Plant which smells of custard found in Ashford

Jan 8 2009 By Ed Saunt

Ken Willis and his rare plant

When Ken Willis spotted an "extremely rare" shrub found in Cornwall being lauded on the BBC, he was shocked to discover the same custard-smelling plant growing in his back garden.

The Colletia Paradoxa - which is known as the Aeroplane or Crucifix Tree because of its shape and extremely sharp thorns - was featured on BBC2's Gardeners' World and in the Daily Mail last month.

The prehistoric plant hails from Uruguay and south Brazil and Royal Horticultural Society experts were surprised it had survived the cold climate in the Tranance Gardens in Newquay, Cornwall.

But Mr Willis, who lives in Village Way, Ashford, has an 8ft Crucifix Tree in his back garden and claims the shrub is relatively common.

Mr Willis said: "It was in the Daily Mail and on Gardeners World that a rare shrub had been found in a National Trust garden in Cornwall. They were boasting on the show they had found this shrub but I have got one.

"I didn't really take much notice of it until now so I was surprised to see it on the TV. They say it smells of custard but my wife and I think it smells more of almonds."

The plant also featured on Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time but in a completely different guise - police suggested planting it during a special edition on crime prevention advice.

Sergeant Andy Gregory, from Kings Heath in the West Midlands, said the long sharp thorns could act as a deterrent to intruders but Mr Willis is not sure of the shrub's crime-fighting powers.

"I planted it around my bird table to stop the cats and squirrels getting at the food but I'm not sure if it would be any use in stopping burglars," he added.

¥ Do you have any rare trees or plants in your garden? Contact the newsdesk on 01932 561111.