Dorothy's Observations for May
Dorothy was especially busy during the month of May making her observations of the flora around Grasmere. There were a total of 68 recorded in her Grasmere journal. I wonder if those same flowers and trees can be observed in Grasmere this year. Those observations include:
celandine — [Ranunculus ficaria] 1 May 1802 “William wrote the Celandine.”
scarlet beans — [Phaseolus coccineus] 1 May 1802 “As soon as Breakfast was over we went into the garden & sowed the scarlet beans about the house. It was a clear sky a heavenly morning.”
holly — [Ilex aquifoleum] 1 May 1802 “After dinner we went again to our old resting place in the Hollins under the Rock. We first lay under a holly where we saw nothing but the holly tree & a budding elm mossed with & the sky above our heads. But the holly tree had a beauty about it more than its own, knowing as we did where we were”
elm tree — [Ulmus glabra] 1 May 1802 “After dinner we went again to our old resting place in the Hollins under the Rock. We first lay under a holly where we saw nothing but the holly tree & a budding elm mossed with & the sky above our heads.”
stag’s horn — [Lycopodium clavatum] 4 May 1802 “the Stag’s horn is very beautiful & fresh springing upon the fells.”
mountain ash — [Pyrus aucuparia] 4 May 1802 “Mountain ashes, green”
moss — [Phylum Bryophyta] 4 May 1802 “We came down, and rested upon a moss-covered rock rising out of the bed of the river.”
pansies — [Viola tricolor] 6 May 1802 “The primroses are passing their prime. Celandine, violets, & wood sorrel for ever more—little geraniums and pansies on the wall.”
pear tree — [Pyrus communis] 6 May 1802 “Plumb & pear trees are in Blossom, apple trees greenish”
plum [Prunus domestica]— 6 May 1802 “A sweet morning. We have put the finishing stroke to our bower & here we are sitting in the orchard. It is one o'clock. We are sitting upon a seat 'under the wall, which I found my Brother Building up, when I came to him with his apple—he had intended that it should have been done before I came. It is a nice cool shady spot. The small birds are singing—Lambs bleating, Cuckow calling— The Thrush sings by Fits, Thomas Ashburner's axe is going quietly (without passion) in the orchard—Hens are cackling, Flies humming, the women talking together at their doors— Plumb & pear trees are in Blossom, apple trees greenish—the opposite woods green, the crows are cawing, We have heard Ravens. The Ash Trees are in blossom, Birds flying all about us. The stitchwort is coming out, there is one budding Lychnis. The primroses are passing their prime. Celandine, violets, & wood sorrel for ever more—little geraniums and pansies on the wall.”
apple tree — [Malus x domesticus] 6 May 1802 “Plumb & pear trees are in Blossom, apple trees greenish.”
ash tree —[Fraxinus excelsior] 6 May 1802 “The Ash Trees are in blossom, Birds flying all about us.”
primrose — [Primula vulgaris] 6 May 1802 “A sweet morning. We have put the finishing stroke to our bower & here we are sitting in the orchard. It is one o'clock. We are sitting upon a seat 'under the wall, which I found my Brother Building up, when I came to him with his apple—he had intended that it should have been done before I came. It is a nice cool shady spot. The small birds are singing—Lambs bleating, Cuckow calling— The Thrush sings by Fits, Thomas Ashburner's axe is going quietly (without passion) in the orchard—Hens are cackling, Flies humming, the women talking together at their doors— Plumb & pear trees are in Blossom, apple trees greenish—the opposite woods green, the crows are cawing, We have heard Ravens. The Ash Trees are in blossom, Birds flying all about us. The stitchwort is coming out, there is one budding Lychnis. The primroses are passing their prime. Celandine, violets, & wood sorrel for ever more—little geraniums and pansies on the wall.”
lychnis — [Lychnis flos-cuculi] 6 May 1802 “there is one budding lychnis,”
stitchwort— [Stelleria media] 6 May 1802 “Plumb & pear trees are in Blossom, apple trees greenish—the opposite woods green, the crows are cawing, We have heard Ravens. The Ash Trees are in blossom, Birds flying all about us. The stitchwort is coming out, there is one budding Lychnis. The primroses are passing their prime. Celandine, violets, & wood sorrel for ever more—little geraniums and pansies on the wall.”
