Broad Beans

Broad Bean 'Aquadulce Claudia'

We had some of these for dinner last night - they were small and very tasty! I am glad that I am keeping track of how much produce we have grown so far; it's good to know what we have grown.

Potatoes

Potato 'Charlotte'

I will be having these for dinner this evening - the very first harvest of our potatoes. This is the first year we have grown potatoes. We have grown two seed potatoes to a large plastic weaved sack and they have grown terrifically. I need to make sure next year, we are better at earthing up. I am excited to see at some point how the Anya have done and later in the season the King Edwards.

Poppies

This one was huge, not mine unfortunately, but taken at Swannington Manor at the weekend. I love all types of Poppies - especially great waves of them across the Norfolk countryside and the odd one popping up on the roadside. I think next year, I will raise some poppies from seed.

More Peonies

I am definitely going to start collecting Peonies. I already have four to my name; we have two Duchese de Nemours and two Sarah Bernhardts. I need to learn more about Peonies; the difference between Herbaceous and Tree, preferred growing conditions, propagation etc.

I already have a list of another six that I need to acquire!

1. Adolphe Rousseau

2. Felix Crousse

3. General MacMahon

4. Officinalis Ruba Plena

5. Peter Brand

6. Red Charm

Swannington Manor

Today we went to an open garden at the 17th century built Swannington Manor. The garden is often described as the most romantic garden in Norfolk. It is full of weaving paths, sweeping lawns, shrub and herbaceous borders as well as a Knot Garden. They also have quite a few Peonies - Swoon!

This is a 400 year old Topiary Hedge which separates the formal garden with the water garden and meadows. In the water garden there is a huge Gunnera Manicata and lots of beautiful Iris with plenty of railway sleeper bridges which I thought were great.

I really like the steps with Helexine, Thyme and Alchimilla Mollis. Think this is going to go in my inspiration book for "one day when I have my own garden..."

We even managed to pick up two lovely Iris plants, which I have decided are my new obsession.

X-Ray Flowers

X-Ray Flower by shyisback on Flickr

I first saw X-Ray flowers a few weeks ago as part of the BBC's RHS Chelsea coverage; they were part of the introduction and end credits. They are so beautiful and elegant. I wish I had the equipment to produce such images!

Peonies

Paeonia Lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours'

I truly adore these Flowers - they are my favourite. I think I am going to have a life caring, growing and collecting these magnificent plants.