The last day of November has been a complete washout here with wind and rain for most of the day. Despite storm Clodah hitting us (our third storm in three weeks) a patch of Scabiosa atropurpurea are still in bloom in the garden and what’s more they are full of buds. You may know them as Pincushion flowers. They are tall annual flowers, impossibly glamorous and lightly scented. Here’s a blue one – photo taken in August outdoors.
Taking photos outside is usually a complete joy but today the weather defeated me. An outdoor photo shoot just wasn’t going to happen in this wind. So I’ve been experimenting by taking a few shots indoors. This is completely new to me and I must admit that it does feel a little strange.
I love being outdoors, soaking up the atmosphere in the garden and seeing what all the birds and insects are up to. Setting up a table with my flowers inside the house doesn’t have quite the same relaxing feel for me or satisfy my need to know what’s going on outside.
Anyway, despite the lack of light and overwhelming greyness I managed to take some photos of the Scabious. I’ve brought some Cyclamen inside too. They are spares from my outdoor winter planters and shouldn’t really be inside because it’s way too warm for them… but they look so pretty in their little cups.
At least I have overcome my self imposed ‘rule’ of always taking pictures outdoors. Taking flower photos indoors is definitely a different experience. I know that anything new that I tackle feels awkward and strange at first. I also know that eventually I won’t feel such a resistance to the process.
Wishing you a very happy Monday.
Gill your indoor photos are beautiful x
Thanks very much Linda. Good to hear from you!
That is a lovely white Scabious. I have lots of blue and mauve ones in the garden, but I have never had white. I must look out for one. Do you grow them from seed? I have dug up some of mine this year and divided them. They do seem to last more than one year, but can get very straggly in subsequent years.
Yes these are grown from seed Annette. They were an annual mixture of pinks, blues and whites which started flowering in June. For some reason the white ones have kept on going. Scabious are really good long flowering plants anyway but this year they have been amazing. I’m going to save some seed so if you’d like me to send some to you just let me know. You are most welcome to have some.
That would be great Gillian. I haven’t grown much from seed so far, but time I got started I think. I will send you my address.
It’s really easy Annette. I am writing some growing guides so by the time we are ready to start sowing in spring there will be info sheets for you if you need them.
That will be useful. I have two main problems. The first is that it takes a long time to warm up here and I don’t have a greenhouse or wide windowsills. I do have a little plastic growhouse that I was going to use. The second, even bigger, problem, is the slugs and snails. I have had whole seedtrays eaten in one go before. I don’t want to use slug pellets either, because of the other wildlife. So anything you can suggest for that would be really useful. The only seeds I have grown successfully are nasturtiums,straight into the soil, and sweet peas, started off inside and soon moved outside. I would love to grow some white Cosmos next year.
Righty Ho. I will bear all that in mind and offer suggestions with growing guide. Please let me know if there is anything else you’d like to find out about.
Ok I will thanks.
You did well… they are lovely!
Thanks Eliza. The photos worked out quite well so why do I feel like I am swimming in treacle? Just out of my comfort zone I guess!
Like you said, with time and practice, you will be as efficient as outside. 🙂
Love the white with white indoor shots, beautiful
Thanks very much.
Your pictures are lovely Gillian, and I have my Sarah Raven Scabious seeds ‘in stock’ ready to sow in the Spring so I shall look out for your notes.
Thanks Noelle. I will let you know when the growing guides are ready.