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TAIL OF
THE DOG

Luften

his is a German word meaning getting our regular dose of fresh air. with showers of deep purple,
to air, to ventilate, to lift. It is Late spring in particular, is a glorious bougainvilleas ranging from magenta
Twhat every self-respecting time for this. The trees are dripping through white to shocking and pale
hausfrau says as she throws open the with their new fresh green leaves, shell pink, tumbling everywhere.
windows in the morning, regardless of and the flowering trees everywhere Geraniums may not be as spectacular
weather, to let fresh air inside, and are a joy. Not just the superb as they are in Mediterranean
clear out the stuffy night air. jacarandas, add to them the syringas countries, but they also put on a show.
with their elegant Dior grey flower The coffee bean jasmine bushes
There are alternatives, one can buy bunches, the normally uninspiring covered in white scented flowers
different versions of air purifiers, which Grevilleas with their golden spiked are full of intoxicated bees, and old-
are helpful if you suffer from pollen branches, the Flame trees with fashioned irises and foxgloves can be
allergies, or asthmatic conditions. delicate scarlet flowers on leafless found in old-fashioned gardens.
They are also filters that help eliminate boughs, the Bauhinias ranging from
airborne diseases and viruses, so purple to pink and white, Tabebuias I literally breathe in all these colours,
have proved effective against the adding bright flashes of yellow, and and with the air, feel completely
dissemination of Covid-19. But this the gentler Hymenosporum with their uplifted. Here’s to the German
comes at a price, and good open air cream and yellow flowers covering tradition, here’s to “luften”.
is a simpler solution. entire trees.
Gill Butler
Luckily in South Africa we are fresh Pavements and gardens are full of
air fiends, we love being outdoors, roses in full flush, petrea climbers