We visit the Rhododendron Park, which, according to their website, is the biggest in the world covering 46 hectares. Because the rhododendrons are flowering it is the perfect time to visit but it is other plants that attract my attention; the towering oaks, the pine trees and a garden bed of onion with the large spherical flower heads (Allium giganteum)—they have already appeared in street photos of field flowers— is like a purple river weaving between the beds of rhododendrons. The hortensia dances above me with branches like wings flourishing discs of white flowers. I’m surprised to learn that the hortensia is a hydrangea, (Hydrangea heteromalla?). I’m familiar with the compact bushes in the front gardens on my street in Stanmore not these flying trees.
