GPAP – Lily of the Valley

I have heard many people gasp at the mention of Lily of the Valley, declaring that it is their all time favourite flower.  Although I admire its delicate beauty and abundance I have never quite understood this enthusiasm.   I imagined this attachment was merely sentimental, the nodding ivory bells evoking memories of a mother’s cherished bloom,Continue reading “GPAP – Lily of the Valley”

Another GPAP – Orangish

If there was a Desert Island Discs for trees (unlikely) and I was ever invited to be a guest on the programme (the odds are lengthening now) the crab apple would definitely be one of my chosen. Unbeatable blossom, fruit that is both beautiful and delicious (with a little culinary assistance), fine autumn colour and friendContinue reading “Another GPAP – Orangish”

The GPAP – Caltha palustris

Taking up the mantle of your horticultural physician, and in an attempt to cure your January Blues, I prescribe one Caltha palustris to be admired three times a day.  This should be repeated until the symptoms disappear.  Then once more for luck, you can never be too careful with maladies of such fortitude.

The GPAP – Boat

Forgive me, today’s dip into the archive is singularly lacking in pretty flowers.  In my defence I was gardening when I took this picture, no doubt doing some of my “deep thinking” whilst gazing Wales-ward on this bright October day.   I spotted Peter, an elegant and intriguing gentleman who lives in the lime washed cottage by the sea wall, rowing outContinue reading “The GPAP – Boat”

The GPAP – Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Potschke’

This Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Potschke’ breaks several of my self-imposed rules of acquisition.  In fact it not only breaks them, it grinds them into the dust with the heel of its steel tipped cowboy boot.  This list (in no particular order and compiled after much soul-searching) includes but is not confined to the following: IContinue reading “The GPAP – Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Potschke’”

The GPAP – Auricula

As befits my disorderly personality, I am not undertaking The Great Photo Archiving Project in a methodical manner.  I am closing my eyes and picking a file at random to cull and label.  Far more exciting. I took this picture of an auricula in September 2014 at one of my favourite haunts, the alpine house at RHS Rosemoor.Continue reading “The GPAP – Auricula”