greentapestry : Musing In February

Friday 12 February 2016

Musing In February


"You cannot have too many aconites. They cost, as I said before, about fifty shillings a thousand. A thousand will make a brave splash of colour, which lasts a month. If you can afford ten thousand you are mad not to buy them. There are so many exciting places you can put them ... in the hollow of a felled tree, by the border of a pond, in a circle round a statue, or immediately under your window, so that you can press your nose against the glass when it's too cold to go out, and stare at them, and remember that spring is on its way"

~ Beverley Nichols, 1898 - 1983.

Illustration by Cicely Mary Barker, 1895 -1973.

P.S. My financial adviser informs me that fifty shillings is £2.50 in today's currency.

27 comments:

  1. I haven't got a thousand, but I had hoped the ones NAH bought me for my birthday would have spread down the bank by now. They've stayed resolutely at the top! However, it is good to see them when we go out at this time of the year :)

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    1. What a thoughtful gift from NAH VP. They will no doubt take off one of these winters when you aren't looking.

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  2. Wow, a bargain. How cute is the Winter Aconite fairy.

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    1. A bargain was my thoughts too Jo - you wouldn't get hold of them now for such a price.

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    1. Oh now that was a stroke of good fortune Brian and flowers always make for the very best gift.

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  4. They are a lovely spot of colour in the gardens right now - one house in the next village has a garden full of them under the trees - I really must stop and take a photo before they go over. I am reading a Beverly Nicholls book at the moment he writes of an age long gone and in such a quaint way.

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    1. Oh I hope to see that photo in one your future posts Elaine :)

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  5. I have none, sadly. Great illustration.

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  6. But you don' t need to buy a thousand. They seed around so readliy, making pools of sunlight in the winter garden.

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    1. Perhaps Beverley Nichols was one for instant gratification and didn't have your patience Chloris.

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  7. I want some more aconites but as yet haven't seem any in the garden centre. The ones that we planted last year are not yet up either.

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    1. Good luck with the garden centre search Sue and with the reappearance of last year's plantings.

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  8. A Thousand? I'd settle for the few I planted last year to reappear.

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    1. I agree with you Angie. A thousand seems rather greedy.

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  9. is there a secret to growing winter aconites? - I planted a dozen or so 3 years ago never to be seen again! Great illustration

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    1. Welcome Sue and thanks for your comment. I've really no experience of growing winter aconites although there is a big clump on the other side of the small stream that borders our garden. I've bought and planted three of the pale yellow ' Schwefelglanz' recently so no doubt will be waiting with bated breath next winter to see what transpires.

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  10. I couldn't agree more....I hope to add more all over my garden for early spring blooms.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Donna. I hope that you are successful with your plans.

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  11. I have just one flowering so far! :)

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    1. Early days still Cathy - no doubt the other 999 are not far behind :)

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  12. Beautiful illustration and quote of dear old Beverley. Mine have just finished flowering and I'm confident I shall have my yellow carpet after a few years. Have a good week, Anna !

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    1. It is indeed a beautiful illustration Annette. Good luck with establishing that yellow carpet.

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  13. A good 50 shillings worth methinks!

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    1. A veritable bargain indeed Cathy! I've not worked out the cost of buying a thousand in today's money but winter aconite shopping was certainly cheaper in Mr.Nichol's day.

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  14. A good 50 shillings worth methinks!

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.