summer blooms at St George's Gardens

St. George's Gardens were originally the first offsite burial grounds for a local church, or rather two local churches: St. George's Bloomsbury and St. George the Martyr in Queen's Square.

Some of the graves have been left standing, although the bones beneath them were respectfully gathered and housed in the church crypts. 

Now the gardens are simply that: gardens of soothing lawns, flower beds and sheltering trees.

The flowers lining the narrow walks are unusually beautiful for a small former churchyard, a profusion of blooms that draw visitors all spring and summer.

Although the former residents are gone, the gardens remain consecrated ground. A shimmering silence hangs over them, especially on the hottest days.

The roses are especially attractive, glorious blooms of different colours and sizes that practically beg for photos.

This one was almost the size of my whole face! And what a wonderful colour.

There were also bushes of white and yellow roses sprawling across the entrance walks. 

Many were edged brown in the summer heat, but there were several fresh faces among the blooms.

The southwest corner of the garden is a plant nursery, with many different breeds that grow together in a profusion of life.

Apparently the gardens also house "one of the finest groups of ferns to be found in central London". We'll have to go back soon for more pictures!