A few weeks ago I was walking round a beautiful garden with friends, and as often happens we split into two or threes depending on the interest in different sections. Carolyn who is one of the two ladies who selects and plans our WI Blooming Fun outings and is equally interested in gardening as I am enjoyed pointing out different features to each other.
Today I dedicate my little vase to Caroly: Lily of the Valley and blue forget me not like flowers from Brunnera Jack Frost.
As we were walking round Brow Cottage which coincidentally featured in April 2026 Gardens Illustrated, Carolyn told me the story of how her mother used to prepare a little vase of Lily of the Valley each year for her birthday, even just a very few stems of just opening blooms. So here today although not the exact date of Carolyn's birthday, which is nearer the end of the month, I dedicate this vase to a beautiful and generous lady.
We also both had the same piece of delicious cake at Brow Cottage. I had to go back and check if the recipe was available. It was called The Queen Mother's favourite cake which is a Date and Walnut Tray Bake with a fudge type topping.
Each time my Lily of the Valley comes into bloom I shall now think of Carolyn. I shall not forget the precious moment of Carolyn sharing this memory with me.
The little watering, can which I have shown before, signals hot days and watering. The Lily of the Valley are suffering but it was worth cutting the last fairly OK blooms for this IAVOM. Each week we link into Cathy's Post.
A lovely colour contrast in your vase Noelle. I love it when you can associate a flower with a person whether it be a family member or friend. Here my Lilies of the Valley are planted facing north and are only just beginning to show white. Not only do they remind me of my parents as the pips came from their garden they also remind me of my former next door neighbour. She told me about the May bombing blitz of Liverpool in 1941 and how she remembered that the Lilies of the Valley were in flower at that time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, you have the advantage of being a little cooler and later in the season. I think people who went through the blitz had experiences that cannot be forgotten, and need to be shared.
DeleteI had to leave my favorite Lily of the Valley behind when we moved. So I can just smell those lovely bells.
ReplyDeleteWhen you walk into the room the smell is lovely. I have only just been able to establish a few finally, but it is a little too hot and dry for them this year. Next year I shall be sure to mulch them well in February, before they emerge.
DeleteI am not sure I remember you using the little watering can before, but I recognised it as Swarovski because there were a couple of similar items in my Mum's stuff which we have gradually been sorting on each visit - no watering can though. You have created a lovely little vase with the lily of the valley and brunnera, and it's lovely to hear the former will always make you think of Carolyn, who sounds a lovely lady. I have not been able to establish l of the v here, other than a specific variety with lime green leaves whose name I can't remember offhand. Did you get the recipe for the traybake? Any chance of sharing it if you have?
ReplyDeleteYes, it has been used several times, and the little watering can was Mum's. Yes, I got the recipe and I shall post about it shortly, with a few slight adjustments such as metric measurements.
DeleteHere is the recipe Cathy
Deletehttps://noellemace.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-cake-which-we-enjoyed-at-garden.html
Wonderful, I love Lily of the Valley and blue and white vases, yours are much different than mine but still similar, Am.elia
ReplyDeleteThanks Amelia, I shall go and check your post.
DeleteHow pretty! the blue is so deep and the scent must be delicious. Lily of the valley is one of my favorite scents. My patch has spread generously so I can enjoy large handfuls in vases for the short time they are in bloom. Heavenly! Eliza
ReplyDelete