Thursday 2 May 2013

A Black Look

In 2011 the permanent gardens dotted about the International Garden Festival in the grounds of the Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire were sky, sapphire and indigo. Last year they were ebony, coal and Tyrian purple.

They are always a wonderful display of plantsmanship from the permanent team at the gardens. My photos don't do the garden justice. This was the best display of 'black' plants I've seen, but I could only snap a couple of quick shots because I had a client with me. If you are a guide and taking great photos, you are not focusing on the clients.

The expression 'a black look' always makes me think of Les, an Aboriginal ex-colleague of ours. One of his favourite jokes was to tell you that he had given someone a black look.

8 comments:

Tim said...

I like your reminisc about Les...
I used to know a guy called "Chalkie"...
his surname was White...
but his colour wasn't...
he was Ethiopian or Sudanese by race, only...
English born and a farm manager...
because he was outdoors most of the time, he was blacker than the ace of spades.

He was short in the body and looked small when he was sitting down....
especially if next to me as I have a long body and very short legs...
he was often "picked on" as a target for snide remarks about colour...
until he stood up...
he was close to seven foot...
he'd unfold, deliberately slowly, from his seat, walk over and do the Charlie Williams "So you think I coloured" routine whilst towering over them...
he regularly got a round of applause at the end!!
He usually got a swift, but sincere, apology too!!


Like Heuchera at the front of the second pic... and the colour of that very dark blue iris... nice colour schemes.

The Beaver said...

Wow, that sambucus looks great.

GaynorB said...

I love your banner pic. Is it new or have i just not noticed it before?

Simon said...

Gaynor - it's been up since early March. You were on holiday here (or any other excuse you care to use) so weren't expected to notice.

One thing Susan didn't mention was black water - most of the ponds had black water last year, very trendy and mysterioso

Aussie in France said...

Oh good, we can go on Saturday. Tell me, which is the sambucus?

Susan said...

Fraussie: This is last year's garden. We haven't seen it yet this year. The sambucus is the small tree with the flat white flowerheads.

the fly in the web said...

I liked that acid splash of the lady's mantle.

Susan said...

Fly: I think the acid green is a Euphorbia, but it works well, doesn't it.

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