The flowers and the bees

When I make plates I always like to use a linoleum cut of an apple. I live in an old farmhouse from the 1950s. When we moved here 13 years ago, there were a number of old plum trees and an old pear tree. But no apples. We then planted a lot of standard fruit trees and managed to create a fruit orchard.

Now it's a party in our yard twice a year. When the trees are in full bloom and the bees and bumblebees buzz around the blossom. But also in the autumn when we look at the growth after a summer and can finally reap the benefits.

For me, the apple also represents the power of nature to create. Due to our human drive to create and change without regard to our environment, many insects have become extinct.

There is a danger that the apple itself will also disappear. I try to take wildlife into account as much as possible in the garden. Many plants and flowers are a food source for insects. And the fallen apples? We let them rot for the butterflies and birds.