Zantedeschia or Arum Lily

Zantedeschia is commonly called the arum lily, Easter lily or calla lily, although it is not a lily, a calla nor an arum, however, like the arum and calla, it is in the family Araceae.

Dicentra or Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Dicentra spectabilis (now more properly known as Lamprocapnos spectabilis – the change of name from Dicentra happened in 2006) are one of the most photogenic of flowering plants, with their graceful, arching flowers. They are native to woodland margins in the Northern Hemisphere.

Chelsea 2012: Lilium martagon + RBC Blue Water Garden

One of the flowers of the show was the Lilium martagon (or Turk's cap lily), which was on several show gardens, but especially prominent on the Silver Gilt Medal-winning RBC Blue Water Garden, designed to help promote water conservation by Professor Nigel Dunnett, who created our favourite garden at Chelsea 2011 (the RBC New Wild Garden).

Chelsea 2012: On show

There were lots of quirky displays, interesting artworks and expensive plants on show at Chelsea 2012. Above is one part of a 3 x 24 metre hand-painted canvas, Constructed Nature, by Hugo Dalton.

Chelsea 2012: Artisan Gardens

The Satoyama Life garden won a Gold Medal and was also chosen as the Best Artisan Garden – and for once we agree with the Chelsea judges, although it was a pretty obvious choice as it was easily the best of the small gardens – we also particularly like the designer’s work and his intricate use of moss.

...and down came the snow

The forecast is for snow(drops)

The Met office is predicting snow but so far we've not seen a snowflake. But, that doesn't mean we don't have some white stuff in the garden. 

Always reliable and always beautiful the snowdrops are up and in full flower.

Longer and longer

Here in London there were 7 hours, 49 minutes and 48 seconds between sunrise and sunset today. This is important because yesterday it was only 7 hours, 49 minutes and 43 seconds. Yes, we gained 5 extra seconds of sunlight. Now that might not sound like something to get excited about but what it means is....

Misty eyed in Richmond

Richmond Park in the fog

Recently it has been foggy in London. It wasn't the peasouper of old London or Mary Poppins, but enough to go and take some pretty pictures.

Fruitful abundance on the allotment

I'm still getting to grips with my new allotment and am fast becoming an expert on bindweed. One of the best ways to find out what will and won't grow on an allotment (or garden) is to see what your neighbours are doing. Everyone I've met so far has been very helpful and been generous with their advice, courgettes and apples.