![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38x_7Zdci8Xmp7R_aYJWIxtxXMNaAWa-B5dN1aHc0iU8DBPTsRbeQ-0QmzFMEZBG3U09O1bVwHzt9336gRLExOkyHtWuNb6h2qTNV6AIIorlstM89XnfaoBg9SKW4Bsd8q9Nv9gIEsGqL/s320/Cosmos.jpg)
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Swapping seeds is a great idea and if anyone would like to swap seeds from their garden I've quite a lot of Aqualegia seeds and Oriental Poppies too as well as other cottage garden plants... let me know if you're interested!
A friend over here who runs a similar type of business had mentioned to me that he'd spotted a Cirl Bunting recently - having never seen one I looked it up in my book and literally 2 days later we ended up with this little chap in the garden - I'm pretty sure it's a young male Cirl Bunting - anyone know?![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFP-LHLv1c7K52BWsvABlGMGIuWgeOMeY5VrW7y-oBDxBThyphenhyphenBy7-GZ8Yq2qIwCRYxs3-r1iGenrRItuvCqTtt-5shnaVYirKPaOf3JGRdf4AAbaOInEmbR_Ll3ephBKos6-zQqgDCkJzz/s400/Cirl+Bunting+Fledgling.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFP-LHLv1c7K52BWsvABlGMGIuWgeOMeY5VrW7y-oBDxBThyphenhyphenBy7-GZ8Yq2qIwCRYxs3-r1iGenrRItuvCqTtt-5shnaVYirKPaOf3JGRdf4AAbaOInEmbR_Ll3ephBKos6-zQqgDCkJzz/s400/Cirl+Bunting+Fledgling.jpg)
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These are the fluffy parts of the seeds from Cotinus Grace - commonly known as the Smoke Bush... the dark leaves make a fantastic contrast with the vibrant blue of the Delphiniums and the lively red of the Oriental Poppies earlier in the year.
Anyone know what this little insect is which I spotted on some Mayweed - not one I've seen before... do let me know.
The seed head from one of the large Oriental Poppies - even without the petals they do add something to a border!
Astrantia - one of my favorites.
I wouldn't be without all the Geraniums which never stop producing flowers for most of the year round.
This golden leaved Cornus (Dogwood) is a must - it's planted with Cotinus Royal Purple - very dark leaved and they go very well together.
Out on a walk through the lanes around here this beautiful Meadow Brown butterfly on the bramble flowers caught my eye - think this year will be a great year for Brambles as well as all the other fruit... I do wonder if this is a sign of yet another v. cold winter as the berries and nuts are in equal abundance here.
There's loads of Purple Loosestrife in the ditches along with Meadow Sweet too - so pretty.
Going down into our woodland area is a lovely cool place at this time of year but home a good variety of wildlife - I make a point of not using any chemicals in the garden and I've no doubt that this helps keep things in equilibrium on our plot.![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QiLfQmRdcpEsH7JA-CDg-xts3wFfmxDX9ChtJxzHH4_SLZ8IZZ7iDSq1iA5egzTby-HVr1TBeQtnCkXvOjxTAWRoe73CvCM6mx0joKZomAurjFzpNoKDG_suRI88DdRpzWoaz7YvgiH5/s320/Woodland+3.jpg)