I wandered to the top of the garden on the evening of the summer solstice; the last of the sun was shining on the sheep a couple of fields away. It was one of those moments that you felt you wanted to remember. As I leant on the fence I could smell the scent of newly mown grass; a tractor had been trundling up and down the field cutting down the patches of nettles and thistles that were rampantly growing. The smell of grass that is drying in the sun is sweet and took me back to the days when we cut our own hay for the goats and sheep - hours spent turning the rows in sweltering heat; praying that it wouldn't rain till all was gathered in.
The garden is full of scents right now - impossible to choose a favourite. Roses take some beating; but then there is lavender, sweet peas, sweet William, dianthus, honeysuckle - even the strawberries are fragrant. And though the garden looks like a jungle right now - overblown and blousy - a walk round in the evening with the air full of different fragrances is proof positive of why we garden - the perfumes that assail us being a reward for all the hard work it takes to get to this point.
It is also the time for poppies- although not fragrant, they add an ethereal beauty, the petals falling almost as soon as they arrive. We have a field of them nearby which catches our eye as we drive past - stunning.
These are the poppies in the garden, but below is Mother Nature's contribution - she does it so much better!
The enticing view from the road as you pass by.
Fleeting moments in a poppy field.
Elaine
p.s. thanks to husband for the field poppy pictures.
So beautiful, Elaine, your flowers and the English country side. When we toured England in 2001 and 06, from my bus window, I was in awe of the poppies in the fields. Such a sight that we don't see here. Your own poppies are gorgeous, too. Very rich looking. (Are you celebrating today? We are wondering how your vote will affect our own presidential vote. Very interesting.)
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann. A field of poppies is a glorious sight that's for sure. No I'm not celebrating just getting on with day to day living as per usual - our situation is being discussed, analysed, and will, no doubt, be so for the next few weeks till we are all sick of it - it's all up to the politicians now to untangle the mess.
DeleteOh Elaine, that poppy field is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I just sowed poppy seeds at the city house and hope some will grow.
ReplyDeletePoppies thrive on disturbed soil so this lot appeared after the field was ploughed - a sight for sore eyes.
DeleteI usually praise YOUR photos, but your husband's photos of the Poppy fields are wonderful too. Ain't nature marvellous!
ReplyDeleteI'll pass it on Cro, thank you.
DeleteLovely post and wonderful pictures. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteSo very beautiful Elaine, I can smell the grass, the hay and all the flowers, love it.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice evening and Sunday!
Janneke
Thank you Janneke - I love the smell of newly mown grass buut even more so when it is drying with all the wild flowers mixed in - intoxicating.
DeleteFor a while fields of poppies seemed to disappear - it's good to have some back.
ReplyDeleteWe often see them when we visit Norfolk - not so much round here - but it is always a welcome sight.
DeleteThose poppy fields are beautiful there is something ethereal about them isn't there. The smells at this time of year have that special ability to provoke memories don't they?
ReplyDeleteYes, unfortunately, they don't last long but worth seeing if only for a brief while. Yes, I agree, certain flowers do bring back memories.
DeleteBeautiful images - and reminders of the perfumes. I particularly like the striking slash of poppies in the one picture.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed honeysuckle but not much else yet.
Sadly my husband hates sweet peas - he says they smell like "wee". And I get annoyed the sweet Williams sold in supermarkets have been bred to last and have no perfume at all. I miss that peppery, rosy scent from my childhood garden.
Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks Pat. I like sweet peas when they are fresh, but I agree they do begin to smell like pee as they age. Certain times of day the flower scents smell stronger, especially on a warm evening. Never the same with shop bought flowers.
DeleteA lovely post. You really have captured the beauty of a midsummer evening. The scent at dusk of the honeysuckle growing outside our door has to be my favourite at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI love the sight of poppies growing wild - truly stunning.
Thanks Wendy. I like the evening after it has been wet all day then you get a little late sunshine, that's when I think flowers smell lovely with that earthy smell of the damp soil. Oh yes, poppies are quite a sight when there is a field full - I don't think photographs really do them justice.
DeleteI have scent wafting in the kitchen as I type, yes, that's certainly what it's all about. You actually had me smelling mown grass! That's a lovely photo of the honeysuckle and I do like that purple clematis with the white roses. Your posie is so sweet, I really must pick more flowers but am incredible mean about picking them! Those poppies against the dark backgrounds are wonderful, you can see every hair! Wow....just love hubs poppy field pics, one of my favourite sights!xxx
ReplyDeleteI have had a lovely mixed bag of colourful poppies in the garden this year, all in the wrong places, of course, but welcome all the same - I love that they seed around and find somewhere they feel at home.
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ReplyDeleteThose poppies made me widen my eyes.
ReplyDeleteWhen husband showed me the pictures that was my reaction too.
DeleteThe poppies both at home and in the field are so beautiful aren't they!!!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are Amy.
DeleteMmmmm - your post has really captured and conveyed all those summer scents Elaine likewise summer sights as with that field of beautiful poppies.
ReplyDeleteAnd now to add to the scented garden the Philadelphus is blossoming - such a heady scent that just about knocks you off your feet :)
DeleteBeautiful images Elaine. Mother Nature has delivered.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane. Yes, she always does.
DeleteAh Elaine your photos and words have me for sure catching the scent of the season. Here our farmers are hard at work cutting hay for the livestock - so am enjoying that scent too. It has been very dry and taken a toll on the garden - so many of my flowers are floundering. Thankful though for those orange daylilies that brighten the woods and the gardens. Take care and have a lovely weekend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWe have the opposite problem, rain, rain, rain. It is sunny at the moment though but I have missed the opportunity to be out in it, too much going on indoors! Have a lovely weekend.
DeleteIt does take a lot of work, does it not? But worth every minute when you get to enjoy a garden like yours!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely on both counts.
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