Last week I made mention of those few heat-filled days bringing on early summer blooms. Well now, that much-needed (though oh too brief) rainfall, has caused new and thrilling buds to appear. It’s in one particular part of the garden that I have these precious fragrant specimens growing, as they all need to be protected from the frost. For me, they speak of summer days in Sydney (my own childhood stamping ground)….while much of the garden here is inspired by our joint travels in other climes.
How spectacular are the buds of the Burmese honeysuckle? Long, thin, deep purple spines thrust skywards, full of promise, against the rough, sandstone wall of the house.
The buds fade as they swell, to a burnt pink; open white, and become more yellow with each passing day, til they drop to the ground a deep, honeycomb yellow. As to the fragrance….dreamy…..honestly.
In a week or so, the vine will be covered in dangling golden flowers, I’ll be able to fling open the doors to the gallery and the scent will waft through the house on the afternoon breeze.