This is Allium siculum, a bulbous perennial that seems to thrive in my garden. What's that ? What, it's not an Allium ? Ah well, you see when I bought it, it was in the genus Allium, and that is where it remains for me. If the botanists want to change its name, so be it, but they are not changing my plant label. Oh and if you want to know what it's called now, well it's simply Nectaroscordum siculum. Now that's a memorable name, isn't it ? And you wonder why I'm sticking with the old name. I haven't got a plant label big enough, for a start.
Anyway, the plant itself is a real bee magnet, although there were no bees out today in the rain. Yes, it's June, it's a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK, so it's got to be raining. When the flowers have been pollinated, they fold up and lift upwards, forming a sort of conical shape. The plant is also very good at self seeding, and grows wherever it feels happy. I've had plants coming up quite a distance from the main planting. If you come across it in the bulb catalogues, I highly recommend it.
A few days ago, whilst sat out in the garden, no it doesn't rain every day, I was reminded about why I like to garden for wildlife:
This wood pigeon came to the bird bath just a few feet from where I was sitting, no zoom was used on this photo. The birds and animals have become quite tame over the years. As long as I move slowly and quietly, they just get on with their business as if I wasn't there.
And finally, on a completely different subject, you know how folk are always going on about eating your 'five a day' fruit and veg. I was reading an article in a newspaper the other day, about 10 superfoods that you should eat every day to keep you healthy. All the usual suspects were there, but in at number ten was, wait for it, four, yes four pieces of dark chocolate. That's every day, folks. Must go now, I'm off to eat my 'four a day.'
Miałam ich sporo w swoim ogródku, bo je bardzo lubię. Niestety zima była dla nich brutalna i został mi jeden. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of them in your garden, because I really like them. Unfortunately for them, winter was brutal and I was one. Yours.
Sorry to hear that, Giga.
DeleteThose are beautiful blooms whatever they are called now. Allium works well enough. These changing plant names are challenging if you want to keep up with all that.
ReplyDeleteI've read that dark chocolate is good for you too.
There was another article in the newspaper yesterday about dark chocolate. The scientists are going to do a detailed study on the benefits. Better get my 'four a day' before they change their minds.
DeleteWhat pretty blooms. It would be nice to sit looking at the bees enjoying the onion blooms while munching on a bar of dark chocolate.
ReplyDeleteDo you know, that's just what I did yesterday. Lot more bees around now. The flowers must have opened up more.
DeleteThose flowers do look pretty and anything which is a bee magnet is good for me :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of Woody, they visit my garden every day and do their best to eat out of the hanging feeders as well as hogging the bird tables, I also have an ever growing army of Feral Pigeon which can be rather a nuisance.
Eat that chocolate while you can! They used to say a glass of red wine a day was good, now they've got it down to half a small glass!!! Hardly worth opening the bottle!!!
I left a late comment on your last post too.
Luckily we don't get Feral Pigeons, just Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves.
DeleteShame about the wine, you'll have to get a bigger glass.
Oh I love Wood Pigeons, my fav bird...remind me of 'ladies' with their big frilly petticoats. We have two that are constantly 'canoodling' on the fence, think they tried to nest in one of our conifers but looks like the nest either collapsed or the wind destroyed it in May. Off to check out your superfood list of other delights! xx
ReplyDeleteThe Wood Pigeons were doing a bit more than just canoodling on my outhouse roof the other day. They were planning to nest in my neighbour's conifer, but a couple of magpies have returned to the garden, so that's scuppered their plans.
DeleteI love the honey lily and have a wonderful patch of them in one border.
ReplyDeleteI really like them when they have been pollinated and raise their heads towards the sky.
Love the ten a day....can't wait to go and buy some dark chocolate :) YUM!
No, no, it's only four a day, not ten. Mind you it didn't say how big the pieces have to be.
ReplyDelete