This bush – a relative of the more exotic Hibiscus and called Common Mallow – has lived outside our house in the front garden longer than we have lived inside its walls. It started off pink but for some strange reason it diversified, first to pure white and then to white with a burgundy coloured centre, all blossoming happily together. I think these may all be separate shrubs or rogue shoots from the same roots. We certainly didn’t plant any of them. The bush is now quite old and gnarled but it still gives the blossoms of youth in massive abundance. I sometimes feel at this time of year that we are in an enchanted castle, surrounded by a wall of magic blooms! The postman has to fight his way to the door but at least there are no thorns!
Enchanted August
Magic blooms
I took these photos the day before we left for a wedding in the Scottish Borders.
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