FLOWERS - MARCH
During the month of March I have chosen the prompt of Flowers for my #12Ancestors in 12 months writing challenge.
I can’t remember whether my mother Ruby Florence Brandt nee Briggs was a great flower lover or not. But I do remember certain flowers that I always associate with her.
Mum would always tell me her favourite flower was the Australian Native Flannel flower. Mum never shared many memories, especially Family History memories. But I do remember her telling me that Flannel flowers grew around her home in Collaroy. This would have been in the late 1920s and 1930s era. I picture this flower growing abundantly in the wild in the fields surrounding her family home, Stanville, the Avenue, Collaroy. It would have been very different from the highrise, well populated suburb that it is today.
The delicate flower would have been prone to swaying in the sea breeze as their home was within walking distance to the beach and they would probably have had sea views also. I can imagine that the flannel flower was a family favourite with it’s woolly texture making it a tactile delight for the children.
I have tried my hand at growing flannel flowers but alas the climate of my area doesn’t lend itself to well drained sandy soils and a coastal climate!
Another firm memory for me is the tradition of my Dad presenting my Mum with a bunch of NSW Christmas Bush. I am not sure when this tradition started but it is something that I definitely remember well when I was the last child living with my parents after my sisters had married and left home. I love the memory of a vase full of Christmas Bush during the festive season.
Once again I have tried to capture this memory by growing it in my garden. But once again the climate doesn’t suit. My horticulture son has bought me numerous plants for Christmas presents over the years to plant and although they survive for a little while, none of them have grown into a flourishing bush enabling me to pick a large bunch.
It is interesting to note that as a teenager I lived for a time a couple of blocks away from my Mum's family home and never knew about it! Would I have relished visiting it if I had known or even would their house still have been there. Once again I will probably never know.
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| Flannel Flower |
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| NSW Christmas Bush |
