frauke at large

Over the last few months I have been documenting some of the flora on campus – and as the semester draws to a close, the floral display on campus is reaching its zenith. So last weekend I took a few hours off work to try and re-generate from my marking marathon and bring you some more of the sublime floral fireworks that are exploding all over campus.

Currently, everywhere you look on campus there are big blotches of colour making up a mosaic of vibrant pinks, purples, yellows, whites and reds. Many of the plants are old friends found in traditional English gardens and show garden displays, such as the Canna – I found a Canna generalis ‘pretoria’ (Bengal Tiger), as well as the Lythrum salicaria (or 千屈菜 – qian qu cai in Chinese)– which is a favourite in water gardens, ponds and even herbaceous borders.

Their presence is not surprising really, as many of the plants which we have in Europe originate from China and more specifically from Yunnan (see my entry on trip to Lijiang for further details), imported by the Victorians in the 18th century; although the Canna originates from the Americas. I also came across several more ‘exotic’, and therefore more unknown plants to me, and I am still trying to figure out exactly what they are. Ideally I should try and get a botany book on Chinese flora when I am in Shanghai next, so that I have better access to specific species and plant families for identification.

There are also hundreds of Oleander in white and pink, both single and double flowers.

 

 

So clockwise from left to right: Canna generalis ‘pretoria’ (Bengal tiger), exotic mystery plant, Lythrum salicaria, Thalia dealbata and another exotic mystery water plant. Below, in the canal which runs through campus, are an abundance of lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera) – can’t wait to see them in full bloom – they must be magnificent in their vibrant pinkish purple. Just a few more weeks and the horticultural fireworks will have their ‘bouquet final‘ as the lotus flowers surface and unfold their majestic, delicate crowns.

 

 

 

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