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Hawthorn blossom
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Around here the Hawthorn has finally come into blossom - the hedgerows are full of it, with branches tumbling over one another to show off their finery. Together with the Cow Parsley at its feet it makes a fine sight.
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Cow parsley
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There is something fresh and calming about the white and green together - before the blossom falls and the cow parsley turns dusty in the heat of summer and promptly goes to seed.
Doesn't it make you feel as though you want to lay in the long grass to cool off and smell the sweet smells that surround you.
It is hard to capture in a photo just how pretty the hedgerows look, taking your breath away with the sheer abundance of the blossom.
Layer upon layer of tiny flowers with little pink stamens just waiting to be pollinated by the obliging bees.
For those of you interested in the history and folk lore of the Hawthorn there is a site
here. Lucy over at
Loose and Leafy recently did a post on Blackthorn and Hawthorn - she is far better at taking pictures than I am.
This a view of our field where I have my kitchen garden - it is sheltered by a huge hawthorn hedge - not only is it beautiful when full of blossom but it provides a good barrier against the wind, keeps the garden warm and protects the plants from the vagaries of the weather.
My two sheep love nibbling the fresh young leaves and use the drooping branches to rub against when they have an itch that they can't scratch. This year is definitely a good year for may blossom.
Beautiful and it looks so calm and refreshing. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's how it feels to me too - especially when it's so hot at the moment
DeleteIt's always good to see. Sadly mine didn't blossom again but there is plenty around the edge of the allotment site.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a rather 'frothy' post and photos. Flighty xx
Perhaps yours is a 'male' tree - is there such a thing as male and female trees? I know you can get a male holly that doesn't produce berries.
DeleteI've been told that they all flower, but often not for a few years so I guess that I'll have to wait and see! Flighty xx
DeleteI think this is a magical time of year and like you love the hedgerows and roadsides being full of hawthorne blossom, cow parsley and sometimes horse chestnut flowers or candles. Your photos are wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteI agree Rosie - now the rain has stopped the world seems a much better place - time to stop and stare instead of running for cover.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful spring photos. Here's hoping that the weather lasts! Jx
ReplyDeleteIt has been really lovely hasn't it - so nice to have windows and doors open again.
DeleteI love cow parsley and it seems to have been a very good year for it! Great post :-)
ReplyDeleteIt says typical English countryside to me - aren't we lucky.
DeleteThe hawthorn blossom seems to be especially good this year, I love to see it and catch a waft of the scent on the air. Your hedge parsley is more advanced than it is here, it's beginning but not in its full glory yet. I love that photo with the gate - an idyllic scene.
ReplyDeleteThat is the entrance to our field - unfortunately the car was in the way - it is a lovely spot - very tranquil (except for the early morning traffic).
DeleteThe hawthorn is beautiful! I love the combination of white and green as well. Thanks for sharing, Elaine. I hope you'll post a pic your two sheep in the future. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in replying Beth - when I returned from holiday I had 154 emails in my in box - as you can imagine it is taking a while to go through them all - nevertheless, thanks for your encouraging comments.
DeleteIdyllic! It made me think of Beethoven's Pastoral and the sheep bleating.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in replying to your comment but I have been away for a week - I really appreciate your comments on my posts. Sadly, because of the gale force winds, the cow parsley is now laying flat on the ground - but it was nice while it lasted.
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