Plant Badges Growing in Your Garden

[BoldHighlander]

I believe this is slightly incorrect. Heath, the common plant badge for Clan Donald is a member of the Heather family, but the plant you show is Common Heather. That doesn't stop me from wearing it though as it grows all over the city and it's close enough.

Depends on who you ask. I've seen Heath listed, and I've seen other sources (including Clan Donald & the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs) list Heather / Common Heather. The problem with the wikipedia source is it lists Heath as an Australian plant, which wouldn't make much sense if it was being used as a plant badge by Clan Donald back in the 17th or 16th century (for instance) in the Scottish Highlands.

Be that as it may, I hope to see more pictures posted here soon

[xman]

Depends on who you ask. I've seen Heath listed, and I've seen other sources (including Clan Donald) list Common Heather. The problem with the wikipedia source is it lists Heath as an Australian plant, which wouldn't make much sense if it was being used as a plant badge by Clan Donald back in the 17th or 16th century (for instance) in the Scottish Highlands.

Be that as it may, I hope to see more pictures posted here soon

Indeed, as do I.

[Edit] Interestingly I have discovered while reading further down the same link I cited in my previous post that common heath is taken to be heather. I was in error and am glad of it. I wore the heather today and will again tomorrow. In autumn I wear a fallen maple leaf. I'm an odd one that way, always putting flowers or leaves in my cap. I wrote a poem about it. As penance for my fault I shall share it here now. Out of season, but here it is.

Gather Leaves
In a time of cooling passion
And dipping sun
I gather leaves to me
Collecting ruby maple and ochre oak
Yellow yew and ashen ash
I gather leaves to me like new found friends
And old ones, comfortable and trustworthy
Holding chestnuts and acorns for security
I gather leaves to me
Those I can't embrace with my arms
I hold with my eyes
Some crimson and black
As they leave their burgundy host
Each leaf fall a note in the aria of autumn trees
Tumbling to the refrain
Relentless time beat out in tempo of decay
Umber and fading on the ground
Windswept and rainwashed away
But one more for my hat
I gather leaves to me.

[piperdbh]

I grow lots of rosemary, and if there are any Bruces here I can send you some of it.

[BoldHighlander]

I grow lots of rosemary, and if there are any Bruces here I can send you some of it.

Post some pictures if you get a chance

[BoldHighlander]

[Edit] Interestingly I have discovered while reading further down the same link I cited in my previous post that common heath is taken to be heather. I was in error and am glad of it.

Ach, no! No error attached, such things happen to us all

I wrote a poem about it. As penance for my fault I shall share it here now. Out of season, but here it is.

Gather Leaves
In a time of cooling passion
And dipping sun
I gather leaves to me
Collecting ruby maple and ochre oak
Yellow yew and ashen ash
I gather leaves to me like new found friends
And old ones, comfortable and trustworthy
Holding chestnuts and acorns for security
I gather leaves to me
Those I can't embrace with my arms
I hold with my eyes
Some crimson and black
As they leave their burgundy host
Each leaf fall a note in the aria of autumn trees
Tumbling to the refrain
Relentless time beat out in tempo of decay
Umber and fading on the ground
Windswept and rainwashed away
But one more for my hat
I gather leaves to me.

Bravo!
You have quite a way with words sir

[vmac3205]

The MacKenzie plant badge is holly. We have a very healthy tree with lots of red berries.

[Old Hippie]

The local environment doesn't favour the Hay mistletoe, but that's OK -- every Christmas it's for sale by the bale at every cash register in town. Or I can pick up the plastic stuff in the dime store...

I've occasionally given a sardonic thought to trying to find some plastic Poison Oak -- there must be some out there and it'd be a great little conversation-starter if one were inclined to stir the pot a little.

Fortunately the local environment doesn't favour that, either.

:ootd:

[Bugbear]

The local environment doesn't favour the Hay mistletoe, but that's OK -- every Christmas it's for sale by the bale at every cash register in town. Or I can pick up the plastic stuff in the dime store... ...

We've got mistletoe down here on a lot of our native trees, it eventually kills them, but I have no idea if it is the "correct" mistletoe.

And with that, I should probably stay out of this thread.

[NewEnglander]

I'm looking to find some white heather to put outside. Does anyone know if it'll do well in small containers?

[BoldHighlander]

I'm looking to find some white heather to put outside. Does anyone know if it'll do well in small containers?

Heather tends to spread 3 feet or more. The purple one I have is currently in a wooden box container with some other plants, but I will need to transplant it later this year.

You could start it in a small container, but I would think you'd have to eventually transplant it (I could be wrong).

I hope this helps.