Honeysuckle Rose

[callmemadam]

I just love Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum X hybridum, so I'm pleased it's here on the bank. So far, no sign of the dreaded sawfly larvae which shred the leaves.



This pleasing combination of clematis and honeysuckle covers part of a wall and is about to force itself into my bedroom window. Looking out of the other window, a rose is rushing up and I'm shocked to see the stems thick with aphids, in spite of all the frost and snow. I must have nice warm walls.

Now that I've dead headed the very last daffodil and the primroses are starting to fade, it looks as though the next wave of flowers here will be aquilegias or columbines, as we used to call them before 'Granny's Bonnets' became all the rage. There's masses of them, all ready to pop open.

Comments

[geraniumcat.livejournal.com]

Although we're told that it will be bad year for butterflies, I've seen a surprising number of other insects this year, and been bitten already (I can usually walk round the garden barefoot until the beginning of June without bites!) - bleah.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Ouch! No bites yet but there are plenty of ladybirds about already.

[(Anonymous)]

I always called them 'columbines' until the murders in that city. I quickly changed my naming to aquilegia, but I love Granny's Bonnets. I've never heard it before. They are one of my favorite flowers no matter the name. As an old country man, who has since died, used to say, 'I don't care what they call me, as long as they don't call me late to dinner.' :<)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I do see why you changed names. Aquilegia is much more sensible, really. Would you know what I meant by 'Soldiers and Sailors'? We might be talking about completely different flowers.
That was a wise old man!