We might have lost the cherry plum over the hedge, but we still have the hawthorn tree (1). Just now it’s a tumble of creamy curds – may blossom in May. It’s a shame there are so few insects about to enjoy it. Even the stalwart bumble bees are scarce, which is worrying. I’m hoping they’ve tucked themselves up somewhere cosy until the Arctic winds have blown themselves out. So far, then, it’s been a very chilly May in Shropshire, and dry too, until these last few days. My water butts were empty, so even as I whinge at the cold wind, I’m pleased that rainwater supplies have resumed.
And spring is still happening in the garden despite the low temperatures. The apple blossom has been and gone, though signs of pollination looking sparse to absent on some of the trees. Now, then, is the time of columbines (2). As ever, they have grown themselves everywhere, including in the horrible hedge where one plant, trying to outdo the holly and privet, has used them for support and grown over four feet tall. It greatly improves the look of the hedge. Size-wise, they are more restrained at the bottom of the garden, but this year have arrived in many colours from white to darkest claret, and shades in between.
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I’m also pleased to see some lemon coloured Welsh poppies (3). Last autumn I pocketed seed from a neighbour, and scattered it under the old apple trees. We already had the self-sowing orange ones in the bed above the back terrace. For some reason I’m not too keen on the brassy version. This year, though, they’ve popped up among the Ranunculus. I’m thinking they look rather good together.
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The blue flowered hardy geraniums are beginning to open, but the cranesbill Geranium phaeum Album (4) is well ahead. It does sprawl about, but its flowers are so delicate. It is supposed to be shade-loving, but I also have one that seems quite happy in full sun.
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And then there’s the rocket (arugula) (5). I’d never thought of it as a flowering plant till this year. All through the winter we were cropping a short row of it. Then, come March, it began to go to seed and I pulled most of it up. And then for some reason I left a clump. Now it’s a tall plant covered in a mass of flowers that seem to go on and on. They have curious, wonky propeller looks about them. I also thought the insects might like them if there were any about. Meanwhile, the bits of greenery down the stems are still perfectly edible, surprisingly mild in flavour. And it’s providing a bit of floral interest in front of my presently empty raised beds.
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And to finish, here’s one of my newest plants bought in March. Iris Sibirica ‘Perry’s Blue’ (6) has just begun to flower. I’m rather taken with the startling contrast of the pale lavender with the russet-gold tones ofSpiraea Japonica Firelight. At a distance, as the wind blows, the flowers look like big butterflies.
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Copyright 2026 Tish Farrell
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Six on Saturday 16 May 2026: Please call in on our host Jim. There’s always something new to see in his garden. This week, among other lovely things, he has a gorgeous fern and some self-replenishing corydalis.
You are right, it is chilly and the pollinators are hunkering down. Lovely iris, mine are lagging behind. The rocket flowers are definitely worth close inspection. Warm weather is on its way!
Oh you happy harbinger. Warm weather? Yes, please. Now would be good. Today it is bitterly cold in our garden. Just given the rocket the once over. It still has masses of buds as well as that flurry of bonkers flowers. Looks set to go all summer.
Hope it gets warmer soon
Absolutely I’m hoping.
I’d like the poppies please, that with a side of the rocket.
Over here our foxglove are about to pop and they’ve run riot along our berm in the front of our house, so exciting! As Dawn says it’s like we’ve got an English garden, it looks so natural and wild. Cheers to you and yours Tish! Your chilly May…
Your foxgloves must be syncing with ours. We seem to have a few white ones this year – just this moment starting to open. I’m liking the sound of your garden.
So sorry winter is lingering there. We are having beautiful Spring weather right now. I say right now because you never know with May and June. We have to enjoy nature’s blessings while we can!
You’re right, Anne, enjoy what comes. Happy weekend to you.
😍💕
Your garden – most gardens – and verges too, are doing surprisingly well in the circustances. I’m hoping their doughtiess will be rewarded next week when we have heat predicted.
It is a fraction less chilly this evening. No wind!
🤞Don’t tell anyone, but this morning’s … mild.
Goodness, Margaret. We do have sunshine, but are still working up to mildness.
It’s currently 10 degrees, and working up to 13 today. We’re told to expect 23 by the end of the week. With added rain.
Fingers crossed. Would be more than happy with 20 degrees.
My Geranium phaeum is missing in action. I hope it hasn’t gone the way of previous versions. I envy you the Welsh poppies and Ranunculi – neither of which have been successful here.
Lots of beauty in your garden Tish. I really like that last plant, one of your newest.
Thanks, Janet, and I’m v. pleased with the iris.
That’s so interesting about the arugula. I’ll definitely let some flower when we plant it in our garden.
Love your poppies and geraniums!
The rocket/arugula certainly surprised me, Kathrin. It’s also filled a bit of a floral gap between the apple blossom going and the herbaceous plants getting going.
Your rocket looks charming, as do the columbines, Tish.
Weird weather here in temperate Canberra as well. The deciduous trees have dropped all their leaves but the roses are still flowering because we haven’t had a single frost as yet.
I read that some of the weather weirdness might be down to the big Tonga eruption that shot an ocean of water into the atmosphere a couple of years ago. It’s taking time to sort itself out.
That’s a new one on me!
https://www.nasa.gov/earth/tonga-eruption-blasted-unprecedented-amount-of-water-into-stratosphere/
Thank you. Very interesting. I wonder if that has influenced rainfall for better or worse in some places in the interim …. The computing power, and associated water and energy, required to model those interactions would be enormous. Boggles the mind!
Yes, the whole thing is mind-boggling. Underwater volcanoes aren’t something that gets talked of much, but they must be of some consequence, even if they’re only bubbling away. There are masses of them off the Western Antarctic- 90 or more if I remember rightly. The coast off Greenland is also geothermally highly active!
Lovely colourful flowers, Tish.
Thank you, Rupali.
I love the photo of the ranunculus and welsh poppies…they do co-habit very attractively! the Arugula flower is certainly very curious. Who would have thought?
Thanks, Cath. It’s turned out a ‘good look’ – poppies and ranunculus.
I have to stop and admire the poppies and ranunculus – so beautiful.
May is in like a lion and out like a lamb, but sometimes the lamb comes later. Your garden is beautiful.
Many thanks, Jennie. Looks like we’re going to finish with a hot blast – just for a big change.
That is a big change! Best to you, Tish.
My but there are some groovy flowers in your lovely garden. The bees are missing out, they are neglectful and remiss. But, as I share those traits I need to just shut my hole and enjoy your springtime spells as they spread through your garden. 🏡
So happy to have you enjoying my garden 🙂