Thursday, March 18, 2021

Polysomething


The two Polyanthus plants I bought last spring have bloomed again. I put one on the front porch with two bright primroses (above) and the other's on the back patio. A squirrel tore one of them limb from limb (leaf from leaf?) last year but fortunately it has bounced back.

I can never remember the name Polyanthus. I always want to call them Polycanthus (which is a type of starfish) or Polycarpus (who was apparently a Byzantine king, but I suspect I'm thinking more of Podocarpus, which is a shrub).

I also tend to mix up Crocosmia, Calendula and Coreopsis. And don't even get me started on Acanthus vs. Agapanthus.

Sometimes I think I'm turning into my mother, who has largely lost her language abilities late in life. Particularly with the names of plants and birds, which used to come to me much more easily than they do now. I'll start to tell Dave about one of the plants and I'll stand there, gesturing futilely, mumbling, "You know, the one in the pot. The freeze almost killed it. It starts with a C. It has pink flowers."

"Cyclamen?" he'll say.

"YES!"


Speaking of plant names, I asked the other day about the identity of a plant I saw on the Heath. Following tips from helpful commenters, I've concluded it's something called butterbur, which is related to (or maybe even a type of) coltsfoot. The family name is Petasites. Just in case you're wondering whether that question ever got resolved.

The Russians have either finished most of their renovating or they've paused it during the work week. It's been pretty quiet up there, at least when we're home. (Of course we're gone most of the day, so there is that.) Although I've been complaining here about the noise, I have to give them some credit -- they removed the debris from in front of the house pretty quickly. We no longer have a toilet sitting out there.

(Bottom photo: Buddha on our bedroom mantelpiece, with a fish from Ghana, beads from Singapore and a ring from Morocco.)

43 comments:

e said...

Quite a collection on your mantle...

Frances said...

Your plant is a Primula Auricula. I have never actually owned one but they are beautiful, and come in many different styles/colours. They are often displayed en masse in a " plant theatre". (Usually in terracotta pots )
Yesterday morning while chatting to a dog walking pal, I couldn't get 2 different words to come to me ...only about 2 sentences apart. I felt such an idiot!

crafty cat corner said...

I don't worry about forgetting things Steve, I've been having 'senior' moments all of my life.
Briony
x

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Having the Russian toilet out there could have been useful to you. If Dave was in the bathroom and you got desperate, it would have been a good solution. Are Russian toilets red?

Anonymous said...

In the darkness I once put a toilet pan and cistern in the local postage stamp sized park after some home renovations. They were gone the next morning.

I always forget the name cyclamen. We were looking at them today and I saw the name. But it is a bit too early here for them in my opinion. Mind, while I can't remember the name of that plant, I can remember the botanical names of many plants. Weird.

Jennifer said...

Pretty flowers, whatever they're called! I love your Buddha tableau!

Ursula said...

I am not trying to be funny here (unlike YP who, generally, tries very hard): Don't you and your neighbours don't speak? I find knocking at someone's door and asking them for a favour breaks the ice in zero time. People like to be useful. Before you know it you know their whole life story, are handed (as in my case) at short notice their assorted offspring for a "few" minutes, make that nine to five (the joys of working from home - everyone thinks you have all the time in the world). All good.

U

Elle Clancy said...

You have to read a recent Atlantic article by Ellen Cushing. Speaks to all of our brains during this pandemic. She calls it the "fog of forgetting." And I always love your flowers.

Ms. Moon said...

I can't remember anything these days. It's ridiculous.
I love your little travels altar.

Anonymous said...

This post reminds me of a poem I wrote years ago that began "I forgot the names of flowers to remember the names of clouds..." With spring starting to bloom and all the pretty flowers starting to bud, Roger and I walk around the yard wondering out loud, "What is that flower? Do you remember?"

Red said...

Yes some names and terms are not at the tip of your tongue...normal, but not threatening. I can tell you from experience. I have trouble remembering book titles.

Sharon said...

That polysomething plant has cute little flowers on it. You have a much better plant vocabulary than I do. If it weren't for signs at the garden, I wouldn't know half the plants I post.

Ellen D. said...

I really do not know the names of the plants growing in my yard. I would have to google all of the words you mentioned - they sound like Latin but I do not know their meanings.
I love your display in your bedroom, collected from travels you have made. I have travel items in my bedroom and they always bring back sweet memories.

The Bug said...

