I can't think of any of the more folksy names that some of you mention, but I've always found that the name lamb's ear was fairly evocative.
Americans I find, and by that I probably mean gardening journalists and authors, and even then I need to apologise in advance, avoid latin names like the plague. They even seem to invent a new one on the spot.
Indian bean tree to me suggest Asia. but I gather that it is Catalpa and comes from native American Indians. All a bit confusing to some of us Brits.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
The American fear of Latin names is rife on Reddit too. I think the horticultural market over there relies on fads more than it does here so plants are given funky names to appeal to trendy 'plant moms'.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I don't mind learning the Latin names. It's more precise since many common names refer to more than one plant, and many plants have more than one common name. Still, though, I use common names in conversation. Why ask for a viola wittrockiana when you want a pansy?
Nuns' thighs. As my mum calls damson plums 😂. Scientific names are essential. Just imagine going to the garden centre and ask for a tree of nuns' thighs.
I've always said goosegrass, only heard of sticky willy because of this forum. Dicentra - Lady in the Bath. Poached egg plant - can't remember the Latin name. Lunaria, Honesty, is the Pope's money in French. Nicandra - Shoo Fly plant Lady's Smock, Cardamine pratensis or cuckoo flower.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Cowslips were always called 'cuckoo' - to my French family, anyway. I have very happy memories of collecting armful in their fields for Easter day, as a small child. Ah, the distinct French scent of chocolate chickens and chocolate seashells. Cowslips in some areas of the UK are called peggles. Peggle wine is supposed to be lovely.
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Indian bean tree to me suggest Asia. but I gather that it is Catalpa and comes from native American Indians. All a bit confusing to some of us Brits.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Scientific names are essential. Just imagine going to the garden centre and ask for a tree of nuns' thighs.
Luxembourg
Dicentra - Lady in the Bath.
Poached egg plant - can't remember the Latin name.
Lunaria, Honesty, is the Pope's money in French.
Nicandra - Shoo Fly plant
Lady's Smock, Cardamine pratensis or cuckoo flower.