If you’re looking for a splash of late summer colour then you can’t go wrong with Acidanthera Murieliae (or Abyssinian Gladiolus) … unless, that is, like me, you carefully gathered last season’s bulbs from their pots, separated them (this year’s new and expanded total was between 40-50 bulbs), wrapped them individually, placed them in a box, stored them in a cool dark place … … and then forgot about them … even where I’d stored them! It was one of the big disappointments of the year. At the time of writing (September, when I should be enjoying their resplendent flowers), I still haven’t located them. Even though my garden talks to me, it kept schtum about this!

I have certainly missed them. The tall, slender, and graceful stems in arching ascent when many other summer flowers are in decline. The flowers, all grace and inclination, seemingly bowing to the fortunate onlooker.

Despite the setback, it’s another example of how gardening shapes and strengthens one’s resilience. I’m already looking forward to checking out any developments in the “peacock lily” world. I’ll certainly keep you posted.