When good gardening and wildlife go together

A couple of weeks ago I had a little break up in Norfolk.

After a morning with the amazing Grey Seals at Horsey...

...I then spent the afternoon at the equally entrancing East Ruston Vicarage Garden.

Some of you may have visited, or at least would recognise it from the TV, for it is famed for growing all sorts of tender plants outdoors such as cacti, despite being only about a mile from the North Sea.

Of course, I was there with my wildlife head on, too, looking to see how nature might be finding a home in amongst the innovative design and planting: when the first thing that meets you as you walk into a garden is a log pile, then you know that these gardeners are happy to show themselves to be wildlife-friendly.

There are a number of ponds, too - another sign that this is a rich habitat for wildlife. The formality of the pond doesn't matter - the rich aquatic vegetation and the ease of access for wildlife in and out of the pond makes it a winner.

The secret to the garden’s planting success is the shelter-belts of pine trees that encircle much of the garden. These provide the shelter to moderate the winter chill from untamed easterly winds pouring straight from the Urals, providing a microclimate that allows plants such as Brugmansia (so-called Angel’s Trumpets) to flourish outside.

I suspect all the sheltering hedges provide wonderful nesting sites for garden birds. But where were the insects on what was a very mild day for mid October?

Ah, there they were, clustering on one of those Gold Star plants I featured earlier in the month - Michaelmas daisies. They appeared to have drawn together all the bees, hoverflies and butterflies in the garden, including Red Admirals and this fine Comma.