April Showers Bring May Flowers

May. When wild and cultivated plants ‘take off‘, specially now we’ve had a little rain. Down in the woods they are changing character, the ground colouring vivid green, the trees showing first signs of leaves as the blackthorn blossom drops like confetti, bluebells, red campion, wild anemone, little tiny viola, wild garlic flowers. The pace has changed... summer is on its way.

I wanted to share some ‘up close n’personal’ portraits of seasonal flowers we have growing in and around Cumberland flower farm this month.

There are lots of flowers that I’ve not grown. Without childcare or nearby family to help (as lockdown eases) we are having to accept a much slower and different business than we had planned. Not that we aren’t working our socks off... but there is a limit to how much ‘more’ any person can do. And looking after the boys (I seem to be continually feeding them!) is very time consuming. And is a time I want to enjoy... We’re working out how we’re going to sell flowers over the summer, when we’ve got it sorted, we’ll let you know... your loyalty, kindness, patience and messages of support are really appreciated.

For more photos and updates, and to brighten your social media feeds with our flowers you can follow us on Facebook or instagram.

Thank you,
Love Harriet xx

Were the world different now, it would be time for Chelsea Flower Show. I bought this geum (and seeds for more, now growing in the field) at Chelsea Flower Show last year, which were EVERYWHERE. In the gardens and the champagne bar planters! After the much-needed rain they look so refreshed and remind me of those long days and sore feet accompanying Charlotte and enjoying all the excitement that surrounded her work. Happy memories.

The Coral Charm peonies are taking the glamorous lead... as they open the colours fade into apricots, pale pinks and finally lemon cream. I can’t honestly say we’re doing it as well as this... possibly a little ‘coral’ myself despite the factor 50...

Love In A Time of Corona; Nigella. Love-in-a-mist. Another early summer favourite. They’re one of the flowers that I don’t have growing in abundance at the moment..

At long last... the ultimate Icelandic Poppies have started to flower. Colibri, the gigantic, crinkly big sister to the other varieties we grow, in stupendous pastels as well as this coral. Yum! You can see why they’re adored by florists, eh?!Their slow arrival was my fault. Dithering prolonged their final placement and delayed this glorious moment... but now they’re here prepare to see a few more of these babies.... and note to self: next year, no dither.

For Phacelia, May is ‘its’ month. It will stick around into the summer but it’s in late spring that this whacky flower feels right. Maybe because it’s like the unfurling hedgerow ferns? I don’t know, but I love it and bees love it and as it happily self seeds, we’re all happy.