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| The chive flower is beginning to 'die'. |
On Monday, I posted a photo of
a little vase of flowers which had been picked from my allotment. It included Horse Tails (
Equisetum arvense) and Ivy-Leaved Toadflax (
Cymbalaria muralis). Neither are popular in flower arrangements but both are beautiful. Indeed, it might be tempting to say the Equisetum isn't very popular anywhere. Once it finds a place to grow it spreads and spreads - downwards as well as sideways. It's well nigh impossible to get rid of. That, however, does not stop it being beautiful and interesting. In fact, I find it breathtaking. (I used to
enthuse about it on my old blog - Loose and Leafy in Dorset). As for the Cymbalaria, I think it's just a matter of it being small and people just don't think of using it. Admittedly it doesn't last long once picked but it lasted long enough to be enjoyed.
I loved this little collection of flowers while it was fresh. I am finding it fascinating as it decays. In particular, the poppy and the chives are providing interest. I'm not sure if either will produce seeds. They have been indoors too much, away from pollinators. But they are worth 'watching' - to see what happens.
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| The yellow poppy has lost its petals. |
Already the yellow (Welsh?) poppy is at a stage I've not noticed in a poppy before. I see poppies in flower each year. They are all over the place: in gardens, wild in the countryside and sprung up in town. And I admire their seed heads. Depending on the variety they can be quite large and dramatic. But I'd not previously noticed them with a frill round.
What's more, I had assumed all poppy seed heads have a star on the top. I've seen these stars even when the petals are still on board. Here you can see one on a 'coronovirus poppy' - one of the plants that have only been 'allowed' to grow because the grass has not been mown this season round an electricity sub-station.
But the yellow poppy, has a pom-pom instead of a star.
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Today's Random Act of
Wildness is to
observe changes
in dying flowers.
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So my Random Act of Wildness today is not to throw flowers away but to 'notice' them (enjoy them!) right to the end. Let's start a new movement. 'Let your dying flowers be adored'.
12 comments:
There's lots of beauty to enjoy in those flowers.
There is, Bill. And it's fascinating to see its changes.
Two vases in one week Lucy - that's cause for joy 😂 I've noticed some clover flowers opening on our 'lawn' this week. They are pretty flowers which remind me a bit of chive flowers. I often leave my vases of flowers for a while and it's most interesting to see what happens. There are often surprises involved.
P.S. Wrong time of year to observe but did you know that tulip stems continue to grow after they have been cut?
Oh Anna! A gentle way of pointing out that I'd called the chive in the picture 'clover'. A slip of the fingers on the keyboard! Thank you, I've changed it. And no - I didn't know that tulip stems carry on growing after they've been cut. That's interesting. The insides of tulip flowers are also interesting. Much more dramatic often than their outsides.
I think that your invitation to us all to watch flowers until they die is a worthwhile exhortation to everyone. There is much to be learned by paying close attention to the whole cycle.
Interesting post and pictures especially as I let quite a few of the plot annual flowers die back to either self-seed and/or to collect the seed. xx
I enjoy observing a plant's flower as it goes through it's life cycle. The latest study is of an allium flower head. I'm hoping to collect the seeds this year as I do with other plants. I also keep dried flowers or at least the petals. I like the different shapes and faded colours.
Oops should read 'its' not 'it's'
Hello David. I still have the little collection of flowers on my window sill. it is looking very sorry for itself now but the chives are still going strong.
Hello Flighty. Yes. When it comes to the garden or the allotment, letting the seed form so it can be used next year can be very important and useful.
Hello Rich Tapestry. Before I got leukaemia I collected seeds from chives but also from ornamental alliums. I've planted some in a pot at home but have lost track which plants they are from. I think I am growing chives but they might turn out to be tall, ornamental garlic.
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