Blood Moon in the Gunnera Garden 27 Sept 2015

The 'blood moon' from the Gunnera Garden 27 Sept 2015

We made an effort!  We set our alarm for 0245, woke up and saw the moon's eclipse forming. Stunning!  The eclipse continued and at 0325 the last image was taken.  The photos were taken on a simple Panasonic Lumix TZ60 camera - we were "chuffed" to see the results. Even tho' the gunnera was in total darkness! Then back to bed.

Beautiful start to the day but ...

Air frosts of the last two nights are beginning to take their toll and the leaves of the Gunnera are beginning to brown and crisp.

First signs ...

The Gunnera still looks great and we've even been able to chop off a lump to give to a friend as a cutting for him to grow on.  But there are first signs of deterioration.  A sharp air frost a couple of nights ago got one of the leaves and as you can see it has turned brown.

Here is the remnant of the 'cutting' operation.  The cutting, itself, weighed around 10 kilos! Its now gone to pastures new in the town of Leek.

And here is a short movie of the Autumnal Activity in the garden

What's that!?

Well, well.  What is that I see growing just left of the Gunnera?
Its the famous Moorlands Tulip Tree :)

The famous Tulip Tree September 2015

Actually its high-fired red earthenware, with two coloured glazes.  Made in The Staffordshire Moorlands, in Hartington, by The Rookes.  They have now retired so its a one-off!