Nature can be choosy
One of my favourite walks to the sea is past a number of gardens. One special garden has many Tree ferns and some Wollemi Pines. It has been redeveloped and much of the garden is terraced and surrounded by a brick wall.
I first saw a Wollemi Pine in Kew Gardens a number of years ago. It had recently been rediscovered in Australia where it was thought to have been extinct. A metal, spiked fence encircled the tree. Eventually a decision was made to grow and sell the pines to prevent exclusivity that might lead to theft and a repeated disappearance.
I wouldn’t choose a Wollemi Pine in my garden but enjoy the privilege of watching some grow in the lovely garden up the road from me.
What I wanted to share was the wonderful absurdity of nature. I have successfully grown a Cardoon in my garden for two years. I love its glamorous and exotic display of white-green leaves. The amazing blue flowers turn into sculptural seed heads that last all winter. It does take up a lot of space. However those in the favourite garden already have a show of leaves while mine are half the size.
It fascinates me that plants grow at different rates even when they are in the same postcode. There; I think I have just supplied the answer to my conundrum. Plants will perform in tune with their circumstances even within miles of each other. Another reason gardening is such a pleasure and so personal tool Nature keeps us guessing and surprises and delights constantly.
Sorry no photos of the favourite garden this time. Instead I have some of the plates I display in my garden. They belonged to my Mum, are beautiful and I couldn’t bear to part with them.
You may choose to look up Wollemi Pine on the Internet.