A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.
Sign In or Register to join the conversation
Tonight on telly at 8pm looks to be a good program 'Bees,Butterflies, Blooms. It set me thinking that a positive change of garden style (wildlife gardening) may be gaining momentum. My scant knowledge of fashions for gardens seem to point to us wanting what we dont get in the enviroment: eg
Medievil gardens were tightly controlled and manicured as opposed to the struggle in the rural landscape.
After the enclosures had hedged and fenced the farmland, Open, natural 'Landscape' gardens were all the rage.
The development of very brightly coloured bedding from the mid 19th centuary onwards provided the exotic colour that had always been lacking in the landscape.
But as today you can hardly go anywhwere without seeing bright exotic colour, manicured landscape, trimmed hedges etc. I hope that our unquashable one-up-manship in the garden will begin to centre on how many bees, birds, moths, etc. we can entice to live and breed in our gardens, rather than the outward display of 'Ideal Home' orderliness that too many gardens have.
Don't admit to the bone idle bit - say its the latest thing!
I watched this tonight and enjoyed it. I have to say last year due to our 'wild flower' meadow/lawn I noticed a massive increase in bees, butterflies and other insects in the garden. In fact when many on here were saying it was a bad year for butterflies my garden was practically teaming with them!
This area was just a trial last year with plug grown annuals which worked well enough but due to the success in attracting the wildlife I have now redeveloped and increased the area. I have already sown perennial seeds for long term wild flowers but will sow some annuals in the spring for colour this coming summer.
I have to admit that I can't wait to see it this summer and would thoroughly recommend anyone have a go at wild flowers and see what difference it makes to your bee/butterfly population....You'll be amazed!!
Higgy
I'm please that 'Britain in Bloom' is going to be in the next programme, and I hope Sarah Raven can talk some sense into them! They must be held responsible for a large part of the 'geraniums in straight rows and not a weed in sight' fashion that holds sway in so many towns. But last nights programme was so true, in that so many people perceive long grass and wild flowers as untidy, my local town council being one!
Here here!
In Bristol I have noticed the planting of a couple of perennial borders which look great through the summer and obviously better for insects. I just wish they would really go for it and plant all borders this way. For one, long term it would be cheaper and it is more environmentally friendly. If year round colour is the problem then a few other plants can be added as the seasons progress? I'm actually surprised this hasn't caught on more yet!?
Unknown said: ............................. But last nights programme was so true, in that so many people perceive long grass and wild flowers as untidy, my local town council being one!
............................. But last nights programme was so true, in that so many people perceive long grass and wild flowers as untidy, my local town council being one!
My gallery here
Checkout the forums' Community HOMEPAGE for lots of interesting posts from other members.
I have a tiny garden with very few wildflowers, I'm afraid. The exceptions are the foxgloves which 'arrived' in the back, were unsuccessful but have transferred to the hedge at the front where they 'hide' amongst the bushes but are found by the bees and other insects. I'm just letting them spread. I have some cultivar seeds to grow this year. I've got cowslips as well for early season flowers and fritillaries which spread themselves around. I just manage them a little when they start swamping the other plants.
Although the scope for wild flowers is a bit limited, I like year round flowers and don't like doubles so they are always there for the insects. Hoverflies love oriental lilies and I see them scoping the buds for the first petals to peel back.
I can't do a meadow but will look out for some cornflowers to sow this year.
Some Cornflowers for you Grandmamac
and a wildflower meadow at Norton Priory
I was impressed by the farmers changing from annual wild floewr strips to perennial grass and wildflower strips as this will provide far more insects with the chance of surviving over the winter.
I think this is what you mean Ratty
A farm near Little Budworth , Cheshire.
Thank you for the cornflowers, Galatas. My favourite blue.