violets — [Viola odorata] 6 May 1802 “Plumb & pear trees are in Blossom, apple trees greenish—the opposite woods green, the crows are cawing, We have heard Ravens. The Ash Trees are in blossom, Birds flying all about us. The stitchwort is coming out, there is one budding Lychnis. The primroses are passing their prime. Celandine, violets, & wood sorrel for ever more—little geraniums and pansies on the wall.”
geranium — [Geranium sanguinium] 6 May 1802 “little geranium & pansies on the wall.”
wood sorrel — [Oxalis acetosella] 6 May 1802 “Celandine violets & wood sorrel forever more—little geranium & pansies on the wall”
birch tree — Betula pendula] — 6 May 1802 “The birch tree is all over green in small leaf, more light and elegant than when it is full out. It bent to the breezes, as if for the love of its own delightful motions.”
celandine — [Ranunculus ficaria] 6 May 1802 “Celandine violets & wood sorrel for ever more—”
sloe-thorn — [Prunus spinosa] 6 May 1802 “Sloe thorns & Hawthorns in the hedges.”
hawthorns — [Crataegus monogyna] 6 May 1802 “Sloe thorns & Hawthorns in the hedges.”
hawthorns — [Crataegus monogyna] 7 May 1802 “The Sloe thorns beautiful in the hedges, & in the wild spots higher up among the hawthorns.”
sloe-thorn — [Prunus spinosa] 7 May 1802 “The Sloe thorn beautiful in the hedges, & in the wild spots higher up among the hawthorns.”
sorrel — [Oxalis acetosella] 7 May 1802 “While we were walking in the orchard I observed the Sorrel leaves opening at about 9 o clock—William went to bed tired with thinking about a poem.”
scarlet beans — [Phaseolus coccineus] 8 May 1802 “We sowed the Scarlet Beans in the orchard I read Henry 5th there—William lay on his back on the seat. ‘Wept, For names, sounds paths delights & duties lost’—Taken from a poem upon Cowley’s wish to retire to the Plantations, read in the Review.”
primrose — [Primula vulgaris] 11 May 1802 “primroses still in abundance”
ivy — [Hedera helix] 12 May 1802 “Wm pulled ivy with beautiful berries. I put it over the chimney-piece.”
primrose — [Primula vulgaris] 12 May 1802 “we walked into Easedale & returned by George Rownson’s & the lane. We brought home hackberry blossom, crab blossom—the anemone nemorosa—Marsh Marygold—Speedwell, that beautiful blue one the colour of the blue-stone or glass used in jewellery, with its beautiful pearl-like chives—anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine. I pulled a branch of the taller celandine.”
violets — [Viola odorata] 12 May 1802 “anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine.”
anemone nemorosa — [Anemone nemorosa] 12 May 1802 “We brought home hackberry blossom, crab blossom—the anemone nemorosa—Marsh Marygold—Speedwell, that beautiful blue one the colour of the blue-stone or glass used in jewellery, with its beautiful pearl-like chives—”
anemones — [Anemone nemorosa] 12 May 1802 “anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine. I pulled a branch of the taller celandine.”
celandine — [Ranunculus ficaria] 12 May 1802 “—anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine. I pulled a branch of the taller celandine.”
celandine — [Cheladonium majus] 12 May 1802 “—anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine. I pulled a branch of the taller celandine.”
crab [apple] blossom — [Malus sylvestris] 12 May 1802 “—we walked into Easedale & returned by George Townson’s & the lane. We brought home hackberry blossoms, crab blossom—”
heckberry (bird-cherry) — [Prunus padus] 12 May 1802 “We brought home hackberry blossom.”
