What's flowering as forage in your area

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Brambles are starting to go back but we have an impressive display of borage dotted amongst the wildflower beds we (the council) have cultivated in some of our public spaces, when we were discussing the planting mixes which I, as chairman had a steer on, one councillor objected to borage as he had heard it was toxic.
So how so much of it has grown down by the river is a bit of a mystery

 

[enrico]

The field I thought they had planted up as mustard wasn't! But the borage has come through. An acre of blue. Must get a photo!

 

[Swarm]

Toxic? Borage flowers are added to one's Pimms.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Toxic? Borage flowers are added to one's Pimms.

Borage (Borago officinalis) is available as plant parts such as the leaf and flower and borage seed oil. Borage plant parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver and lungs and possibly carcinogenic..

I found this, what's the oil used for?

 

[ericbeaumont]

I found this, what's the oil used for?

Pharmaceuticals and the like; borage oil is a v high quality oil and gets the farmer more money per acre than any other UK crop.

 

[Murox]

The field I thought they had planted up as mustard wasn't! But the borage has come through. An acre of blue. Must get a photo!

Oh you lucky man - I suppose its also still summer down there

 

[Curly green finger's]

Pharmaceuticals and the like; borage oil is a v high quality oil and gets the farmer more money per acre than any other UK crop.

Thanks Eric for the link, I'd love to plant lots of borage on the farm one day.

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[GuyNir]

Cloudy and 17c but the girls are working hard. Production hive entrances looking like conveyor belts.
Lime, clover, rosebay and bramble are on.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I took these this week.
If we had 20+ c the clover would be producing.

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[ericbeaumont]

Lovely photos, Mark; I'm wasting my time staying in London.

 

[DaveG23]

My poppies have started flowering, my bees and the bumblebees are almost fighting over them. Bramble still going well, thistles just starting to flower. Borage in the garden is looking strong. Ragwort about to flower.

Just need more sunny days

 

[Niv]

My poppies have started flowering, my bees and the bumblebees are almost fighting over them. Bramble still going well, thistles just starting to flower. Borage in the garden is looking strong. Ragwort about to flower.

Just need more sunny days

Most of my poppies have already gone to seed!

 

[StephenT]

Doesn't seem to be a huge amount around in West London although they are bringing in plenty of pollen and so hopefully nectar too. I don't think honey bees go for Buddliea (but please correct me if I'm wrong) as there's plenty of that along the rail tracks. Anyone know what this plant is as there's a bit of it around and there was plenty of bees on it?

 

[StephenT]

I’ve just figured out that it’s Privet. Must be the only patch in the neighbourhood that hasn’t been completely trimmed back.

 

[masterBK]

That is not privet. Looks like Russian Vine to me.
Have attached photo of privet

 

[masterBK]

That is not privet. Looks like Russian Vine Fallopia baldschuanica to me.
Have attached photo of privet

 

[StephenT]

That is not privet. Looks like Russian Vine Fallopia baldschuanica to me.
Have attached photo of privet

Cheers for the id. Sounds like something to keep out of your own garden.
My bees are bringing in cream coloured pollen at the minute so could be from that.

 

[enrico]

It is certainly Russian vine ( called rushing vine because of the speed it grows!) It is great if you want to camouflage your house!!!!
E

 

[Curly green finger's]

Lovely photos, Mark; I'm wasting my time staying in London.

Thanks Eric, every evening we go for a walk as a family, come rain or shine on the hill and I make sure we walk past three of our apairys, so I can If only see the hives from a distance.

Are you a towny wanting to live in the country? If so I would do it one day.
Cheers.

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[E&MBees]

It is certainly Russian vine ( called rushing vine because of the speed it grows!) It is great if you want to camouflage your house!!!!
E

It's also known as The Mile a Minute Vine. It was my job as a teenager when living at home to keep it under control! An almost impossible task!