A chrysanthemum called Mavis

 "Do you fancy a trip out to Norwell Nurseries and a pub lunch?' was the question - you can guess the reply.

Well of course I did.  Norwell is about one hour from where I live and quite straightforward to get to.  Well I say straightforward, that is if you don't take a wrong turning but the sat nav worked its magic and got me there nonetheless.

We had a good wander around the nursery whilst we put the world to rights.  We perused the nursery beds and then went for another wander around the garden.  Another circuit was completed and it was time to go to the pub which is just down the road.  

I decided to make my purchases in case we did not return.  I was in impulse mode.  I had no list, no particular wants, I was just going to see what took my fancy.

Two plants jumped into my hands.   A very beautiful Gladiolus papilio, a wonderful lilacy colour with nodding bell shaped flowers.  I chose one in bud so cannot show you the flower just yet.  It is also called the Butterfly Sword Lily, which sounds like either a cruel way to kill a butterfly, or a vicious weapon carried by a butterfly - hmm, I am not sure I like either thought.  So let's just call its papilio shall we?

Then I went furtling around the chrysanthemums.  Some years I grow chrysanthemums and some years I do not.  I think it has been a couple of years since I had any so this year, late as it is in the season, felt like I could break this pause.  

There in front of me was the most special, large flowered chrysanthemum.  I bent down to check her name and it is Mavis Smith.  Now I am going to buy just about any plant called Mavis so into my hand she lept.

I took my plants to the payment desk where Dr Andrew Ward, the owner of the nursery told me the story of Mavis.  She was given to him as an unknown cutting by a lady called Mavis Smith to identify.  He was (and still is) unable to identify this plant, but he says it is tough and floriferous and very garden worthy.  With the lady's permission it has been named after her until or if it can be identified.  I rather hope that she remains Mavis.  It is quite a rare variety so I shall treat her as precious. Which of course means I shall have to take care not to cosset her to death.

Very happy with my purchases we went to the pub for a very good lunch.  It was a good day.

Until next time:

Take care and be kind.

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