Daphne ... !  Daphne ....!  Daff nee ....!!!

Hi

 

What's in a name?

Plants have been around for centuries and the origins of their names can sometimes be, well interesting. I asked my friend and fellow plants person Chris whether she had anything quirky or fascinating on Daphne that I could use. On checking her books she found and shared:

Daphne (pronounced daff-nee) is a Greek word that originally referred to the Laurel tree - what we commonly know as the Bay Tree. - Laurus nobilis. The name was later transferred to the Daphne bush that we know and love today.  Daphne is a derivative of Daphnis who was a Greek mythological character.  This name became popular when used in an erotic pastoral romance written in 2 AD by Longus who was a Lesbian i.e. meaning that he came from the Island of Lesbos.

F.Y. I. the term Lesbian came to mean women who love other women in ‘60's and ‘70's  but is thought to refer back to the Greek Poet Sappho (600BC) who also came from the Island of Lesbos and was both a Lesbian and a Lesbian if you get my drift.  So as you inhale the intoxicating perfume of your beautiful Daphne bush remember that there is more to the language of flowers than you ever imagined!

There are a few quite different Daphnes around though Leucanthe is probably the most popular.

    

Daphne rubra is the what I have relate to as being the original form grown in gardens being slightly prostrate or cascading in habit and may even have slightly pinker flowers.

Daphne odora was introduced to the Western world from China in 1771. ‘Leucanthe' is very similar to ‘Rubra' except that it is more upright and carries the beautiful fragrant clusters on short stems perfect for picking.

Daphne Leucanthe alba has pure white flowers otherwise is every bit the same as the pink form.

Daphne Bholua is a tall shrub like species that gets to about 1.8 metres high, has smaller fragrant but definately Daphne like flowers, that are mostly white, and with a hint of pink.

Daphne burkwoodii variegata is one for the collecter being quite a bit different from the classic Daphne that we all know, though its flowers are similar.

Daphne can be a bit fussy and is a plant that likes being in dappled light, getting the morning sun and not the afternoon sun is prefect.  A good rich position that is neither too wet or  too dry is best and feed with Camellia food for best results.

Standard Daphne, we even have some standards of these deliciously fragrant plants in white and pink. These are excellent as a feature plant on the shady side of the house and they dont even get too big.

FORGOTTEN COOKIES

I have been thoroughly spoilt this week as Chris came armed not only with a beautiful gift of a collectible Narcissus cyclaminius Wilma (hope that I got the name right) but these awesome cookies and I tell you that they sound like my style of baking!!!   I quote These can be eaten on their own but are nicer with whipped cream and fruit. They will store for up to 10 days in an air tight container so are excellent for afternoon tea or dessert that can be made ahead of time.

2 egg whites
pinch of salt
120g Castor sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla Essence
120g Chopped Almonds
150g Dark chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 180 C

Beat egg whites with salt until foamy
Gradually add sugar sugar and continue beating until you have a glossy stiff meringue
add vanilla, almond and chocolate chips and fold togather.

Drop spoonfuls on a tray covered with baking paper
Put in oven and turn oven off and leave there for a minimum of three hours with door closed
LOL forget about for a while.

           

FORGOTTEN ABOUT SHRUBS

Ribes Sanguineum King Edward or old fashioned currant plant. I love the smell of the leaves and this plant has the prettiest of pink flowers. A great shrub to go in the border garden.

Exhorda The bride Stunning white flowers in the spring

Hamamellis or witch hazel are looking amazing at the moment with their fragrant spidery like flowers

Kolkwitzia amabilis or beauty bush, has pretty pink flowers not too disimilar in shape from the apple blossom

Symphoricarpus mother of pearl grown for its beautiful pearly like berries that are great for floral work.

Forsythia I have to throw this one in here as I have mentioned all the other ones from my grandmothers garden. Pretty with vividly bright yellow flowers.

Spuds These are all here  in the garden centre now. Get planting this weekend or put them in a nice dry and light spot to sprout first. Feed em heaps with lots of compost etc and grow a whopper crop.

What another amazing week, the weather has been perfect. Ive got a few pruning jobs left to do like my fathers fruit trees; ie, he who bakes and makes jam so Id had better get onto it. Make the most of the fine weekend!!!

 

Cheers,

Lloyd and Harry

Make it a Wairere weekend where gardenings not a drag!!!!!