A to Z challenge 2023 – F is for . . .

 

A to Z challenge 2023 – F is for . . .

My theme for this challenge is Nature in all much of her wonderful diversity. My posts will reflect the fact that I am resident in the south of England.

All photographs in this post are the property of the writer.

Forsythia

This cheerful, bright yellow shrub is a welcome sight in spring, particularly if the weather is cold and wet. There are about 11 forms of forsythia, mostly from eastern Asia, with one native to south-east Europe. Forsythia is a deciduous shrub belonging to the same family as the olive and is nicknamed the Easter Tree, as a symbol of the advent of spring. The flowers, sometimes called yellow bells, appear on the bare branches before the shrub comes into leaf.

Forsythia is named after the Scottish botanist William Forsyth (1737 - 1804).

William Forsyth was born in Aberdeenshire and trained at the Chelsea Physic Garden. He eventually became the superintendent of the royal gardens at Kensington and St James’s Palace, and retained that position until his death. He was a founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Forget-me-not (Myosotis)

These pretty little flowers return every year in the garden and flower from May to the end of October. They are becoming more abundant each year. They are usually blue, ranging from pale to dark tones, though sometimes white or pink flowers appear.

They are a symbol of true love and remembrance. Our vets always send a small packet of forget-me-nots with a condolence note when one of our pets crosses the Rainbow Bridge. Lsst year, we received three in eleven months; it was a very sad time.

One story about forget-me-nots tells of a pair of sweethearts who were walking by the River Danube, when they spotted beautiful blue flowers growing on a small island in the river. The man leapt into the water and battled through the strong current, managing to reach the island and pick some of the flowers. On his return journey, the waters proved too strong and as he was being swept away he threw the posy to his love, crying ‘Forget me not’. She wore forget-me-nots in her hair until the day she died.

 
French marigold (Tagetes)

This annual flower is native to Latin America and comes in vibrant shades of sunshine yellow, bright orange and dark red. Flowers may be a single colour, or may have a range of contrasting markings in yellow, red, cream and brown. The leaves are finely divided and have a very strong scent.

Tagetes are both attractants and repellents. They attract a host of pollinating insects but also deter pests like whitefly, so are often grown as companion plants with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and courgettes as well as fruit trees and bushes. They attract ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps, which eat troublesome pests like aphids. Secretions from the roots attack nematodes (eelworms) in the soil.

They are also grown as ‘trap crops’ to attract slugs and snails away from other crops.

They thrive in full sun and heat and produce an eye-catching display from spring to the first frost. Removing dead heads encourages more flowering.

The naming of the marigold is thought to refer to Mary, Queen of Scots – Mary’s Gold – and indeed she chose the marigold as her emblem. While imprisoned, she, with her ladies-in-waiting and courtiers, embroidered panels depicting many everyday events and objects. Among them was the marigold, shown as a symbol of courage in adversity, turning towards the sun.

The nursery rhyme, ‘Mary, Mary, quite contrary’ is often thought to refer to the Queen and her court, with her ‘pretty maids all in a row’, though it was not known until the 18^th century while Mary, Queen of Scots lived in the 16^th century.