A visit today to The University Botanic Gardens in Cambridge.
We've been there before (and we'll probably go again); there's always something new to see. So lets go!
This is just as you enter,
blossom already in evidence.
Fritllaria Imperialis or Crown Imperial, I hope.
I love these but have trouble remembering the name
so I hope I've got it right this time.
(Someone will tell me!)
And just in case you've ever wondered what the more usual orange variety
look like from underneath....
stunning aren't they?
The lake and the rock garden were my favourite places when I was a child.
There were ducks to feed
and you could climb around on the rock garden.
The stepping stones are still just as popular with children.
Beautiful when flowering but oh so quick to fade and die.
The banks of this little stream are always idyllic.
Primula denticulata
or Drumstick Primula
I thought I'd remember the name of this Hellebore but...
The tiny flowers of Fritillaria michailovskyi
(so it said on the little sign!)
While photographing in the garden
I couldn't help overhearing a very young girl
(she might have been six)
asking her grandfather very intelligent and knowledgeable questions
about various plants.
Later she told me that the Jade Vine was flowering in the greenhouse
and
I ought to go and take some pictures of it,
"it's very rare you know; there's only three in the country"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Take care.
Botanical gardens are always a delight to visit; I'll tag along anytime you go. It's always great to go along with a camera buddy and then you're not holding anyone up!
ReplyDeleteNice intro' photo with the blossom tree. Sweet shot of the orange Fritillaria with the light shining through. It must be fun to venture back somewhere you visited like that in your childhood years too.
…least you remembered it was a Hellebore. Oh and the little mahogany/yellow Fritillaria bells are delightful.
Sounds like you met up with a little botanist in the making …nice post John; thanks for sharing your walk in the gardens.
It looks fabulous - that flowering tree (cherry?) is just beautiful. I've wanted to visit the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge for years but have never quite made it - always been doing other things when I've been there.
ReplyDeleteHi John, Is spring early this year over there? Everything in your beautiful photos of the Gardens looks so advanced ....not to mention that lovely little girl. She really does take the cake doesn't she! Thanks for commenting on my blog, it is just lovely to meet people from all over and specially ones from my old locality. (Well, not far away anyway!)Bye for now Jane
ReplyDeleteMy plant knowledge is rather limited - I can manage daffodil, daisy and rose and other flowers with a similarly wide grouping. I should think a learned 6 year old would be very handy to have around. I see Kew gardens have a page for their Jade Vine - the young expert was right, it is worth a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/garden-attractions-A-Z/jade-vine.htm
I've always liked the quirky shape of Fritillaria but it's a bit too cold to grow them here. Interesting to see the underside. I've heard that in spite of its impressive flower that it doesn't smell very nice so I guess mass plantings are not a good idea. The tree in bloom in the last photo has such a wonderful shape. All the gardens looks super - very nicely laid out with lots of varied areas.
ReplyDeleteSomeone has been training that little girl well.
ReplyDeleteI would so enjoy a walk through a beautiful garden like this.
It's a stunning place John ... So much to see and ever-changing so I can understand it's a place that you can visit often and always see something different. Great pics!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular photographs, John! You not only have wondrous things to point your camera at, but you capture them with art and clarity. Is the rock garden part of a ruin? I enjoyed your exchange with the little girl; it reminded me of our older son who at that age was "the world's leading expert on dinosaurs." Actually, it is amazing how much such small folk can learn if they have the interest and access to information.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos John and obviously a very nice place to visit. I used to have Crown Imperials in my garden, the orange and the yellow. Unfortunately, after a few years they gradually all disappeared.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt little miss six years will be on TV in a few years' time presenting Gardeners' World!
Looks like a lovely place to just stroll around. Now you know next time, just ask the kids what kind of plant it is.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your spring visit to the gardens--we made the trip in fall. A huge flower was blooming in the greenhouse at the time ( can't remember its name) and people were traveling from all over to view it. It was a sad sight when we finally made it--had wilted over. However, I was thrilled to have seen the flower that made the news.
ReplyDeleteooo-that tree!
Everything is so far forward! I loved your photographs and the thought of the serious and knowledgeable little girl. Jane x
ReplyDeleteYour photos are stunning. Our gardens here in central Ontario are much behind these in blooming.
ReplyDeleteBotanical Gardens are always such good value. The Crown Imperial is certainly stunning from underneath! Love the story about the young girl, obviously a budding horticulturist in the making!! Beautiful images John.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your comments.
ReplyDelete