Gunnera

…Giant Rhubarb!!

We had a day out in Harrogate….we parked up at RHS Harlow Carr….but we didn’t go in as intended as it was a ‘special event weekend’ and it was heaving!!!

So we walked up the hill to Valley Gardens for coffee ..and I photographed this amazing plant which is just beginning to sprout. I have since found out that as of December last year UK government classed it as an invasive species and sales and cultivation of it are banned. The EU has labelled it a ‘species of concern’. Existing plants have to be carefully managed (or destroyed) to prevent it spreading.

Added an extra close up shot of a spiky stem.

Walked down into town from there and had a wander round the shops…for lunch I had a rather lovely steak and Stilton pastie in one of the cafe.

Walked back up to Harlow Carr…4.5 miles covered for the day. Stopped at a supermarket on the way home…clocked up almost 14k steps….