In praise of gorse

gorse
Originally uploaded by wherethewolvesare.

I always think that when you see gorse from a distance it looks so drab, even with the yellow flowers. My theory is it's because the foliage is so dense, all but the uppermost branches are in heavy shade and because there's just no light filtering through the foliage, as you'd get with most plants.

This makes gorse a plant best seen close up, to appreciate the delicate-looking but needle-sharp armoury and the number of bright, even zingy, greens that there are to see. In close proximity, you can also catch the faint coconut scent of the flowers, which seems slightly out of place so early in the year (i.e. when it's still so cold!)