Flowers At Our Feet
Uplifting Erigeron
I wanted to share something cheery for Becky’s January Squares. Goodness knows we’re in need of it. These erigerons are all looking up, providing a flat landing spot for pollinators. I wonder if insects spend any time wondering which to land on first or just plop down on the nearest? They often seem to circle before making their choice. Continue reading “Uplifting Erigeron”
Hardy Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x rubellum)
The most widely grown hardy (or heritage) mum is Chrysanthemum x rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’. It was discovered by Amos Perry in 1929 at Happy Valley Gardens in Llandudno, Wales, where my sister and I often played as children. (Not in 1929, I should add.)
Despite its roots, I see Chrysanthemum ‘Clara Curtis’ far more often in Mississippi than I do here in the UK. It’s a very distinctive variety with luminous pale pink flowers with a touch of lilac. Continue reading “Hardy Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x rubellum)”
Atmospheric Flowers: Blue Asters
Some plants don’t just add colour, mass and form to a border, they add atmosphere, nostalgia even. Take old-fashioned blue asters, for instance. Individually, the small, daisy-like flowers are on the raggedy side but their profusion packs a punch. If you can look at this picture without imagining a hum of pollinators foraging the flowers for nectar and pollen, you’re not getting out enough.
When I was a child, I used to know places nearby where asters like these grew wild. In those days, my eye didn’t appraise a plant for mildew or an ample coverage of foliage: I took pleasure in the blue daisies and assumed the grown ups (or Mother Nature) would take care of the rest. I poked a few stems through buttonholes to decorate my cardigan and called them Michaelmas daisies without understanding anything of the long history wrapped up in the name. Continue reading “Atmospheric Flowers: Blue Asters”
Wordless Wednesday: Raggedy Daisies
Pink roses with white daisies
Dusk was falling when I saw these sweet little roses tumbling amongst some kind of daisies. I wouldn’t have imagined they would make good plant companions, but I thought they looked a pretty pair – the ornate, fully double blooms seemed to contrast well with the simple candour of the daisies. Continue reading “Pink roses with white daisies”
