Penzance Purples...

As I walk along the paths that I have taken many, many times before, I never fail to be stunned by the view, or by the plants I encounter on my way...

This indeed must be the perfect combination; one of my favourite places associated with a colour I am always drawn to, in all its various shades, on flowers typical - but not exclusive to - the region around Mount's Bay and more specifically Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole...

All around are agapanthus in their different stages of development before bursting into full bloom. Firstly the strange cocoon-like form open slightly to reveal a cluster that looks like a rather ungainly chick emerging from an egg shell, with pale and muted colours.

Then the inflorescence cluster frees itself from its papery pod to unfurl and positions itself. Initially the flowers remain in their blunt-ended club forms but these slowly open up, from the outside rings to the inner ones...

The process goes on to disclose each bell-shaped flower with its arrangement of six (or even seven) parts; three petals and three sepals that are virtually identical...

Each flower resembles a tiny lily, with darker lines that lead towards pollen-coated stamens and as they all open fully, one by one, violet trumpets seem to burst out, as each inflorescence rises towards the light on long, bright green stalks, set among vibrant green blade leaves...

The agapanthus seems to grow in even the most unlikely spots, to dramatic effect...

But of course the agapanthus is not the only flower to brighten the hedges and pathways, for there are the buddleia bushes along with majestic thistles so imposing that they resemble artichauts; Cardoons.

Then other varieties, with their delicate tufted lilac collars...

And naturally the papery-thin pale petals on the blackberry brambles...

And then there are the final foxgloves of the summer, with their distinctive speckled bells drooping down...

But as we lift our eyes, we will surely catch a glimpse of that unique view; St Michael's Mount!

And of course the spiny sprigs of seaholly set amongst the granite boulders along the coastal route that leads there...