It has been so wonderful to enjoy a few rays of sunshine this weekend after the continuous downpours of previous weeks. Whilst I deeply appreciate the rain, there is something so vital and enlivening about the sunshine at this time of year, plus our vey real need to top up our vitamin D stores after winter.
Finally, all the reasons why May is one of my favourite months were apparent; the garden, growing up so lush and vibrant and about to burst into bloom, the cowslips carpeting the Downs and, very best of all, the musky sweet scent of hawthorn blossom on the air.
As I set off harvesting yesterday I stopped down the garden path to admire these beautiful chive buds. Look closely and you will see the little beads of moisture on the inside. Exquisite no? Like the flowers are gently breathing their way open.
Valerian and roses are all set to flower too. I love the pattern formed by the valerian buds and the spiral of the rose sepals unfurling. This was a new rose for me last autumn, bought for half price from the garden centre. It is called Wild Edric and is supposed to be especially hardy for organic growers as well as beautifully fragrant. Well you know roses are my one weakness….
Already in flower and pretty as the day is long are the heartsease. To my mind this is one plant that certainly lives up to its name as it lifts my spirits and enlivens my heart every time I see it.
And gone to seed are the dandelion heads. Much as I love my dandys, I snip most off and just leave a few to populate the garden with their offspring. These downy globes of tiny seeded parachutes are both beautiful and very well adapted for survival.
Then out of the garden and onto the hills, where the wild things grow and the sea winds blow.
This sweet little flower is black meddick which enjoys coastal areas and lime rich soils.
Growing next to it was this chickweed, busting into tiny flower-stars and adorned with tufts of enthusiastic dandelion.
Red campion brings splashes of bright colour to the spring hued greens and yellows of the hedges.
And speedwell, one of my favourite of all wildflowers, grows rampant at the field edges.
The blossoms of wayfaring tree, Viburnum lantana, bridge the time gap between the flowerings of blackthorn and hawthorn, continuing the thread of hedgerow beauty that passes to the elder as the hawthorn blossom begins to fade.
Wayfaring Tree
Buds of Elder
Cowslips are all over the escarpment, enabling me to harvest just enough for tea and a small quantity of infused oil. Remember cowslips are endangered in many parts, though they grow freely here, so cultivate them in your garden for a sustainable harvest unless you have a very prolific source nearby.
One of the things I love best about this time of year is the ability to pick herbs so freely for fresh teas. I am enjoying again my old favourite of lemon balm and rosemary from the garden and there is nothing like a tea of cowslip and hawthorn tops for relaxing in the evening and ensuring a good night’s rest.
My oils are left out in the day, infusing in the full sun, then bought into the warm at night. Like this they should be ready in only about three days. This would not be sufficient time for tougher plants but these fresh flowering tops will give up their constituents quickly in the bright warm sunlight and may risk rancidity or losing their vitality if left out too long.
I have bombarded you with enough pictures for one post but I’ll be sharing thoughts and images from the first hawthorn blossom harvest sometime next week.
What are your favourite things in May?
Whispering Earth 
Beautiful Lucinda and breathtaking photographs! I am having hawthorn flower tea right now xxx
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Wonderful, I hope you are enjoying it!
I’ve had hawthorn tops with two thin slices of fresh ginger the last couple of mornings which is highly recommended, it makes a nice soothing but enlivening combo.
xxx
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Never enough of such lovely pictures!
I hear you on the rain. We finally have had two days in a row without rain (more due tomorrow!) But I know we need it.
Michael
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I’m glad to hear it because I don’t seem to tire of taking them. 🙂
We have some sunshine this morning but its meant to rain this afternoon and most of the rest of the week. Let’s enjoy being outside while we can.
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Dear Lucinda,
A charming and pretty post.
I was walking with you, taking each step and breath slowly, enjoying the moment.
May gives so much hope to gardeners…….for me personally, it is about new life. The bees are, as you know, such an important part of my life. I treasure each and every one of them.
I have so many mason bees, honey bees and my beloved bumbles 🙂
While strolling with Nella yesterday I found some wild orchids. I shall take my camera today and try to get an image…..if I can reach them, they are growing in a meadow, so will have to be very careful not to damage anything.
The chive bud is beautiful…..well captured…..
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Hi Cheryl, it was such a joy to see the fat bumble bees in the garden on Saturday wasn’t it! Your garden must seem like heaven for them.
I will look forward to seeing the orchids.
We have an early purple orchid in the copse by the house, not so rare but very beautiful. I will share some pictures soon! x
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I felt like I was walking along with you, peering at this and marveling at that. What a splendid walk it was 🙂 I have started my morning with so much beauty now, and I feel that lovely sunshine even though today is rainy here. Baskets full of fresh flowers really do fortify the heart I think, just to see them. Here’s to many more beautiful May days full of sunshine and flowers 🙂
XOXO
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What a pleasure to have you along with me, baskets in hand and singing old folk songs as we go.
The rain has returned here too but I feel fortified enough by the weekend’s sun to last me a few days!
Much love xxx
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Hi Lucinda, lovely post and great photos – I really like the dandelion seed head.
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Thank you, the dandelion heads are fascinating aren’t they.
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How funny; my son, when he was little, concocted his own drink by picking lemon balm and rosemary, and then adding whatever mints were popping up. He called it his special recipe. He’ll be pleased to know someone else appreciates lemon balm and rosemary!
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How funny. Your son is obviously a natural herbalist and clearly has excellent taste. 🙂
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Hello, what a lovely blog and gorgeous photographs. Jealous of your chalk hill blue butterfly, it is a lovely area and so interesting to read about how you are using the different flowers. Millyx
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Thank you Milly x
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I love this time of year but I’ve been finding that the motivation and vitality I usually feel in Spring is lacking this year. I’m sure its due to the weather, its been so unseasonally overcast and cold these last few months in southern england that I’m finding it hard to get going. Usually I bound out of winter as soon as the sun arrives and the days get longer but its been a struggle to leave hibernation this year. Its nice to read articles that remind me it is actually spring and there is alot going on in nature to be thankful for. I will make myself a lime flower tea and go and sit by my favourite lilac and soak in some spring! x
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I know what you mean, the cold and grey have dragged on a bit too long haven’t they. Though we had a lovely day here today. I hope it was good with you too and you are starting to feel a little more spring like.
Lime flower tea beneath the blossoming lilac sounds like heaven! xx
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