Dry Spring Takes its Toll – East Anglia UK

Normally I like to take photos that highlight the beauty of the vegetation around me. However, we are experiencing dry conditions that are bordering on the extreme. The trees are now in full leaf and whilst they can draw water from deep down, the surface has become very dry and hard packed. So the next problem, when it does rain it may well just run off and cause flooding rather than soaking into the land.

Gardeners are already being warned of hosepipe bans to come, sooner than later. Not good for the luscious herbaceous borders we all love. Yet, looking at the weather map, Southern Europe and North Africa are getting heavy rainfall. This is what the Met Office thinks.

Leucanthemum vulgar – Oxeye daisy everywhere

Oxeye daisy is now everywhere. It grows in abundance on the roadside verges, river banks, parks and any grassy areas that suit. They prefer a sunny location with well drained soil, and that means they will be at home on any south facing embankment, proliferating at the expense of most other flowers. Still a welcome site that cheers up the green landscape, or brown as it is becoming at the moment.

Leucanthemum vulgare or Oxeye daisy are part of the Asteraceae family with the typical daisy like flower head of white petals with a bright yellow central disc. This disc contains many nectar filled flowers that attract bees, butterflies and many other insects. So, good for the biodiversity, as long as they don’t completely dominate an area.
Euphorbia lathyris – Unusual Mole Control

Spurge varieties are common in gardens but this one seen less often. Euphorbia lathyris is an interesting plant from western China, Kirgizstan and Pakistan. Known by many names such as, Caper Spurge, Gopher Spurge and Mole plant.

Its form with dark and light greens, alternating heavily veined criss cross leaves, and light green petal less flowers, make for a striking looking plant. This Euphorbia is thought to deter moles, the furry kind, and while the plant is poisonous this is a bit hit and miss. More a game of whack-a-mole.
Not a Common Lilac – Syringa pubescens

There are lots of plants that are referred to as ‘Lilac’, but not all are the same family. This particular Lilac is from Korea and China, the Syringa pubescens. Flowering at the same time a the common Lilac, it can be seen in gardens of Europe more and more. In my own garden I have had one many years, but as a shady garden it survives but prefers full sun.

These delicate tubular flowers can be anything from white to dark magenta and change as the flower develops. A much smaller, slower growing shrub than the Common Lilac.
Fremontodendron californicum – Yellow Flower Tree

It is not often that I see a large yellow flower in a tree in my neck of the woods. So to see this Fremontodendron californicum or California flannelbush is a real surprise and treat. The leaves are there but quite sporadic giving the flowers plenty of room to shine.

California flannelbush, Fremontodendron californicum, is a striking shrub or tree identified by its vibrant yellow flowers and unusual fuzzy foliage. It is very tolerant to dry spells and doesn’t need watering in summer once established. It prefers full sun with well drained soil on the acidic side.
Populus alba Tree – Alternative Name White Poplar

In a local water meadow the White Poplar, populous alba, has come back to life. The air is heavy with fluffy white ‘cotton’ that covers the ground nearby. This is the seed dispersal method of a lot of similar trees in the Willow family, Salicaceae. Once pollinated they blow off in the breeze to find space to grow.

The White Poplar is not native to the UK but has been naturalised over most of the UK. It loves water and can grow in the salty winds of coastal areas, too. The leaves are silvery underneath and darker green on the top. Unlike the long slender leaves of it cousin willows, these leaves broader and crenate at the edges.
Mayflower for May Day

May 1st opens with the flower that is often referred to as ‘May Blossom’ or simply, ‘May’. Found extensively in Europe the Common Hawthorn or Crataegus monogyna is part of the Rose family, Rosaceae.

Whilst the Hawthorn can grow into a tree of some 30+ feet, it is often used in hedges and trimmed annually to keep its size and shape. However, when allowed to grow into a row of trees, you get the wall of white blossom that looks so impressive. Hawthorne is good for the ecology providing for birds and insects alike.

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