Wind and Thistle for pipe and dancers and never a ploughman under the Sun.
Never a ploughman. Never a one.
Hilaire Belloc
Whilst clearing our grass verge I came across a thistle growing amongst the hedging! I noticed a huge bumble bee to start with, but as the time went on a number of other creatures found the plant interesting. Although I was clearing weeds I decided to leave this one.
Hubby came home from work and we continued to work in the garden, I was weeding the dry stone wall up the drive and Jon did his favourite garden task which involves his sit on garden mower! He did a good job, especially of the verge – yes, the thistle has now been despatched!
I am glad I captured this moment and it has made me realise that when I plant my wild flower/meadow section I will plant some thistles – can you think of any more plants which would attract creatures?
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Hiya,
ReplyDeleteMakes we realize I have never actually seen a hoverfly sitting, like you show us. Mine always seem to hover and are never at rest.
I might have kept that thistle ( and be sorry later :-)
You're going to have a wildflower meadow? I'm green with envy . . .
ReplyDeleteClover attracts insects and so does herb robert.
**Thompson and Morgan, among others, sell mixed wildflower seeds - eg:
Cornfield Mixture
Hardy Annual.
A mixture of the cornfield weeds of yesterday plus other attractive wild flowers to provide a splash of colour in a difficult area or create a mini cornfield in your wildlife garden. In the vegetable garden they can provide colour and nectar to attract pollinating insects and predators. An excellent 'natural' edge to gravel paths and drives. Flowers summer. Height: 15-60cm (6-24in). Contents: White Campion, Charlock, Corn Chamomile, Corn Cockle, Cornflower, Field Forget-me-not, Corn Marigold, Scentless May Weed, Field Pansy, Wild Pansy, Field Poppy, Long-headed Poppy. Please Note: Even though wild flowers, they should not be scattered in the wild without the authorisation of your local Nature Conservation Trust. Caution: Poppy: All parts are poisonous
Meadowland Mixture
Hardy.
Over 30 wild flowers, suitable for newcomers to wild flower growing. Create a flowering meadow or just a natural patch in the flower garden. Along with some of the prettiest wild flowers are nectar and food plants for bees, butterflies and other insects to make a haven for wildlife. Some plants flower the first summer, the rest in spring, summer or autumn the next year. Height: 20-150cm (8in-5ft). Average Height: 60cm (2ft). Contents include: Ladys Bedstraw, Meadow Buttercup, Corn Chamomile, Wild Clary, Cowslip, Crane's-Bill, Ox-eye Daisy, Foxglove, Harebell, Corn Marigold, Field Scabious, Teasel, Toadflax and many others.**
Ooh, I would LOVE to have a project like this . . .
Excellent capture today.
ReplyDeleteAN OLD RUSTED LANTERN is my macro shot today. I hope you can find time to stop by for a visit. Have a great Monday.
Good thing you had your camera handy. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWell you captured the moment! :)
ReplyDeleteHave to admit that my garden already has honeysuckle, lavender, foxgloves, sweetpeas, primroses, poppies, teasel, and loads of herbs that I let go to flower. So my tiny "wildflower" patch is a bit of a conceit really. Good job I suppose - because the white campion has taken over big time this year!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo by the way. Shame about the thistle!
I wouldn't be without the good old Buddliea,I have 3, a white, a mauve and a really dark purple one. They all seem to flower at different times and are smothered in butterflies.
ReplyDeleteAnother hoverfly - it seems that they are the subject of the week for this week's Macro Monday! Yours is on a much nicer background than mine though.
ReplyDeletehoverflies are in abundance just now. Last month I didn't see too many but today they seem to be everywhere including MM. Lovely shot - they seem to like most flowers in my garden whether native or not.
ReplyDeleteNettles are good because the peacock butterfly lays her eggs on them - but they don't look all that exciting in a wild flower meadow do they.
ReplyDeleteDenise, that is a perfect capture there, what a wonderful shot!
ReplyDeleteWell, you've seen my jung, er, garden. The weeds - oh, blush, I mean wild flowers, are simply a haven for every winged and crawling creature..(grin)
Perfectly perched in pink!
ReplyDeleteI just love thistle blooms, so pretty! But the thistle plant itself is so annoying once it gets into my gardens! Those things multiply like crazy here! I love the ones growing out along our creek and fields though. Great shot!
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful photo! I love the color of that thistle.
ReplyDeleteWonderful detail and colors in this macro image!
ReplyDeletealthough it is a weed, and spreads like wildfire.....the dreaded Rosebay Willow Herb seems to attract lots of bees. We have far too much RBW for my liking, it is everywhere, but if the bees like it, I guess we shouldn't complain!
ReplyDelete