Similar Posts

  • Gazania or African Daisy – Vibrant Hot Colours

    Gazania or African Daisies are bold, bright flowers with hot colours that are suited to sunny, dry climates. Although being in the same family, they are a different genus to Osteospermum plants that are also commonly referred to as African Daisies. These plants are drought tolerant and like to have full sun to be at their best. Being in the shade will make the flowers close and may then grow thin taller stems unable to support the large flower head.

    Gazania African Daisy 12

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Gazania

    Common Names:

    African Daisy, Treasure Flower

    Genus:

    Gazania

    Family:

    Asteraceae

    Related Plants:

    Aster, Daisy, Sunflower

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline

    Moisture:

    dry, well drained

  • Calendula – Pot Marigold a Tenacious Sunny Bloom

    Coming across a brightly coloured flower, standing out in a harsh stoney environment does bring a smile. This Calendula or Pot marigold, is a member of the Asteraceae family and has the typical daisy flower head. Native of southern Europe it now cultivated for gardens across the world and has uses other than its obvious ornamental value.

    It has uses in the kitchen as parts are edible, such as the petals can be used in salads. It has uses in medicine as an anti-inflammatory and has skin healing properties. Compounds from Calendula can be found in cosmetics too, but can cause an allergic reaction. 

    Calendula - lone yellow flower by pavement curb
  • Hornet Mimic Hoverfly – Volucella zonaria

    Hornet Mimic Hoverfly – (Volucella zonaria, family:Syrphidae). This very large hoverfly was largely absent from the UK until after 1940 but is now a relatively common sight. On initial sight you are thinking Hornet, but these have much bigger eyes and thankfully no sting. Very impressive at about an inch long with a wide body and impressive wingspan.

    Good pollinators, this one was busy on the Buddleja as can be seen from all the pollen collected around the abdomen. It was resting on the Indian Bean Tree making for a good clear image.

    hornet mimic hoverfly - Volucella zonaria

  • Common Passion Flower – Adore Them

    The common passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) or blue passionflower is certainly a joy to behold with its intricate layers of striking form and colours. Parts that are strong and bold whilst others are delicate and precarious. They grow on a climbing vine that can quickly cover anything that provides support. With all that pollen going on, they attract a wide range of pollinators such as the bees and hummingbirds and helping to keep a health ecosystem.

    These plants are native to South America but have been widely cultivated to grow around the world and are hardy in all but the coldest parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They prefer a sunny spot especially if you want to ripen the fruit. The fruit although edible is not very palatable unless fully ripened.

    passiflora caerulea - common passion flower

  • Scarce Swallowtail Butterfly

    Scarce Swallowtail Butterfly (Iphiclides podalirius, family:Papilionidae). Again at the Medieval Gardens at the Rocca di Angera on the Eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, Italy, a butterfly that is scarce in my locality. Hence the common name in English, Scarce. In reality these are not uncommon throughout central and southern Europe.

    This particular Butterfly has had a bit of a hard life and just a little ragged around the edges but at least retains its signature swallowtails. Seen here feeding on the Gomphrena globosa or globe amaranth a plant popular with the pollinators.

    scarse swallowtail butterfly - Iphiclides podalirius

  • Six-spot Burnet – Standout Moth

    The six-spot burnet moth (Zygaena filipendulae) has been a welcome sight, as seen here on a Scabious in the grass meadow. This moth is common throughout Europe away from the extremes and is busy during the daytime feeding and mating. It plays a crucial role in the pollination of plants that has a wider impact on the production of food.

    Its striking appearance of metallic green-blue wings, and six vivid red spot, serves as a warning to predators of its toxicity. It stores cyanogenic compounds as a defence, that it has taken from its host plants.

    Their presence in numbers is a sign of a health ecosystem, as long as they are in balance and not overwhelming the system. A useful insect to study as they are easy to spot and active in the daytime. They also typify the lifecycle that highlights the basic biological concepts such as metamorphosis, plant-insect interactions, and chemical defense mechanisms

    zygaena filipendulae - six-spot burnet moth