Gnarled Ginkgo

I don't know what got into me today, but I actually did some housework. Couldn't bear to think of all the dust settling everywhere. Bathroom and kitchen first, vacuuming the floors and then steam cleaning them. Len was surprised to see how effective steam cleaning is. I even pushed the vacuum cleaner into the bedroom and tackled the rugs. My back began to ache.

At 3 pm we all set off for Whatton Gardens just off the A6. It's a very tranquil place with a fantastic long border and super views over the Trent Valley and south to Charnwood Forest. Some of the trees are giants and must have been planted at least 100 years ago.

The first Lord Crawshaw bought the estate in 1870. He was very influenced by China. The gardens boast statues in the style of the Terracotta Army in a part of the garden where maples are planted. Inside the house, there are bronze sculptures in Chinese style. And then there are the Ginkgo trees. This one, which has a very gnarled, twisted trunk, and elsewhere younger plants.

I thought it suited a black and white treatment to draw out the shape and texture.

We sat in the courtyard afterwards to enjoy a coffee from the van. We also identified a plant we'd like to have in the garden, Colutea x. media, Copper Beauty, also known as Bladder Senna. I'm wondering if that refers to a property of the plant.