YOUR LETTERS

Take time to smell the roses, plus springtime snowdrops

AFEW months ago my partner and I moved into our new home, which has a large southfacing garden. Most weekends I have spent the daylight hours digging, planting, tidying and planning for the summer ahead.

For spring colour I planted irises, crocuses, hyacinths and an untold number of daffodil bulbs. I am pleased to say that, so far, both the iris and the crocus have flowered beautifully.

I have realised that our busy and hectic lives take us away from the simple pleasure of watching the fruits of our labours as the plants grow – we miss so much due to work and family commitments.

For instance, the iris is a beautiful plant, with striking purple and yellow markings (shown in the photograph); I watched this grow and flower, then just a few days later, those bright colours had faded away. It is so easy to miss the seasons, the colours and life that nature brings into our gardens.

The poet William Henry Davies, penned ‘Leisure’ in 1911, and it’s a beautiful timeless piece of poetry.

‘A poor life this if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.’

Often quoted and for me personally, so very true.

Edward Willcox, via email Wendy says

Thanks, Edward. We should all allow ourselves time to be in awe of nature, and to marvel at the detail

Before one’s very eyes – ‘It’s so easy to miss the seasons and colours that nature brings,” says Edward