One of life’s pleasures is watching drab brown lifeless earth, leafless shrubs and trees, transform with new succulent green shoots, new leaves and plump new buds.
In no time at all they are a sight to behold as they emerge
seeking daylight. Petals span every colour of the spectrum. Brightness on the
greyest day to lift the dullest of moods. Single, double or multiple, each structure
individual, designs to stun our feelings with their radiance.
Wild, cultivated, neat rows or random as nature intended.
Surfacing through frost and snow, petals down or closed to fend off rain. Woodlands
attracting carpet of bluebells and wood anemone, spreading at will in the perfect
conditions.
Petals of all shapes. Perfection that begs to be touched just
to prove they are real. Smooth, like silk, thick and waxy, dry and brittle,
those that are robust and rubbery alongside others frail, tissue paper thin.
Leaves contrast in colour and elaborate forms. Green, red, purple,
variegated, iridescence all year round for the aptly named evergreen.
Stems, brown and woody, delicate and requiring support for a
heavy crown of bloom. Inbuilt protection, sharp thorns. Others sticky to catch
unsuspecting prey, none more devious than those with a pretty face and sweet
nectar, tempting insects to become dinner.
Most heavenly must be the heady smell. Hyacinths fill a room
with their gorgeous scent. Evening primrose fragrance gets stronger with the
sunset, inhaled with a late drink on the patio. Stored memories of warmer
climes, sweet jasmine enveloping the evening air. Mimosa in the mountains of
Greece, utterly magical, remaining on the senses forever.
Childhood taught us to avoid picking dandelions so we did
not wet the bed. Buttercups' yellow hue on the chin confirmed we liked butter.
Daisies formed necklaces and tiara as we sat on lush meadow, splitting stalks
with a thumbnail.
Cures for many complaints come from the natural world. Chefs
forage for primrose, pansies, violet, crystalised with sugar provide a
delightful trifle. Peppery nasturtium leaves in a salad, the vibrant orange and
yellow flowers tempting the taste buds to stimulate the appetite. As with everything
in life, caution is wise. Beautiful in flower and name, belladonna is also
known as deadly nightshade. Toxic dog mercury masquerade amongst wild garlic, though its pungent smell, flavour and
beautiful white flowers will certainly captivate your attention.
Sight, touch, smell, taste - almost all our senses working overtime. If only we shared the acute hearing of dogs and fauna. Then, I am sure, we would hear the explosion of seed pods bursting to scatter next year’s crop. We may hear the applause as heads bow, taking fresh rain to their roots. When the sun shines, we do not need to hear heads turn to follow the warm rays loved and soaked up by us all.
Carolyn Wheatley
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| 'Buttercups' yellow hue on the chin confirmed we liked butter.' Photo: A Mott |
