I have decided recently that whenever I come upon a plant I am unfamiliar with, I shall immediately amend this and research it. I have heard of agapanthus, but could not think what they looked like. It seems that their anatomy is as striking as their name!
Ahhh maple syrup. I must visit Canada one day! I have not made this ambition a secret; indeed, one friend recently bought me a tub of maple-flavoured peanut butter and a map of the country. I was talking to a Canadian last week, and he told me that they fear moose attacks more than those of bears! Remarkable. Anyway, on to the national emblem, producer of syrup and all-round-good-guy, the maple tree.
Continuing on with my godfamily in Culdaff, I thought I would take a look at the nightshade. It is the name of an album by the infuriatingly talented classical guitarist and friend Manus Noble. Of course, people tend not to react to encounters with the plant as warmly as they do toward the stunning music!
As a new year approaches, I've been inspired to choose a variety of chilli pepper for this post. This is because, on the first of January, the people of Culdaff (Ireland) run into the ocean. By cruel chance, that is exactly where my dear friends live and therefore exactly where I shall be. I wonder how many tropical chillies I shall need to feel my toes again.
During my wonderful student days at Nottingham, two of my housemates, Florence and Rosie, formed an all-singing-all-dancing musical vegetarian double act. Of course, there were times when I wondered why our kitchen cupboard had pictures of famous vegetarians on it, and why they - well, there were many times when I wondered why. However, I miss their eccentric ways and happily read their vegetarian recipe blog now: http://afreshdegree.wordpress.com. As it is Rosie's birthday today, I thought I should take a look at her favourite vegetable.
Forsaking the green grass and teabags of Yorkshire, my brave friend Helen has left the shores of home for Australia. She has been keeping me updated with her adventures, and today she told me that her favourite aussie plant so far has been banksia. Colourful and crazy, they seem a lot like Hele- er, like Australia.
Moving on from ilex aquifolium, up the hierarchy of tough plants, we come upon the Scotch thistle. I've some Scottish roots of my own, back to the Island of Jura. It's a stunning landscape, inspiring my mother's beautiful paintings and my uncle's critically acclaimed music, but it can also be a bleak and unforgiving old place. It is, of course, a fitting home for the thistle.
This is the fourth, yet really I think it is high time to give holly a mention anyway. It is the season for it- of course, there is plenty of holly decorating the house, but in many ways it is far more impressive outdoors. Under icy winds, in thin soil by a roadside, a group of tiny holly saplings surprised me with their strong uprightness and proud glossy leaves. Much like my love for Holly Willoughby, which remains strong regardless of circumstances.
The next of my woodland four is... bird cherry. I confess I had not heard of bird cherry but, liking both birds and cherries, I intend to keep my eyes peeled for such a tree!
Whilst not perhaps as festive, lavender is nevertheless a marvellous herb. Some of my family use it for its soothing virtue in aiding sleep; it certainly does have a wonderful scent. It is also the favoured plant of my great friend and fellow swashbuckler, writer and tutor Laurence Jennings: "Give me a field of lavender! The smell, that vibrant colour... like a duvet of imperial purple!"
Every family has its own individual quirks at Christmas time, and one of ours is turkey & parsley soup. Originally created by my granny, the family cook on the 25th has since changed, but not the recipe!.JPG)
It would be breaking an unspoken rule not to follow rosemary with thyme, and fortunately I have no intention of doing so. I have had an especial fondness for thyme since my day spent in the beautiful landscape of Bannockburn, New Zealand (far more stunning than my photograph here). Although it is described as desert, I remember the swathes of wild thyme and their aroma.
Having admitted a previous disaster in our garden, I seek to make amends by mentioning the plants going from strength to strength here: the rhododendrons. Out raking earlier in the week, I was surprised at how glossy they looked! Very encouraging.
Another stunning plant that caught my eye - one which I am rather more familiar with - is jasmine. One sadly died in the family garden a year ago, and so I greatly desire to improve my understanding of them.
Continuing the seasonal theme...
With the netting off the pond and 'Dad's Army' on the television, I can't help but take a look at water soldiers..jpg)
In the last post, I took a look at hydrangeas at home - though I had also seen some grand specimens at Bodnant Garden too. I was involved in planting narcissus bulbs there, and greatly look forward to seeing them flower in the coming new year.
