Tonight over a garden wall in Newburgh North Fife I noticed this tree peony, it's one of my favourite garden flowers, the blooms last but a few days but much appreciated. The leaf and flower forms are frequently used in Tibetan Buddhist arts and crafts.
152 varieties of peony have been described and pictured for the first time in the West; the ampler publication until now, with the nicest hybrid or selected peony from Japan, France, Great Britain and the Untied States.
For the first time photographs and descriptions have been published even on the spontaneous peony from the Chinese mountains, that the author re-discovered (following the Victorian hunters plant tracks) in their natural habitat that hadn’t been seen since the beginning of this century.
In the East, peony is the most important flower and for Chinese and Japonese cultral patrimony in paintings, fabrics, poems, porcelain and lacquer it recurs frequently. For an anonymous poet of the third century before Christ the peony is "the queen of the vegetable kingdom", and Apollo is called "Peonios".
These flowers are surely among the more spectacular ones with which nature gifted us. In fashion at the end of the eighteenth century, it was considered the noblest of plants.
The Book of Tree Peonies (Archives of botanic and garden studies)
About the Author
Since leaving his career in reconstructing post-war industries in 1975, Gian Lupo Osti has dedicated himself to botanical research, in particular to the discovery of arboreal peonies in the mountainous areas of China, which had not been seen growing naturally since the turn of the century. Chinese botanists have subsequently named an arboreal peony after him: Paeonia Ostii. He has also dedicated much time to finding the wild herbacious peonies which grow around the mediterranean.
He is an honourary member of the International Dendrology Society; he founded and was the first president of the Friends of the Hanbury Gardens, an association established with the participation of the most important British botanical institutions, to preserve the gardens of Mortola.
Gian Lupo Osti has received the Veitchii Memorial Gold Medal from the RHS in recognition of his contribution to horticulture and botany. With Allemandi he has published The Book of Tree Peonies and The Book of Meditteranean Peonies.
River Tay from Black Earnside today May 2009. I often stop on my way home at this lay-by and take in the vista where one may also see a commemorative plaque of an important battle that took place in more violent times. Thank goodness we live in more peaceful times.
Ballinbreich Castle North Fife. Today May the 1st, sunshine and showers and a typical view from the road.
Dundee over The River Tay from North Fife this April 2009. I've witnessed this view over 10,000 times and it's never the same twice, tonight shafts of sunlight highlight multi-story apartments, houses and Ninewells Hospital. Slack wind and still water.
Steel Pulse getting it together in 1978, part of north fife photographic archive.
Yes that feels ok.
Steel Pulse.
Crab Apples, over the years I've seen this and many examples all over north fife. This particular tree or one could call bush flourishes in spite of being savagely pruned each year as it forms part of the wayside hedge at Logie farm Newburgh.
Tonight over a garden wall in Newburgh North Fife I noticed this tree peony, it's one of my favourite garden flowers, the blooms last but a few days but much appreciated. The leaf and flower forms are frequently used in Tibetan Buddhist arts and crafts.
152 varieties of peony have been described and pictured for the first time in the West; the ampler publication until now, with the nicest hybrid or selected peony from Japan, France, Great Britain and the Untied States.
Home North Fife, A view of the window to my computer room, within the focus is on the monitor which sits stark and bright relative to the low forest like light under the canopy of Ivy leaves. From the room one can see the overwintered aphids and other insects and witness Wrens and Blue-tits forage, snails eating the algae on the glass and a highway for mice to gain access to the roof-space. Not a bad place to be connected to in this life.
Anyway, tonight, in amongst the vegetational invasion of my dwelling are these tulips thrusting from winter dormancy and about to fully bloom. It accords with the time, a good feeling. Warmth and moisture, We are born, we procreate and die. Such is life, Fantastic.
This evening 26th April on my way to Newburgh North Fife, a sight that illustrates why The River Tay is called The Silvery Tay, every day different, every day a joy. Sometimes golden, even better. Below is a similar time yesterday further upstream in Newburgh, half gold and silver.
Balcormo Races, Today I was invited to a point-to-point steeplechase at Balcormo Mains Fife. Perfect weather, good warm sunshine and windless. The course is 3 miles with 7 hurdles with these horses captured at the last before the finish. A few thousand people in attendance, socialising, betting, imbibing and generally having a very enjoyable time.
Marsh Buttercup, I've noticed this clump on the slipway at Newburgh north fife over the years, it seems to flourish even though twice a day tidal water of The River Tay submerges it completely.
Craigsimmie from Pittachope Flisk North Fife. The rising ground is be-topped with flowering furze as if custard had been poured over. The foreground field is just planted with potatoes.