I've always had trouble remembering things, but I think it's because I don't try very hard. I just assume I'll forget, so if it's something important I put it in my phone. That lets me off the hook nicely. Ha!

Catalyst said...

I love the display on your mantel and the wall.

Margaret said...

I love cyclamen! Isn't that some kind of primrose? I have a few of them around too.

Allison said...

I spend half my time giving an operational definitions of the word I can't remember. I think the best one was "the thing that cuts the grass."

Sarah said...

I like the mantel piece display and the way the light is shining.
I have trouble remembering words often, and I am glad that someone knew it was butterbur. I knew that but have been trying to remember the name since I saw your picture.

Beth Reed said...

I don't even try to remember the names of plants anymore and that sort of saddens me but on the other hand I am happy just to see them blooming either in real life or photos.
I really love the shelf and how you have little bits of things that you love so that you can see them every day.
I am in Reno now. Just settling in and resting as much as possible. I am going thru a sleepless night cycle since leaving the hospital. My doctor said today that it will take up to a full 30 to 90 days just to get back to my base level of energy and sleep
patterns.

Moving with Mitchell said...

No photos of the toilet sitting in front of the house? Also, I'm disappointed (no I'm not) you didn't come up with a creative use for it. Beautiful flowers. I love the collection on your mantelpiece, as well as the wall art.

Steve Reed said...

As Dave says, we have a lot of tchotchkes! Though I don't think we have nearly as many as some people...

Steve Reed said...

I think a polyanthus is actually slightly different from an auricula, but I'm no expert. They're all a type of primula. The auriculas, I believe, typically have thicker leaves and are alpine plants...? The flowers are very similar, though.

Steve Reed said...

Ha! Well, that's comforting. This could indeed be life as usual!

Steve Reed said...

Surprisingly no, and they don't have Putin's portrait on them either! Frankly I was disappointed.

Steve Reed said...

Oh, you're one of those people who dumps things in parks in the dead of night?! Shame on you, Andrew! For some reason, I always forget the name cyclamen too -- it's such an odd word.

Steve Reed said...

Thanks! I got that Buddha in Sag Harbor, NY, when I was visiting a friend there many years ago.

Steve Reed said...

Oh yes, we speak, although no more than a hello when we pass or occasional consultations about the property. I don't have anything against them but they're not friends. Typical big-city neighbor situation!

Steve Reed said...

I will find that article! I am DEFINITELY experiencing the fog! LOL

Steve Reed said...

We have several altars of sorts, although I guess this is the only one featuring a Buddha.

Steve Reed said...

I remember that poem! I think you posted it not too long ago? Or maybe you linked back to it in a newer post.

Steve Reed said...

The fashion now seems to be for one-word titles, particularly in TV shows, and I get them all mixed up.

Steve Reed said...

Aren't they cute? I was really taken with them. I got started learning the names of plants when I was really little and they've always stuck with me. (Until now!)

Steve Reed said...

Those are the Latin names, yes. You'd probably know the flowers if you saw them! We usually try to pick up one simple souvenir when we go on a trip.

Steve Reed said...

There have been articles about how the constant and easy access to electronic information is weakening our memories. Case in point! LOL

Steve Reed said...

Thanks! The light hits it in a really nice way in the afternoons.

Steve Reed said...

Yes, polyanthus is a type of primrose. As Frances said above, there are also auriculas, which are very similar (if not the same).

Steve Reed said...

Ha! Yeah, that sounds like me, too.

Steve Reed said...

The light hits that wall in a really nice way at this time of year. Glad I could clear up butterbur! Apparently it's an invasive species in some areas.

Steve Reed said...

Glad you're in Reno, Beth! Take care of yourself and let us know how you're doing on your blog. Maybe your approach to plant names is the best one. LOL

Steve Reed said...

Ha! You mean like this:
https://shadowsteve.blogspot.com/2012/09/wacky-new-zealand.html

Moving with Mitchell said...

What a GREAT post! Thanks for taking me back there. As for the toilets, YOU would come up with something so much better.

ellen abbott said...

there are some plants I have a really hard time calling up the name like bulbine (which btw did not survive the freeze). yesterday I could not have told you it's name. and the porterweed. I have a hard time remembering that one too. and it's not just plants.

and not tchotchkes...memories, touchstones, evidence, reverence.

Janie Junebug said...

A house in the hood underwent remodeling recently. For a week, two toilets were in the front yard. One for me and one for a friend. Spelling has always come easily to me, but I'm losing my abilities.

Love,
Janie