Hemp-agrimony – Holy Rope – Eupatorium cannabinum

Hemp-agrimony – (Eupatorium cannabinum, family: Asteraceae), also known as holy rope. This tall hemp-like flowering perennial plant certainly makes an attractive sight but is also a favourite with the butterflies. Native to most of Europe, NW Africa and Central Asia it is part of the large Asteraceae or daisy family.

Although called a ‘hemp’ and the Latin name suggests a link to the Cannabis plants they are not closely related and not used in the same way. They do have a history of medicinal use as anti-inflammatory and for healing wounds. Otherwise an attractive flowering plant.

hemp-agrimony - holy rope - Eupatorium cannabinum

Oregano – Origanum vulgare

Oregano – (Origanum vulgare, family: Lamiaceae). From the mint family and one of the most popular culinary herbs, especially in Southern Mediterranean, Greek and Turkish dishes. This can be cultivated but here seen growing wild adorning the summer meadow. A surprise that needs to be protected from the masses, as it could easily be trampled if care is not taken.

In colder climates it grows as an annual but in wormer areas it is a perennial. Given the warmer climate is moving further north these days the Oregano plant is comfortable in more northerly regions. That’s good news for pizza lovers across the north of Europe and beyond.
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
Leucanthemum vulgar – Oxeye daisy everywhere

Oxeye daisy is now everywhere. It grows in abundance on the roadside verges, river banks, parks and any grassy areas that suit. They prefer a sunny location with well drained soil, and that means they will be at home on any south facing embankment, proliferating at the expense of most other flowers. Still a welcome site that cheers up the green landscape, or brown as it is becoming at the moment.

Leucanthemum vulgare or Oxeye daisy are part of the Asteraceae family with the typical daisy like flower head of white petals with a bright yellow central disc. This disc contains many nectar filled flowers that attract bees, butterflies and many other insects. So, good for the biodiversity, as long as they don’t completely dominate an area.
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.
Old World Swallowtail Butterfly

Old World Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio machaon, family:Papilionidae). On a recent visit to the Medieval Gardens at the Rocca di Angera on the Eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, Italy, I came across a butterfly that normally I would not see. Of course you don’t get much more ‘old world’ than there, so a fitting sight in the old garden with all its old world plants that have been specifically planted to recreate the original medieval garden that would have great significance to the occupants back in the day.

The significance of the garden is that it was created to provide the medicinal and herbal remedies of the age as well as plants that had a spiritual significance to the people of the age. Some of these have proved to be useful to this day whilst others have not proved to be particularly helpful. The garden provides insight into the ideas and thinking of the time. It also proved very popular with the local insect life. Worth a visit.
Cosmos – Garden Stars That Shine

The Daisy family, Asteraceae, is the second biggest and provides some of the best loved flowing plants we have. Cosmos are well ordered flowers with fine featherlike leaves that stand tall. The name Cosmos comes from the Greek for ‘ordered world’.

They are well ordered and keep their form, even when massed together, giving a super colourful display in any border. Colours range from chocolate, through orange, magenta, pink and white. All with a yellow centre with radial petals, like little solar systems or galaxies in perfect synchronisation. A very apt name, Cosmos.

Similar Posts

Pages