Spiky Squares

During the month of March, Becky, Queen of the Square format, is back. This month she would like to see anything spiky, jagged, bristly, serrated, prickly or barbed in whatever interpretation you like. The only rule: it must be a square.
March Squares

Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus)

The sticky monkey-flower or orange bush monkey-flower, is a flowering plant that grows in a subshrub form, native to southwestern North America from southwestern Oregon south through most of California. Miwok Indians used the crushed leaves for sores and burns and used the flowers to create ornamental wreaths for children’s hair. The Pomo Indians used a decoction to treat bloodshot eyes caused by living in a smoky tepee.

Spiky Squares

During the month of March, Becky, Queen of the Square format, is back. This month she would like to see anything spiky, jagged, bristly, serrated, prickly or barbed in whatever interpretation you like. The only rule: it must be a square.
March Squares

Bristly comb of the lovely roul-roul partridge

The Eden Project

The Eden Project in Cornwall is an educational charity and social enterprise, creates gardens, exhibitions, events and experiences and projects that explore how people work together with nature to change things for the better. Two vast biomes housing wild landscapes, crops and stories from the Rainforest and Mediterranean regions act as a backdrop to the outdoor biome and plants from the climate of the UK.

The Rainforest Biome contains the largest rainforest in captivity. Trek through the steamy jungle and get an amazing view from the Lookout, 50m above, discover how rainforests keep us alive and how we can help do the same for them.

The Mediterranean Biome has sights, scents and stories from the Mediterranean, South Africa and California. Visit wild landscapes and stroll through kitchen gardens – wild vines, age-old olives, cork forests and more.

Be warned though, it is expensive. £23.50 per adult on our recent visit (April 2013) and I personally think that is overpriced. It is very much tuned to education and school visits, not really for plantsmen (or women). If you are one of those then you might prefer going to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, RHS Rosemoor or one of the many NT or private  beautiful gardens in Cornwall.

Your choice.