What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
William Shakespeare
One of my hometown's main attractions is the grand home, built in 1835, of politician and land speculator Sir Allan MacNab. I had hoped to join an interpretive tour of his newly re-created kitchen garden for a Travel Tuesdays installment but I incorrectly read the announced tour timings so we found the garden shed locked and no gardeners about.
With the garden gate standing open and welcoming for free visits, our stroll along the paths of the large and rather parched garden was enjoyable, if not informative. Shakespeare dissuades us from classifying beauty and I breathed in the aromatic scents and lovely colours of all that I saw, but my inquisitive side still wants to know the name of all that enchanted me. So I turn to my kind readers, who no doubt have more garden sense than myself, and ask for help in identifying these beauties.
1.
2.
3.
4. Identified as "Lamb's Ear" by Stacey. It formed a thick border along one of the garden's plots but I'm unsure if its purpose is for cooking, healing or beauty.
5. John helps out with the name of this beauty, "Sea Holly". Wikipedia says that Elizabethians thought this plant to be a strong aphrodisiac, giving me a whole different perspective on the Victorian Mr. and Mrs. MacNab. ;-)
Sorry Shakespeare, but the cute names add to the attraction of these flowers.
I think 4 looks like Lamb's Ear. Was it very soft and fuzzy?
ReplyDeleteStacey
No.5 is Sea Holly - I'll check with the Resident Expert for an ID on the others...
ReplyDeleteLamb's Ears is a low growing spreader with very fuzzy, pale, silvery gray-green foliage. They are grown primarily for the color and texture of their foliage, although the species does have flower spikes early in the season. Lamb's Ears are often recommended for children's gardens because of their soft feel.
ReplyDeleteSo says gardening.about.com
Maybe this one was for the kids, especially if they sea holly. ;)
Stacey
...especially if they (Mr & Mrs MacNab) had sea holly....
ReplyDelete