Monday, 12 December 2011

Callicarpa in the spotlight

This time last year I was seriously thinking of getting rid of my Callicarpa bush/tree altogether. It had put on a rather lacklustre performance in the berry department, and the branches just seemed straggly and uninteresting. In the end, I compromised. I cut away large portions of the bush (being charitable, I think this could be described as "hard pruning") and gave it a second chance. What a good job I did! This year it has been really spectacular, producing a huge mass of purple berries, which show up really well now that the leaves have fallen.


The berries are even more stunning in close-up:


And the twigs are already beginning to show signs of new growth, ready for next year:


Looks as if the hard pruning has restored the vigour of this plant in no uncertain terms!

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P.S. Nothing to do with Callicarpa, but continuing the poached egg theme from yesterday... Some people obviously have trouble poaching eggs. I suggest you acquire a set of Fusionbrands "Poachpods". You'll never again suffer from the wandering whites! Highly recommended. (Google the term "poachpod" if you need more info.)

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14 comments:

  1. Anonymous12 December 2011 at 17:45

    The Callicarpa is truly stunning, I'm glad you gave it a second chance.

    Regarding the poach pods, there is a poach pod lifter too so that you can spend even more money...

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  2. Sue Garrett12 December 2011 at 18:39

    It certainly is a spectacular sight. It will be interesting to see what it does next year.

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  3. takaeko12 December 2011 at 19:01

    Your Callicarpa berries are so beautiful that the color can make me wonder as if the color were not natural!
    I believe your Callicarpa thanks you for giving the second chance.

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  4. Ali12 December 2011 at 20:27

    Mark, poachpods are cheating. If you aren't swirling simmering water with a hint of vinegar, then you aren't poaching an egg :p

    Your purple berry bush is just gorgeous... presumably you can't eat them?

    ps your spinach and egg on toast hit the spot yesterday... what's for brekkie today then?

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  5. Mark Willis12 December 2011 at 20:35

    Ali; Why make life difficult for yourself? I love technology when it WORKS. The poachpods fit into this category.
    Re Callicarpa - no , not edible for humans. The Blackbirds like them though.

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  6. Shaheen12 December 2011 at 20:52

    Now that is what I call spectacular. Your purple mauve berries put the red ones to shame. These are truly stunning, thank you for sharing, I have never seen them before.

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  7. Neesie12 December 2011 at 21:59

    Wow...thank goodness for second chances I say eh?

    They are stunning berries. Like jewels!

    I think the blackbirds in your neck of the woods, will be packing on the pounds this winter {but then who isn't?} ;D

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  8. Erin13 December 2011 at 00:44

    Your Beauty Berry gives me hope for next year!!

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  9. Unknown13 December 2011 at 02:17

    Beautiful berries...too bad they're not edible for human..& i'm falling in love with those poachpods already...haha..

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  10. Jo13 December 2011 at 10:33

    The Callicarpa is spectacular, the berries are stunning. What a good job it got a reprieve. I think you're the king of kitchen gadgets.

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  11. Plummy Mummy13 December 2011 at 10:53

    Oh My Purple Goodness...those are gorgeous. I pruned mine but it hasn't grown so well but ours is pot bound so that might explain it. The cool thing is that the birds only eat the purple berries out of desperation so they are likely to last longer.

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  12. Malay-Kadazan girl13 December 2011 at 10:57

    Stunning. A good natural Christmas tree with purple berries.

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  13. David13 December 2011 at 12:10

    Berry impressive! - would be a nice addition to a wreath. How long do they hold their color?

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  14. Jeannine14 December 2011 at 04:50

    Never heard of this plant but it is stunning. Love it.

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