The hollyhocks on the platform at the West Hampstead tube station are blooming up a storm. The flowers in these planters always seem weeks ahead of the ones in our garden. I suppose it's because they're warmer, surrounded by concrete, people and machinery all the time, and also because they're exposed to direct sun all day. (When there is direct sun, anyway.)
It's been downright chilly the last several days. My phone said the temperature Monday evening was 48º F (not quite 9º C) with an eventual low that night of 43º F (6º C). It's about the same right now, as I type. We're still running the heat in the mornings. Not to state the obvious, but it's JUNE! Enough already!
We're supposed to have a "garden party" at work this afternoon, partly in celebration of the queen's jubilee. We'll see how that goes. (By then the temps should be in the low 60s.) Some of the teachers made "fascinators" with feathers and bits of netting so there should be some interesting headgear on display. I did not make one, but I have a peacock feather hanging over my desk and I told my co-workers I could tape it to my forehead in a pinch.
Anyway, back to these hollyhocks. Last fall I took a seed pod from one of them, and planted the seeds this spring. I have several seedlings so if they survive we may wind up with some hollyhocks just like these. I haven't had much luck growing hollyhocks -- I think most parts of our garden are too shady for them -- but I'm giving it another try.
What a beautiful display for a tube station (or anywhere). 6˚C?!? Get out the arctic gear. The low 60s for the garden party should feel tropical.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was at West Hampstead station I was soaking wet, having spent the day at Kew with 7 pals, where it rained torrentially and my thin mac proved to be not at all waterproof. We had just discovered that the trains were not going to go any further than St. Albans.( for people who don't know that is 5 miles south of where we needed to be to get home) Luckily between us we managed to get in touch with 2 husbands who agreed to come and pick us up. It was not the best ending to a wet day out!
ReplyDeleteThat temperature sounds pretty typical of summer days when I grew up in the UK. There were entire summers when we needed coats!
ReplyDeleteI see you practice a bit of gardener's larceny, like me. Seeds, little cuttings, rescues!
C'mon Mr Reed. You can make a better effort than a single feather. Go all out and show the kids you are not just a boring old teacher. How quickly can you make a dragged up and glittery toy Corgi on wheels to tow?
ReplyDeleteYou "took" a seed pod? I am not convinced that that is the correct verb. I wonder what Sadiq Khan would have to say about the matter.
ReplyDeleteWe're running the AC in Camden. It's in the 90s most days and then drops ALL THE WAY DOWN to the 70s at night.
ReplyDeleteOy!
I have nabbed many a seed pod to plant back home though mostly relating to trees.
ReplyDeleteHard to imagine such cool temperatures. I wish we could switch for a day or two.
ReplyDeleteI think you should wear an ascot to the garden party. Isn't that what the prince would wear to one?
Those really are a healthy set of hollyhocks. They are such pretty flowers. I hope it gets warm enough for your garden party.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful hollyhocks. I wonder how they feel about the very cool temperatures there. We finally warmed up yesterday to a lovely sunny 65 degrees, but right now it's foggy and cool again and a gray 51 degrees. Will summer ever begin? I am so hoping.
ReplyDeleteThat is too cold for me! Hope you get some warm sun.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool here, too. But I know the heat and humidity are coming, so I'm embracing the cool while I have it :D
ReplyDeleteLOL at the threat of a peacock feather taped to your forehead!!!
We're having the opposite problem with our weather. It just now June and we're having near August temperatures. The hollyhocks are beautiful. And a peacock feather taped to your forehead is a must see.
ReplyDeleteThose hollyhocks are so lovely. Hope yours grow too!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a young girl, we had lots of hollyhocks in our yards. As I grew up, I saw less of them. I wonder why. They are such a beautiful flower. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteThat's a cute idea, but not sure how the Quenn would react. Gigi-Hawaii
ReplyDeleteWe've had a wet and cold spring so far as well. Oregon looks it's lushest and greenest right now but temps are stuck in the 60s and my vegetables aren't growing at all .. I bet you can make a nice boutonnière to wear at the party from flowers in your garden!
ReplyDeleteWet and cold spring here too although today it's supposed to be 77. The hollyhocks are beautiful; they look like petunias on stalks.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was just commenting this morning the it was way too hot already to only be June. Hot and humid. (and the horseflies and deer flies are horrendous!)
ReplyDeleteI don't seem to see Hollyhocks much anymore. My aunt use to grow them and I think they're majestic and beautiful. I hope yours bloom!
Well, I've neve grown holly hocks but they are a very large showy flower.
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely hollyhocks. I've taken seed pods from some local plants, but they don't grow in my patch, far too shady. There are some lovely colours in gardens around my block, white, pink, red, and some that are so dark they're almost black.
ReplyDeleteMitchell: These temperatures are crazy.
ReplyDeleteFrances: A rainy day at Kew does not sound like fun, especially when the trains aren't running normally!
Boud: I don't know why it still surprises me. I've lived here eleven years!
Andrew: Ha! I'm definitely not THAT enterprising. Good idea, though. I hope someone does it!
YP: I have a feeling Sadiq has bigger fish to fry, so to speak.
Bob: I'm not surprised, having grown up in the South, but it still sounds surreal given our temperatures here.
Ed: Why let a good seed pod go to waste?!
Ms Moon: Wouldn't it be great to be able to switch places with someone for just a day or two, like "Freaky Friday"?
Sharon: It was warm enough, but only just.
Robin: You're in just about the same boat we are!
Wilma: It goes in and out. It's been cloudy the last few days.
Jenny-O: Yeah, no doubt when it DOES get warm I'll be moaning about that! LOL
Ellen: The peacock feather didn't happen, alas. I couldn't get motivated even to do that tiny bit.
Ellen D: I will keep you posted!
Edna: They grow all over here, some having gone pretty much feral! But the ones I've planted in our garden haven't lasted more than a few years and haven't re-seeded. It's a mystery.
Gigi: I don't think much surprises the queen anymore!
James and Brigitta: I was checking my seedlings this morning and it's kind of the same situation. They've sprouted but they're just not growing.
Margaret: 77 sounds PERFECT! Maybe even a little warm!
Kelly: That's one thing I'm thankful for in England -- the lack of biting insects. VERY different from my Florida homeland!
Red: They're supposed to be so easy, and I suspect they are if you've got a sunny, open space against a wall or fence.
Hollyhocks do really well in Amsterdam so I don't think they mind coolish weather. They grow there between the cobblestones in many places. Maybe try some on your patio in a pot next to a wall. x0 N2
ReplyDeleteMy friend Carol and I did a Jubilee tea yesterday. She had a fascinator. I was fascinated by it! I love the Hollyhocks --I've tried to grow them in the past with no success whatsoever, but they are wonderful blooms.
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