White flowers at dawn and dusk (Part 2)

Another white flowering perennial to catch the eye at dawn and dusk is the statuesque Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) with huge lace cap blooms on stalks that can dwarf a man. Also known as cartwheel-flower, giant cow parsnip, hogsbane, giant cow parsley, wild parsnip, or wild rhubarb, it self-sows gently, seemingly into just the right places.

Its size renders it formidable throughout the day; this one is not missish in the harsh light of day. But one magnificent plant is flowering near my kitchen window and gleams wonderfully as dusk descends, just as all the rest of the garden retreats from the eye and colours become invisible. I don’t remember planting this here; I think this one plonked itself there with a cheeky grin; a happy accident in this rather too-wild country garden.