A Fool And Her Money - Reprise...

[endlessrarities]

Oh dear.  J decided to take us both out for lunch today.  He wanted to go to Dobbies Nursery in Paisley, in search of the elusive 'Caramel Apple Granny' (aka Caramel Apple Betty, aka Caramel Apple Cake).  I first stumbled across this dish in The Guardbridge Hotel (now sadly no more, I understand) near St Andrews while digging with Glasgow Uni's then-archaeological unit, and since then it's been popping up at various cake outlets in our locale.  It consists of a biscuit base, an apple and solid custard-ish (but not quite custard filling) with a soft caramel topping. 

Sadly, Dobbies did not have Caramel Apple Granny on the menu today, though we were assured that it still makes a regular appearance.  But it was not an entirely wasted journey.  After solemnly promising NOT to buy any more plants, I purchased the following:-

6 x osteospermum (including two sad little creatures which were going for 50p each, just 'cos they weren't flowering and were a bit miserable).
1 spiky thing, with broad scabious like flowers, the name of which escapes me
2 tradescantia, one pink, one purple.  I once had three in the garden.  I'm now down to one, which is fighting a losing battle against slimy fiends.  So now it has company.

And....  And...  (Draws deep breath)

A DAHLIA!!!!!

Yes, I know it's folly, in an organic garden where the slugs and the snails frolic and gamble in the grass.  But it was so beautiful, and it was very cheap, and I just thought I'd give it a go.  It's a luminous cerise pink with a slight purple tinge and it looks good enough to eat.  I could almost hear the slugs and snails sitting up and going, "Oooh!  What's this??' as soon as it appeared on the patio. 

At least they won't eat the osteospermum.  And I reckon the anonymous spiky thing will be safe, too.

Photos will of course be forthcoming!!

Comments

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

What if you keep the dahlia in a pot that's held up from the ground with a few rocks? Won't *stop* the damn slugs, but it'll slow them down. I've had good luck with potted dahlias (I did it from laziness- I could just move the pots into the basement come fall rather than digging things up)

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I'll try that. And that's given me another idea! I might see if I can dig out some grit for a surface 'mulch'. They won't want to drag their little feet over it. I had grit a while ago, but I'm probably all out of it now:-(

I saw the most glorious delphinium today, but I had to let it go. I could just hear the slugs and snails smacking their lips in anticipation...

[clairehawthorn.livejournal.com]

I read as far as "It consists of a biscuit base, an apple and solid custard-ish (but not quite custard filling) with a soft caramel topping", then dribbled so much I had abandon the rest of your post to google the recipe.....only I can't find it!

Lots of " 'Caramel Apple Granny' (aka Caramel Apple Betty, aka Caramel Apple Cake) recipes but they are all variations on a theme. None are exactly as described by you - no wonder you described it as "elusive!"

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

A purveyor of Caramel Apple Pie in Largs was reviewed in yesterday's Daily Record restaurant crit - J is now determined to go.

[technophobe1975.livejournal.com]

It is a physical impossibility to visit a nursery and not return with some unanticipated plants!

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Don't I just know it??

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

That caramel apple thingie sounds Divine!!!

The dahlia should be fine in a decent pot. We keep ours all in pots. Yes, I have snail and slugs munch on them but I use the wildlife-safe slug bait so while the slugs and snails do much I still have dahlias too.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I draw the line at using any kind of slug-bait, wildlife safe or not. I've got far too much wildlife to take the risk!

I resort to beer instead - and the first 'pub' was put out last night. Not for the benefit of the dahlia, but for some adjacent petunias that I'm pinching out in the hope they'll get less straggly.

Three slugs have perished already. But at least they died happy...