And now for something different...

Every now and then I like to bring you something that has value for garden wildlife but which you wouldn't find in many a book on the subject.

And here is my latest off-the-wall suggestion for those of you who like to do things a little differently.

Are they mouldy plums? Could it be mis-shapen apples? No, they are the fruit of the Handkerchief Tree.

Now you're probably more familiar with it in spring, although this is still quite a rare garden tree. It's then that all the branches are draped with what look like lines of dangling white hankies. Those of you with a less surreal imagination may know it as the Dove Tree. And you may equally find it labelled Davidia, after the French missionary/naturalist Pere David who wandered around China finding giant pandas and Buddleia davidii. Whichever name you favour, the tree is a splendid thing in full bloom in May, and a real talking point.

What I haven't found is any wildlife that uses either the flowers or the leaves, although the tree itself has a great branch structure ideal as song perches for birds like Robins and Blackbirds.

But what I was pleased to see was Blackbirds eating the ripe flesh off the fruits.

If anyone has any more observations of wildlife in Davidia, I'll be pleased to hear them. And if you want to give the tree a go, it's a bit expensive and not one from your run-of-the-mill garden centre. But the good thing is that it is totally hardy, and will grow fast up to about 20m so it is not too huge. And I guarantee it will both wow your neighbours and hopefully keep the autumn Blackbirds happy too.