Short grass is an obsession with so many people. Close mown grass of uniform dullness is the holy grail for some; every “weed” poisoned and not an insect in sight makes some people happy. I, on the other hand, try my best to show how wonderful a long lawn can be and how much wildlife it can support. The dull lawners are rarely impressed until you mention the magic word : Orchid!
At work, a beautiful pyramid orchid managed to appear in the brief window between ritual grass cuttings. I happened to spot it and the mower had to spare a tiny patch of grass so the children could come out and photograph it on their phones. You can see them reflected in the glass window capturing something to share on line for a moment. It wasn’t like the tropical orchids on sale in the supermarket, it was small and vulnerable and they were almost impressed .
The butterfly orchid was in the meadow and the parasitic broomrape was on the edge of the maize field, so I thought I would share them with you like the kids do on social media, in the hope that a love for the wild things that grow when you dont mow, will stir in us all!
Cathy's real country garden 
Just lovely. We have a mountain cabin where we don’t mow and the wildflowers are outstanding. It’s my happy place.
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Anywhere with flowers is a happy place!🌸🌼🌷🌹
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Reading this bought back some fond memories. My mum’s lawn was often left unmown and full of dandelions, daisies and clover which really annoyed one neighbour whose lawn was like a billiard table. xx
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Most of us have power over such little slices of the world, we should make each lawn as full of life as possible.I am with your mum!
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There is a compromise in our garden … mown lawn near the house and veg garden but uncut meadow down by the pond. Can’t say that I’ve been lucky enough to see orchids appear, but the number of brown butterflies is impressive. Show and tell is great!!
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