In a new feature for the blog, the gardening team at Flatford Wildlife Garden are giving an update on recent sightings and developments in the garden.
Flatford Wildlife Garden did not suffer too much in the recent storms but there has been some loose debris to clear up. At the moment we are not removing the normal leaf litter, seed heads and dead foliage as it is being used by hibernating insects. Ladybirds in particular have been found today in oregano seed heads and amongst the old leaves both on plants and on the ground.
The insects in the leaf litter also supply food for ground feeding birds such as Blackbirds and Dunnocks. Two Wrens have been seen pottering about among dead leaves and investigating the bark of a rotting log. If you don’t currently have a log habitat in your garden, could you add one?
Wren
John Bridges
The spring bulbs are coming through in the garden and in pots in the propagating area. Snowdrops were sold over the weekend of Big Garden Birdwatch and more will be available at February half-term as well as Aconites, Irises and other spring plants. Fritillaries have been planted in pots ready to plant out in the garden when they are big enough. The Epimediums in the garden are being cut back to allow the young bronze leaves and delicate yellow flowers to come through. At the same time the plants are being thinned and some will be available for sale later in the year.
Maintenance of the garden structures is in full flow with the board walk being thoroughly inspected and necessary repairs and replacement will take place over the next few weeks whilst the garden is closed. The chestnut wood being used to restore the boardwalk is sustainably sourced from RSPB woodlands.
The garden is really coming to life now and the sight of hundreds of Snowdrops, many beautiful Hellebores, Hazel Catkins and Pulmonarias as well as a few Violets is a cheering and promising vision showing Spring and the new season is just around the corner.
The next open time at Flatford Wildlife Garden will be during February half term, when the garden will be open for all the family to enjoy from 17th-25th February. There will be a spring garden trail and children can make a seed bomb.