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 ...
"Green Leaves are my delight"? Nice work - I foresee only moments will elapse before you get a new career as a journalist.
ReplyDeleteI completely forgot my sempervirums!
Gorgeous Heuchera Mint Frost - I've never seen that one before - think you might actually have converted me to Heucheras, which realyl would be an achievement...
A very beautiful slide show. Green is so many colours isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteGreat assortment of leaves. What color blooms do your mystery Heucheras have? That 'Liquorice' looks good enough to eat.
ReplyDeleteI thought of this entry this morning when I walked round my plot. It is surprising at just how many plant forms and variations of green there are in a small area.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing was I was taking photos of the flowers dotted here and there! xx
Nice Heuchera
ReplyDeleteLovely show of greens VP
In haste - as I am dashing round all the Big Green Leaves tonight as I am tied up tomorrow (well not literally)
K
Hurray, for greenery, including vegetables. Vegetables can be nourishing and decorative. I enjoyed your slideshow.
ReplyDeleteHi there VP, great slide presentation :-D
ReplyDeleteI love your foliage plants and we have a few in common especially two favs Jack Frost and Heuchera 'Liquorice' :-D
Great to see some veg leaves too as many are really quite pretty. But I have say I love the spidery sempervivums :-D
Have a great week :-D
Emma - I see the Heuchera conversion work continues apace with the lovely monsieur Darcy! AND a big thank you for coming up with the idea in the first place :)
ReplyDeleteSuburbia - I didn't realise how many I had until I put this together!
MMD - They're assorted - most of them are white, but some have the traditional red that gives them their common name of 'coral flower' over here.
Flighty - do get going with your greens too!
Karen - glad you liked it!
Northernshade - welcome and thanks!
Shirl - thanks for spreading the word and you have a good week too!