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
Had to peer to do so!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting!
ReplyDeleteEsther - so did I at the time!
ReplyDeleteLea - thank you :)
BTW on Sunday there was a programme on BBC4 about Weeds (a repeat I think). Buddleia was cited as one of the v worst weeds. It costs our rail network £millions to keep it vaguely under control owing to its ability to root in the tiniest of cracks and production of many thousands of seeds per plant.
Buddleja is such a tenacious plant - the John Lewis Nurseries over at Longstock hold the national collection and also breed them - they have some amazing colours.
ReplyDeleteThe plant in your picture helps to give scale to the mural - great way to brighten up dull buildings
I remember being so surprised at buddleia growing in eaves troughs and cracks in walls in the UK. In eastern Canada, it often dies to the ground each winter, and any seedlings rarely survive. On the west coast, though, I understand it has become a similar pest, bullying in where it isn't wanted.
ReplyDeleteBuddleias can be such a menace! Great shot.
ReplyDeleteZoe - they grow out of such tiny cracks don't they? The picture's from Bristol. They had an international graffiti art festival back in the simmer and the results are amazing.
ReplyDeleteHelen - it dies back here in the winter too and springs back with a vengeance next season. 'Bullying' is a good word. Despite its attractiveness to butterflies, it's not a plant I like particularly.
Janet - thanks :)
i can spot the live plant!
ReplyDeleteMinna - good!
ReplyDelete