The End Of April

The meadow is coming along quite well but a bit later so far than last year.
Hopefully it will produce more flowers thick and fast as we get further into May

Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) 

This little grass is only about 4 inches high but its very pretty as it opens up

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Comfrey Symphytum Officiale 2012m32

This is my Favourite plant in the whole of the meadow and the garden ,not only do I use it for making liquid feeds for the greenhouse and vegetables in the garden but I grow it mainly for its medicinal properties..All my family swear by it for sprains bruises rheumatic pain. It is an absolute god send for the grand daughters grazes and cuts when they fall over .Also its amazing for instant relief for cramp in the legs.  

Bugle Ajuga Reptans 2012m31

Common Field Speedwell 2012m34

The Bugle is also supposed to have many medicinal properties but this is a new one for me yet.

This Common Field Speedwell has the most vibrant  bright blue little flowers they always remind me of dolls eyes.

Oil Seed Rape Brassica napus 2012m33

This little Oil Seed Rape was a gift from the birds as there isn't any rape growing around the meadow at all. Very welcome anyway

April 26th

Black Angelcia  Araceae

 This Black Angelica was planted as a plug plant 3 years ago I'm hoping it will do something this year .So far its never grown over 4 inches high

 This little flower is very dear to me .I found it growing in the hedge at the bottom of the meadow and it must have been flowering in that spot  for maybe hundreds of years.

 I have quite a lot of Red Campion growing in the meadow this is growing in a sheltered spot .It maybe the reason  its flowering early

I planted this Lords and Ladies last year no flowering spike as yet but just glad its taken and is growing strong

This is one of the terrestrial tulips I have planted .as an early food source for the bees I don't know how it stands in producing nectar but it does have plenty of pollen 

The Meadow Mid April

This  is how the meadow looks today on the 15th April sides and islands defined and the central section mowed but not a lot of colour yet 

Lovely Carder Bee topping up on nectar I think we have 4 different Bumble Bees that visit or reside in my meadow .I'll have to take a really careful look this year . 

 This tiny little flower could have been so easily overlooked the flower itself being only 7mm across with such beautiful markings on the inside.A little treasure.

 Another tiny beauty but its deep violet flowers won't let this one be overlooked

This Purple Dead Nettle comes in several shades in my meadow and garden so pretty

Now that most of the meadow has been sown and the perennial plants established the only way to add to the diversity is for me to grow additional plants in plugs in the greenhouse and then add them in groups . This tool is my best friend it removes a neat plug quickly, easily and efficiently with the minimum of effort. I bought it as a bulb planter but soon realised it would be perfect for adding plug grown plants.Its called LITTLE PLUGGER I bought it on line but can't find the manufacturer now otherwise I would have added a web site to go with it .

Jackdaws

Jackdaw

This is one of the Jackdaws nesting in the wall of the old Granary for the second year, They are quite tame now and I'm sure they know I mean them no harm.They are quite bold in as much as the are  slow to fly away when approached. I'm sure this fellow thinks he's king of all he surveys 

Swallows arrived today

Blackthorn

Fritillary Alba

I can't believe Its almost mid April already .The first pair of Swallows arrived today . Over a week earlier than last year. It always gives me a huge buzz when the Swallows arrive I really feel summer is not far away