Gardens have been very important to many people during lockdown, especially me. Now that lockdown has eased and we can now get out and about, the garden is still important. It provides delight, beauty and happiness without having to go anywhere.
Many of the plants in the garden have been chosen because they attract bees and butterflies, others have been chosen simply because they look good and photograph well (in my opinion anyway!).
The Echinacea ‘Delicious Candy’ isn’t looking at its best at the moment, but it’s a fabulous colour. It’s looking a little battered, but I guess that’s probably how most of us feel at the moment!
Last year, we gave my Grandad a ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ Dahlia for Father’s Day. I purchased this one back in May from a fellow National Garden Scheme volunteer. It’s the only dahlia to flower in the garden so far. I’m hoping the others won’t be too far behind.
This butterfly wanted a rest and I think it was trying to camouflage against the Foxgloves because once it landed it took me a while to spot it again! Thankfully, it stayed there for a while.
This was labelled as a Sweet Pea plant when it was bought, so it was rather surprising that it turned out to be garden peas! Hopefully, there will be enough for a meal. A good crop of tomatoes also looks to be on its way this year.
I love seeing the butterflies fluttering about the garden, but they’re not easy to photograph as they rarely stop still for long!
24 Comments
Eastside Cats
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos!
I was buzzed by a hummingbird moth in my yard the other day; I thought it was a species of bee or wasp that I couldn’t identify.
My gardens don’t have anything blooming right now; the milkweeds are done, and the wild sunflowers are just getting ready. I see that I need to plant mid-summer plants.
Carol
your garden is amazing! wow – love every photo
yvonne@FictionBooks
Hi Nikki,
You seem to be well into your gardening this year. Is that something you enjoy doing as a family, or is it your own little project?
Whichever, it looks amazing, from the pictures you have been posting throughout lockdown. There seems to have been a plethora of insects, butterflies and birds around this year, species I haven’t spotted in our garden for many years. It has been a real joy to be able to relax in the lounger and watch them all!
Another stash of lovely photo’s, I don’t really want to have to choose a favourite, but if forced, it would have to be “Bee on Gaillardia Arista”
Thanks for sharing and I hope all is well with you. Are you back at work yet, or still on furlough?
Yvonne 🙂
Eunice
Beautiful flowers and such gorgeous bright colours. I love the daisies but the last three shots just have to be me favourites, especially the butterfly ones 🙂
Aimsy
You have some beautiful flowers! I love that it is attracting bees and butterfly, those shots you got are great!
There is just something about the garden in summer isn’t there?
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Jo
Beautiful photos. I think we’ve all been glad of our gardens this year.
Alan Rolfe
Such beauty in the flowers especially. They are appreciated by the insects, too.
Lisa
These are absolutely STUNNING photos, Nikki, your garden is just gorgeous this month! And I know what you mean about difficulties in snapping the insects, they won’t stop moving, haha! Lisa x
Kris P
Even battered flowers are beautiful. Thanks for sharing yours. My garden is all that keeps me sane some days. (Well, my husband helps a little.) We’re facing the prospect of another shutdown here in Southern California.
Kelly
You always capture such wonderful flower/insect shots! The butterfly on the foxglove really is well camouflaged. Nothing is perfect, so I never mind seeing battered-looking specimens.
Somewhere in Ireland
Your garden is absolutely beautiful. I love the bees and butterflies investigating your flowers. Have a wonderful evening, Nikki.
Sophie
These photos are incredible! That dahlia is absolutely stunning. I hope some more of them flower soon for you. Your garden is looking beautiful this month x
Sophie
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
So gorgeous! Your garden must be stunning.
Ann Coleman
Your flowers are amazing! Thanks for sharing these photos.
Johanna Bradley
Such a lovely gallery! It’s obvious you’ve spent many happy hours in your garden. The colours are pure joy 🙂 🙂
Yaya
What lovely photos! Our tomatoes are just starting to appear now, it’s lovely 🙂
LL Cool Joe
I love the photos of the butterflies. We have 13 acres so I’m out every day in the garden, but sadly we have a lack of beautiful flowers. It’s more a case of maintaining hedges, grass and weeds!
jessicabookworm
Beautiful photographs of your beautiful garden and wildlife
jeanie
These photos are so beautiful, Nikki. Yes, gardens can really help hold us together with all their beauty, can’t they? I would constantly be spending my time here with those fabulous butterflies (wonderful photos) and glorious blooms.
Lauren
It looks like you have a beautiful garden. Your photographs are so beautiful, so colourful. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Lady Fi
Luscious and gorgeous!
Ageeth Mooij
Love all the flowers!
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ is extremely red. I hope she will bloom again in our garden this year.
CherryPie
Stunning photos 🙂
Felicity Grace Terry
Thank you for sharing these blooms in all their glory. Its heartwarming to see the bees and butterflies, for the last few years we have had plenty of the former visit our garden but alas (despite butterfly friendly plants) very few of the latter.