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
The cats look very content, and the garden is looking very smart. I can guess what you are going to do with the mass of tyres and black plastic! Good Luck with it!
ReplyDeleteI suggested a couple more Dippy Books for you over at GM's Flange.
Best Wishes,
Zoë
You passed, hooray!
ReplyDeleteFrom the pictures there should have been no problems.
Deborah x
Do I take it that you had a plot assessment? Gosh - I keep thinking about getting a plot but keep changing my mind when I hear that you get checked up on and GM's latest from the allotment makes me think its not for me!
ReplyDeleteI never thought for a moment that you would lose it! Lovely sleepy cats-I bet they're bed cats today.
ReplyDeleteI love the way cats sleep - they look as if they have no bones - if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks lovely and you plot too.
Regards
Karen
Skimble and Jess look so relaxed. I wish I could sleep like that.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean the plot authorities will leave you alone for the rest of the season? That would be great. The gardens look good, the cats look comfortable and all is right with the world (at least your little corner of it).
ReplyDeleteZoe - thanks! I've read one of your flange suggestions, the other I'll add to the list :)
ReplyDeletednd - thanks. Shhh! The pictures don't show the weeds very well...
Helen - yes we do. Your local lot may not be so fastidious though, so go for it!
Judith - thanks!
AG/Aunt Debbi - if only we could relax as well as they can eh?
MMD - sadly no. We get inspected once a month during the main season. Too right about my little corner of the world though :)