We were lucky to visit Ham House and Gardens in Richmond when the lavender in The Cherry Garden was in bloom. Continue reading “Bacchus with Lavender and Clipped Box in Ham House’s Parterre Garden”
Osa pulchra: a rare tropical plant that needs a midwife
Last month I was lucky to see a rare tropical shrub/small tree, Osa pulchra, in full bloom. Huge, trumpet-shaped flowers hung just overhead, still and improbable, translucent against light pouring through the magnificent high roof of one of Kew Garden’s conservatories.
At the time I didn’t understand what I was looking at, but I knew it was special. To an observer I must have appeared like a human version of the His Master’s Voice dog. Continue reading “Osa pulchra: a rare tropical plant that needs a midwife”
Wisteria, Flowering Three Weeks Early in Mississippi
Wisteria is grown as a decorative, highly fragrant vine in Mississippi, but also grows abundantly in the wild, many a time outlasting the home where it was planted. Continue reading “Wisteria, Flowering Three Weeks Early in Mississippi”
Flowering Trees: Lilac
A few days ago I explained how I often struggle to choose between different shots of a particular plant. This is another case. The top shot is more evocative, or at least I seem to smell lilac when I see it, but the second shot shows the shape of the double flowers better. Continue reading “Flowering Trees: Lilac”
Lilium ‘Marlon’, a Pink Oriental Lily
Lilium Marlon has huge, wonderfully scented, upward-facing flowers, held on sturdy stems. Each petal has a wavy edge, traced out in white, and a smattering of freckles. Continue reading “Lilium ‘Marlon’, a Pink Oriental Lily”
Convallaria majalis var. rosea (Pink Lily of the Valley)
Like me, you probably think of Lily of the valley as being white but there’s also a dainty pink form, which is quite rare. The pink is stippled and subtle, as if it has been spray painted (although we’d better not go there, let’s say powder coated). Both forms prefer shady conditions, from dappled to full. Continue reading “Convallaria majalis var. rosea (Pink Lily of the Valley)”
Susan Rushton 