Grey Santolina

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Wed, 05/06/2024 - 00:00

This grey santolina is named because of the colour of its leaves. Yet its flowers, a bold yellow, offer a comely contrast. This plant I found growing on the roof garden of a central London tower block. There, surrounded by the greys and browns of concrete and brick, this flower offers a pleasant, more cheerful alternative. Surrounded by man’s activity and pride, santolina reminds us of the natural world’s, and therefore God’s, beauty and existence.

Think of a world without any flowers,

Think of a world without any trees,

Think of a sky without any sunshine,

Think of the air without any breeze.

We thank You, Lord, for flowers and trees and sunshine,

We thank You, Lord, and praise Your holy name.

Words by Doreen Newport, Music by Graham Westcott. © 1969, 1973 & 2015 Stainer & Bell Ltd.