their heads so upright, when balancing on such slim bodies.

In I go, taping a grid onto my bowl, to put into my urn, to fill with flowers.

But perhaps I should run up and get just a couple more of the very dainty Shirley poppies.

Oh yes yes, just what the bouquet needed.

I go back out to pick a few foxgloves and Queen Anne's lace…

But then, I somehow forget…

That I am in the midst of flower arranging.

Mostly because of all the wonderful things happening out there.

I run up and through the garden a couple of times, collecting bit and bobs.

Delicately pushing them into my arrangement each time.

Teddy wanting to stay out and roll in the verbena time after time.

I suppose we are all mesmerized by the growing things, and the blossoming of more blossoms at each minute, second and hour.

But somehow, we make it back inside for one last rose petal addition to our flower arrangement.

So that we can finish said project.

Which is a miracle in itself –

Because each day I plan a flower bouquet, and each day I decide that I simply can not take a flower out of the garden for my own viewing pleasure.

I feel that enjoying them in their natural habitat is what I should be doing.

However, I shall confess that the bouquet was a true pleasure to have inside.

I have enjoyed every second of it, and as it dries it becomes even richer in color.

I do love dried flowers, the way they turn into a sort of paper art is a second gift.

I hope you enjoyed spending a day with us in the garden.

Boy are we enjoying every morsel of it.

Now we are eating ripe strawberries and tiny first cherry tomatoes whilst watching the flowers sway.

Never mind the amount of herbs we have enjoyed.

The early Anna apples will ripen in a few short weeks, 2 or 3 probably.

And won't we have a ball with that?

Crostatas and crisps are just waiting on the menu.

I hope you are doing well in your neck of the woods.

That spring has found its way to you, and that you are warming up just swimmingly!

Thank you for being here today, it was a pleasure strolling with you.

Love from me, and Teddy, who has taken a deep interest in the garden.

Matty would rather lollygag in the shade, eyes closed and nose turned up, sniffing the air.

It must be a vast dizzying well of scents, for someone with such a sense of scent, indeed!

Just the perfect way to enjoy the day, wouldn't you say?

(you're safe though, because Matty doesn't know you are here)

Well, it seems I must be off to do my chores, as everyone waits for me for a drink of water and a couple of treats.

Flowers and pups alike.

See you real soon!

 

Love, V