Will You Look at the Limelight!

So she said as we sat drinking our breakfast coffee while watching the morning news on television. At that hour of the day “limelight” was a word that left my poor not-so-fast-early-in-the-morning brain puzzled; it certainly wasn’t clear to me what Mary had in mind. She’s used to that vacant, lost look on my face and quickly rescued me from my fear of sudden-onset dementia with “the hydrangea…Hydrangea ‘Limelight’. Look at how the flowers are gleaming in the sunshine!”

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, glistening in the morning sunshine

Indeed, they were gleaming as the early morning sunshine lit them up, peeping over a yew hedge. I’m a man of action – hey, even old men can dream! – and I went for my camera to capture the moment, Carpe momentum at least if not the entire diem. One wouldn’t wish to overdo it so early in the morning!

Early morning light and views in the garden – a very pleasant time to walk around.

Even before leaving the house another such moment presented itself – a momentous morning, so to speak. The resident small family of pheasants were immediately outside the kitchen window, tummies full after the breakfast I had served half an hour earlier and now taking their ease, a little grooming, a little stretching, a peck here and there, relaxing.

After breakfast, which I provide every day, the pheasants pick a spot to do their preening. 

Three chicks from this year, now nearly as big as their parents.

A teenager admiring the flowers!

With camera in hand and two moments already presented to me I took a quick walk around the garden in search of others for, oftentimes, moments of beauty and interest go unnoticed because we don’t look for them. It was a quick walk for the morning was cool, the dew on the grass very heavy – I was still in pyjamas and dressing gown – and the camera battery didn’t last very long. Nonetheless, there were more such moments and I captured them!

Enjoy!

Evening light showing Betula utilis ‘Jacquemontii’ to good effect

A young specimen of Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’, colouring nicely.

Acer griseum, on the left, framing an evening view to the river.

Some individual plants which are attractive at the moment:

I have photographed Colchicum speciosum ‘Rubrum’ almost on a daily basis since the first flower appeared almost a fortnight ago. It has proved a tricky colour to capture accurately but today’s photograph is my very best and I am delighted with it. 

A very pale pink Nerine, without a cultivar name, but very beautiful as it catches the light.

And, elsewhere, a large stand of Nerine x bowdenii – shocking pink!

Mahonia ‘Midwinter Fire’ always gives a great display at the start of winter – and also has a delicious fragrance. 

Liriope muscarigives wonderful colour at this time of year and it excellent in dry and shaded conditions under trees.

The beautiful seeds of Euonymous planipes!

Epilobium canum ‘Dublin’ – an Irish cultivar of the Californian fuchsia.

The fluffy seedheads of Mountain Avens, Dryas octopetala, give a second period of interest to this plant. 

Parthenocissus henryana covers the wall of our garage and gives a great display of colour each autumn.

A little poppy grown from seed many years ago – a gift from a friend. 

Primula ‘Pink Ice’ – recent rains have convinced it that spring has arrived. 

Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ – I moved a big number of these during the summer and they are beginning to flower again which comes as a relief. 

And, finally, some sculpture in the garden – our local bridge!