We really should have eaten these as they are delicious picked when in tight bud like Purple Sprouting Broccoli. I obviously wasn't paying attention and they went too far. We might get more now that I've cut these off.
I thought they were very pretty so here they are in a vase.
You can also see a Tulip which I thought was 'Mount Tacoma' but now I think it's a pale 'Angelique'. I'm sure it should be more pink.
There is also a pink Ranunculus. It's completely gorgeous, I hope you'll agree.
The trouble is though, that I ordered pale pink, white, orange and purple Ranunculus and this is none of the above. So far all the pale pink and purple seem to be this bright pink. I will be reporting back to the company when they are all flowering and I am sure. I'm pretty fed up with things not turning out to be what was advertised. Especially as these are a sale crop. A florist looking for pale pink isn't going to want this! I will find a market for them but it's frustrating.
After two dry weeks we have had a good amount of rain over the last week. The weekend has been dry and even sunny at times which is just how we like it. There is plenty to do at this most exciting time of year so I should go and get on. Especially as I am inspired by a new You Tube channel I just found.
Byther Farm https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0Ha5QljsCV5UqIkobBrcQ
I haven't had time to watch much yet but it looks amazing with plenty of good ideas. I found this linked from Huw's Nursery who also has lots of good ideas. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0Ha5QljsCV5UqIkobBrcQ I might have to give up sleeping to fit everything in.
Join in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.
Hi Alison, love your unpredictable arrangement of kale flowers. I rather like brassica flowers - they remind me of my childhood when I lived in the Midlothian countryside. There's nothing prettier than a field of them. I have a pot planted up with Angelique tulips and, as they were planted by me and not my husband, I still have the label. Your tulip looks the right shade of pink although many of the petals begin as a darker pink and fade to almost white. What is distinct about them is the shot of green on the outer petals but even that fades to white as the flower ages. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteThey are very pretty and often smell sweet too. Yes the tulips were green on the outer petals before they opened so that must be what they are. Thanks
DeleteOh who would have known they were kale flowers f you hadn't said (well I wouldn't!). They make an airy and effective filler in your vase with the tulip and rogue ranunculus. How frustrating not to have the pale pink you wanted, especially when you are trying to run a business - how many have you planted of each colour? I have tried again with them this year, planting in pots, one in the Coop and one in the sunnier working greenhouse. I think I ordered pink, but probably this darker shade - and have only ever achieved one flower when I have tried before, so it might be case of fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating but luckily I don't have huge numbers of them. I planted them in the autumn after chitting in shallow compost. I've never managed to get them to do much before this year so were already doing better even if they are the wrong colour. Look forward to seeing yours in a vase!
Deleteps I've just seen some growing fine outside.
DeleteI love the kale flowers, and with the light just right through them, they made a very pretty arrangement.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteKale flowers, that's novel. And why not, they are very light and airy. I sometimes use parsnip flowers in summer. The ranunculus might be the wrong shade but it is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty and someone will love them.
DeleteI, for one, like it when herbs and vegetables bolt. In fact, I plant cilantro/coriander mainly for the flowers - they make a delicate and aromatic filler in a vase. I can sympathize with the bulb flower color issue as, once again, I planted what were labeled as blue Freesias only to get a river of yellow/gold blooms. I had more minor issues with my Ranunculus, with a couple of orange flowers appearing among the whites and a deep pink among the picotee pinks. I know it's a bigger issue for you, though, as you're selling them and I hope you've made a stink with the grower.
ReplyDeleteYes me too. I have coriander and parsley on the way to seed and I fully expect to be using them. I'm very tired of things not being what they should be. As soon as all the plants are flowering I'll be letting them know what I think.
DeleteI love your kale flowers!! I've actually never seen them before, although I've had broccoli and radishes go to flower and they are quite pretty too. And that is a beautiful ranunculus, even if not the described color!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is beautiful. Quite like a peony.
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