Lilian Thompson

Well, lily - Tommo couldn't make it. In fact, several lilies suggesting that the quip about Solomon in all his glory was fair comment. Watching them transform from closed up, beak-like buds into their full trumpeting over a few days is a bit like having your very own "Nature's Great Events" episode - currently wowing couch potatoes across the UK every Tuesday on BBC TV.

Just plonk them in water - Ichibana 'n' all that - and watch the show literally unfold. Good for the soul.