Lily and Honey



Water Lily

 At last the Water Lilies are beginning to open, they seem to stay in bud form for an age, then suddenly decide to give us a treat and open into a perfect flower.  The fish use the stems like a scratching post and  the lilies move on the surface of the water.




Honeysuckle berries

I didn't get around to taking a picture of the Honeysuckle (Lonicea periclymenum) whilst it was in flower, but the berries are an added bonus.  It is a British native and an absolute must.  In summer is has gloriously scented, cremy white flowers which are purple or yellow on the outside.  The flowers darken with age and are followed by these bright red berries.  It is a twining plant that will grow in sunshine or shade and can be propagated by layering.  I also have the Japanese form that open white and turn yellow followed by poisonous black berries.  Used as a Chinese cooling herb the flowers and stems are used in summer drinks.  Tests have confirmed the plant's ability to raise or lower blood sugar and can be used to treat flu.  Both varieties can grow to 13ft. in height.

A honeysuckle bower, sweet twines its fragrance round my feet

And with the lily draws me toward

A gated-garden's secret world.

S.Johnson