When decorating a Father Christmas with cotton wool, have you ever wondered what a cotton plant looks like? I have, especially as – years ago – I studied a lot of textile raw materials whilst doing my Design & Creative Embroidery City & Guilds course, and was shown a cotton boll. You sometimes see them in a florist’s shop too. Little did I think, then, that I would have a cotton plant growing in my garden.

About two years ago a Canarian friend gave me a seedling which was about 20 cms. high. She had grown the plant from a boll she had picked from a bush growing beside the pavement in Callao Salvaje, Tenerife. I’d seen that plant and already taken a photograph of it.

Well! The plant grew like Topsy: it has many pretty yellow flowers and I was pleased to show it to Judith Harvey when she came over. It has now spread and grown much taller than I am, and has produced a cotton boll itself this year, with lots of seeds inside. I’m so thrilled!

The most satisfying part of all this, is that the Council in Callao Salvaje has chosen to dig up the mother plant. I suppose it had gone a bit wild and needed regular attention to keep it in check.

I look upon mine as a very special plant. I’ll make sure I restrict its growth, but I think the limited light – due to a towering palm tree close by – will help me do that naturally. I feel so privileged to have this treat in my garden.

I love experimenting and finding out about the plants which grow here – especially those native to the Canary Islands.

Kind regards to everyone from your Canarian correspondent.