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
Groan!
ReplyDeleteHelen - I've wanted to take this picture for ages, but we don't always stop at this particular services when travelling up north.
ReplyDeleteSort of beef it up while you're there and work it off when you get home?
ReplyDeleteHi Lucy - have a look at the name of the service station...
ReplyDeleteI did - I had an image of digging with a trowel when you got home instead of a spade. Extra hard work to compensate for eating junk food.
ReplyDeleteAha :) No junk food for us - we were on a fast day. However, I will be wielding my trowel now it's stopped raining as there's bulbs to plant...
ReplyDeleteI will never drive past again without thinking of gardening implements :-)
ReplyDeleteHi EG - tee hee :)
ReplyDeleteThere are hidden treasures to be found at these pit stops - puns aside. The other week I stopped at the Reading Welcome Break to walk the dog and found the mecca of blackberry bushes. (Well out of dog pee-on zone might I add.)
ReplyDeleteMonica - what treasure! I hope you had time to pick some of them...
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