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 ...
They look lovely. Obviously deserve that first prize.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phillip, I'm most chuffed! Last year the badgers at the allotment ate my pears, so it feels especially good to have some to exhibit this time.
ReplyDeleteA big hug and a pat on the back and a hearty handshake for the prize winning pair, oops, I meant pears. I did get a good chuckle from the title. See, the Americans are not always so serious. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Thanks Frances - I couldn't help myself with that title - I'm so glad it's also 'appreciated' across the pond ;)
ReplyDeleteO'er missus.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteNot a great lover of pears, but they do look good, well done. Gary
I adore pears. Just about the only fruit I do like, in fact. Excellent work!
ReplyDeleteBTW, my OOTS is up. Is there a Mr. Linky?
Well done on your first prize! I don't actually like pears, but I can still appreciate them! :)
ReplyDeleteThey say grow pears for you heirs so I've never bothered with pear trees. You have done really well! Val
ReplyDeleteWell done! It was our show on Saturday. I didn't exhibit anything but was a steward. xx
ReplyDeleteWow, congratulations! I think you are the first person I know who has won first prize at a show. I am SO impressed.
ReplyDeleteHaving just preserved ( froze, chutneyed, wine, jam, dried..) 70 lbs of pears I find it very hard to even look at a plate of the damn things..
ReplyDeletebut yours are lovely....well done!
They look edible unlike mine which have to be stewed to be edible.
ReplyDeleteThat's so annoying!!! Where did my comment go? I came on the minute you posted it and rambled on about Delia Smith's pickled pears and it just disappeared. Honestly, I am disgusted with Blogger today. But well done! xxx
ReplyDeleteTriplets!
ReplyDeleteWell deserved - they look delicious too. A pear tree is on my autumn lottie shopping list.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone - glad you liked my playing around with an old joke :)
ReplyDeleteFor the non-pear lovers I wonder if its because you've not experienced the juicy melting sweetness that a pear offers when it's just right? It's a difficult one to capture, but there's a good chance with this particular variety, Concorde. It's self-fertile and is a cross between Conference and Comice and has the flavour of Comice with the keeping qualities of Conference. Yum!
Well done! I love pears - and your comment above has just made my mouth water. Excuse me while I dribble on my keyboard...
ReplyDeleteHM - I think dribbling's totally justified :)
ReplyDelete