Nature's Flower Shop

I believe my time in the borders spoilt me in many ways. Due to different types of foliage being available at that time all costing little or nothing but was a great asset for me. Occasionally whilst out walking the dogs I would come across driftwood lying on the river banks or when working in greenhouses. I would find old vines which due to their bows bending whilst climbing inside the greenhouse made them perfect specimens for my type of work. They were regularly used for wedding pedestal arrangements, when the two bough's curved thus giving the effect of two half horse-shoes and with a natural fixture. I did so love making arrangements in natural containers, whenever possible. Driftwood, unusual stone and anything else that helps to design your portrait. So many textures and all so much, close at hand.

Amongst the woodland for example Pinus sylvestris (Scot Pine)and other different species of trees, Some standing over 100ft  high, it would creak your neck as you tried to search for the tree top.. Due to the different species, colours and textures both in the foliage and the flowers, each flower at my finger tips awaiting to be picked.  Looking towards the river bank I would noticed the snowdrops popping their little heads up in amongst the primroses.  There were variety of different snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). As the seasons evolved the ferns and daffodils would start to show their faces but the smell of the wild garlic  would always hang in the air as you casually walked  along the driveway.

Looking out towards the river bank on the far-side of the driveway just to the east side of the house,  primroses appeared with their mass of green leaves followed by small pretty pale yellow flowers. They would spread out and form a blanket over the banking late winter early spring. The young Betula pendula (silver birch) which was once only a sucker stood six foot high cascading above the small primroses.

I have since returned to my native home and find that when I go to the flower market, all the foliage and flowers now come at a price. There are a substantial amount of flowers and foliage available in our markets of today. With most flowers being available through the year as they come in from countries around the world despite our seasonal changes.   It is now years on, as I look back and realise how lucky I was, then.

Galanthus nivalis

Galanthus nivalis - the wild snowdrop is one of the first of the bulbs to appear at the turn of the year breaking through the hard frosted undergrowth. Although February used to be the month for early spring flowers due to climate change we now see them appearing earlier in mid to late January.

Galanthus nivalis is a common variety snowdrop which grows below large trees within the woodland of a large estate nestled in and close to the river within the borders. In the late 1980's there seemed to be a noticeable change with the wild snowdrop on the estate. For although the snowdrop was known for its small and delicate heads, as the years progressed it became apparent  that the heads of the species, were larger and in some cases appeared double making them more attractive to the eye.

You would see them carpeting woodland banks with their vast array of narrow lanceolate greyish-green leaves. These larger varieties were scarce in those parts, around that time.  Unknown to many, small vans would appear down the driveway in the early hours of daylight. No-one noticed for sometime a large proportions of bulbs were disappearing. According to today's markets there are a maximum of twenty varieties throughout Europe, but these bulbs were quite rare in this area during that time.

It was interesting to observe as you walked along the driveway that trees on either side created an archway with their over baring straggly branches high above your head. Woodland ferns of various species would fill in the empty spaces of ground. Apart from the snowdrops, we had the pale wild yellow Primulas, all clustered together under the tall trees protected on a harsh cold morning during the winter months. Yet when the winter sun came out you could see their little faces stretching up high into the suns rays. Being a keen gardener at that time I noticed the heads of the Primulas changing colour too. Pale pinks and white heads began to appear on the banking's, yet no-one knew where they had come from and I hadn't put them there.

These small bulbs make a pretty gift when placed into a pot, wrapped in cello and tied in a pretty bow. The perfect gift for a New Spring Baby.