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
We have a cat in a seed tray at present.
ReplyDeleteIt's not growing any faster than the rocket seeds which didn't come up in it.
(Fortunately.)
Lucy
It is amazing how much Jess looks like our Tisha. Their choice in beds is also similar.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what Jess is up to in the seed bed, just sitting there I hope? I do love your cat(s). The plot looks amazing, and if I had one, this is how I would like mine to look. x
ReplyDeleteI just love the garden and btw have an identical cat...who also likes to sleep in garden tubs and planters...he thinks he's a flower, we call him Petal
ReplyDeleteSandi
I've known lots of cats who would do exactly the same as Jess!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that typical! you spend all that time raking and digging getting the soil just right to plant seeds.. and a cat sits on it! cute photo!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics of your plot, it's looking great and I'm very glad that Jess gave her stamp of approval for the new seed bed. So important that. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOooh can you grow one for me?!
ReplyDeleteA cat can't resist a patch of carefully prepared soil - particularly if it's in the sun. An open newspaper on a table is a close second!
ReplyDeleteLucy - Jess is growing though. According to the vet yesterday our little scrap's now a half kilo overweight. Shome mishtake shurely?
ReplyDeleteDeb - Tee hee. Must look out for your Tisha!
TIMP - that's so nice of you to say Louise thank you! xx
Sandi - that's made me laugh...
Flighty - yes, but it still makes them endearing when they do it!
Matron - thanks. It made me giggle when she did it - you can't be angry with her even after all that hard work :)
Yolanda - I knew you would approve. I'm sure the Bliss Team do the same thing sometimes?
Suburbia - we also do Tabby...
EG - Ah bottom scanning the newspaper. Cats are so talented aren't they? ;)
This looks lovely. Ahhhhh JESS! I want to snuggle Jess and sniff her toes. Are they cheesy? Are they? Ah go on, humour me. Are they? I bet they are.
ReplyDeleteAhhh yes, cheesy toes they are Helena.
ReplyDeleteSkimbles a foot fetishist too ;)