My allotment neighbour dug this up at the edge of a field of spring barley and wondered if I knew what it was. Now, I'm sure I should, but I can't for the life of me think what it is. Any help? The flower is almost like a small catterpillar which unfurls as more flowers open. You can see my thumb on one for scale, it is only very small.
Yes EJ...that is a type of plant that I use as "green manure". It's called Phacilia. I have some growing at this very moment and have planted another plot yesterday.
It is a pretty little flower, does it come in thick enough for ground cover? Maybe, put in the Iris bed. :?:
It is not used for a ground cover because it grows too tall for that. The flower develops on a longish stem, rising above it's foliage. They are beautiful (in my opinion), in a clump or in a bed in the flower garden and attract butterflies and bees like mad! It is a good plant to have in your garden for a number of reasons.
Sjoerd, you are a star! It was bugging me as I felt I should know it. I really should use some green manure on the plot especially as there have been some issues around here with manure and weedkiller chemicals. I think mustard is what most people on our site use.
At your service, ma'am (doffing my hat as I bow deeply). I have seen where folks buy a pack of mixed wildflowers or something and sprinkle a bed full of diverse seeds, and these are always included. We rotate the green manure that we use. last year it was borrage, the year before it was yellow lupine...etc, etc. Yellow mustard is common here as well. We planted another bed full today. I'm a big believer in green manure, but I also use horse and cow manure as well every year.
