THE CRESCENT
May 2014
The large Crescent shaped border seemed the ideal place to experiment with the growing of wild flowers.
This was dug over and eventually the plug plants were planted among the non native plants and grasses. These included:
Selfheal, Birds Foot Trefoil, Clustered Bellflower, Foxglove, Harebell, Meadow Clary, Agrimony, Bush Vetch, Cowslip, Devils Bit Scabious, Wild Marjoram, Rock Rose and Teasel.
Several Dahlia bulbs were found and transferred to the further end of the crescent and flowered in the Summer beneath the Palm tree.
Marigolds had taken over the crescent and although not a particular favourite of bumblebees, proved to be useful in as much as they gave some protection to the small vulnerable young wild flower plants which were establishing themselves.
During the Summer these wild flowers were difficult to find but now, at the end of the season they are flourishing and by next Spring there should be an array of colour as they flower and spread.
At the side of the crescent, along a low wall we sowed Cornflowers, Corn Cockle and Red Clover seeds. These took very well and it was delightful to see the Red Clover flower once more in late Summer. Red Clover is something of a super food for Bumblebees as it is rich in nectar.
Now as Winter nears, the area may appear untidy, but these are not weeds. The flowers have been left to seed for the following Spring.
Wild flower seeds have also been sown in the Autumn. We were joined by children from Newlyn School who had spent the Summer collecting seeds. Some they took back to the classroom with them to watch them grow whilst others were sown onto the crescent flower border.
Behind the Crescent border we are growing herbs, these include, Rosemary, Lavender, Marjoram, Thyme, Lemon Thyme. Here there are also some Foxglove and Teasel. It is hoped that as the Lavender and Rosemary spread we will be able to plant these out all along the edges of this border.
The Crescent itself will become an old English garden full of wild and native flowers spreading naturally. Here also are some Cosmos seeds, whilst planted at the back of the crescent edge are small hedging trees, including, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Dog Rose and Blackthorn.
The creation of a wild life area is important in a garden as are areas for pollinators and by doing this we hope to enrich the life of the Gardens bringing a new biodiversity to the existing non natives.
May 2014
The large Crescent shaped border seemed the ideal place to experiment with the growing of wild flowers.
This was dug over and eventually the plug plants were planted among the non native plants and grasses. These included:
Selfheal, Birds Foot Trefoil, Clustered Bellflower, Foxglove, Harebell, Meadow Clary, Agrimony, Bush Vetch, Cowslip, Devils Bit Scabious, Wild Marjoram, Rock Rose and Teasel.
Several Dahlia bulbs were found and transferred to the further end of the crescent and flowered in the Summer beneath the Palm tree.
Marigolds had taken over the crescent and although not a particular favourite of bumblebees, proved to be useful in as much as they gave some protection to the small vulnerable young wild flower plants which were establishing themselves.
During the Summer these wild flowers were difficult to find but now, at the end of the season they are flourishing and by next Spring there should be an array of colour as they flower and spread.
At the side of the crescent, along a low wall we sowed Cornflowers, Corn Cockle and Red Clover seeds. These took very well and it was delightful to see the Red Clover flower once more in late Summer. Red Clover is something of a super food for Bumblebees as it is rich in nectar.
Now as Winter nears, the area may appear untidy, but these are not weeds. The flowers have been left to seed for the following Spring.
Wild flower seeds have also been sown in the Autumn. We were joined by children from Newlyn School who had spent the Summer collecting seeds. Some they took back to the classroom with them to watch them grow whilst others were sown onto the crescent flower border.
Behind the Crescent border we are growing herbs, these include, Rosemary, Lavender, Marjoram, Thyme, Lemon Thyme. Here there are also some Foxglove and Teasel. It is hoped that as the Lavender and Rosemary spread we will be able to plant these out all along the edges of this border.
The Crescent itself will become an old English garden full of wild and native flowers spreading naturally. Here also are some Cosmos seeds, whilst planted at the back of the crescent edge are small hedging trees, including, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Dog Rose and Blackthorn.
The creation of a wild life area is important in a garden as are areas for pollinators and by doing this we hope to enrich the life of the Gardens bringing a new biodiversity to the existing non natives.