Parisians are a strange bunch; out here in Les Styx they are viewed as a totally separate nationality (and with good reason). Even when having relocated to the countryside, they seem to be incapable of abandoning their strict urban (Parisian) ways.
An insignificant, but classic example happened about 10 years ago when a Parisian family I know decided to play 'Let's pretend to be country folk', and planted a Tayberry bush, on the edge of their lawn within about 6 inches of their border with Haddock's. It produced wonderful fruit almost at once, but no-one thought to gather it (they may not even have considered it edible). The following year when similarly ignored, rather than see the harvest go to waste, I ate the fruit myself. Since then I have always eaten the fruit.
The plants themselves (now greatly multiplied) have sent out numerous runners 'eastwards', abandoning their own garden in favour of mine (with absolutely no assistance from me!). No plants are now left on their side of the fence (they mowed them to death), but plenty now live on mine. I have even just potted-up a dozen more suckers (below) which will join my good-sized plantation later in the year. My plants now supply several kilos of delicious fruit annually.
What's the betting that any Tayberries these Parisians may eat in the future, would come in sterile plastic tubs, with 'guaranteed' no fear of poisoning; the only way that those darling Parisians would ever buy them. Personally I like mine fresh, sun-blessed, and free; thank you!
p.s. Just in case anyone is unfamiliar with Tayberries, they are a deliciously oversized Raspberry/Blackberry cross.
We had a very similar fruit when we were in the north - a Dewberry - delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe grew them at my old house. Really proliffic and so tasty :)
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of them but they do look enticing. The runners clearly knew on which side the grass was greener!
ReplyDeleteI covet these berries!
ReplyDeleteBeauties, they are!
Yesterday, at mid-day, I heard the first Cuckoo of 2014. I also heard the first Hoopoe.
ReplyDeleteWow - what a crop - I can understand your gratefulness to the Parisians. I planted one last year and a loganberry - I am hoping for great things this year.
ReplyDeleteJust keep potting-up the runners.
DeleteNot always in France- when I lived in Cwmcarn the local kids either didn't know what blackberries were or wouldn't eat those I'd picked..."were they safe"?!
ReplyDeleteJust tell them 'they're poisonous'.... more for you!
DeleteThey look fabulous. I can just picture them on my morning cereal.
ReplyDeleteMe thinks that in respect to Parisians that the pot is calling the kettle black Sir - for you who have lived in France for 40 years cling to your Englishness as if your life depended upon it.
ReplyDeleteNutter..... I AM ENGLISH.
DeleteI have had it in jelly form and it is delicious.
ReplyDeletele jonc
ReplyDeleteFilled with envy here. Our blackberries serve only as buffet-central for the birds and squirrels, who strip them as soon as the fruit appears.
ReplyDeleteThe picture says all; a beautiful berry. I'm mentally staking mesh around our raspberries; the birds enjoyed last summer's fledgling crop.
ReplyDeleteI think Tayberries are easier to grow than old fashioned Raspberries. Maybe you should get a couple of plants to compare...... I don't guarantee that the birds will leave any.
DeleteThere's a real gale starting here. It's supposed to reach 100 kph tonight. We're battening down hatches!!!
ReplyDeleteBy Jove, I planted some tayberries in my garden last year! Yum! Had never even heard of them until I found them at the nursery.
ReplyDeleteI adore tayberries. I bet the ones which come in plastic cartons are totally tasteless compared with ones picked and eaten within five minutes or so. Take a pot of cream out there with you, pick, dip and eat. Delicious.
ReplyDeleteI do tend to eat them directly from the plants. Lady M complains!
DeleteWe grew tayberries for a few years and then they suddenly died. They were delicious and much the tastiest berry to grow. You have set me off now and I will have to get a plant and start again. Have you tried wine berries? I managed to kill those off too!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have tayberries at mums but we've just got summer an autumn raspberries here. If I come across someone with some I might dig some up though and add it to my soft fruit garden. They're meant to be great in jams.
ReplyDeleteYummmmmmm......
ReplyDelete