Wednesday 28 March 2012

Currant Affairs

It's okay, I'm not going all political.
It's only a Flowering Currant.


This is Ribes sanguineum, a deciduous shrub, native to North America. It was discovered by botanist David Douglas in 1825. Unfortunately, he met a grisly end on one of his expeditions, but as this is not Horrible Histories, I will not give the gory details here.

My particular plants were not planted by me, Nature planted them. Have you noticed she seems to do more planting than I do ? Well she's so good at it, that I let her get on with it. This one is not a particularly brilliant colour, but the bees love it, so it keeps its place in the garden.


I have four birdbaths scattered around the garden. This is not one of them. Perhaps I should have put a 'No Bathing' notice up. Still, this rather pregnant Blackbird seems to be quite happy.

The blue tits don't appear to have ordered the removal van just yet. Unless they moved in while I was not looking, a sort of moonlight flit in reverse. They still keep popping into the box though, so they've not abandoned it.


And finally, a peony-flowered Tulip, blooming in March. I've never had tulips in March before.

7 comments:

  1. That is a gorgeous tulip. I left mine in the ground from last spring. They are blooming but on really short stems. I'm sure the birds appreciate the bath water since it is so dry there.

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  2. Lovely plants and beautiful tulip. I should try them as we cannot grow peonies here.

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  3. You are definitely right about the tulips flowering early - this warm spell has encouraged them I think - still beautiful whenever they flower.

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  4. Ptaszek ma radość z kąpieli. Kwiaty porzeczki są bardzo ładne . Pozdrawiam.*** A bird has fun in the water. Currant flowers are very nice. Yours.

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  5. Its good to see the birds enjoying themselves! And great peony tulip, really impressive flower.

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  6. Pretty. Love that gorgeous tulip! Spring is certainly early this year! Love the bathing bird!

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  7. That currant is beautiful! How wonderful of Nature to have given you one of our plants. You may not see that little trough as a birdbath but the bird sure does! :o)

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