Day 91: gorse

Daily details from the garden to bring you inspiration throughout the year

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Gorse (Ulex europeaus) is possibly one of the most useful plants you’ll ever meet. This spiny evergreen member of the pea family has been used to make besom brooms and walking sticks, for fuel, livestock fodder, and as an indicator for the appropriate time for a smooch (when it’s in flower - most of the year, thankfully). This past week, roadsides and scrubbier parts of the country have burst into spring with billowing clouds of yellow flowers which, thankfully, smell rather more appealing than their egg-yolk hue might suggest – a mix of vanilla, coconut with a slight citrus top note. Sniff from a sensible distance to avoid spiked nostrils.


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Hello! I’m Andrew, gardener, writer, photographer, and owner of a too-loud laugh, and I’m so pleased you’ve found your way to Gardens, weeds & words. You can read a more in-depth profile of me on the About page, or by clicking this image.

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