Sunday 5 October 2008

Ring-a-ring o'Rosies, A Pocket full of Posies

Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of posies"
Ashes, Ashes"We all fall down!

Ring-a-Ring o'Rosies
A Pocket full of Posies"
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!"We all fall Down!



Cecil Brunner Rose, grows as a standard here. The gentle pink flowers perfume the garden with their warm,evocative scent remaining you of happy summer days.

Click on pictures to see more details.



Ring Around the Rosy Rhyme
Origins of "Ring around the rosy" in English History
Connections to the Bubonic Plague (Black Death)?The words to the Ring around the rosy children's ring game have their origin in English history . The historical period dates back to the Great Plague of London in 1665 (bubonic plague) or even before when the first outbreak of the Plague hit England in the 1300's. The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin (Ring around the rosy). Pockets and pouches were filled with sweet smelling herbs ( or posies) which were carried due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells. The term "Ashes Ashes" refers to the cremation of the dead bodies! The death rate was over 60% and the plague was only halted by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats which carried the disease which was transmitting via water sources. The English version of "Ring around the rosy" replaces Ashes with (A-tishoo, A-tishoo) as violent sneezing was another symptom of the disease.

We recommend the following site for comprehensive information regarding the Bubonic Plague.http://www.william-shakespeare.info/bubonic-black-plague-elizabethan-era.htm

Views of the Sceptics.


The connection between this Rhyme was made by James Leasor in 1961 in his non-fiction book ' The Plague and the Fire. Some people are sceptical of the plague interpretations of this rhyme, many stating that words in the rhyme cannot be found in Middle English. The sceptics must be referring to the later version of the rhyme, possibly with American origins, the English version is "Ring a ring o' rosies" using the Middle English "o" as a shortening of the word "of". The written word " posies" is first mentioned in a poem called 'Prothalamion or A Spousal Verse' by Edmund Spenser (1552-1599). We believe that this addresses the views of the sceptics.



Gladiolus undulatus from South Africa. Growing in freefall together with St.Johns wort and a Geranium.




The beautiful colourful leaves of a Canna are emerging after the cold of winter has gone.


Pickings for a posy...


Strange birds have made an appearance in my garden!





Ah, Birds of Paradise; I thought they looked familiar!




Beautiful Iris; here today, gone tomorrow...



Peruvian Morning-glory I have trained to grow as a standard.



The vegetable gardener has been busy too; The beans are coming along well; I am looking forward to a Salad Nicoise!
He grows the potatoes (Kipfler and Desiree at the moment) in pots; because they get quickly wet feet in our climate and collapse. This way they grow well. When the potatoes are ready to harvest all is tipped out and the soil replaced for a fresh crop. The old soil is left to rest and mixed with fresh soil and compost to be used with other crop; Rotation.


African Daisies are great from spring into summer.


Lotus leaves with the sky reflecting in the water.

Hibiscus rosa sinensis Cuban variety.

Believe it or not:
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men: Plato



Organic tip of the week; Garlic;
The humble Garlic is a must have ingredient in the kitchen!

Allium sativum commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion family Alliaceae. Its close relatives include the onion, the shallot, the leek and the chive. Garlic has been used throughout recorded history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor that mellows and sweetens considerably with cooking. A bulb of garlic, the most commonly used part of the plant, is divided into numerous fleshy sections called cloves. The cloves are used as seed, for consumption (raw or cooked), and for medicinal purposes. The leaves, stems (scape) and flowers (bulbils) on the head (spathe) are also edible and most often consumed while immature and still tender. The papery, protective layers of 'skin' over various parts of the plant and the roots attached to the bulb are the only parts not considered palatable.

Cultivation
Garlic is easy to grow and can be grown year-round in mild climates. In cold climates, cloves can be planted in the ground about six weeks before the soil freezes, and harvested in late spring. Garlic plants are not attacked by pests. They can suffer from pink root, a disease that stunts the roots and turns them pink or red. Garlic plants can be grown close together, leaving enough room for the bulbs to mature, and are easily grown in containers of sufficient depth.purposes. The leaves, stems (scape) and flowers (bulbils) on the head (spathe) are also edible and most often consumed while immature and still tender. The papery, protective layers of 'skin' over various parts of the plant and the roots attached to the bulb are the only parts not considered palatable.

