With the rain, constant, in May, we weren't able to do more than the side of the house bit of lawn, and everything else was left. Back lawn now cut, but HERE is the "bit out front" that was abandoned and we will claim is due to No Mow May. Just shows you what may be in your lawn (this is LONG established) if you can bear to let it go feral . . . This is an absolute delight, but the farmers up the lane probably think we are idle devils!!
A purple thistle in the making perhaps? But no, I've just gone to do an ID two days on from the photo, and it is another Fox & Cubs! You'd never guess from that reddish-purple bud!
This is one pair of the Bullfinches who live here. We have another pair who visit the front feeder too. We see these on the lawn regularly - the cats prefer to hunt meeces, fortunately.
It is the most amazing garden for wildlife. Have I said, I love it here? As I write, Swifts are screaming over the house (and have been inspecting a nest site by the House Martins). Will have to put up a Swift Nest Box for next year . . .
Far more beautiful than a close cut lawn any day!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just? A true delight.
DeleteSo much more biodiversity in an uncut grassland. It is beautiful and you should try to keep it that way (which might require the removal of the occasional hay crop from it). We eat common sorrel - it make a great astringent soup - sour not bitter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Tigger. I didn't know you were a Forager. We have a Wild Bank too - couldn't bear to mow it when the Primroses were in bloom - it's covered in them. Then the Bugle bloomed and masses of Speedwell . . .
DeleteWhat lovely secrets hidden in your lawn.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's very old established lawn. There has been a dwelling here for a couple of hundred years.
DeleteI am so glad you are settling and loving your new home. May was non stop rain here too so like you the garden/lawn was left. We are finding it hard to get back on top of it now, yours holds so many beautiful little secrets, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't get much done outside, that's for sure! We went out when it was a dry morning or afternoon but there is still so much to be done to get it how I would like it. We will ignore the weeds where possible!
ReplyDeleteI have to say, that little old fashioned hay meadow out front is a treasure and a delight.
The wildflower lawn is lovely. I wonder if it could be allowed to continue unmowed?
ReplyDeleteAll summer long. We'll strim it end of August.
DeleteKlara - thank you for your comment. I will certainly bear that in mind when reading that blog. Pinch of salt and all that!
ReplyDeleteThanks have a nice day. Your blog is beautiful.
DeleteKlara
Thank you Klara.
DeleteA wonderful blog post! I've just been up the garden looking at our wildflower "meadow" and that is full of buttercups too. Finally, yellow rattle has suppressed most of the couch grass! I love Fox and Cubs - I collected some seeds from a churchyard but sadly none of the plants so far have come up. You are fortunate to have regular visits from Bullfinches - only see them a few times a year here. So pleased to hear you love your new garden so very much :)
ReplyDeleteWe saw them only infrequently at our old home - here, it's every day, and the Greenfinches are on the feeders every time I look out of the window!
DeleteI have landed in wildlife paradise here!