Saturday 9 June 2012

Old Dogs in the Long Grass




In a rectangle of lawn where our boys used to play football in their younger days, we have let the grass grow again. Instead of close clipped grass, there are lovely waving seed heads of rye and purple fescue.
Ox Eye daisies, buttercups, pigweed and yarrow have arrived and grow into flower. Self heal and birds foot trefoil grow around the edges of the grass. Insects and birds love this patch of "hay meadow".

On a grey but warm afternoon last week, I sat on a garden seat, watching the light change on grass heads moving in the breeze. Old Dog and his dear friend Whisper Dog made themselves a bed in the cool grass.



Whisper behind a veil of purple fescue.



Old Dog




Whisper again.



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

How utterly lovely. Blissful.

angryparsnip said...

What a lovely idea. It looks wonderful and the Dogs look very contented.
I love the idea of letting it go wild but I would be tempted to throw a few wildflower seed in there too.
I have a small patch a grass, that is mowed for The Square Ones.
With all the dirt, cactus, and heat I think a soft patch of grass for them is needed. Plus I get to see a lovely bit of green from my window.

A very happy post today...

cheers, parsnip

Morning's Minion said...

This is a poignant sketch--there is something about old pets--especially dogs--that is very homely and companionable.
Reading this I can imagine them, a bit stiif now and slow, but happy to loll in the sweet meadow grass.

ChrisJ said...

So comfy and cool for the sweet dogs.

Bovey Belle said...

Your hay meadow just gets better and better and lovely to hear of new wild flowers taking up residence there. The two old geezers look very happy. Give them a hug from their "Aunty"!

Down by the sea said...

Your wildflower meadow is lovely and the dogs look as if they are have a great time in it too! I love the photos of them hidden in the grass.
Sarah x

Rowan said...

It looks beautiful, there's nothing like a hay meadow at this time of the year. Old Dog and his friend look as though they are enjoying themselves. I love the photo of Whisper hidden by a veil of grass.

Ragged Robin said...

Wonderful to see your patch of "hay meadow" and to hear about the wildflowers appearing - it will be great for insects and butterflies.

Your lovely dogs look as if they are having huge amounts of fun :)

Kath said...

Lovely!
my dogs go silly in long grass, especially the old girl.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely pictures and a lovely idea to let the grass grow into a hat meadow DW. Sadly, our Border Terrier seems to have developed an allergy to grass seeds and is having to have anti histamine injections.

BilboWaggins said...

Our Old Chap used to love lolling about in long grass too.

A major benefit when we didn't mow the lawn for a couple of years (too much to do elsewhere!) was the arrival of some Common Spotted Orchids. Hope you get some lovelies appearing in your 'meadow'.