Describing this pagan Cross Quarter festival, it is probably best that I quote from Glennie Kindred’s book** Sacred Earth Celebrations. She describes this period as “a celebration of the fertility and rampant potency of the life force.” Goodness, how accurate that is! Stepping out into our little garden, I wonder at Mother Earth’s amazing energy during these days.
(Please click on the images to view clearly) π
These photos show the 7ft hedge that is currently fizzing with new growth. It’s an old hedge, as it was here on our northern boundary 20 years ago when we moved in. Somewhere in there, are a couple of old unknown trees that a previous owner of the house must have chopped down, and that has allowed the ivy to flourish. Also, there is privet, holly, beech and some blackthorn. I love it, because it accommodates so much nature as a food source and a place of safety for so many insects like butterflies and bees! The downside is that it is also about 6ft in depth and as someone who cuts the hedge with a pair of shears…..well, it can be a chore. I gave up garden machinery many years ago but if I’m honest, it helps me to keep mobile. Another joy is that garden birds also use the hedge for safety and for nesting. We are currently being entertained by juvenile sparrows, a robin and several species of young tits.
The sky is filled with birdsong,
The trees and hedges, greening;
Mother Earth is bourgeoning.
Happy May Day.
Ashley
** Find out more at: http://www.glenniekindred.co.uk
A Different View 
happy may day to you and yours Ashley. beautiful greens although i can understand how they get to be imposing!Mike
Thanks Michael. We should all love our greens! π
So pretty! That’s a lot of pruning by hand. I’ve done that and ended up with blisters.
Happy Beltain!
I get blisters too, from not wearing sunblock! π
Oh, that’s painful. I got blisters on the part between my thumb and index fingers.
Your photos are beautiful and I enjoyed your hokku. Your place is so green! I will wake up early on May Day and post a haiga on my Flickr site. Take care, Ashleaf!
Thanks, Edo-san! I’ll check your Flickr site tonight! Happy May Day. π
Beautiful pics…Have a nice day, Ashley!πΏπ
Thank you, Ursula. π€π
Happy May Day, Ashley! It’s also our wedding anniversary, chosen with purpose. π Good for you, for trimming the hedge by hand! I do know what a chore that is. My neighbors have a robin’s nest just outside their sitting room window. Here, I know we have a junco’s nest above the kitchen window. It seems to be in the gutter itself, but I can’t know. They’ve placed it very carefully out of sight from all my vantage points. I only see them going in and out, first with nesting materials and now with food. . . π Hooray for spring and new life!
A very happy anniversary, Camilla! π₯ I should do a post about the birds visiting the garden. Our garden is too small to have many nests. They are fun to watch and to listen to! Happy May Day! π€π
HappyBeltane/ International Workers Day Ashley!
Thanks Ruth. Happy May Day! π»πΌ
Happy May day Ashley. I have just been for a quiet walk around the neighborhood marvelling at beauty busting forth..and all the little birds, butterflies and rabbits. Enjoy your beautiful garden. ππΊ
Dear Morag, that is just the right way to celebrate this wonderful day. Happy May Day.πΌπ»π
Thank you π
Greetings, friend! Awesome greenery!
Thank you Indira. Yes, this island receives much rain from the Atlantic. We had a hot day yesterday when I had to put the parasol up! We’re not used to too much heat! π
I envy your green! Things are just barely beginning to show green in northern MN.
Lots of greenery, thanks to the Atlantic! Happy May Day.
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Happy Beltain/Beltaine/Festival of Fertility and Expectation! πΌπ¦π»ππΈ
thank you!
Happy 1st May. It is beautiful such a green growing hedge. The colours are so deep and beautiful. It gives life to many and joy to us. I do understand about the cutting, I got a couple smaller ones and that is well enough to cut. Well you need a gardener. π
Dear Ute, thank you. I may need a gardener, but not just yet whilst I still can. However, there is another part to the hedge/border which does require a gardener every October. It is just too high for me. I ought to post about that part of the hedge!
The hedge in the photos above is opposite our kitchen window and back door, and as I seem to spend a lot of time at the sink π there is always something to see! As a recorder of garden butterflies (Garden Butterfly Survey) I don’t always need to be in the garden to spot them, but this year has been a very slow start for them!
Happy May Day! πΌπ»π€
How wonderful, Ashley! A Happy May Day to you, too π
Thank you Rosaliene. Wishing you a Happy May Day too! π€
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Beltane blessings, my dear Ashley. What a wonderful welcome to May, my friend! πΊπΏπ·
Thank you Marina. Wishing you a happy and creative May. π€π»ππΌπββοΈ
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gorgeous photos and haiku, Ashley! π
Thank you, Cindy. Happy Friday! π₯³
Beautiful, how nature has its way. And who can resist a sky filled with birdsong? (K)
Dear Kerfe, thank you! I certainly can’t resist the sound of birds, even with my reduced hearing! Happy Friday! π€π
Me either.
Thank you, Ashley. By coincidence I’ve just planted a photina (Red Robin) bush. It’ll be a while before it’s as full and gorgeous as yours.
In our back garden (a yard really, no grass) we had a couple of photinia in pots to conceal the oil tank. Depending on the variety they can be quite big but certainly a colourful addition to any garden. Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks, Ashley. You too.
Yes, May is my favourite month, so much promise and a hint of warmth. Though I dont share your enthusiasm for ivy, Ashley. Invasive and the haunt of snails which descend to demolish my hostas and delphiniums and other nurtured seedlings.
Many thank Graham. Our garden has been planted for minimal maintenance, we’re getting to the stage where we don’t want so much work, apart from the hedge, but even there, a snip here, a snip there! π
It’s a wonderful time of year isn’t it. Just bursting with new life! πΌπ
Dear Sharon, it is just the best time! I’m sure, like me, you enjoy other times of year for important reasons, but just now with everything in the natural world bristling with new life, it is a special time. Today we have some warm sunshine, so we won’t do much apart from some small jobs in the garden, maybe a glass of wine, put the parasol up, read a book ((I’m reading Twelve Words for Moss x Elizabeth-Jane Burnett) and will take it easy. Enjoy your weekend. π€π»πΌπ xx
Enjoy yours too. π π
Stunning beauty! Thank you for sharing, Ashley and the book title. ππ» Enjoy the sparrows. π
Dear Michele, thank you for your lovely comments. I’ll enjoy the sparrows whilst you enjoy your time off! π€ππ
looking good
Thanks.