Buttercup flowers

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by amanita, Jun 11, 2009.

  1. amanita

    amanita Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2008
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    semi retired
    Location:
    worcestershire
    Ratings:
    +14
    I cant recall a time when i've seen so many flowering buttercups in lawns/grass areas.
    Has anyone else noticed this??
     
  2. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    I think its because more and more people are going for wildflower meadow seed mixes. Not necessarily in their lawns, but as councils adopt them in public spaces, surely the seeds must get about (not sure how buttercup seeds move, do birds do it or are they wind borne?).
     
  3. sweetpeas

    sweetpeas Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,174
    Ratings:
    +7
    My lawn has been covered in them and more dasies than last year too.

    Do you still do the "do you like butter" thing, my lad does it every time we're in the garden.

    I quite like having them in the lawn, it's the clover that's getting out of hand.
     
  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    33,058
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +51,739
    We do seem to have lots of buttercups & daisys also lots of plantains which aren't so nice, but the kids like picking and playing with them all - they make plantain 'guns', usually to 'fire' at me ;)
     
  5. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598

    What is a plantain gun? In fact, what is a plantain?
     
  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    33,058
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +51,739
    Plantains: you will have seen them I'm sure clueless:
    [​IMG]

    If you pull off a couple of the long flower stalks, then loop one around the other you have the makings of the 'gun'. If you quickly jerk the loop towards the flower end then the flower flies off, it can be fired quite a distance with practice. All kids do this don't they? Anyway the game our kids play is to hit me in the eye :( if successful their reward is a playful pat on the head :old:
     
  7. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    I'm familiar with them now, but didn't know their name. When I was little, my gran called them 'Lady's heads', though I'm not sure why. The only game I knew of was similar to conkers, in that two participants get one each and you bash them together with the aim of knocking your opponent's head off while keeping your own (flower head that is:)). The gun thing sounds miles more fun though.
     
  8. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    33,058
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +51,739
    Have a go at it clueless - what with making dasiy chains and seeing who likes butter, theres loads of loads of fun for free in a weedy lawn :)
     
  9. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598

    There's no daisies, buttercups or plantains in my lawn. There are one or two dandylions though.
     
  10. Aesculus

    Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    4,327
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Cashier
    Location:
    Isle of Wight
    Ratings:
    +1,337
    Thats so cool:hehe: I've never did that when I was a kid:scratch:
     
  11. Cyril

    Cyril Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2009
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    upper swansea valley...
    Ratings:
    +1
    gawd have'nt done that ngun thing for yrs:lollol::lollol::lollol:
     
  12. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    33,058
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +51,739
    Cyril, I'm glad someone else use to do it, I was starting to think no-one else knew about it. :)
     
  13. Cyril

    Cyril Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2009
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    upper swansea valley...
    Ratings:
    +1
    could go for miles if done right:lollol:
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice