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  • 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
  • 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.

    Populus alba with fluffy catkins

  • 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

  • Field of Red Campion

    Travelling around the East of England you often come across a colourful field that takes your interest. It doesn’t look like any edible crop I know of. Then again crops are grown for all sorts of reasons. These are perhaps just being grown for their seeds. On the other hand there may be a use that goes beyond the wildflower seed industry. Of course these are commonly known as Red Campion and are found in many woodland and hedgerow settings at this time of year. The scientific name is Silene dioica, a member of the Caryopyllaceae or ‘pink’ family.

    Silene dioica - Red Campion - Field of Flowers
  • Persian Cornflower – Vibrant Colour & Stunning Form

    The Persian Cornflower in its cultivated form has a striking colour and a beautiful shape. Vivid pink and opens very similar to a thistle shape. Some have a white or cream centre, but in this particular cultivar the centre carries the main colour.

    Persian Cornflower not your average Daisy

    As part of the Asteraceae family, one of the largest, it resembles so many other members. However, this is likely best classified as a Psephellus dealbatus and not Centaurea. The plant is native from Turkey and up through the Caucasus but introduced to much of Northern Europe.

    This plant loves full sun in nutrient-poor but well-drained soil. This makes the plant ideal for a cross between border, cottage garden or pseudo mediterranean  garden that is not too hot or dry. Definitely more impressive than the common cornflower.

    Psephellus dealbatus - Persian Cornflower
  • 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