First flower of Spring.
February Orchid.
This little plant is the first to flower in our polytunnel this Spring, is’nt it lovely! It is called February Orchid (Orychophragmus violaceus). It was planted last Summer in pots, then planted into the earth in Autumn. It is not in fact an orchid at all, but a member of the Brassica family. The flowers and leaves are edible. Don’t find them particularly tasty, rather bland actually, but the flowers look lovely on a salad. Also in the pic is Ragged Jack Kale. This is a very hardy plant, also a brassica. It is one of the mainstays of our Winter salads, I shred it and mix with other leaves. It is also delicious steamed.