Tuesday 19 February 2019

February Tree, February Flower

Last month, completely on a whim of the moment, I decided that each month I would scour the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge to find and photograph just one tree and one flower that grabbed my attention. There's no master-plan involved, but this month it just happens that we're "in black and white". First the "black"...…

The Black Pine - Pinus Nigra


If we're looking for a pine tree the obvious place to start is in the Old Pinetum, which was planted at the founding of the present garden in 1846. It's a magical place, especially when sun slants in to illuminate the emerald grass, scattered with pine cones.


The Black Pine is a tree which occurs naturally in various locations throughout Europe and into North Africa. In each of these places the tree has developed in response to local climate and soil-type, leading to several sub-species - Austrian Black Pine, Crimean Black Pine, Causican Black Pine and so on.


It's grown in the UK as both an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, and for timber in commercial plantations. Some of the regional sub-species are more useful than others for these differing purposes, but most of the main types can be seen in the Pinetum or lining the Main Walk.


In recent years the world's Black Pines have suffered from infestation by a fungus which can kill the trees. In North America this has got out of control and is likely to kill all the Black Pines growing there.


It's another tree which has a beautifully patterned bark demanding lots of photos. I can see my hard-drive becoming cluttered with bark pictures if I continue this series throughout the year! Now lets move on to the "white" element of this month's post....


Snowdrop - galanthus


Apologies to any non-galanthophiles, but we're back with those living sparks of optimism that shine through the winter gloom in the dark days of February - snowdrops.


There are several places in the Garden where there are marvellous displays of these little flowers. The obvious place to make for is the Winter Garden, though in reality you're bound to have seen others before you get there, whichever gate you enter by. The one shown above is Galanthus S Arnott, which as well as being a robust plant has flowers which are said to give off a honey-like scent on warm days. So at least one type of snowdrop attempts to attract insect pollinators at this unpromising time of year.

Top left: Galanthus 'James Backhouse'
Top right: Galanthus plicatus 'Wendy's Gold'
Centre: Galanthus nivalis 'Viridapice' Green-Tipped Snowdrop
Lower left: Galanthus 'Kite'
Lower right: Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' x Galanthus plicatus

Not everyone realises that there are different varieties of this humble flower. Above are just five which were neatly and conveniently labelled, so even an uneducated but enthusiastic snowdrop-lover like me could know what they were.


Like the first Cuckoo heard in Spring, the first appearance of the Snowdrop has always excited comment. This has been very useful in charting the ever-earlier start to the seasons in recent years, so that the Snowdrop Season has moved from late February to mid-January in many places. Occasional very early plants contrive to flower at the end of December, which seems to point towards climate change, whatever the cynics say.


And that is definitely my last snowdrop photo for 2019 - unless I find one in flower in November!


Take care.



21 comments:

  1. Good idea John - both the trees and the snowdrops are a treat to see.

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  2. Like the contrast of black and white, your choice for each color is stark; massive, hard Black Pine and dainty, modest snowdrops hanging down loosely. In my country, black pine is favored as an ornamental tree for its rich dark green needles and beautiful patterns of black bark. The bark looks having scales, so twisted black pine looks alive in the changing light and shadow. I’m longing to walk through snowdrop wood.

    Yoko

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  3. It seems as though North America's trees are being decimated one species after another. It is a tragedy of massive proportions.

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  4. There were snowdrops growing in the churchyard in December but it was January they came in bloom in our garden and still are

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  5. I always enjoy your visits, John.

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  6. What beauties, both the black pines and snowdrops...I had no idea there were so many varieties! Thanks for great photos.

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  7. Those snowdrops are beautiful!

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  8. I love this idea and these photos. Beautiful.

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  9. Lovely photo of the pine cones and the snowdrops are beautiful:)

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  10. Hi John - love the photo of the pine trunk - amazing shot ... while the bark 'pares' look glorious ... no wonder you'll have more than you need stored! I think we're all delighted to see your Nature photos - they are wonderful recorders for us. Snowdrop swathes are just wonderful to see ... as too individual flowers - thanks for showing us your black and whites - cheers Hilary

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  11. Snowdrops now just on the turn where I am

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  12. Those snowdrops really stand out. Nice stroll and photos as always, John.
    Thank you!

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  13. I love the bark and the texture of the black pine’s branches. I hadn’t heard the term, pinetum before. Had to look it up and it means a plantation of pines. Aha, just what i expected!

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  14. The close up of the bark...that would make a great print for a fabric!

    But oh, I so love the snowdrops, and the pines...just as they are!

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  15. The snowdrops and that glade of pines are wonderful.

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  16. What a good idea John, looove trees and flowers, can't wait to see future selections! Such a shame about the fungus infestation on the Black pines, especially in NA, always sad to see trees go this way. The snowdrops are a visual delight, part of me hopes you see one in November, but mostly I realise that would be just too weird 😉

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  17. Great idea! I like the bark on the black pine. I don't think I'd be very surprised to see snowdrops here again in November or December!

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  18. The snowdrops are particularly cheerful!

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  19. I love that shot of the pine bark. Cool idea to highlight one tree/one flower per month. Looking forward to the next one!

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  20. Those snowdrops are so pretty!

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  21. The make my heart beat with anticipation, - still snow covering the ground here, - perhaps under the cover of snow there are crocus and snow drops pushing through, but it will be awhile yet. Thank you for advance billing!!!

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