Flora's Honey and Pearl

As a child, I knew Summer was really here when I could munch on a super fresh ‘picked-that-day’ corn cob from my parents market garden (dripping with melted butter of course).

For years (or probably decades) my Dad kept the locals and holidays makers fed with the very best freshest corn each Summer. We had paddocks of it and I can remember him heading out each morning well before we were out of bed to harvest (so that he could be around to enjoy the day with us.) My parents were great entertainers and our regular summer BBQs and pool parties always featured a huge pot of corn.

Over the years the varieties available to grow improved, and got sweeter, with bicoloured cobs appearing. Our favourite was always Honey and Pearl, super sweet and with a cute two-toned cob.

So…Introducing Flora’s ‘Honey and Pearl’ … with a nod to all the precious memories of growing up on our Point Wells market garden. She’s a sweet little ball with lemon and cream tones.

This may well end up being an interim name, as I’m not entirely sure if I have 2 separate varieties here. Although originally from the same seed, I appear to have a pale version and a darker version. I labelled them carefully once I realised, but then they kept surprising me with light plants producing dark flowers and vice versa! It’s a mystery.

P.S. For those who like the back story … my dahlias are now grown in the same paddocks my dad grew his corn in all those years ago. I’d grow corn there myself if I could, but we have pesky pūkekos!

P.P.S. I think I’ll be selling these as ‘probably pale’ and ‘probably deep’ versions this year…but no guarantees on the colour!