..nature conjures something so astonishing that only a picture can do it justice.
Snakeshead fritilaries blow me away.
It’s a chequered flower. For crying out loud!. That’s some flabbergasting evolution. You can visit meadows and meadows of them here.
My fritillary is growing in its own tiny water meadow (galvanised bucket with limited drainage).
As though it weren’t lovely enough I had a gobsmacking thrifting moment recently.
Can you spot it?
Yep. A vintage snakeshead fritillary teacup.
Oh my sainted aunt.
Bliss-out!
Fab post Mrs P…
and I know how you love a bit of nerdines –
Fritillaria comes from the Latin word fritillus, meaning dice box, which in Roman times had a chequered pattern on them
– just like the flowers.
Isn't is a stupendous day!
Celia
PS have you been spotting Pasque Flowers on the Deveil's Dyke this year – I heard on the grape vine they are in flower 😉
They are amazing, they look as if they've been hand painted.
Love your cup! I have a mug with fritillaries on it though I do wish I had some in my garden.
Vivienne x
Ah, look at your garden again there, looking like a nice place to be.
Mine still looks like a pit of mud.
There stunning aren't they, I am lucky enough to have one in my garden… but that teacup is really something else….lucky you 🙂
'Oh my sainted aunt' makes me smile – she was a great friend of my mother's along with the giddy aunt, who was trotted out for even more surprising occasions.
I can't grow fritillaries at all in this garden – so sad. My old garden had lots.
Serendipity at its best!
You were MEANT to have that cup……..
I feel the same about fritillaries – they are so lovely and perfectly patterned it's hard to believe they're real. And as for the tea cup… it must have been waiting there just for you!
P.S. Big huge thanks for the mosaic-y advice!
Helen x
Fritillary is such a beautiful word. it sounds like bells being rung. Thanks to Celia for the etymological info. Beautiful flower too.
so pretty!
Totally wonderful! I'm slightly freaked-out by snakes head fritillaries – I love them but they are, as you say, bizarre! And…. we are hearing the hoopoes now! I keep thinking of you.
we only had a giddy aunt. I rather like the idea of being a sainted aunt myself. I shall have to tell my niece.
Last year, Kristina and I saw drifts of them at Kew – just beautiful. I bought one this year and it is on my back step so I can see it until I decide where to plant it.
I'm loving your milk churn too!
Lucky you Emma – thank you for sharing such a lovely photo of this beautiful flower. Love the china cup too. Lesley x
I love those flowers but have not managed to grow them here yet, I must try, try again!
You're just taunting me with these glimpses of the beach hut, aren't you. And as long as we're mentioning sainted and giddy aunts, let's not forget Aunt Flo. My new best friend (SIGH).
Happy sipping from your magical new cup!
Oooh I love your mugs on hooks! And Lynn is right, it is a magical cup–meant to be!
K x
Truely magnificent
I'm just blown away by all the gorgeous stylish shots of corners of your beautiful house and garden… but then you already know how much I like it! That is a rather lovely tea cup.
I have never seen nor heard of that flower. It is stunning! And that you found it on a teacup is wild.
Fabulous photography, I love fritillary too
What a beautiful flower and beautiful cup. It is such a wonderful time of year – hurrah!
Lovely photos of a stunning flower – and finding that teacup? Wonder-full!
I so agree that some things are just so wonderful that there aren't the right words..thank goodness for good cameras and amazing photos. So beautiful!
Charming, utterly, bloomin, charming.
Deep sigh…aaagh spring!
I love that saying 'oh my sainted aunt'
I know a lady that always says, whenever she speaks of anyone – god bless 'em – it's so funny.
Anyhow – I've got a couple of those growing in the garden. Just to be random!
take care,
Nina xx
Beautiful! They're such amazing flowers. Love the cup!
I haven’t got any! :0( maybe I need to go shopping tomorrow. :0)
Lou xxx
I love those flowers, but never knew their name so thanks for the knowledge! We had some in the garden where I grew up and I thought they were so special, they bring back lovely sunny day memories.
Flabbergasting indeed. They are so beautiful and guess what? They grow in my garden its so wet and they love it. That is except for this year..its been too dry and only three have come up again after a good half dozen last year.
I planted more last winter but too late and they haven't come up at all.
Oh I meant to say..that picture against the pink wall reminds me of a wall in Marrakech where pots of purple daisies grow against a pale terracotta wall in a beautiful
garden created by Yves St Laurent.
Hi there,
I have just stumbled across your blog and it made me smile. The Snakeshead fritilaries are truly a fascinating piece of nature! Love your teacup depicting one.
Ruth