Fox and (Whiskery) Cubs

My sister in law gave me a few of these plants a year or two ago to see if the deer would like them, or more to the point leave them alone and allow some colour into the garden. I can only assume the deer didn't find them (to their taste).

And they have multiplied!

I can't say I was keen on the rampant hairy leaf until recent weeks when the colourful flower-heads developed to show Madam Fox and her Cubs

It is called a Hieracium Aurantiacum or Orange Hawkweed or in Cumbria 'Miners Spurge'. It may be the latter name that put me off. However it is a rather clever little plant. I now like it. The flowers are like small dandelion heads only a deep bright orange. The stem is covered in small black hairs and apparently the flower is a good nectar source for some of the fly species.

And anyone who would like to take some away please call in.