gardening info-prehistoric allium

One of the earliest ever Alliums,known to me as Babingtons Leek,the picture shows the seed head forming,the plant in this photo being just under 6 feet in height.It was introduced into Britain by prehistoric people and has been found growing in places where monasteries used to be.

gardening info-one of my favourites

One off my favourite plants is Feverfew but apparantly  it is disliked by bees because it has a strong and bitter smell,but it great to chew if you can stand the bitterness as a relief for headaches,feverfew limits the inflammation of blood vessels in the head ( a careful watch will be kept to see if bees do go on the flowers,or maybe they don't suffer from headaches)

gardening info-rare plant

Star of the show this week was the appearance of a Bee Orchid at the NWC,this particular one is now showing for a limited period between 10am- 5pm matinees by arrangement.The flower of the bee orchid produces a scent like a female bee and its shape has also evolved to attract male bees.The bee attempts to mate with the flower and in so doing transfer pollen between plants.However in England it is thought that bee orchids only reproduce asexually and the species of bee the flower evolved to attract is not found here.

gardening info-one of natures great architects/builder

One of natures great architects/construction workers the wasp,their latest creation photographed in the pump room at the National Wildflower Centre this morning,these sort after apartments were quickly snapped up by the local wasp community.A spokesman said extensions to the properties are in the balance!

gardening info- winter planted onions

These onions were grown overwinter and are now drying in the polytunnel at the National Wildflower Centre,they were grwn by volunteers in the Get Growing project,people who 16 months ago had little or no experience of growing fruit/veg.

gardening info-orchid

Spotted at the National Wildflower Centre this week,yes you were right the Common Spotted Orchid,when it grows in colonies,it can be highly perfumed attractive to day flying moths,finding a colony is the problem,still enjoy what we've got.

gardening info-haircut for primroses

The primroses all had the leaves cut hard back today,this is done for a few reasons,1-overhead watering systems cannot water the plants effectively when the plants are in full leaf.2-leaves beginning to die leading to rotting of plant.3- chance to propagate plants by division.4-introduce fresh compost/feed

gardening info- no pot needed

One of my favourite wildflowers is Ivy leaf Toadflax,it was originally an introduction from Italy via the Chelsea Botanical Gardens.What I like about it is the way it grows and thrives on old garden walls.Before fertilization each flower pushes itself out into the light and sun standing erect,but when the seeds are mature,it bends downwards,buries the capsule in the dark crannies between the stones on which it grows

gardening info-edible baskets

One of the workshops I run,this one was edible baskets(planting things edible in a basket) easy,thisbasket was an example to get people  into it,8 attended and went away with the baskets and all seemed pleased

gardening info- growing toms

The tomato plants were put in their final positions this week, these plants are grown at the National Wildflower Centre to supply the on site Cafe with organically grown tomatoes,they grow up  supported by string and in a shade tunnel,a bit unusual growing toms in shade,works for us so I won't change it

gardening info-you don't need a lot of space

Just showing people that you don't need a lot of space to grow what you like. These boxes show you can grow salad crops to fruit bushes

gardening info- lambanana

Check out the Lambanana at the National Wildflower Centre completely redesigned and painstakingly painted by Caz,it is very impressive and has to be seen.

gardening info- watch and learn children

A male house sparrow showing his offspring how easy it is to get food

gardening info-daytime moth

One of the most dazzling daytime moths the Cinnabar moth.The main food for the caterpillar is Ragwort,the toxins in the leaves do not harm the caterpillar but protect them making the caterpillars toxic.Very few caterpillars survive to the pupae stage as they completely consume the food source before reaching maturity,resulting in cannibalistic behaviour