Plant of the Day

Tuesday 1 August 2023

In this seaside walled garden on a well-drained soil the annual Papaver rhoeas (field poppy) was flowering. The red flowers were contrasting with the larger, green seed-heads of Papaver somniferum (opium poppy).

Jill Raggett

From: Omar Khayyam. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1909

PR6513 .A1 1909

Guten Morgen #Fediverse. Für einige #Mastodon Nutzende ist es vielleicht an der Zeit den selbst gewählten #WalledGarden zu verlassen und den eigenen Horizont zu erweitern. Es gibt Möglichkeiten im Fediverse das zu tun.

Walled garden - Fujifilm X-Pro 3 . . . . #photooftheday #picoftheday #photooftheweek #photography📷 #photography #walledgarden #walledgardens #stalbans #blacknwhite_uk #blacknwhite #blacknwhitephotography #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephoto #blackandwhitephotography #bnwlovers #bnw_captures #bnw #bnwphoto #bnwmood #bnwphotography #monochromatic #monochromaticphotography #fujifilm (at St Albans) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp8kFJENyhA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖊... 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖔𝖙.” - Bram Stoker 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️ Before summer began, we headed into the night to catch a glimpse of Nosferatu. Projected upon the night sky in an old, walled garden, the scenes broke silence with the live accompaniment of two experimental musicians. As the tale was told I realised that I had, in fact, never watched F. W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece in its entirety, though I have seen and studied key scenes on various occasions. Most memorably as a child: the sliding, stair-climbing shadow scene with my father. I may well have joined him in watching the whole thing then, but only that scene remained in mind. 🩸 Now in the depths of summer - which, for me as an educator, equals holidays - I have been reflecting upon my Generally Gothic endeavours. I have no short supply of things to share and open up for discussion... Granted, time is sometimes scarce, but I have been simultaneously busier irl and more active here in the past. Why then, I wondered, have I been so absent? I thought that breaking away from my monthly themes would allow me freedom to post more frequently. I now believe the opposite - that the great, unfettered world of open opportunities stunned me into inactivity... The posting equivalent of a defence nap (when you're so overwhelmed by a task you suddenly... just 🥱... couldn't possibly even...😴). 🩸 Like Nosferatu, I am here to break my scattered silence. I have taken to stories to ask what you would like to see more of over here, but I can firmly say that I will be loosely sticking to my monthly themes 😏... as I was before I dropped off the grid. I would love to hear what you enjoy seeing here (stories/DM); "I want you to believe" that I will return to sharing my musings with you again! . #Nosferatu #outdoorcinema #walledgarden #generallygothic #gothic #horror #horrorfilm #horrormovie #classiccinema #murnau #blackandwhite #bookstagram #blogger #darkacademia #gothicacademic #spookynerd #spookysummer (at Orava Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChcAAMALN_y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It’s not all bad getting turned to stone, just look at the flowers.

The walled garden - but not a wall to climb! (taken 20-May)

~30/8/2022~ I was a bit headachy in the morning which I’m hoping won’t be a regular thing as seems to be only negative thing that appears to be linked to new medication regime 💊 I was starting work slightly later today as doing a longer day tomorrow, so once my head was feeling a little clearer I attempted to work my way through some home admin tasks including renewing my employer’s insurance, tenants insurance, registering an interest in a shared ownership property, and trying to book a GP appointment - all with varying degrees of success :/ I was fairly productive admin wise once I started work. I had some leftover Chinese for lunch which felt nice and substantial. Then I went to the bank to pay in some cheques on the way to catching the bus to our monthly team walk for work, which was actually in a pretty convenient location for me - Preston Park, Brighton - I’d never explored it properly so it was really lovely - there were only 3 of us who turned up in the end, but they were both nice so had a good time. It felt super sunny and hot there though 🍃 ☀️🥵 I had to wait quite a while for the bus home as the original one I was going to get was a single decker when it’s usually a double decker and so was absolutely packed - waited for the next one and glad I did as it was much better 🚌 Finished a book I’ve been reading on the way home. Since then had dinner and been chilling as not much energy left - did think about joining a virtual group I sometimes join but decided against it in the end 😴 🦄 #instadaily #instablog #update #mentalhealth #dissociativeidentitydisorder #cptsd #autism #traumarecovery #edrecovery #anxiety #chronicillness #disability #pots #potsie #dysautonomia #positivevibes #recovery #wakehurst #nationaltrust #walking #nature #naturelove #natureseeker #flowerstalking #walledgarden #summer #roses #wildflowers (at Wakehurst) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5SOfeqouwTVeooQBfQLbpHJ4SYgWBUzqPB1U0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Dans Le Jardin This boutique hotel in Nîmes is a tranquil oasis, secluded and yet set in the heart of the town. From the songbirds in the walled garden and the paraphernalia carefully placed in the communal areas to the individual styling of the bedrooms, every detail of ‘Jardins Secrets’ has been considered. This 18th-century, Tuscan-style villa has been decadently transformed into an opulent treasure of hotel. Boudoir-style rooms, many set around an Italian cloister, seduce guests with four-poster beds, rich fabrics and standalone tubs. In summer, bask around the pool, or cocoon yourself in the secret spa and Roman bath. Ring the bell and push open the heavy door to find the hotel in its secret hiding place on a quiet residential street. This isn’t in the most exciting part of town, although for many that will be part of the appeal, but the hotel is still only a short walk to many of Nîmes’ major sights. The ‘Arènes de Nîmes’ is just 10 minutes by foot, the ‘Maison Carrée’ just five minutes more and both are surrounded by plenty of bistros and cafes. It will take you nearly 30-minutes to reach 'La Tour Magne’ by foot, although the very pretty park setting is a reward once you’ve made it. Apparently stressed-out Parisians who come here to escape for a weekend love the close proximity to the train station, which is just a four-minute walk-away, just a few minutes more and you’ll already be settled by the crackling fire, drink in hand. #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #design #words #pictures #villa #decadence #opulence #secretspa #heatedoutdoorpool #romanbath #escape #olivetrees #bougainvillea #luxury #fourposterbeds #walledgarden #pablopicasso #familyrun #nîmes #jardinssecrets (at Hôtel Jardins Secrets) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdu_QyZIhl7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Walled Garden, Attingham Park, UK

Plant of the Day

Saturday 8 July 2023

Here Nepeta × faassenii 'Purrsian Blue' (catmint) has been used as a low hedge around a section of the productive garden. This compact perennial reaches 45cm in height with grey aromatic leaves and upright blue flower spikes. This plant is popular with pollinators and cats!

Jill Raggett

From: Hill, Thomas, approximately 1528- . The gardeners labyrinth. London : Printed by Henry Ballard, 1608

SB97 .H57 1608

I’m incredibly fortunate to have this garden on my doorstep, a constant source of inspiration! There will be some updates on my little postage stamp of a garden soon!

Badshahi Masjid View from Haveli Roof Top! 😍