Strawberry explosion
Dried chillies from Calabria
White daffs
Three Cornered Irish Wild Garlic
Bay Tree Blooms
Baby Wild has learnt how to blow on Dandelion clocks, it's adorable! I can't believe how much further ahead Donegal plants are in terms of blooming. The daffodils are long gone here, where as mine are still blooming in Scotland. The hedgerows are in full scented bloom and the country side looks beautiful.
Imagine my surprise to discover that there is more than one type of Wild Garlic! Three Cornered Garlic, also known as Three-cornered Leek, this spring-flowering bulb carries 2cm long bell-like white flowers on stems which are three-sided and about 30cm high. Along the centre of each petal is a narrow green line and between 3 and 15 flowers are arranged in a drooping one-sided umbel not unlike that of a Bluebell. The leaves are very markedly angled, coming three to a plant from the base. The flowers can be seen growing along roadsides, in hedges, banks and other shady places. It is thought to have introduced into Ireland some three-hundred years ago and it has become naturalised in many counties. It belongs to the family Liliaceae.
Am surprised not to find other wild herbs that I have eating in Scotland, like I don't see any Jack By the Hedge here, never mind ramsons. But wow, haven't the strawberries simply adored the freezing winter and warm spring! They are just so strong, both at home in Scotland and here in Donegal. Even the wild strawberries are exploding all over road sides and pathways - so lovely to see their delicate little flowers everywhere. My family have somehow allowed strawberries to completely overtake much of their garden here. I have never in my life seen so many plants! So I'm going to pot some up and set them outside the family restaurant for visitors to buy or swap over the Easter break.
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