Garden Thoughts in the Time of Covid - Blog 6
The weather is so marvellous at the moment. Sitting on the cliff at Southbourne yesterday reminded me of the fresh joy of walking up to Hengistbury Head on Wednesday mornings. The air is clear and with the water on both sides it’s almost like another country. Often it is quiet with just some dog walkers and bird watchers. The smell of the sea and its sound is just a dream. Soon. Soon.
Meanwhile the crocuses in my garden are opening to the sun. The one I photographed is amazing with its different patterned petals. By the way the plural of crocus really is crocuses, although I understand croci can be used. These Crocus vernus are a true spring flower unlike the Crocus sativus, the stamen of which supply saffron. Our spring crocuses come from the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Balkans. Even with the exciting thoughts of other places, in my garden I am so happy to see them opening in the sunlight.
Another pretty sun worshipper is the spring starflower, Ipheion. While bruised leaves waft an onion smell, the flowers have a truly pretty perfume. They are a sub section of the allium family; Mmm, onions. Little bulbs, they are in the Amaryllis family. Goodness, who would know it?