Allotments 4 All

I had a summer job once in Torquay, working as a gardener in Cockilngton Country Park. I caught two old dears stuffing themselves with laurel berries because they thought they were cherries. I had to spent the rest of the day chopping down any laurel branches that were within reach  ??? They've got the same organic cyanide in them. I don't know what effect it had, but the women weren't exactly with it when I stopped them. Don't entymologists use cruched laurel leaves in their Killing Jars?

Quote from: calendula on November 28, 2007, 11:09:21
looks like a skimmia to me, with its wonderful winter berries  :-\

I'm with calendula â€" I don't think it's a Cotoneaster

Its a Cotoneaster frigidus......see pic. I think it looks spectacularly like yours.

http://www.plant-encyclopedia.net/cotoneaster-frigidus-vicary-picture.aspx

You are a star for getting that, Star    ;)    What a beautiful plant.   :D

yes, the leaf 'lines' are much more prominent in the cotoneaster - the black birds will be loving these berries  :)

I think we have a winner folks!

Thanks Star! :)

.....blush.....your welcome......

Rhubarb Thrasher, I've eaten those berries with no trouble. As long as they're not bitter. I think you can make jam also. You're right about the leaves, if you shred them you really smell the prussic acid. If the garage door's shut I doubt you'd die but it's headache time.
  Disclaimer [for panic police]: don't listen to me, do your own research take your own risks.

You're quite right about the crushed laurel, but what kills an insect won't necessarily harm you, unless you concentrate it considerably.

I'm with calendular,
the blackbirds strip mine every year - lovely to watch!