Writing this at the end of May, I can certainly say that this has been a really marvellous month. Hardly any rain (though obviously that brings its own trials), mostly quite warm and generally flora and fauna seem to be thriving at the moment.
IN THE GARDEN
From the scent of lilacs and the promise of roses to the grandeur of irises and the joy of tulips, Otley gardens have been bursting with colour and scent. Sadly I didn’t managed to get out to take many photos this month, perhaps any proud garden owners could send me some photos for June’s offering?
IN THE HEDGEROWS, VERGES AND WILD BITS
May is synonymous with hawthorn bushes being in blossom and sure enough our hedgerows have been a treat this month. The other flowers I adore at this time are horse chestnut blooms. Have you properly looked at how stunning these flowers are? They’re incredible works of art in candy pink, yellow and peach.
And you must have noticed how frothy the cow parsley has been recently. Do you think we take it for granted? I think maybe we do. Just look at how beautiful the verges and green lanes look with the parsley billowing down the sides. Look underneath the tall spires though, and there are lots of spring flowers out right now.
IN THE FIELDS
Call me peculiar if you must, but if someone was to make a perfume of field beans I’d be first in line to buy a bottle. Am I alone? Honestly tell me you can walk through a crop of beans and not be transported?!
Other crops seems to be nicely on their way (again, I’m no farmer) though I’m sure some more rain would be welcome. The oilseed rape has flowered and is now turning to seed, the wheat and barley are definitely on their way, and as for that purple ‘green manure’ crop (phacelia) that we see around now, well, what a joy that is to see.
LASTLY . . .
Have you seen the bush by the side of the road going from Otley to Grundisburgh? It looks totally dead and seems covered by cobwebs. Such a strange sight. This is likely the work of the ermine moth whose caterpillars love to eat spindle trees and hawthorns and some other trees. Happily, the trees usually recover 🙂
