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 clematis look wonderful. Is it two varieties ?
ReplyDeleteThe Veg plot is coming on too; beans a plenty.
Zoe
Glad you popped by thanks for leaving a comment. I read you blog most days and catch up when I have missed one.
ReplyDeleteWeather isnt to clever today is it!
Your clematis and hydrangeas are really thriving! Just catching up on some posts--how wonderful that you and Artistsgardens got to meet for lunch and an afternoon together. I would love to meet some of my blogging friends and see their gardens in person.
ReplyDeleteLooking good as always! It certainly was windy on Sunday! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely healthy clematis VP -- would like to know its name.
ReplyDeleteWindy again today. Happens every year just as the plants have reached dizzy heights the wind comes along and knocks them to the ground. I am starting to lose my patience! x
ReplyDeleteZoe - It's 3 per obelisk, but 1 of them isn't flowering. I'll post about which ones soon.
ReplyDeleteSlice of life - thanks and it still isn't is it?
Rose - thanks and that's the great thing about the UK, it's not too far to meet someone.
Flighty - and the wind continues!
Anna - will be telling you soon!
TIMP - TS and I feel exactly the same. Us gardeners are never pleased!