In 1673 the Society of Apothecaries of London founded a Physic Garden at Chelsea, so that their apprentices could learn to grow medicinal plants and study their uses. Yesterday I visited the garden, for the second time this summer, and found many new delights amongst its paths. It is a place where a sense of calm descends as you walk in, a place to shed all the bustle and cares of London and breathe in deeply from the heavy scent of evening flowers. Follow me in a walk round the garden.
The pink dappling effect of hydrangeas, against the dark of their leaves.
A harvest of vibrant pumpkins and gourds shone out, glowing in the evening light.
Honey bees and bumbles buzzed gently, busy using up their last minutes of light amongst the sunflowers.
Carder bee
A sculpture exhibition was on in the garden. Above is a seed-pod sculpture.
I was fascinated to learn about squirting cucumbers! Have any of my readers ever been squirted by one?
And excited to find a huge bumble, bottom wriggling in the air, on these vibrant blue flowers.
Think she’s a buff-tailed bumble bee.
Another sculpture, this one swaying high amongst the trees.
Summer pudding
Adventuresinbeeland's Blog 
I’m not too sure about the squirting cucumber. Six metres is a long way, I think I’d give it a wide berth!:)
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It makes me think of a triffid!
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What a scrumptious end! yumm
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Yumm indeed 🙂
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Odd sculptures.
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They were quite fun sculptures. But yes, odd!
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I love the Chelsea Physic Garden. Tim Cutler, the garden fellow (think he is still there) writes lovely articles about the traditions and uses of the plants in the garden. Lovely photos of bumbles and solitaries 🙂
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It looks and sounds like a beautiful, peaceful place.
Although an afternoon tea there might not be so restful if the cucumber sandwiches were made with the squirting variety.
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Squirting cucumber sandwiches would be a very messy affair!
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What an interesting sculpture in the tree. I first thought it was some kind of bee hive! Shows you where my mind is!
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He he! It would make a pretty home for some Asian honey bees.
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What an awesome alternative system for the dispersal of seeds re: squirting cucumber.
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Yes! I like to imagine it produces a squelching noise as it projectile squirts people standing several metres away, but I’m not sure if that’s close to reality at all. The inspiration for triffids perhaps?
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Gracious! That squirting cucumber does sound suspiciously like a triffid. I was going to suggest it to a friend of mine who likes to grow unusual and exotic vegetables, but now I’m reconsidering.
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Your friend would certainly need to keep a close eye on it! (whilst wearing safety goggles).
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