With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white,
And taper fingers catching at all things,
To bind them all about with tiny rings.
This is a snippet from John Keats' poem called I Stood Tip-Toe Upon A Little Hill.
I've read that he was the first to call Lathyrus odoratus by the name sweet peas.
In the morning, still in my nightgown, putting on my rubber boots and going out to the garden to pick sweet peas makes me feel like a queen. We've had spotty luck with growing them so this year I bought plants from White Flower Farm. They are doing wonderfully. I've picked bouquet after bouquet.
And here they are in the garden - in the support, though I think we went overboard. They aren't going to grow that tall!
Oh I love your vase of sweet peas so much! They are so tender looking. I'm so envious of them, never having had any luck with them, too far south I'm sure. And after trying a cheaper bulb company last fall I will go back to White Flower Farm since that is all I planted at our previous house and they did well year after year, unlike our first spring's blooms here. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteThere's something so darling about the title of of Keats' poem, don't you think? Goes so well with the dainty sweet peas, and no, I did not know that he called them that!
I went to WFF and found that their hardiness (and I would presume their ability to grow in heat as well) is 1-13! I got the
DeleteFragrant Sweet Pea Collection (Lathyrus odoratus)
And you are so right about getting what you pay for. This place really delivers, and if something doesn't come up, they offer a replacement. We are SO happy dealing with them.
I love what you wrote about Keats.
As far as I know the Queen does not go out in her nightgown and rubber boots to pick sweet peas, though I'm sure it would make her happy to do so. My mother always used to be delighted when I picked her a small bunch of sweet peas from the garden - I don't think a huge professionally-made bouquet would ever have produced such joy.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to think of her doing it though! And who knows, that woman surprises people all the time. I love your sweet pea memory.
DeleteOh, they look wonderful. I love the fragrance of sweet peas but have never had any luck growing them...That's another beautiful header you have.
ReplyDeleteGetting plants from White Flower Farm has saved my sweet pea growing life! Worth every penny!
DeleteThanks about the header - my beloved mallow.
Keats first named Sweet Peas! Delightful new fact, to me.
ReplyDeleteOh how gorgeous!
And well, better to have a too high support, than a too low one. -smile-
Happy 4th of July!
They are such lovely flowers! I especially love that vase, though!!
ReplyDeleteI have two of them, and would like even more! You may order some for yourself here if you wish!! Well worth the money for the pleasure they give me. https://nhcrafts.org/webstore/shop/pottery/bud-vase/
DeleteNan, as always, your blog posts cheer me up. It's always nice to find someone who still manages to enjoy life to its fullest by appreciating the simpler things it offers. That's not easy these days, but you nail it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMy family, gardens, music, food are my solace these days, as all days, but I do have a post in my head about the anxiety I feel with the "opening up".
Well, Houston's "opening up" did not work out well. We are on track to become the worst hit city in the worst hit country in the world now. Take care.
DeleteAn absolute horror and abomination that this should be.
DeleteAren't they the epitome of early summer? Their fragrance I can not recall at the moment, as there aren't any near me; maybe I will encourage my sister or my mother to plant some on their balconies. Lovely to know that it was a poet who first called them sweet peas!
ReplyDeleteI loved that fact, too.
DeleteThe lock down had given us no problems with a sweet friend doing all the shopping for us, and a spate of wonderful Spring weather which meant we could spend time in the garden, reading, eating, watching the bees and insects and birds and forget all about housework ...... until an elderly relative fell ill. So the last 3/4 weeks have been about fighting her battles for her. It's now calming down and I have given myself permission to take a day off worrying! I will do some gardening, a bit of reading, and make a salad. I'm not a drinker so a glass or three of fruit squash and added cranberry juice with lots of ice will be my cocktail of the day.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely sweet peas - enjoy every bloom, and enjoy your day on 4th July!
I meant to answer this sooner. I've been thinking of you since I read it, and now to read of a solution, I'm thankful. My choice of drink is a cosmo! ;<))
DeleteSweet peas are one of my favorites. They always take me back to my childhood summers. They have so many different colors now. Love your header photo too.
ReplyDeleteThe colors are achingly beautiful.
DeleteWhat a lovely bunch of flowers! I've been doing vegetables for the first time this year, and I did the same over-high support thing with my broad beans! I will remember next year to give them the shorter poles ...
ReplyDeleteWhat are broad beans? I hear all the British gardeners talk about them.
DeleteOh - they're fava beans!
DeleteThose are lovely! I asked for a white rosebush from White Flower Farm as a housewarming present from my mother and it is the only thing we've ever bought from them that failed (probably I did something wrong as I am a wistful but terrible gardener). I've always thought it would be fun to go there in person but haven't got around to it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you got in touch because they do guarantee their plants!!
Delete