Today must be the day for flying ants in Saughall.

They are all coming out in the greenhouse and on the front path.  But as long as they are outside that's ok. 

Last year I walked into the lounge to be met by a black wall and window because they were flying indoors!  

These are very big at all.  I have a vague recollection that the same thing happened last year - the small ones flew and a few days later the larger ones went, so we'll wait and see.

What a versatile flower this is.

Easy to grow as an annual but it self seeds so comes back each year.  You can eat the leaves and the flowers and when they produce seed pods you can pick these and pickle them, using them like capers.

They have a spicy peppery taste and great for adding to salads or stir fry.