June 26th – Sad to see the last of the orchids fading away now but it’s been a great year for them.
I think they like the rain, so the summer has been good for something, at least.
I love these gorgeous purple flowers – a real symbol of the cleanliness our canals now enjoy. Such a shame they’re so transient in nature.
Until next year, then…
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June 25th – Nice, but sad to see the white water lilies are out now on the canal between Brownhills and Chasewater.
Running an errant in the evening, I passed these near Freeth Bridge and although I love them, their appearance signals a summer passing.
Hopefully the weather will improve soon and I’ll be able to make the most of it.
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June 17th – For some reason later than the canalside ones, the orchids in the grass on the bank from the canal to the new pond at Clayhanger are now coming out.
Thankfully unharmed by the Canal and River Trust mower, these lovely purple flowers are hard to spot at first amongst the tall grass, vetch and other wildflowers but they’re there – being beautiful and trying to get noticed.
If you go for a look, wear wellies or long trousers as the grass is full of cuckoo spit…
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June 10th – The rain was almost totally constant as I came home from work and hit the muddy canal to avoid the traffic.
With little inspiration in the grey, horrible day, my eye was caught by a single splash of blue and purple in the scrub by the towpath by Clayhnager bridge – a gorgeous, bedraggled and solitary cornflower.
I keep saying this but it’s true – there is brightness to be found in even the most awful days.
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June 9th – A decent enough day following the heavy rain of the day before – I had stuff to do at home so just nipped out on errands.
Another beautiful sign of the season slipping by is the waterlilies are blooming on the canals – not my favourite white ones yet, but the yellow are coming on a treat.
We just need some warm weather now…
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June 7th – A mystery that always makes me wonder: Why are blue-purple lupins always out weeks earlier than the light colours like the pink ones here at Clayhanger Bridge?
I think I prefer the pink ones if I’m honest although they’re all beautiful.
This curiosity does at least extend the visible presence of a beautiful flower…
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June 7th – Kidney vetch is an odd little wildflower, which consists of tiny yellow flowers cluster around a fluffy, downy head. I always imagine it’s a plant of late summer for some reason, and it’s appearance in midsummer always surprises me.
It grows profusely on the grass around the top of the new pond embankment at Clayhanger, one of the few places I know it exist, yet every year, like the orchids, it’s cut down by Canal and River Trust’s mowing team who insist on obliterating anything in their path.
I preferred canals when they were more unkempt, if I’m honest.
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June 5th – On the wasteland, long unused at the junction of Bentley Mill Way and the Walsall Road at Darlaston, unexpected beauty.
Look once, and it’s a patch of unremarkable, but lush green scrub with gorse flower and a variety of trees – doing well despite last year’s grassfires here.
But look closer.
Lupins. Loads and loads of them. In the full colour range from creamy white to deep, deep purple.
I know this journal is all about the flowers at the moment, but with beauty such as this everyday just waiting to be found, how can it not be?
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June 4th – The orchid season is upon us, and two spotted miles apart: The tall purple one (about 12 inches high) is the one spotted in the patch by the canal in Walsall Wood last week: It’s developed beautifully.
The second is a random lone soldier spotted beside the cycleway at Telford station: In the lovely pink-purple colour you can really see the gorgeous patterns on the petals.
Both seem to be northern marsh orchids but I’m certainly no expert.
Beautiful flowers and some of my favourites – only here for a few short weeks so if you want to find some, get out now.
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June 3rd – Another day, another wildflower appearance, and one that although very common, is lovely if you look closely – the humble bramble, or blackberry blossom.
Very white, delicate almost as if mate from paper, and always creased. Fascinating little flowers hardly anyone pays attention to.
It might be me but they seem early this year…
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