Sweet peas come very near the top of my favourite flower list, perhaps my favourite although I would hate to have to choose and can think of many others that hold a special place in my personal catalogue: cornflowers, old fashioned roses, lilac, cherry blossom, primroses, peonies….
What I love about sweet peas is their glorious, jewel- like colour and their sensational scent and I’m so pleased I planted a whole row in my garden this year. They have just begun to flower and this means I can pick them for the house and enjoy them all day – sweet peas love to be picked, in fact they insist on it. The more you pick, the more flowers appear – a cornucopia of delicate blossoms
My second novel, The Orchid House, reflected my love of flowers and gardens and was inspired by a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. An editor at Bloomsbury said some good things about it and I often think of going back to it and using what I’ve learned – so much now- to re-write it. I think one day I will…and the sweet peas will be there for sure.
The Flower Garden was set in rows of intense colour, spread out like a carpet made from rags of cotton and chintz. Protected behind walls of warm brick its sheltered beds threw up sweet, old-fashioned drifts of larkspur, cornflower and scabious, godetia and marigold.
Madeline stood against a row of cornflowers, a basket at her feet already half full with sweet peas and cosmos
I love sweet peas too Avril, but unfortunately they won’t grow in my garden! Looking forward to seeing you next monday with Wendy.
best wishes
Yes – looking forward to Monday very much x
Sweet peas are really cute. But your sweet peas are kinda gorgeous! Love the color combination. I planning to plant sweet peas this week but I don’t know how to start with it.
Oh Avril you should treat yourself and us all and think of re-visiting The Orchid House.
wx