marsh marigold — [Caltha palustris] 12 May 1802 “we walked into Easedale & returned by George Rownson’s & the lane. We brought home hackberry blossom, crab blossom—the anemone nemorosa—Marsh Marygold—Speedwell, that beautiful blue one the colour of the blue-stone or glass used in jewellery, with its beautiful pearl-like chives—anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine. I pulled a branch of the taller celandine.”
geranium — [Geranium slyvaticum] 12 May 1802 “Butterflies of all colours—I often see some small ones of a pale purple lilac or Emperor’s eye colour something of the colour of that large geranium which grows by the lake side.”
speedwell — [Veronica officinalis] 12 May 1802 “we walked into Easedale & returned by George Rownson’s & the lane. We brought home hackberry blossom, crab blossom—the anemone nemorosa—Marsh Marygold—Speedwell, that beautiful blue one the colour of the blue-stone or glass used in jewellery, with its beautiful pearl-like chives—anemones are in abundance & still the dear primroses violets in beds, pansies in abundance, & the little celandine. I pulled a branch of the taller celandine.”
blue hyacinth — [Muscari racemosum] 14 May 1802 “the blue Hyacinth is not quite full blown —”
strawberries— [Fragaria vesca] 14 May 1800 ““The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
potatoes — [Solanum tuberosum] 14 May 1802 “Wm & Molly had dug the ground & planted potatoes in my absence.”
anemones — [Anemone nemorosa] 14 May 1800 “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
little star plant (butterwort) — [Pinguicula vulgaris] 14 May 1802 “the little star plant a star without a flower.”
oak trees — [Quercus robur] 14 May 1802 “The oak trees are just putting forth yellow knots of leaves.”
orchises — [Orchis purpurea] 14 May 1800 “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
stitchwort — [Stelaris holestea] 14 May 1800 “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
privet — [Ligustrum vulare] 14 May 1800 “Arrived at home with a bad head-ach, set some slips of privet.”
crowfoot — [Ranunculus aquatilis] 14 May 1800. “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
geranium — [Geranium sanguineum] 14 May 1800 “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
ash tree —[Fraxinus excelsior] 14 May 1802 “The ashes with their flowers passing away & their leaves coming out.”
gowans — [Matricaria recutita] 14 May 1802 “Gowans are coming out…We took home a great load of Gowans & planted them in the cold about the orchard”
crab [apple] blossom — [Malus sylvestris] 14 May 1800 “The crab is coming out”
primrose — [Primula vulgaris] 14 May 1800 “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
marsh marigold — [Caltha palustris] 14 May 1802 “marsh marygolds in full glory.”
heckberry (bird-cherry) — [Prunus padus] 14 May 1800 “The hackberry very beautiful as a low shrub.”
scentless violet — [Viola riviniana] 14 May 1801 “The wood rich in flowers. a beautiful yellow, palish yellow flower, that looked thick round & double, & smelt very sweet—I supposed it was a ranunculus—Crowfoot, the grassy-leaved Rabbit-toothed white flower, strawberries, Geraniums—scentless violet, anemones two kinds, orchises, primroses.”
peas —Pisum sativum 15 May 1800 “A coldish dull morning—hoed the first row of peas, wede &c &c—”
onions — [Allium cepa] 16 May 1800 “After dinner Aggy weeded onions & carrots—I helped for a little—”
moss — [Phylum Bryophyta] 16 May 1800 “gathered mosses & plants The woods extremely beautiful with all autumnal variety & softness—I carried a basket for mosses, & gathered some wild plants—.”
foxglove — [Digitalis purpurea] 16 May 1800 “Foxgloves very tall—with their heads budding.”
carrot — [Daucus carota] 16 May 1800 “After dinner Aggy weeded onions & carrots — I helped for a little”
primrose — [Primula vulgaris] 16 May 1800 “all the flowers now are gay & deliciously sweet. The primrose still pre-eminent among the later flowers of spring.”
radishes — [Raphanus raphanistrum] 16 May 1800 “Warm & mild after a fine night of rain. Transplanted radishes after breakfast.”
corn — [Triticum aestivum] 18 May 1800 “The corn begins to shew itself.”
