Sometimes you come across the unexpected when you go for a walk. We were just wandering along some very quiet pathways situated on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria and were pleasantly surprised to discover nature's own wild garden straight in front of us.
The striking pink spikes of the rosebay willowherb reach out amongst the grasses and other wild flowers along the pathway.
Greater burnet saxifrages enjoying the shady trees and woodland. These plants are neither saxifrages or burnets, but they are actually part of the parsley family and look very similar to cow parsley.
The creamy frothy heads of the goatsbeard look magnificent against the greenery of the woodlands.
More rosebay willowherb amongst grasses and oxeye daisies
Masses of Himalayan balsam form huge banks under the tree peripheries and make a dazzling August display attracting the bees. It's a tall growing plant with clusters of purplish pink helmet shaped flowers.
As we walked through the fields there were masses of horsehoe vetch spreading out on the grasslands attracting the bees and butterflies. They have unusual circular flowerheads which provide the pollen they're searching for. The flowers are followed by seed pods, which when ripe make a horseshoe shape giving the flower it's name.
Swathes of purple thistle heads sway in the breeze and nod in the sunshine!
A bit off the beaten track, this walk turned out out to be an unexpected stroll through a secret garden!
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