Our first Poppy of the season!
Yesterday afternoon we sat in the back garden with our long time friends
sipping a cider and nibbling some fresh cooked asparagus with mayonnaise dip.
They brought their own beverages and chairs and we sat safely apart.
I pointed out this tall poppy plant that had grown in an unusual spot
right beside the shed door...
This morning one of the seed pods opened up to this fabulous flower!
I plan to save the seeds when the poppy dries and sprinkle them in the garden for more plants next year.
Japanese themed Garden at Butchart Gardens.
Four friends met up and we walked along the paths of the gardens
absolutely beautiful
so quiet this Friday.
Love the lush green mossy patches in this shady spot.
Blue Poppies are very challenging to grow.
They are so delicate almost as light as a whisper of crepe paper.
Blue Poppy seeds are sold at the Gift Shop.
I grew blue poppies for several years before they vanished from the garden.
This formal garden area looks perfect for an Edwardian Film...
can you envision ladies and gents in period style clothing sauntering around on the grass?
Engaged in a game of croquet?
Sipping champagne from crystal flutes
or perhaps an afternoon tea
with vintage wicker chairs and tables
fine bone china
tasty tea sandwiches and cakes...
A gal can dream...
I am dreaming of these pleasures rather more often in these days of confinement.
Lusting after a more "normal" way of life.
Freedom and safety that we accepted and honestly, I think we took for granted.
Who could have predicted this world pandemic?
I suppose scientists knew it would happen sometime but I had not thought it would be in my lifetime.
Did you?
What are you missing most?
Have you expanded your "bubble" to include family and friends?
What are the first things that you want to do
when we get the "all clear" to open up some of the shops and services?
Enjoy your week and stay safe.
~Be Well and Be Kind ~
20 comments:
Gorgeous poppies! Butchart's looks lovely and empty (hurray!). We have not yet expanded our bubble, but we are doing "individual picnics" and we've had a few people in our home (still handwashing like mad and socially-distancing) for a short visit.
I think it's taken this pandemic for us to appreciate who we really want in our lives, and also to realize what an impact our activity has on our environment. We're really stopping and smelling the roses!
The gardens were so very quiet, we were truly surprised. It was as if we had a private tour like HRH Queen Elizabeth gets at The Chelsea Garden Show...I am watching the Chelsea Show snippets on You Tube. Pollution has greatly reduced in some areas where cars are parked and factories have closed. Mother Nature must be sighing with relief!
Your poppies are magnificent! Blue is a first for me
I visited Butchart Gardens many years ago - they were amazing. I've never seen those blue poppies - what an unusual colour!
We haven't quite reached the bubble stage as yet although two other people showed up at the office when I was in for a few hours last week - we spoke from a distance and wearing our masks but only for a few minutes and then we went our own ways. I am hoping to see a couple of friends for a backyard get together within the next couple of weeks but we'll have to wait and see.
I had loads of California poppies in my garden a few years ago, ranging from light to deep pink, they usually self seed, but then they just vanished, nothing last year and nothing this year. Very disappointing.
It’s such a pretty shade of blue. The gift shop is closed but I think you can order all their seeds online if you are so inclined. 💐
Ontario Covid cases are on the upswing right now so it’s not a time to expand the bubbles. We all need to be careful and protect ourselves and others from the spread of this nasty and unprecedented virus.
Stay well Margie
I understand your frustration...we have had similar issues with flowers not reappearing here too. I wonder if it’s our occasional snowy days that are the reason. Seeds should be fairly easy to find online as I know not many if the garden centres seem to have much left on their shelves. It seems like gardening is the current rage!
I love poppies. This must be the week because my plant is in bloom too. I went to the shops in Steveston on Saturday. Daughter and I walked with her friend yesterday and we stopped for a glass of wine on a patio. Life continues cautiously. I wonder what Dr. Bonnie will have to say this week. When we are free to move about in the province, the first thing daughter and I are going to do is to visit Victoria and stay in our favourite place in James Bay.
I saw your poppy picture on your IG page!
Where do you like to stay in James Bay? I worked at James Bay Community School for 17 years! Mostly in the school library...it was a fabulous place to work and a great staff.
What a beautiful poppy. I save the seed heads after spilling out the seed and use them in dried flower arrangements. I have never know anyone before who could grow the elusive blue poppy - how wonderful!
The pictures of the Japanese garden are exquisite. Thank you.
We used to stay at Marketa's on Superior years ago. It's a big old house and we can walk everywhere. James Bay has always seemed like a great area. I could walk out early in the morning to Ogden Point and have a coffee. I think that local travel is in the cards for a while.
Sound wonderful! Yes local BC travel will be our focus too...and shopping all the independent shops for the forseeable future to help get the economy back on its feet.
Poppy flowers are available in so many varieties...many different patterns and colours.
The Japanese Garden is a shady spot at the gardens and there are asian styled benches and wee little bridges over the water features...one could sit and relax and listen to the sound of the gurgling streams for quite awile...very peaceful, almost medatative.
Hope your week is off to a wonderful start Adrienne
That's a beautiful poppy in your garden. I love the way they just appear, blown in on the wind, and decide to settle for awhile. I've long admired the blue poppies at Butchart Gardens, but have never tried growing them. I saw some seeds at Wildwood Nursery recently.
I miss getting together with friends and family, although we have expanded our bubble to family - we had a birthday party on Sunday for an 8 year old and a 1 year old. It was so lovely to be together again.
Your poppy is so beautiful. I just gazed at the photo for a few minutes taking in the unique beauty. I love to garden, but have not tried poppies and am now wondering if they would do well in our climate.
I was able to visit the Butchart Gardens a few years ago as a side trip from a wedding in the Seattle area. I took hundreds of pictures and will never forget that special visit. It was in September and the dahlias were at their peak. How wonderful to be able to visit their locally.
I am somewhat new to your blog and so enjoy your lovely photos and interesting posts.
Your birthday celebrations sound like fun! We are fortunate to live in Victoria where there are many beautiful gardens and places to walk and hike. Spring flowers are a particularly welcome sight. You might like to try growing the blue poppies in your garden!
Enjoy your weekend.
Welcome to my blog! I have planted a few dahlias this year and will see if they like my garden! I do love the flowers in a bouquet and there are so many different varieties available. Butchart Gardens is one of the most popular places that locals and tourists visit here in Victoria. I don’t imagine we will have many tourists this summer as I think the cruise ship industry is on hold due to the pandemic.
Hope you stay safe I am going to pop over and visit your blog!
That is a pretty colour of poppy! I had some ruffly pink ones in the garden years ago, but they did not self-seed. Here up the coast we are further behind, and are just having lovely lilac blooms. I have two bushes and they are so frangrant. We are really enjoying the back yard these days.
We have also had back yard visits only, but looking forward to 'expanding our bubble' to include our kids and grandkids.
And I do have a Himalayan blue poppy in my garden - it is currently in bloom. Beautiful! I was given the plant years ago and it has bloomed every year. I'm not sure how long the plant will live, but I hope it has a long life.
Enjoying your blog as usual.
I had those ruffly pink poppies too...they have disappered in my garden as well.
Love the scent of lilacs...
We saw the grandchildren this week for pizza dinner at our son's home. The kids were full of beans and happy to see us.
Lucky you to be the caretaker of the blue poppy plant. They are difficult to grow so well done you!
Take care MIchelle and enjoy your garden.
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