I have as much trouble from Ranunculus ficaria subsp. bulbilifer as anyone, but I go on obtaining and planting the numerous cultivars and selections - would hate to be without them. Yesterday, for the first time this year, we had a really lovely day. I had to go to see a man about a book near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, necessitating a journey on smaller country roads. In several places I was struck by the beauty of the golden sheets of celandines on the verges - a truly gorgeous sight rivalling displays of more exalted bulbous plants. We returned home by another route, the so-called Ross Spur motorway (M50). When built this caused controversy for slicing through populations of wild daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), and rescue parties were organised, etc. although the construction period was no doubt painful, the daffodils have responded heroically, and there are now great swathes of them along the side of the motorway, for several miles. More can be glimpsed in the fields and woods adjacent, although most of the fields are ploughed and the daffodils long gone. The regular scrub clearance and general open aspect of the motorway banks obviously suits the daffodils very well. John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567 Spring open days 2006 Mothering Sunday 26 March Easter weekend 15-16-17 April May Day Bank Holiday Plant Sale 1 May Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dell Sherk" <dells@voicenet.com> To: "'Pacific Bulb Society'" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 9:50 PM Subject: Re: [pbs] Ranunculus > I must inject a bit of exoneration for the wild form of Ranunculus ficaria. > In natural and waste areas, like along our stream, it is very cheerful at > this time of the year, and the deer don't eat it! For fans of Tolkien, I > think of it as the golden star shaped flower that grows in Lothlorien. I > appreciate a thug that can stand up to the appetites of deer and the feet of > children and the juggernaut machines of maintenance goons. > > Dell > >