Viburnum x burkwoodii

All day I have been trying to sit down and write this blog.  Now it is late (for me) and I have to work tomorrow early (for me) so I will precis what was intended.  Devon Subtropical, nonstop chat, creamy hedychiums, crazy cats, budding Hildebrand, passionate flowers, exuberant gunnera, flowering brugmansia, premature canna, strangled bananas,Continue reading “Viburnum x burkwoodii”

Tree Following – In the Green

And we are off!!! The larch has finally awoken and each and every branch, branchlet (and curiously also at odd intervals across the trunk) is now covered with thousands upon thousands of lime green whirls.  Over the last week or so they have evolved from bashful mini-shaving brushes to porcupines in full display.  You canContinue reading “Tree Following – In the Green”

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Yes a Cuckoo Pint, Arum maculatum.  What do you mean you were expecting that harbinger of spring and prize nest squatter Cuculus canorus?  Sorry.  Earlier today, whilst innocently skipping through the streets of fair Ilfracombe, I was stopped in my tracks by this outlandish inflorescence, which is known as a spadix.  If I was aContinue reading “Cuckoo! Cuckoo!”

Mukdenia rossii

This lovely little member of the saxifrage family enticed me with its rosy autumnal foliage.  Little did I know quite how delightful the flower spikes of Mukdenia rossii  would be, standing tall above the barely emerging bronze/green palmate leaves.  If you have a sliver of woodlandesque garden, not too dry, I would recommend this ChineseContinue reading “Mukdenia rossii”

Unfurling

Over the years it has become apparent to me that some plants are more reluctant to awaken in the spring than others.  They like to take their own time, pootle along at their own rate, unaffected by what others may be doing around them, namely participating in the Great Spring Re-Clothing.  These plants are playersContinue reading “Unfurling”

One Love

A Rasta sheep, could there anything better on a mizzly, cold Maundy Thursday?  Only perhaps a Rasta lamb.  But for those will have to wait a little longer.  But not much.  As Mr Marley once sang: One Love! One Heart! Let’s get together and feel all right. Thanks for all your good wishes x