LJN Blog Posts

Comments

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  Glynis Hales May 26, 2009 at 10:41am

  I am so glad you have written this and would like to add that they are also one of the early food sources for bees and butterflies, both of which as you probably know are on the decline. I am at present trying to create a mini wildflower meadow in my garden to support wildlife along with growing fruits and vegetables to support me! :) I am also encouraging more acceptance of wildflowers with my customers. Thank you again.
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  Phil Voice May 26, 2009 at 8:16pm

  Hi Shadow
  
  

  

  Have you aver seen the Dandelion explosion in France during late April/early May? All of the plum orchards and the meadows are a real picture and because the grass has not been treated for ages, every year seems to get more colourful.
  
  Even the buttercups are such a fantastic sight.
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  Phil Voice May 26, 2009 at 8:18pm

  

  
  

  
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  Andrew Fereday May 26, 2009 at 9:51pm

  Cat and I were happily wandering through the plant centre at Harlow Carr a couple of months ago. We came home with three 'Itailian Herb' dandelion pots (that special irony was reserved just for me...). Now growing them happily in a Yorkshire flowerpot (also bought at Harlow Carr) next to the Mizuna and Rocket. Although I must admit that I volunteered to split them myself - what was I thinkig? I'm waiting for Cat to get sick of the leaves in salads, but I think I've got a way to go yet, as she feeds the extra leaves to our three house-rabbits as treats. I'm never going to win against that sort of genius am I...?
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  pete May 27, 2009 at 2:43pm

  Gorgeous pictures Phil, here's some more from wikipedia (trust the speedwell doesn't upset the lawnsters)
  
  

  

  by Wadester16.

  

  by Wonglijie.

  

  by ArtMechanic.
  
  Magnificent aren't they.
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  Shadow Hall May 28, 2009 at 8:48am

  These are beautiful pictures phil and pete and they highlight my point perfectly. Thank you glynis your garden sounds lovely.
  Shadow
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  Shadow Hall May 28, 2009 at 8:52am

  Andrew
  Rabbits and giunea pigs, I can say from experience, are particularly fond of these so you may be stuck growing these for some time.
  Shadow
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  Linda Laxton June 11, 2009 at 5:24pm

  the dandelion has made many visits to chelsea. we had it in a garden in 1996 and again in 2004,5,6,7,8,9. Dandelion Taraxacum agg. consists of at least 229 microspecies in GB alone. All are apomictic and at least 40 are endemic. With a bit of effort it is possible to key them out into 9 sections. though the main flush of flowers is in the spring, some will flower at later times. and the habitat they grow in can help identify the particular group.
  We first included stinging nettles into a garden at chelsea in 2000. They have an even more interesting biology, being a hybrid which has followed civilisation into the world. They cerainly show that renowned "hybrid vigour"!