Great WildFlower for Bees but ID please ?

Mozzie · #1 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 11:58 AM

Got a free packet of seeds from the Telegraph last year. Not really knowing what to do with them, I emptied them on some rough ground in the garden. They've flowered well this year and the bees love them...any ideas ?

Jez · #2 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:06 PM

Is it a native wildflower, I'm not sure?!?

A new one on me!

Mozzie · #3 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:07 PM

I'm pretty sure it is native.

mrs fish · #4 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:17 PM

Doesn't look familiar , it is very pretty though

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:20 PM

It looks a bit like a type of nigella.
But Its probably completely different

mrs fish · #6 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:21 PM

I thought Love-in-a-mist look-a-likes

Jez · #7 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:25 PM

Having gone through 5 wildflower books with the help of Tufftie we haven't come across it, I'm sorry to say!

But like Mrs.fish says I do think it looks attractive and 7 a bonus if the bees love it!

Hope you do get your Id soon Mozzie!

Mozzie · #8 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:35 PM

Maybe I'll have to contact the Daily Telegraph

Many thanks

mrs fish · #9 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:40 PM

I'll have a look through my RHS book

Tiggrx · #10 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:45 PM

It is Phacelia tanacetifolia a native of USA. It is sometimes grown as a crop in this country - often for nectaring bees or for green manure and sometimes turns in the wild as an escape.

mrs fish · #11 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 12:53 PM

Scorpion Weed , I had a google

Natural Englands info on it doesn't seem to work ?

rscott74 · #12 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 05:18 PM

Oh dear I knew this one immediately I came to the thread but too late to provide the answer first. As usual Tiggrx is spot on. I've seen this in a puzzling plot close to Rainton Meadows and was there today and found it in profusion. I would still like to know how it got there.
My research confirms that it is planted as a bee attractor but also as green manure.

Kayleigh · #13 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscott74

Oh dear I knew this one immediately I came to the thread but too late to provide the answer first. As usual Tiggrx is spot on. I've seen this in a puzzling plot close to Rainton Meadows and was there today and found it in profusion. I would still like to know how it got there.
My research confirms that it is planted as a bee attractor but also as green manure.

I like it where can I get some seeds from.

rscott74 · #14 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 05:24 PM

It is also known as Scorpion Weed I believe.
This from the information I have put together -
"It has a use as a green manure and has also been planted in field margins to attract hoverflies which then act as a biological control of pest species affecting crops"

Mozzie · #15 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 09:11 PM

Great thanks for the replies. I'm definately going to collect some seeds and try to spread it further.

Yes, that would explain why the hoverflies are rubbing shoulders with the Bumbles.

Mozzie · #16 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I like it where can I get some seeds from.

I think they have some for sale for £2.95.

The Organic Gardening Catalogue

rscott74 · #17 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 10:45 PM

The plot I mentioned had the flower on it last year and there's a lot there at present. It appears to self seed and doesn't seem to mind conpetion. When I was there today the area was above waist high with nettles, thistles, rape and goose grass but the scorpion weed was still plentiful. It might be the case that once it's established it may need to be controlled.

I haven't found the plant anywhere else and part of the puzzle I mentioned is how and why it's there. It's next to arable fields but confined to a roughly square plot as far as I can ascertain. Sunflowers were evident in the same area last year.