Culinary uses:
Garlic is widely used around the world for its pungent flavor, as a seasoning or condiment. It is a fundamental component in many or most dishes of various regions including Eastern Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, the Middle-East, Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and parts of South and Central America. The flavour varies in intensity and aroma with cooking methods. It is often paired with onion, tomato, or ginger. The parchment-like skin is much like the skin of an onion, and is typically removed before using in raw or cooked form. An alternative is to cut the top off the bulb, coat cloves of garlic by dribbling olive oil (or other oil based seasoning) over them and roast them in the oven. The garlic softens and can be extracted from the cloves by squeezing the (root) end of the bulb or individually by squeezing one end of the clove.
In some cuisine, the young bulbs are pickled for 3–6 weeks in a mixture of sugar, salt and spices. In
Eastern Europe the shoots are pickled and eaten as an appetizer.
Immature scapes are tender and edible. They are also known as 'garlic spears', 'stems', or 'tops'. Scapes generally have a milder taste than cloves. They are often used in
stir frying or prepared like asparagus. Garlic leaves are a popular vegetable in many parts of Asia. The leaves are cut, cleaned and then stir-fried with eggs, meat, or vegetables.
Mixing garlic with eggs and olive oil produces
aioli>.

If you like to know more about Garlic please go to http://wikipedia.com

Copyright T.S. 08

Photos T.S. 08

33 comments:

Gill - That British Woman said...

lots of info and some lovely photos,

Gill in Canada

Jules said...

Your blog is always filled with wonderful photos and interesting information - what a delight!!!

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Gill, thank you for stopping by and your kind comment.

Thank you Jules for your interest.

Webradio said...

Hello Titiana !
Ouf : long, but pretty text for very beautiful photos...
Great shots and great post !
See You later.

Sandra said...

So many wonderful pictures - I don't know whom I like better, and post about garlic is excellent! I couldn't imagine my kitchen without it.

Anonymous said...

Love the Bird of Paradise, Geraniums, beans, potatoes, and of course all the usual fascinating information. Great post!

Pia K said...

Love that pink rosa on top, such a beauty, scented old fashion roses are the best!

I think I spot a weed dog with the pretty daisies too, I'd love to see more of him/her...;)

And mmm, garlic is such a lovely thing, with mushrooms and all sorts of greens really. There's one restaurant in Stockholm that put garlic in everything, even the desserts, I wrote about it here
http://piaks.blogspot.com/2007/06/garlic-lovers-with-regurgitating-touch.html
It's a great place to go if you want to avoid vampires - and of course for a nice meal out:)

Fuchsienrot said...

Hallo Titania,
das ist ein sehr informativer Post. Ich finde den Zusammenhang zwischen dem Kinderreim und der Pest sehr interessant. Das habe ich noch nie gehört.
Wundervolle Fotos zeigst du. Die Strelitzie ist ja was ganz besonderes!
LG
Angelika

Tira said...

Tatiana-that nursery rhyme took me straight back to my days in kindergarten! And also to when I was older and my father explain the real, awful reference. But old European children's stories were full of horrible twists, violence, death and and evil folks as cautionary tales-look at the Grimm brothers, Cinderellla, Alice in Wonderland etc. I laugh when I compare them to the totally "whitewashed" American style children's stories, Barney etc.
I love the canna leaves and perfect looking bird of paradise.

Gail said...

Really lovely photos of your garden...here we are getting ready for autumn~~~ it's still hot in Nashville~~~~ and you are just beginning spring! Have a wonderful week!

Gail
clay and limestone

Unknown said...

Always love to read all that fascinating information you provide. Amazed to see potatoes grown in so many pots too. but your flowers take my breath away...the morning glory, iris, hibiscus are so pretty!

Helga said...

Oh,was Du uns hier wieder zeigst. Bei uns wird gerade der Garten für den Winter fertig gemacht. da ist nicht mehr viel von Blüten zu sehen.
L.G.
Helga

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

webradio; bonjour,oui je sais; ouf...mercie bien pour ta visit.

Sandra; it is good of you to hop over from Croatia; Yes, Garlic is the one; I could not imagine mine either without it.

Thank you Michelle for stopping by and leaving me a kind message.

Thank you Pia, I will have a look at that post. I will try and get Billy to pose for one of my next blogs.

Angelika' ich danke dir fuer deinen Besuch. Ja, es geht mir auch so, mit bloggen findet man immer wieder etwas neues und interessantes.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Yes, Nicole; you are right. I was always an avid reader. As a child I "read" all the fairy tales and sagas, as gruesome as the outcome was for the villain I was comfortable with that. Well, times have changed! But many people are still very cruel in many aspects of life.

Thank you Gail, the same to you.

Thank you Kanak, always appreciate your kind comments.

Liebe Helga,ich danke dir fuer deinen Besuch. Ueber den Winter musst du halt zu mir in den Blumengarten kommen.

Barbara said...

