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
After chatting on Twitter to @Powersflowers, who also loves 'Roof and Wall opportunists' (as she calls them), I feel the need for a photoblog series coming on...
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI've just read your comment on the Sea of Immeasurably Gravy blog and thought you might be interested in a small piece of advice. For the longest time, one of our cats had a pee problem, and we were at our wits' end until a vet suggested washing the spots where he'd pee with vinegar as it disguises the smell. And it really seems to have worked. And tenacity is really needed dealing with these problems.
Lovely photo and "squatters" :-)
Helen
What a beautiful photo. Such natural tenacity!
ReplyDeleteJust realised that you're article title specifically features the word "tenacity" as well. Woops! Perhaps I could've thought of a more original word! How about determination? Haha
DeleteUtterly beautiful image! Tenacious tendency works for me. Please can I share?
ReplyDeleteJust had a thought about the cat problem. The main thing to do is to break the habit a.s.a.p. you could try feeding the cat in that area so it breaks the association.. They don't generally pee where they eat. As Helle says vinegar might kill smell but don't use bleach (you probably already knew that) or we use 'Urine Off' which kills smell. Good luck..
ReplyDeleteWe have a roof as such. It starts with just a simple spore and now years later it has a lovely crop of ferns covering most of it. A green roof...naturally created. I love it! Thanks for sharing. I, for one could do with a dose more tenacity!
ReplyDeleteLove this...amazing how things can grow in any conditions!
ReplyDeletegreat shot!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute and beautiful pic!! Loved this! Tremendous work with this blog,,This is really a fascinating blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments everyone :)
ReplyDeleteA special thanks goes to Helle and Arabella for coming over with their cat tips - fingers crossed we've cured the problem, but I'll bear your ideas in mind if Jess starts all over again.