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.

Euphorbia lathyris - against a brick wall

Tamarisk – Tamarix tetrandra UK Garden Highlight

May brings out this early flowering Tamarisk – Tamarix tetrandra uk – in cascades of feathery pink blooms that brings beauty to any suitable garden. As a native of hotter and drier climates where arid land, including salty coastal areas prevail, it doesn’t seem like a plant suited for the UK. However, being so versatile it can grow well in a sunny, well drained spot, with natural defences against the heat, wind and salinity.

It is one of the many flowering shrubs that require pruning just after flowing as the following years flowers develop throughout the growing season. The shrub grows to it’s full potential of 2-4 meters over a couple of decades depending on how ideal the conditions are.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Biodiversity being lost at an Alarming Rate

Biodiversity expresses the richness of life on earth in all its complexity and order. It encompasses all types of life from the very basics to the most complex organisms. So how do we decide if biodiversity is healthy or in decline?

It seems one way to measure this is to check out your car number plate. We can do this using, The National citizen science survey of ‘bug splats’ on vehicle number plates to monitor flying insect abundance.

Anecdotally, I have noticed a decline in the gardens and woodlands around me. However, when there are lots of bugs in the air there seems to be a lot of just one sort at any one time. I suppose this will happen but doesn’t bode well for the future. Infestations, swarms and outright Biblical plagues may be to come.

Whatever, we need biodiversity and monitoring is essential to understanding where human behaviour is affecting it. Positively or negatively.

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