A long time ago, (90's?) my Mum had a product from The Body Shop that really did smell of Broad Bean flowers, we christened it Eau de Broad Bean.....sadly I can't remember what it actually was!
I loved the "smell of Hawaii" which came rushing back to me as I read those lines! I lived there for 3 years and that distinctive smell of plumerias and other wonderful plants embraced me in the warm tropical breeze each time I stepped off the plane. Thankyou for reminding me of this!
Isn’t it something that a casual remark 15 years ago means i (someone who’s never been there) gets to remind you of somewhere you used to live! Thank you
Elaeagnus ebbingei, I have never heard of it before. A new one on me. I must seek it out. Is it something that is often planted or do you tend to find it naturally in some areas?
It’s planted all over - quite a common hedge/town planting - but not wild here in the UK. E. umbellata (autumn olive) is one of my favourites but in some parts of the states it has become unpopular as its ability to fix nitrogen means it thrives in bare soil if given a chance, but not here in the UK
Hello gimlet! I think I might love you! As for Elaeagnus X Ebbingei, I had a wonderful specimen in my last garden, of which I have taken some cuttings. I would often walk past and be immediately transported to a secret garden I remember from childhood. It’s a plant of much sorcery!
The ghosts parts resonated! I grow a fig and an iris both from my French grandfathers garden and when dear friends pass I find a plant to remind me of them and it becomes their plant. My English grandfather is linked to strawberries as my first strawberry plants come from his garden. I never knew to smell quince flowers - thank you! My tree is full of flowers as are the apple trees, such a beautiful time. My apricot has little fruits this year for the first time in 8 years. It’s there because I read taste of the unexpected a long time ago and I wondered whether it would ever produce in the cooler midlands but there they are in a very cold spring growing away. Do you think an autumn olive would do well in the midlands? The garden can be quite wet in winter and has heavy clay.
What a lovely thing to do. So glad you risked an apricot! Homegrown really are so special. I’ve no doubt an autumn olive would do well in the midlands, though you should go for a named variety to give yourself most chance of a heavier harvest…should be ok in clay but as some grit to improve the drainage
Love the new take on the gimlet, I tried the sage one from your herb book and loved it. Need to find some lovage to give this a shot!
It really ought to be widely available - it’s vegetable stock in leaf form! Eat to grow in a pot if you have space/inclination
This sounds so refreshing - definitely going to give it a go! Now, where to find some lovage…
I’ll bring you some in Rincon!
Amazing!! Thanks, Mark. I shall have to think of something to make to return the favour 🙂
Package has been secured! Thanks ever so much Mark 😊 Looking forward to making some this weekend!
You are very welcome! You may not need it all but who knows
Delighted that you also appreciate the scent of broad bean flowers: “Eau de fave” would be a wonderful perfume.
It really would, and I’d happily follow anyone wearing it to anywhere
A long time ago, (90's?) my Mum had a product from The Body Shop that really did smell of Broad Bean flowers, we christened it Eau de Broad Bean.....sadly I can't remember what it actually was!
Oh my…I’d buy a box of the stuff!
I loved the "smell of Hawaii" which came rushing back to me as I read those lines! I lived there for 3 years and that distinctive smell of plumerias and other wonderful plants embraced me in the warm tropical breeze each time I stepped off the plane. Thankyou for reminding me of this!
Isn’t it something that a casual remark 15 years ago means i (someone who’s never been there) gets to remind you of somewhere you used to live! Thank you
Elaeagnus ebbingei, I have never heard of it before. A new one on me. I must seek it out. Is it something that is often planted or do you tend to find it naturally in some areas?
It’s planted all over - quite a common hedge/town planting - but not wild here in the UK. E. umbellata (autumn olive) is one of my favourites but in some parts of the states it has become unpopular as its ability to fix nitrogen means it thrives in bare soil if given a chance, but not here in the UK
I had an American friend called with Taylor Farmer or Farmer Taylor and I could honestly never remember which way round their names went.
this is exactly how it should be, Come to think of it Thompson is surely a US first name
Most probably
No doubt at ALL
Oooo, that rhubarb and lovage gimlet sounds right up my street!
It’s not hard to like!
Broad bean flowers used to be one of my favorite scents, up there with sweet peas, before I lost my sense of smell. Thank you for the reminder!
They really are special aren't they - and sorry about your sense of smell going, I hope it returns
Silverberry also has the glitteriest of leaves, sparkling in the sun like a Twilight vampire.
Like my old aunties swimming cozzie
I love that the smell of a plant can hold a memory of a person or a place and the gimlet sounds delicious. *goes off to look for lovage*
It’s one of the things about growing plants that brings me most pleasure. I hope you find some lovage!
Herby, fragrant gimlets (bay, tarragon, basil.....) are a small obsession of mine at the moment. Delighted to have another to add to the list.
Delighted to be of service!
Hello gimlet! I think I might love you! As for Elaeagnus X Ebbingei, I had a wonderful specimen in my last garden, of which I have taken some cuttings. I would often walk past and be immediately transported to a secret garden I remember from childhood. It’s a plant of much sorcery!
Isn’t it great that one plant can mean so many different things to people! Thanks for sharing JP
Have the loveliest Sunday.
You too
The ghosts parts resonated! I grow a fig and an iris both from my French grandfathers garden and when dear friends pass I find a plant to remind me of them and it becomes their plant. My English grandfather is linked to strawberries as my first strawberry plants come from his garden. I never knew to smell quince flowers - thank you! My tree is full of flowers as are the apple trees, such a beautiful time. My apricot has little fruits this year for the first time in 8 years. It’s there because I read taste of the unexpected a long time ago and I wondered whether it would ever produce in the cooler midlands but there they are in a very cold spring growing away. Do you think an autumn olive would do well in the midlands? The garden can be quite wet in winter and has heavy clay.
What a lovely thing to do. So glad you risked an apricot! Homegrown really are so special. I’ve no doubt an autumn olive would do well in the midlands, though you should go for a named variety to give yourself most chance of a heavier harvest…should be ok in clay but as some grit to improve the drainage