'Mazing knowledge them Wisley types have

[bobleponge]

I forgot to say this before, but when I took Mme Pastis to Englandshire I took her up to Wisley, as my kids live fairly close by.
She loves her flowers, whereas I just wandered along nodding sagely in what I hoped were the right places and saying "Oui cherie" in reasonable quantities.

We saw the Handkerchief tree in flower (which I must say was impressive, even to me) but then she saw a planty thing that she'd never seen before. We had a look round for a label, found one, and noted it down for further research.
Finally finished and went to the garden centre bit. I asked at the help desk bit, giving them the benefits of my Latin language training.

"Hmm, thats a snowdrop and we dont have any of those in bloom, what did it look like?"

Imagine a Frenchie and a bloke who has no interest in flowers trying to describe a plant that we'd seen several hours previously.

"Oh that'll be a Smoothynox Fluffyflora (possibly made up Latin name) common name Solomons Seal, you'll find them over there in alphabetical order" and pointed us in the general direction.
And lo, there it was indeed.

Fantastic knowledge and patience these people have, and if you like flowers I imagine its a fantastic place to visit.

[Irie Jan]

Nice one Bob! Glad to hear you found the plant in the end!

[Nicos]

I'm sure the world would be a far nicer place if our gardens were full of Smoothynox Fluffyfloras!!!!

Handkerchief tree? ...want one..want one!!!!

[Jeanied]

I'm sure the world would be a far nicer place if our gardens were full of Smoothynox Fluffyfloras!!!!

Handkerchief tree? ...want one..want one!!!!

I agree Nicos - so much more fun than Polygonatums!

I just need the hanky - forget the tree!

[bobleponge]

And d'ya know Jeanie, now that you've said the non made up Latin name its come back to me. There's a job for you there girl.

You got a cold btw? Go to Wisley, that tree had thousands of hankies on it, quite spectacular.

[Flummery]

It's a fabulous plant. Comes back every year and looks very stately. Brill in flower arrangements too. Just watch out for a seasonal attack of little caterpillars. Doesn't happen often but when it does they can skeletonise the plant in a day!