ash tree —[Fraxinus excelsior] 18 May 1800 “The ashes are still bare.”
peas —Pisum sativum 19 May 1800 “John stuck the peas”
moss — [Phylum Bryophyta] 19 May 1800 “I strolled on, gathered mosses & c.”
turnips – [Brassica rapa] 19 May 1800 “Dried linen — Molly weeded the turnips, John stuck the peas.”
peas —Pisum sativum 22 May 1800 “Mild evening—all the peas up”
batchelor’s buttons (rock ranunculus) — [Ranunculus acris] 22 May 1800 “A very fine day with showers — dried the linen & starched Drank tea at Mr Simpsons Brought down Batchelors Buttons (Rock Ranunculus) & other plants —”
ash tree —[Fraxinus excelsior] 27 May 1800 “the ashes in the valleys nearly in full leaf but still to be distinguished, quite bare on the higher grounds.”
primrose — [Primula vulgaris] 28 May 1802 “There is yet one primrose in the orchard—the stitchwort is fading—the wild columbines are coming into beauty—the vetches are in abundance.”
scarlet beans — [Phaseolus coccineus] 28 May 1802 “The scarlet Beans are up in crowds.”
periwinkles — [Vinca minor] 28 May 1800 “I went into her [Jenny Dockeray] garden & got white & yellow lilies, periwinkle, &c, which I planted.
stitchwort— [Stelleria media] 28 May 1802 “There is yet one primrose in the orchard — the stitichwort is fading — the wild columbines are coming into beauty.”
snowballs — [Viburnum opulus] 28 May 1802 “The hackberry blossoms are dropping off fast, almost gone—barberries are in beauty—snowballs coming forward—May Roses blossoming.”
yellow lilies — [Lilium candidum] 28 May 1800 “ I went into her [Jenny Dockeray’s] garden & got white & yellow lilies, periwinkle, &c, which I planted.”
wild columbines — [Aquilegia vulgaris] 28 May 1802 “The wild columbines are coming into beauty”
barberries — [Burberis vulgaris] 28 May 1802 “The hackberry blossoms are dropping off fast, almost gone—barberries are in beauty—snowballs coming forward—May Roses blossoming.”
dial-like yellow flower (yellow pimpernel) — [Lisimachia nemorum] 28 May 1802 “That pretty little waxy-looking dial-like yellow flower, the speedwell, and some others, whose names I do not yet know.”
gowans — [Matricaria recutita] 28 May 1802 “—some of the gowans fading”
lilies — [Lloydia serotina] 28 May 1802 “In the garden we have lilies & many other flowers.”
heckberry (bird-cherry) — [Prunus padus] 28 May 1802 “The heckberry blossoms are dropping off fast, almost gone—”
May roses — [Rosa x centifolia] 28 May 1802 “May roses blossoming.”
vetches — [Vicia sativa] 28 May 1802 “the Vetches are in abundance Blossoming & seeding”
gooseberries — [Ribes grossularia] 29 May 1800 “we fished upon the lake & amongst us caught 13 Bass. Miss Simpson brought gooseberries & cream left the water at near 9 o clock very cold.”
honeysuckle — [Lonicera periclymenum] 29 May 1802 “A sweet day we nailed up the honeysuckles, & hoed the scarlet beans”
scarlet beans — [Phaseolus coccineus] 29 May 1802 “We sate in the orchard after dinner William finished his poem on going for Mary. I wrote it out—I wrote to Mary H, having received a letter from her in the evening. A sweet day we nailed up the honeysuckles, & hoed the scarlet beans.”
London pride — [Saxifraga × urbium] 30 May 1800 “I planted London pride upon the wall & many things on the Borders. John sodded the wall.”
broom — [Cyticus scoparius] 31 May 1800 “Miss Simpson & her Visitors called — I went with them to Brathay Bridge. We got Broom in returning, strawberries, & c, came home by Ambleside”
strawberries— [Fragaria vesca] 31 May 1800 “We got Broom in returning, strawberries & c, came home by Ambleside — Grasmere looked divinely beautiful.”
