Today I found a beautiful double helianthemum, struggling to hold its plumpious blooms above a mat of persistent ivy. I cleared around it and mentally marked it down for some cuttings on my next visit.
Then I continued digging nettles and brambles and pulling out my arch nemesis, cleavers. To ensure I still had some unmarked skin at the end of the day, I was covered from head to toe and I sweltered as I cleared. For a harsh job it was strangely enjoyable.
A robin and female blackbird took turns in harvesting as I grubbed. Every so often I would throw them a worm, feeling a little guilty for its sacrifice. This wasn’t really necessary. Their pin point eyesight spotted feasts that I had no hope of locating. They zipped in and out taking their spoils to well-hidden nests to feed their hungry young.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I have cleared some cleavers and nettle tops to the compost bin but there still seems a load to do. I bet it was hot work yesterday.
Beautiful helianthum, I have not seen that double yellow before.
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It is a beauty, isn’t it. I will see what I can do ……
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I have found what must be a double daisy in my garden (well under the compost bin) just the common daisy, but all white. Must take a photo of it before it dies. I love to find quirks in nature. Perhaps when you have finished there you could come and clear my iris patch of cleavers and a couple of brambles – I can’t get to them now for fear of trampling the irises! But I know you are more agile than me 😀
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One of your Six on Saturday perhaps! A couple of brambles no problem! The cleavers a synch, as long as I am fully covered! I am going to a shindig this weekend I was trying very hard not end up with scratches and hives all over my arms. Only a few got through, not too bad at all. It is not a good look, and hard to explain if you are not a gardener!
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Yes, I must get out and take a photo of it. I managed to ‘burn’ my hands this week – not sure on what. I did cut some Euphorbia but wore gloves for that, and I potted up several Violas. It is all around the thumb and forefinger so quite strange.
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Its dangerous out there! I once got a rash from handling hyacinth bulbs. Looking forward to seeing your crazy daisy.
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What a beautiful flower! I love your photos and your style! I would love to nominate your for the Mystery Blogger Award! The article will be up on my site ( intuitashop.wordpress.com ) in a few days!
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Thank you Chloe, I will keep my eyes open!
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Cleavers! Yuck! We have something just like it here. It is the same name, but I believe it is a different species. It is not difficult to pull or anything. It is just so prolific and abundant!
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This is sticky and brings me out in a rash, nasty thing!
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