THREE YELLOW GARDEN FLOWERS
PART 2
In these three articles I study common flowers which are usually overlooked or taken for granted . But they and their relatives have some hidden surprises , as well as beautiful aspects to them .
The second plant of the three yellow flowers is the buttercup . Like the daisy , this is usually overlooked in our stressful routines , making us miss out on life ’ s pleasurable ‘ freebies ’.
Wherever daisies are , buttercups usually grow too , making them seem a natural pair . This is why I also played with them in my early childhood . Buttercups have bright yellow petals which seem like the colour of fresh butter , and stand up to form a minute round cup . All those years ago , I imagined that when people weren ’ t watching , fairies could drink a golden syrup from them . Other children fantasised that midges and other small flying insects were such fairies .
Now I ’ m an adult , I don ’ t make daisy chains , and no longer do I hold a buttercup under anyone ’ s chin to see if it makes a yellow reflection . But years ago , whether there was a yellow tinge or not was meant to signify that the child would be lucky or would benefit in some way later in life . At that time some girls were ‘ soppy ’ and said that a yellow reflection meant that the child was ‘ in love ’ which always made us boys feel awkward .
Because I like these common and simple flowers , even in my lawn , I refuse to dig them out . Moreover I also get tinges of regret when I have to cut the grass and so take off their beautiful heads . For me , these will never be degenerate plants or classified as weeds , but will always be a colourful part of my wildlife garden .
As with daisies , buttercups have larger members of the family , such as Marsh Marigolds and Lesser Celandine which also grow at Millstream Fork well as on the roadsides and verges . I easily recognise their similar yellow cupped flower heads when they pop up between the paving stones or in the garden ’ s margins .
The buttercup type flowers can be classified as a ‘ weed ’, although nature does not see this perspective ; it is only a horticulturalists term which denotes a wild flower living where the gardener does not want it to .
Andy Mydellton , author and journalist , leads the South Buckinghamshire registered charity , the Foundation for Endangered Species . Being based in South Bucks , they are in a position to advise people in this area about wildlife .
Contact Andy on 01895 520184 email info @ ffes . org . uk www . ffesorg . uk
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