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  • 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.

    Luecanthemum vulgare - Oxeye daisy
  • Laburnum – Golden Rain Attracting the Bees

    It’s great to hear the Bees at work in the garden. The Laburnum tree is in full flower with its long trails of golden yellow flowers, a sight to behold. More important is the hum of the Bees busily collecting the pollen and pollinating the plants in the garden and surrounding area.

    The Laburnum, is a member of the Fabaceae family, also known a legume or peas and beans. However, it’s important to remember that all parts of the tree are poisonous, so due care is required.

    Any plant that can attract the Bees is so important because they will ensure our food supply as well as that of many other creatures. To learn more about Bees visit The Wildlife Trusts.

    Laburnum-close up with Bee
  • 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.

    Syringa pubescens - Lilac

  • May Beetle vs June Bug – What to do?

    The May Beetle, just spotted it on 31st May or tomorrow it would be the June Bug. This one was shaded from the sun under a leaf of the rose bush. It was eating away at the bush but not a real cause for concern. The Green Fly and Black Fly, and other diseases are much more damaging as they attack the new growth and damage the developing Rose flower head.

    How Do I get Rid of May Beetles?

    No need. Unless they are in such numbers as to cause real damage, just leave them be. They are harmless, do not bite or sting, nor carry any specific disease to worry about.

    May Beetle taxonomy

    The May Beetle is known as the Common Cockchafer in its native Europe. It is part of the family Scarabaeidae or Beetle family that contains more than 35,000 species, ofter referred to as Scarabs. Its scientific name is the Melolontha melolontha.

    Melolontha melolontha - May Bug - May beetle - doodlebug

  • Manna Ash – Fraxinus ornus

    I came across an unusual tree that in the cold north wind was depositing fluffy chaff. Not recognising it, I used the Seek app to see what it was. Evidently it is called the Manna Ash, or Fraxinus ornus. Obviously the manna refers to the Biblical manna that the Israelis fed on in the wilderness. However, the link I made was from all the white chaff falling on me. Rather, the reason it is called the Manna Ash is more to do with the sweet sticky sap that comes from the bark. Anyway an interesting part of the Ash family.

    Fraxinus ornus - Manna Ash

  • Musk Mallow – A stunner in the Flowering Meadow

    The flowering meadows are in full swing and among the stand out plants I found was this Musk Mallow. The Mallow I normally see is the large shrub mallow often used in borders for height and width, the Malva arborea or Tree Marrow. This Mallow sits just above the grasses to produce a stunning flower head that stands out as a flower among flowers. The Musk Mallow is part of the mallow family (Malvaceae), and can be seen in meadows, hedgerows and by roadsides.

    Musk Mallow Alba

    The flowers emit a slight musky scent, hence the name. They are a perennial flowing plant that is native to Europe and Western Asia. Sometimes used for its culinary and medicinal use, best left to the experts. They certainly standout in wherever they can be found flowering. Some Musk Mallow naturally form a white flower, in this case identified as Malva moschata f. alba.

    Malva moschata pink - Musk Mallow