Tree Peony

We rescued this Tree Peony from Molly's garden after her death in July 2020. It had suffered a period of neglect and lack of watering and was looking rather sad, so we weren't sure whether it would survive. It didn't flower in the two subsequent years (though the wild peony that its grafted onto produced some blooms last summer) but after a bit of tender loving care it has finally produced five enormous blooms, just in time to mark her birthday tomorrow.

Most of today was spent preparing for our Coronation street party. While a few people dressed patriotically, most scarcely mentioned yesterday's event, but were happy to share food and meet neighbours old and new, on the warmest afternoon of the year so far.  Since we moved in back in the 1990's our street has become more multicultural, and it was great to chat to such a diverse range of people. There's also been a recent influx of children, and it was wonderful to see them all playing happily together - much as our children had done twenty-five years ago. A very happy afternoon and evening all round.