Thank you for your advice WiillDB...it is a shame though...someone once told me personally (Percy thrower) "Weeds are just flowers we do not want in our perfect gardens, but they serve a purpose - mainly to attract insects which helps all of of us with the pollination of all our foods, so think twice before discarding them"....wise words I believe.
I've, just found this and thought it may be of interest to all of you kind contributors to my query many thanks indeed to Fire for initially identifying it.: - especially with the decline in bees etc.:
This is a bright orange wild flower that most people will know by sight but few will know by this name, though they might recognise the name 'orange hawkweed'. The fox and cubs wildflower (Pilosella aurantiaca) is often treated as a weed in some parts of the world as it grows so prolifically once established, yet it is perfectly at home in a wildflower garden and plays a vital role in attracting pollinating insects. Gardeners interested in promoting a healthy population of pollinating insects often grow this orange wild flower specifically.
Named as one of the 400 'RHS perfect for pollinators' wildflowers, the fox and cubs is a native species in Europe but was brought to Britain in the 17th Century, where it has flourished ever since. Growing up to 40cm it has a single tall, thin stem densely covered in dark hairs. At the top is a cluster of usually seven or eight flowers, each around 2cm in diameter with several distinct petals standing perpendicular to the stalk. It has large, broad leaves at its base, which are covered in long hairs.
The bright orange colour is highly attractive to pollinating insects and it flowers from June to September, maximising the amount of time available for various species of bees and butterflies. The colour lends itself well to the common name, being not dissimilar to the fur of a fox, with the cubs being the many buds that grow beneath the blooming flowers ready to take their place.
The fox and cubs plant uses the wind to spread its seeds on parachutes similar to dandelion seeds, though they are smaller and not as fine as the latter. As a good source of nectar and pollen, it serves to attract honeybees and bumblebees and flies that in turn attract birds.
Best combined with other species of wild flower to attract as many pollinating insects as possible.
Maybe it could educate us gardeners a little more...Once again thank you for all your help and comments...So very much appreciated indeed.
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This is a bright orange wild flower that most people will know by sight but few will know by this name, though they might recognise the name 'orange hawkweed'. The fox and cubs wildflower (Pilosella aurantiaca) is often treated as a weed in some parts of the world as it grows so prolifically once established, yet it is perfectly at home in a wildflower garden and plays a vital role in attracting pollinating insects. Gardeners interested in promoting a healthy population of pollinating insects often grow this orange wild flower specifically.
Named as one of the 400 'RHS perfect for pollinators' wildflowers, the fox and cubs is a native species in Europe but was brought to Britain in the 17th Century, where it has flourished ever since. Growing up to 40cm it has a single tall, thin stem densely covered in dark hairs. At the top is a cluster of usually seven or eight flowers, each around 2cm in diameter with several distinct petals standing perpendicular to the stalk. It has large, broad leaves at its base, which are covered in long hairs.
The bright orange colour is highly attractive to pollinating insects and it flowers from June to September, maximising the amount of time available for various species of bees and butterflies. The colour lends itself well to the common name, being not dissimilar to the fur of a fox, with the cubs being the many buds that grow beneath the blooming flowers ready to take their place.
The fox and cubs plant uses the wind to spread its seeds on parachutes similar to dandelion seeds, though they are smaller and not as fine as the latter. As a good source of nectar and pollen, it serves to attract honeybees and bumblebees and flies that in turn attract birds.
Best combined with other species of wild flower to attract as many pollinating insects as possible.
Maybe it could educate us gardeners a little more...Once again thank you for all your help and comments...So very much appreciated indeed.