Whether you call it Chicory, Blue Sailor, or one of at least a half-dozen alternate common names—or maybe know it by its scientific name, Cichorium intybus—surely you'll agree this ubiquitous plant is as pretty as anything from the garden. Tall enough to get noticed, with bright daisylike flowers up to a couple inches across and blue as a summer sky. Just seeing a clump beside a country road immediately lifts my spirits.
But I say forget all that. Just take the time to give the blooms a slow, close look. Isn't it dazzling! And isn't that reason aplenty to welcome this delightful plant to the summer landscape? After all, a wildflower doesn't have to be rare to be beautiful.
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8 comments:
Lovely, Grizz. I'm just sorry these don't hold up to cutting for a vase on the kitchen table.
Jain…
They are really pretty…one of my first and still favorite blooms. And you're right, they have to be enjoyed where you find 'em, in situ so to speak.
Good to hear from you. Are you as dry up there as I am down here?
Grizz, I believe it's drier in central Ohio and even drier up north. I feel responsible, since I wished SO HARD for a drought last year when we were flooding.
Some times, it feels like the end of the world. But I also know that every generation believes that things are worse than before. Who's to know?
Anyway... Next time, I'll wish for reasonable, seasonable weather.
Jain…
Ahhh…I knew somebody did something to mess things up! ;~)
(Actually, I was wishing and hoping and prayin' for drought right along with you—and truth be told, I'll take this over all that rain and scary rising water any time. On the other hand, my garden flowers aren't doing too well, the smallmouth fishing is off, the ducks are already raising second broods, and plants from the woods along the river to the prairie patch up the road seem plumb confused. I saw stuff I usually don't see until August, yesterday, while out on a ramble. Reasonable, seasonable weather is probably best. After all, "there's no place like home" doesn't work if home ain't like home.)
One man's common occurence is another man's rarity!
We don't have those blue beauties in the U.K., nor do we have day lilies growing wild; - or come to think of it, much dry weather at the moment either. We just have rain, rain, and more rain. I guess you know the feeling.
Good to know you are getting back up to par Grizz.
Hazel…
Thank you—I am feeling much better and have been getting out and afield at every opportunity. A real blessing.
I keep hearing about your rainy weather—quite the opposite of what we're having here, which is heat and drought, though not too bad in my part of the country. But the river is low and the grass is starting to brown, and I have to water my flowers every other day.
By the way… I'm not sure on the lilies, but I'm pretty sure you do have Chicory or Blue Sailor throughout the U.K., though perhaps not close to where you live. You may know it as succory, French endive, bunk, coffeeweed, or witloof. And there are other local names, too. It sure is pretty. I was just making more photos of the blooms this morning.
pretty,pretty,pretty.
AfromTO …
Yup, yup, yup. ;-)
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