Bindweed and thunderstorms

The weather may be unpredictable but convolvulus doesn’t disappoint

Jun 14, 2025

Paper bindweed, artistic interpretation with leaves & stems coloured with madder

Hello flower friends, how are you today? Did you hear the thunder last night? After all the heavy rain, all the poppies in my front garden had lost their petals this morning. Now it’s June, here on the Wirral it is very much bindweed season, that time of year when hedges everywhere are studded with big white trumpets of convolvulus. Divisive and tenacious, it is a great native plant for pollinators so we should really celebrate it, and I’m pretty sure the flowers can withstand a torrential downpour. The stems can grow up to 10ft long (I’m sure it must be longer) and since last years abundant growth thick mats of old vines can still be seen blanketing smaller trees and shrubs along the Tip Path, albeit less visible as the new growth clambers over them. Perhaps I should gather some of those vines to use as a base for paper bindweed wreaths? Oh, so many ideas!

Being June it is also time for me to extend an invitation to head over to Hoylake, where my doors are open for the annual Wirral Open Studio Tour. This year sees over 100 artists participating, a wealth of creativity for you to dive into! Do come along to my wonderful world of paper flowers tomorrow (Sunday) 10am - 5pm.

I’ve upped my game this year and am really excited to share new work, with all my pieces from the Floribunda exhibition earlier this year AND my new pieces for “In Bud and Bloom” on display in the studio. PLUS my range of twelve Paper Wildflower Craftkits, gorgeous new greetings cards and a full display of my Paper Flower Class offerings, both full day classes and my two-hour Evening Class flowers.

A peek at exhibition corner, my favourite part of the studio, showcasing wildflower pieces, plant dyed paper, observations & sketches from Hilbre Island visits

Try as I might to streamline and simplify, there’s no getting away from the fact it’s a maximalist space so let’s just enjoy some colourful images of the other side of the studio! I hope you will pop in and say hello.

A colourful selection of gladioli, crocus, narcissus, daffodils, tulips, Icelandic poppies and morning glories, all made out of vibrant shades of crepe paper — Gladioli, spring flowers and Icelandic poppies - amongst some of the arrangements in the studio today

In other news, I spent another lovely day on Hilbre last Sunday. Although warm, the weather was challenging, blowing a hoolie and interspersed with short, sharp downpours. But the buildings, which are slowly being cleared out and spruced up, with the eventual aim of full on renovation, are looking marvellous. This weekend was the launch of the Liverpool Independents Biennial and the first exhibition is Luciana Hermida, who will be on the island from 17th-25th June (remember to check tide times before you set off). A tiny island in the mouth of the Dee Estuary, a liminal space in between England and Wales, Hilbre is cut off by the high tide and has no permanent residents. An unusual environment, home to three Heligoland traps monitored by the islands bird observatory, it is an ever changing land and seascape, surrounded by shifting sands and tidal waters, home to seals, birds and an unusual array of tenacious plants. After several months of exploration, I was delighted to make my first contribution to the evolving exhibition at the Bouymasters house with “Thrift”, an oversized flower, coloured with madder which chimes perfectly with the exposed red sandstone wall. You can see this piece, along with the work of many other assist, over the time of Luciana’s exhibition.

Images of artworks in a dilapidated room, plaster and lath crumbling away from the walls, and artist hanging her work on the wall, a pink flower artfully placed on a mirror and photographed to show reflections of other artworks in the mirrored glass — Thrift; Mandy displaying her work - a glimpse at the condition of the building - Thrift from a distance, against the red sandstone

I’m thrilled to be sharing a space with contemporary landscape artist Amanda Oliphant and we will be exhibiting together in September. If you make it to my studio, my sketch books and observations from Hilbre visits so far are on display. Hope to see you there, and until next time, as always, with love, Ling

STUDIO NEWS

The Paper Garden Masterclass is now live on my website and taking bookings. With just five weekend tickets left, don’t miss your chance to book a spot at this wonderful opportunity to learn from two talented paper flower makers. Set in Meg’s spacious, light-filled home with views of the rustic courtyard and expansive gardens, each day is designed to help you connect with your creativity through nature. Together, we’ll explore a wide range of creative techniques including colouring, cutting and shaping crepe paper, and craft a collection of three distinct flowers: Bearded Iris, a branch of Magnolia and an English Rose. The techniques you learn over the course of the Masterclass will give you transferable skills to apply to your future floral creations. Find full details and easy booking here.

NEW CLASSES four new classes for August are now live on the website, including the classic Open Rose, and three new day classes: Iceland Poppies, Gladioli and Fancy Iris. Full details and easy booking can be found here! Please note the classes are all varying lengths, make sure you read the full details when booking or get in touch with me to confirm.