The garden surprises me




I was taken a-back on my trip to the washing line last week when I spied strange cauliflower like growths emerging from rhubarb patch. I have grown rhubarb many times but have never witnessed it flower before.




A quick google revealed that flowering rhubarb was not to be encouraged so I stopped admiring them whilst hanging out the washing and cut them off sharply, in their prime.




And now I can admire them indoors, their strange stately posture rather pleases me, other members of the family were less than entranced and wondered why I was displaying cauliflower in vases, "for my blog?" - they supposed.


Comments

Anonymous said…
My family often says much the same when they are puzzled by something I'm doing

so glad to read that you shd cut rhubarb flowers, as I was wondering what to do about mine. And now I know, so thank you

Joanna

englishkitchen.tumble.com
Anonymous said…
My family often says much the same when they are puzzled by something I'm doing

so glad to read that you shd cut rhubarb flowers, as I was wondering what to do about mine. And now I know, so thank you

Joanna

englishkitchen.tumble.com
I have never seen rhubarb flower either - it looks ever so pretty though.

Nina x
Gina said…
They are rather beautiful in a sculptural kind of way!
Gigibird said…
Many years ago my old rhubarb plant had what I thought was a beautiful flower appearing….my father called round and almost burst a blood vessel when he saw it and immediately cut it down telling me in a rather exasperated manner that if I had let it flower my rhubarb would have died….and he was very partial to my rhubarb.
We live and learn.
rachel said…
Yes, mine flowers at the drop of a hat too - and I'm ruthless with it. But it doesn't die if you leave the flowers - our allotments are full of neglected rhubarb plants that appear to be indestructible!
dottycookie said…
Oooh, I didn't know it flowered - I must keep a sharp eye on mine as I'm on a bit of a rhubarb kick at the minute and I'll be heartbroken if the stems stop coming!
Anonymous said…
Yes me too with the baffled family - they just pat me on the head and smile. Oh and try and disown me when I take pics of my food in foreign countries!


They are very pretty flowers in a strange kind of way - I didn't know it flowered but then have never grown rhubarb.

Hope that you ge a good crop now,
Ali said…
Those are the most exotic cut flowers ever!
Willow said…
I miss my rhubarb-I write that every time you mention it! If ever I have a rhubarb patch again, I'll still quickly cut off those flowers but I'll bring them in the house and admire them placed in vases.
Charity said…
Too funny - I think it's pretty, too! The other day, I put some celery in a vase of water, as it was getting limp. A friend popped over for tea, and complimented me on my celery bouquet, sure I was up to something "crunchy" (as in hippy, although the pun made me laugh). :o)
kim said…
These are amazing. I had no idea. And, of course, they are for your blog. Duh!
Carolyn said…
I do think they have a kind of statuesque beauty about them. How lovely that the plant is both feeding you and providing visual sustenance too :)
Cybèle said…
I really like them. Had no idea that rhubarb would flower - my rhubarb plant has been neglected for years and has never flowered!
Btw have you been to Halfpenny House Haberdashery in Needham Market yet? Well worth a visit!
kristina said…
Oooh they look lovely. What was I thinking putting them on the compost? They clearly belong in vases! K x
Linda said…
The colours are lovely. I don't grow Rhubarb but I think I want to now!
Kai said…
I love flowering rhubarb. It's one of those sights that brings a huge smile to my face. Reminds me though, I should go out and check my rhubarb too! :)

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