Während du im zunehmenden Blütenmeer schwelgen kannst, sind hier nur noch vereinzelt solche zu finden. Aber eine Cecile Brunner hat es auch noch bei uns am Rosenpavillon :-) !! Interessant was du zum "Kinderreim" zu erzählen weisst, wäre sicher auch spannend Hintergrundinformationen zu unseren eigenen alten Kinderversen zu haben. Knoblauch, ein wunderbar "riechendes" Thema...ich könnte mir die Küche nicht vorstellen ohne dieses Gewürz! Jetzt kann man dann bald auch wieder die Strelitzien hier im Blumenladen kaufen (im Sommer gibt es sie nicht!). Unsere Kinder waren eine Zeitlang, nachdem sie diese Pflanze auf den Kanaren sahen, ganz vernarrt in sie, da man immer neue "Vögel" (ihr Ausspruch) herausziehen konnte.
Einen guten Wochenbeginn und liebe Grüsse, Barbara

Maria said...

Ein zauberhafter Garten! Also ich hätte auch nichts dagegen, im Winter hin und wieder bei dir im Garten vorbeizuschauen, wenn es bei uns stürmt und schneit :)
Ich kann ja dann Eisblumen mitbringen!

Barbarapc said...

So cool to see what the bird of paradise looks like when it's done - and the cannas - we're just hauling ours in and storing them for the winter - great job with the standard - have only seen that done here at the botanical garden & at nurseries - potatoes in pots - never would have considered this. Terrific!

HaBseligkeiten said...

....liebe Herbstgrüße sendet Dir, Heidi

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog again. How interesting to learn of the history of this children's song. Your photos are beautiful and most of all I envy you living in the part of the world where summer is just starting. Do you mind if link your blog? Greetings from Germany, Andrea

Anonymous said...

I remember doing the history of Ring a Ring of Roses at school and it's stuck with me all these years! I've just dragged my pot of Birds of Paradise into the greenhouse for protection. I agree that even when dead the flowers still look like bedraggled birds. I must say your garden is looking very summery at the moment.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Liebe Barbara; ich danke dir fuer das Bsuechli. Ich liebe diese Rose weil sie ihren warmen Duft so grosszuegig verstroemt. Das erinnert mich an einen Schweizer Sommer! Ja, nur schon die Schweizer Sagen habe ja meistens einen Hintergrund und wahrscheinlich auch andere Kinderspiele und Maerchen. Die Strelizien sind sehr schoen in der Vase aber sicher teuer zum Kaufen.
Liebe Gruesse und ich wuensche dir das gleiche.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Maria, es ist immer schoen wenn du hereinschaust mit oder ohne Eisblumen. Komm mal vorbei wenn es stuermt und schneit; ich schau bei dir rein wenn ich Lust auf einen schoenen und interessanten Stadtspaziergang habe. Have a nice week!

barbarapc, thank you for stopping by; The Cecil Brunner is full of blooms and has a huge canopy; I have to give it a good haircut after the flowers are finished.
Where I live it is not really potato country; the coast is not suited and we have heavy clay soil.
The pots are a good solution.

Thank you Andrea; yes, please link my blog I will do the same with yours. I had it ones on my blog list but with change I must have lost the link. Anyway this can be easily solved. Have a good week.

Hi easygardener; thank you for your comment. Your are right they look like bedraggled birds nearly a bit pathetic after all this glory to end up like this! Inside it was 27 C yesterday so summer is on its way!

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Titania, lovely post and I have enjoyed visiting your blog immensely. Thank you for popping by mine and leaving the nice comment. I would be honored for you to add me to your list. Thank you, and if it's okay I will do the same and add you to mine.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Denise, thank you, yes please, I would like that.

vincibene said...

Wonderful flowerpictures!

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Titania, forgot to thank you for naming the flower in my collection, the dwarf Poinciana, Caesalpinia Pulcherima. Always am happy when one can be identified I didn’t know about and I appreciate you letting me know.

Katarina said...

Titania, I can see that summer is well on its way in your ggarden. Your pictures are beautiful and soothing, now that we are entering into the dark season.
Katarina

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Katarina; thank you so much for your comment. Yes, the temps are getting higher; officially summer starts on the 1. of December.

chaiselongue said...

Lovely beans - enjoy your salad nicoise! And garlic - I couldn't live without it. I do believe it's a very health-giving plant. Thanks for all the information and photos.

HappyMouffetard said...

Lovely photos. I particularly like the Gladiolus, and the Bird of Paradise plant is fantastic!

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

chaiselongue;
happymouffetard;
Thank you both for stopping by I do appreciate your comments.

Hort Log said...

"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men: Plato"
Man this truly is a wakeup call....hope enough people back home get to know this.

BTW do you know David Liddle from Qlds? He has one of the biggest Hoya collection in the world.

Hort Log said...

and a good job on the Peruvian Morning-glory - its a non-vining type I suppose.