Over the years I have grown leeks, onions, shallots, alliums and chives but it is only recently that I have started to cultivate another member of that bulbous and pungent family. Like so many things, it started with Gardener’s World on the BBC and a demonstration of how to grow this nowadays ubiquitous kitchen necessity:Continue reading “Growing garlic”
Author Archives: David Graham Clark
Garden exotica
I readily admit that I am no plantsman. I’m simply an untutored gardener who frequently struggles to remember Latin names, or even many of the common ones. In general my approach to the garden is to create an emotional effect that stirs the spirit. I’m interested in the full symphony rather more than its constituentContinue reading “Garden exotica”
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 5: Spring Fling
Nithsdale is vibrant with Spring at its full height. Andrew keeps up his interest in the local art robbery, though the police investigation appears to have stalled. Anne-Marie and her band have huge success at an arts festival concert, but she upsets Caitlin and her own mother by making plans to spend a weekend withContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 5: Spring Fling”
Meconopsis magic
The Himalayan Blue Poppy, Meconopsis, has a special place in my gardening affections. In years past I sometimes bought them at the garden centre. Alive, vigorous and ready to flower at the time of purchase, in the autumn they would disappear into the ground, never to return. In retrospect I think they were planted inContinue reading “Meconopsis magic”
The Infinity Pool
The pool sits high above the loch. Find the correct vantage point and the two waters merge into one. On the far side, pebbly beaches, scrubby woodland, and low hills. Above them, long wisps of white cirrus that streak the cobalt blue sky. It’s a luminous May afternoon in Argyll and the holiday weekend isContinue reading “The Infinity Pool”
The Camassia: from Pacific North West to Scottish South West
As a student of anthropology in the early 1970s, I still remember some classes we had on the phenomenon known as Potlatch. Part of the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific North West, it relates to large gatherings in which alongside story telling and feasting, a special emphasis is placed on the conspicuousContinue reading “The Camassia: from Pacific North West to Scottish South West”
What’s in a place-name? An interview with Colin Mackenzie
This latest interview in my series about creative and inspiring people living in Dumfries and Galloway, is someone I have never met. Indeed, when I contacted him earlier this year, he informed me that he was about to leave his home region and relocate to Orkney. So I’m looking forward to meeting with him inContinue reading “What’s in a place-name? An interview with Colin Mackenzie”
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 4: The Devil’s Stone
Andrew is drawn further into the mystery of the art robbery. He receives a visit from Detective Constable Logan Harris of CID, warning him of the dangers of amateur sleuthing, but undeterred, continues with his enquiries. Meanwhile Anne-Marie, busy with her new composition and a prestigious upcoming concert, thinks she has spotted the perps andContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 4: The Devil’s Stone”
The epimedium – understated elegance for all seasons
One of the hallmarks of my plant choosing habits is an attraction to anything that has what I consider to be an ‘old fashioned’ look about it. I shy away from sappy, gaudy overly hybridized and commercially tampered with plants of all kinds. By contrast I am drawn to things that look like they haveContinue reading “The epimedium – understated elegance for all seasons”
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 3: Tracks and Trains
Michael introduces Andrew to some of the environmental issues affecting the local area. Out on the nearby hill tops, Michael also shares some of his personal problems. Anne-Marie presses on with her special new composition, to be called Calendarium, and the long awaited re-opening of Kirkgate railway station takes place on the 15th of March.Continue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 3: Tracks and Trains”
Quotidian 