Category Archives: Gardens

A Ceramic Bestiary

Posted on 06/03/2016 by carolinemmurray

Lisbon claims to be the oldest city in the world, on the basis that it was thriving long before Athens, Rome etc. It also claims to have been founded by Odysseus on his way back from Troy: the name used … Continue reading →

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Object of the Month: February

Posted on 28/02/2016 by carolinemmurray

I urge you to visit the small but perfectly formed exhibition currently in the Shiba Room of the Fitzwilliam Museum, which contains flower paintings from the wonderful collection of Henry Rogers Broughton (1900-73), 2nd Baron Fairhaven, whose bequest to the … Continue reading →

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Only A Pigeon

Posted on 20/02/2016 by carolinemmurray

I have discovered (as I imagine that many (very) amateur naturalists do) a strong strain of speciesism in my makeup. It’s only a daisy, when looking for wild orchids at Fulbourn Fen; it’s only the collared doves, eating the nyger … Continue reading →

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Plant of the Month: February

Posted on 15/02/2016 by carolinemmurray

I decided to write this month about blackthorn, or sloe, the white-blossomed, early-flowering, native shrubby tree so often seen in hedgerows. Then I started doing some research, and discovered how complicated it all is, but I have tried my best … Continue reading →

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Akragas

Posted on 12/02/2016 by carolinemmurray

So, there we were on Monday morning at Palermo train and bus station, clutching our remaining possessions to us, not sure what else the robbers might home in on – the clothes off our backs, perhaps? Or was the university … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Botany, Gardens, History, Museums and Galleries, Natural history | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Orto Botanico

Posted on 08/02/2016 by carolinemmurray

The things I most disliked about Sicily were (a) being robbed; (b) the number of wild birds (especially goldfinches) hung up in tiny cages. On the plus side, there were plenty of things to like, including the Botanic Garden at … Continue reading →

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Plant of the Month: January

Posted on 10/01/2016 by carolinemmurray

Quite a difficult decision, especially this season, when so many plants are prolonging their flowering, or beginning freakishly early. In the Botanic Garden, the native daffodils seem to have forgotten Perdita’s observation that they take the winds of March with … Continue reading →

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Plant of the Month: December

Posted on 24/12/2015 by carolinemmurray

Completely predictable this month – it’s holly. And it’s just as well I took some local pictures well in advance, not only because the light levels are a bit grim as we crawl from St Lucy’s Day to the Shortest … Continue reading →

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The Shortest Day

Posted on 21/12/2015 by carolinemmurray

As the sun was (briefly) shining just now on the shortest day of the year, I took the opportunity to nip into the garden between cake icing and (yet more) mince pie making, to record what is still flowering after … Continue reading →

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Plant of the Month: November

Posted on 27/11/2015 by carolinemmurray

It’s the beech! But why? Surely it’s at its best in spring, when the pale green, downy leaves unfurl from the elegant, tapering buds? At this time of year, buttery Gingko biloba, the exotic Osage orange, or even hazel, with … Continue reading →

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