Life in Colour

Bonus Purple.

“Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, that liberal shepards give a grosser name, but which cold maids do Dead Men’s Fingers call”

Shakespeare, Hamlet

The wild ‘Early Purple Orchid’ (Orchis mascula) often arrives with the bluebells and its classic colour is magenta – a reddish purple – however occasionally white and pale pink flower spikes can be found. The leaves are are shiny with dark purple blotches.

In the quote above, the Early Purple Orchid is the “long purple” of Ophelia’s garland, as referred to by Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Have You any purples In Your neighbourhood?

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

44 thoughts on “Life in Colour”

  1. I get so excited to see any orchid, purple or otherwise. We we spoilt in France, where there were dozens of varieties in profusion. Now it’s a rare and wonderful pleasure.

    1. I have never really been into orchids (though my ex was very keen on them in South Africa) but I do enjoy coming across these little wild ones in the English countryside.

  2. I think I may have seen these, but can’t be sure. I will have some purple for you in the next week or so though, Jude 🙂 🙂

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  4. What wonderful little orchids….the las time I saw any was in Romania more than a decade ago….I think I have an image somewhere

    1. I see the pyramidal orchids a lot in the summer, but never noticed this before. Be lovely to see them en masse.

      1. We’re still on the road and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. I’ve been thinking about July squares and taking heaps of photos in the hope I can make them fit the theme. 😀🤞

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