I love the way these Blue Lace Flowers have leaned in among the plumes of Hydrangea paniculata. It was not planned. In fact I did not know what to expect of the seedlings grown from the free packet of seed that came with a gardening magazine back in March. The water colour image on the packet verged on the surreaI and I was certain I had never seen anything like it in real life.
Didiscus caerulea also known as Trachymene coerulea was apparently introduced to Britain from Western Australia in 1828 so I can’t excuse my ignorance of its existence by thinking it a ‘new’ plant. Anyway, it is well worth growing – a half hardy annual, delicately scented, good for cutting, long flowering and around two feet tall. The leaves turn a lovely shade of tangerine as they age.
An all round good-looker then, and although dead-heading encourages new flowers, I haven’t persuaded myself to do it so far. When the petals fall the flower turns into a star burst, which then curls up into a little fist of seeds. I’m wondering if it will sow itself, though imagine the seeds would not survive an English winter. But I might try collecting some and drying them for next spring’s sowing.
That the flowers also attract hoverflies is of course an added bonus.
Tish Farrell 
Beautiful 🙂
Many thanks, Arlene.
That’s a beautiful plant.
it is 🙂
with the bonus of being scented this flower has everything going for it – evidently quite tall since growing in amongst your rather nice prim pink hydranges
It’s in a slightly raised bed behind the hydrangea so looking taller than is. Around two feet tall. Also happy in pots.
There’s something especially lovely about a garden at this point in the year….somewhat ethereal. janet 🙂
Yes, I do agree – still colourful, but a quiet fading.
absolutely stunning
Many thanks 🙂
Oh Tish , you outdid yourself…JUST SPECTACULAR!
Thank you, lovely Anna 🙂
Gorgeous!
🙂
Aren’t they lovely? And I have not heard of them before this year either – obviously a lot of people received that free packet of seeds! The dying seed-head looks rather lovely too. Time to stop dead-heading and leave the seeds for the birds (or the garden), but yes I would definitely save some for sowing next spring.
Just picked a few heads this morning 🙂
Read that it is fragrant – nice smell?
Very subtle dusty summer scent – like grass flowers, or maybe lady’s bedstraw but not as strong.
New to me but isn’t it lovely?
It is, isn’t it.
I have not seen these flowers in Canada, Perhaps it is too cold for them to survive in our colder climate zones. Great photos, Tish!
Absolutely smitten with your lead photo! A thing of beauty, Tish 🙂 🙂
I’m wondering if I actually took it. It doesn’t seem quite real 🙂
🙂 🙂
Because you knew I probably would ….
Your species of hoverfly is probably: Myathropa florea (female)
And the photos are lovely too, of course.
Many thanks for the ID, Ark. And the compliments of course.
oh the third photo was the one that smitten me – but all three are fantastic (and whew – such an artsy depiction of these blooms – well done for the photographer in you) and now the master gardener in you also shared some more tipoids – like don’t just seeds by their cover (even if free) and it is okay and normal to not dead-head – we do what we can… lol
Thank for all those cheery comments, Yvette. You blow in like breath of fresh air. Always a treat.
that was nice to read –
Stunning. Absolutely stunning, and what a fabulous addition to the garden. I’d have been tickled pink by these. Wonderful pink entry for today.
PS can you send me some seeds!!!!!
I shall have a go at drying some, and see if they remain intact. But of course!
Exciting xx
Wonderful photos as always. And what a gardener!
Thank you, Stephen. I am taking a bow 🙂
Sometimes you just have to let a plant die a natural death. 🙂 Lovely colors.
janet
That is a very good point, Janet.
Beautiful flowers, and such beautifully framed photos.
Alison
Many thanks, Alison.
Lovely composition.
Thank you, Sherry.
And kind of lovely!
Thank you, kindly, Gilly.