If it doesn't, then I have learned some things already from today. I may struggle to write them down however, as my 20 month old daughter has been inserting her tiny fingers in the keyboard of the laptop, and the 'a' key is dodgy. I'm typing very carefully but the the key keeps falling off, or not working.
I never knew that aspirin came from the Willow, or that you could treat bruises with Comfrey. I feel a bit daft admitting to that, as I'm old enough to know. I just thought it was a nitrogen fixer.
We'll be planning a herbacious border, doing a winter pruning, taking hand wood cuttings and naming grden plants using scientific names (it says here). I'm interested in veg and herbs primarily but this is all transferable knowledge.
So we'll be learning about composting and herbs, a bit of veg and studying weeds - otherwise known as 'plants you don't want just there.' Didn't know that did you?
Meersbrook Walled garden is run by volunteers, who took it over just four years ago after it was lain to waste. Hard to believe when you look at it now. The Japanese Garden is wonderful, and when you ask anyone there about it, you can feel the love that has been put into it.
After a bit of weeding, I was allowed to take home with me, an Astrantia, for my allotment. I shall sit it by the Lemon Balm on the border tomorrow.
Astrantias are superb perennials for under trees, on a streambank or in a moist border.
While botanical Latin tells us a great deal about a plant, few varietal names are as illuminating. The outstanding Astrantia major subsp involucrata 'Shaggy' is an exception. Instead of displaying the usual crisp symmetry and sharp points, the bracts are pinched in the middle and much cut, drawing out into wide green and white stars. Shaggy perfectly describes its unkempt look and rascally charm.
Carol Klein in the Telegraph, where they say you can buy one plant for about £7. I just got mine for nowt!
