Author: Rachael Murray, Communications Officer, Eastern England Regional Office (EERO)
Everyone is taken by a different aspect of nature. Some quest to see as much of it as they can, ticking off myriad species as they go. Others are wedded to particular creatures, developing a strong allegiance in the form of sponsorships, cuddly toys, perhaps even taking a once in a lifetime adventure to spot them. I know people enraptured by the fluffy and others enthralled by the feathered. Me? I am quite simply enchanted by anything that grows in the fields, flowerbeds and forests around me.
In particular, at this time of year, I love the feeling of delighted surprise that I get when I first realise that the cherry blossom tree in my front garden is in bloom. In what feels like an instant, the tightly packed buds burst into frilly existence, like floral popcorn, signaling fresh life and new beginnings. Somehow my tree blossoming has become symbolic of the joyous potential held bud-tight, ready to unfurl in the months ahead.
Ask anyone about the nature moments that really fire them up and they’ll probably all say something different, however we are all united by the simple fact that whatever you love about nature, it has a hotline to our heart.
I feel soothed by the gentle green of buds and shoots, I feel a genuine optimism as the world fills with colour, slowly erasing the grey of winter and I feel hope as I look closely and see just how many creatures are enjoying the new growth as much as I do. Bees are filling their knees with pollen, the first few butterflies of the season are tentatively supping nectar from the brave early blooms and birds are busily house hunting amongst the branches.
For those of you, like me, craving a summer of growth, one of perfect things to get on with in the wildlife-friendly garden at this time of year is sowing seeds.
Wildlife Garden. Credit: Andy Hay (RSPB)
There's little more satisfying than poking a few seeds into some pots of compost (peat-free, of course!) and tending the seedlings as they emerge. How is there so much energy and knowledge packed into those tiny, lifeless packages?
The RSPB’s wildlife gardening expert, Adrian Thomas, gave me some tips on his favourite hardy annuals for wildlife to be sown outside directly into the flowerbed – he guarantees us that if we grow a good patch of these, come summer, the butterflies and bees will be on their way!
And if sowing from seed seems a bit too much, you can always head to the wildlife friendly plant section in your local garden centre and buy them fully grown!
Echium vulgare Blue Bedder: With short, crowded spikes of violet-blue flowers, magenta flushed when fading, and pink buds, this plant, also known as ‘viper’s bugloss’ is very attractive to pollinating insects.
Cosmos bipinnatus: Considered a half-hardy annual, although plants may reappear via self-sowing for several years. The cultivated varieties appear in shades of pink and purple as well as white and will flower through the summer and into autumn.
Cerinthe major: With blue-green leaves and tubular yellow and purple flowers, ‘honeywort’ is a winner with wildlife.
Phacelia tanacetifolia: In bloom, the ‘fiddleneck’ will reward you with an abundance of densely set soft blue or lavender-blue flowers through summer and autumn.
For more information on planting for wildlife, visit www.rspb.org.uk/homes.