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 ...
Good crop - anyone would think you were in the US!
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen - they did go a bit mad this year. I shall be looking to our American blogging pals for recipes ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, they're wonderful. Well done you. And they'll make a lovely autumn display.
ReplyDeleteHi CJ - this was going to be my post for Halloween, but I found something rather marvellous to show you instead whilst in Wales last week!
DeleteThey look good, what variety are they. I grew a mini variety one year but haven't since. Perhaps next year. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteHi Flighty - they're Jack be Little and the size is perfect for us. I'm going to try and recreate a fab squash salad I had at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden a couple of weeks ago.
DeleteMy Nepalese allotment neighbour wants to try this variety next year too!
Lovely display have a good rest of week and weekend
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda, you too
ReplyDeleteNow that's a seriously good haul and the purple really enhances their golden glow VP. Flighty took the words out of my mouth asking about which variety they are,
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, I love the smaller squash - perfect for just NAH and me :)
DeleteVery colourful. Guess they are the ones that were rampant!
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed!
DeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful color!
Lea
Thanks Lea - BB it's Salad Days tomorrow :)
DeleteHah that should be NB - Damn autocorrect!
DeleteLovely photo and good harvest. I have never attempted growing squash, haven’t really got the right garden for it but I like eating them :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Helene - I hope to feature them in a seasonal recipe soon :)
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