That blue flower: A spring spotter's guide
Spring is a prime time for blue flowers and my daily walks currently have several from the same plant family* lining the local footpaths. As I walked past the Donkey Field the other day, I overheard some children ask their parents** what the pictured blue flower was. It reminded me it's often mistaken for those other familial blues and this time was no different, as they said it was forget-me-not, instead of the green alkanet it actually is. As well as similar flowers, most of these plants are hairy in their nature, flower around the same time, and favour damp, shady places. Many of them are great for pollinators too, especially bees and this week's warm weather has certainly drawn them to these flowers. This makes it even more likely for these plants to be mistaken for each other and it's a great opportunity for me to put together a spotter's guide in case you find the same flowers on your outings. Staying with green alkanet, the key features which set it
Both looking great VP, allotment looks ready to rock and roll! :)
ReplyDeleteHi VP. What's the twiggy stuff bottom-right of the allotment - a project in the offing?
ReplyDeleteSimon
Your allotment is looking ready for the off. Shame about the wetness of the soil!
ReplyDeleteAll we need now is some good weather so as we can all get allotmenteering and gardening in earnest! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Paul & Melanie - I feel like I'm behind all your efforts already!
ReplyDeleteSimon - it's the old autumn fruiting raspberry canes. Could be future pea sticks, or just turned into path mulch as usual. Further down the plot I've got loads of hazel in readiness for some willow weaving...
Judith - the weather's been so frustrating hasn't it?
Flighty - too right! I bet we'll get it next week just as I'm due to go up north again!
Both looking spick and span. It's interesting to see the grass borders on your lottie - grass is frowned on on our site much to my regret.
ReplyDeleteAnna - we all have grass between our plots and a rule that says we have to keep our patch of it neat and tidy!
ReplyDelete