Probably one of the first “records” we ever owned – an EP of Peter, Paul and Mary in the ’60s. My parents (and my brother and I) loved them, but as we grew a bit older we became a little frustrated with the claim that Bob Dylan ruined their songs. My brother and I loved Bob Dylan and perhaps had a little more appreciation of the roots of these songs that my father so deeply denied.
I think of that now in deep Winter when there are so few flowers showing. I’ve never thought of myself as a big ‘flower’ person. I like trees, shrubs, veg/fruit – productive plants, and love herbs. I like a bit of colour but haven’t thought much more than that … ’til now. Probably because I have more potential for flowers. Also I loved the earlier part in the year when I could fill a few vases. I’m missing going into the garden, seeing the mixes of what’s coming into flower and observing subtle hazes of colour in different areas.
Anyway, there are a few glimmers which let me know what I need to do more of next year. Hint … bulbs. The bulbs are working hard and have provided a good basis for me to add to. And the Gazanias – you can’t kill these plants with a brick or stop them flowering. Whilst they had originally taken over the back garden when I first arrived and looked horribly scruffy and unkempt – like a pack of dreadlocked feral squatters – they are now fresh and bright and flower all year round and are considered a valued and welcome incumbent.
Bulbs are expensive. Most of mine come by mail order from Tesselaars who have a wide range which has been reliable in surviving me. Whilst an investment to begin with, at least bulbs self-propagate reliably and a good initial stock can quickly expand in years to come – at least I’m hoping so. I love seeing banks of bulbs provide colour in Winter but this will take some time to develop at the Convent. For now I’m just enjoying my first bulb season here at Kandos. Some of those planted so far include many favourites:
- Daffodils
- Bluebells
- Grape Hyacinths
- Hyacinths
- Nerines
- Snowflakes
- Freesias
CONVENT AND CHAPEL 