Just some shots of Angelica by the silver birch logs. It's about at its best right now as it quite a striking and statuesque plant. I can't imagine how it got such a name. A common name is Angels' Fishing Rods but it bears no resemblance. The Royal Horticultural Society also tells us:
Angelica Archangelica are large biennials or herbaceous perennials, some
monocarpic, with pinnately or palmately divided leaves and small white or
purple flowers in large umbels. A.
archangelica is a robust upright perennial, sometimes monocarpic, with 2 – 3 pinnate
leaves to 60cm in length, and rounded umbels of light yellow flowers in early
summer.
This is from Wikipedia and even more interesting:
Natives of Lapland use the fleshy roots as food and the
stalks as medicine. Crystallized strips of young angelica stems and midribs are
green in colour and are sold as decorative and flavoursome cake decoration
material, but may also be enjoyed on their own. The roots and seeds are
sometimes used to flavour gin. Its presence accounts for the distinct flavour
of many liqueurs, such as Chartreuse.
Among the Sami people of Lapland, the plant is used to make
a traditional musical instrument the fadno.
I have only enjoyed eating it crystallised and had never thought of flavouring gin....................................................
until now!
Despite competitions, preparations for open gardens next week are well under way. Chris even gave up a Bank Holiday Monday to come renovate Kay's swing seat roof and mend one of the green garden doors which had succumbed to rot over winter. The previous roof had been ply which had only stood a very short test of time so it was decided to go for something a little longer lasting. Brian our painter took me over to Lanes to collect the corrugated tin which we tied onto the roof of his van. Luckily it was still there when we arrived home so I was able to paint it with Tractol 'Landrover Green'. I was in trouble for painting the right side of one sheet and the wrong side of the other!! As a mere apprentice, how was I to know? It worked out in my favour luckily! Now all I have to do is touch up the green paint. It looks really smart and having had its joints tightened and extra bracing, it's a whole lot steadier. Today, Janine and I turned the conservatory into a tea room so, time to sit and swing in it would be nice! Getting ready for open gardens
A Wisteria with history grows over the studio. I propagated this one from a Wisteria from Cook's nursery in Stourport which they propagated from a really exquisitely mature specimen which drapes itself elegantly over a quaint pub called The Dog at Dunley. In turn, that one was propagated from a really grand old Wisteria from Witley Court. Presently, Witley Court is in a state of 'maintained dereliction' Once upon a time, it could have rivalled Blenheim Palace. Now: given that Pear Tree Cottage was part of the former Witley Court estate, this Wisteria has come full circle. Furthermore, the sparrows haven't touched it!
Natives of Lapland use the fleshy roots as food and the
stalks as medicine. Crystallized strips of young angelica stems and midribs are
green in colour and are sold as decorative and flavoursome cake decoration
material, but may also be enjoyed on their own. The roots and seeds are
sometimes used to flavour gin. Its presence accounts for the distinct flavour
of many liqueurs, such as Chartreuse. 
I have only enjoyed eating it crystallised and had never thought of flavouring gin....................................................until now!
