Wordless Wednesday ~ Butterfly Convention

A Tale Of Two Gardens - Part 1

Earlier this month we spent a most pleasant weekend garden visiting and cake hunting. I have been meaning to post more about the garden visits so will do so before June slips away. Both gardens are in Shropshire and are within a couple of miles of each other. Depending on your energy levels they could be visited in one day or you may prefer to spread the visits out and linger longer at both.

Our first port of call was Hodnet Hall Gardens in the village of Hodnet, some twelve miles away from the town of Market Drayton. We had visited once before but memories of it were a blur. Images of a lot of space, lakes and a rather unique tea room were at the back of my mind but I could not recall any specific planting details. The main reason for this recent visit in fact was to attend a Plant Hunters' Fair which was being held in the grounds that weekend. These specialist plant fairs are held mainly in Cheshire, North Wales, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire and take place in some fine garden venues. They are well worth looking out for.

So our first port of call was the plant fair which offered plenty to peruse and plenty to tempt. Himself headed back to the vehicle with my purchases before we set off to meander through some of the sixty three acres of gardens. There have been gardens at Hodnet since the eleventh century but most of the current gardens were developed during the twentieth century. In the 1920s the owner Brigader Heber-Percy made a decision to flood the valley which lies below the house. During the next forty years the pool margins and slopes were planted with various shrubs including spring flowering magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. He was helped in this project by the renowned plantsman EA Bowles. The present owner has added to the structure with herbaceous planting. I think that we were most fortunate with the timing of our visit which coincided with the gardens being at their peak in terms of seasonal colour and interest. The late spring played its part too as some of the flowers we encountered would normally not still be out at the beginning of June. Everywhere we looked there was an absolute riot of colour whilst our noses were assailed by powerful scents. A magical moment occurred when gazing up at the handkerchief tree, which you can see in the bottom left hand photo, when the sound of church bells started to drift through the air.  A celebratory peal we supposed for a bride and groom on a perfect sunny Saturday afternoon.

We would like to return there later in the year as I'm sure that the gardens would be splendid in the autumn. However sadly there does not seem to be an opportunity to do this, as there appear to be no open days between the middle of September and late November. Maybe this might change in the future. The gardens are not open each week but have specific open days throughout the year, which you can check on the Hodnet Hall Gardens website. They are also open by appointment to groups of over 25 people.

Final image of the day is of this monster that himself spotted lurking in the foliage of yellow tree peony ~

Neither of us had seen such a creature before so out came the wildlife books as soon as we got home. We are fairly sure that it is a cockchaffer beetle, otherwise known as a May bug, which too was another late arrival  on the scene this year. On to the second garden later this week.

Wordless Wednesday ~ 20th March 2013

Wordless Wednesday ~ ''Two's Company"

Wordless Wednesday ~ 9th May 2012

Wordless Wednesday ~ Just A Bit Of Housework

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

B IS FOR?

BEES ! ~ 

"The only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you're a bee...The only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey....and the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it." 

~ Winnie the Pooh in A.A. Milne's 'The House at Pooh Corner'

The atmosphere has been positively buzzing at the allotment this last week with the arrival of a bevy of bees - approximately 20,000 of them. These busy creatures were out and about in bright sunshine on Saturday afternoon so hence not a particularly brilliant photo.

Three plotholders have taken courses in beekeeping via the British Beekeepers Association and now with the council's approval, have located two hives on the allotment site. The hives are situated in a closed off area at one end of the allotment which is going to be especially landscaped for them with a pond, wildflower area and other planting to get them off to the very best start.

The bees can fly up to five kilometres from the hives so there is a chance that I may well see some of them flying about in my garden. Next year hopefully we can look forward to munching bread, butter and some beautiful local honey.

Be prepared to be bewitched and bewildered by the letter B over at ABC Wednesday.

Etiquette At The Bird Table

"Dear Mr  and Mrs Blackbird


You, your family and friends are always welcome to dine chez us ; a bird table and other perching posts are available for your convenience along with the ground.


On the menu please be assured of finding a selection of seeds (mixed and sunflower), dried mealworms, nuts, cocofat feeders, bird - cakes as well as fresh and dried fruit. From time to time chef will provide specialities such as moreish cubes of cheese for you to nibble on.


In return, please observe these simple courtesies :


~ Mr and Mrs Blue Tit are valued customers ~ do not allow your boisterous behaviour to spoil their enjoyment.


~ Separate containers are provided to segregate the various tit -bits, please do not allow your party to mix these, or spread viable seed on the ground where unidentified seedlings could sprout next spring. Any spilt food should be collected forthwith and either returned to its container or eaten.


~ Appropriate toilets facilities may be found elsewhere ~ please do not despoil the new fence, the washing line nor mess over all the food. Other diners have complained that they find this sort of behaviour somewhat off - putting.


~ From time to time when it is warm enough, complimentary slugs, aphids, vine-weevil grubs etc. and other such delicacies will be provided. Please feel free to eat your fill of these. Indeed we insist !


~ Please feel free to elbow any squirrel who may pester you or use any other form of dissuasion whether it be fair or fowl.


Assuring you of our best service at all times (service charge at your discretion) 


Yours
G.Ullible (Head Gardener)"

Firstly I should explain that the above are not my own words. I came across the above letter on the internet in the middle of 1999. I printed it off and came across it recently in my ongoing de - cluttering. Unfortunately I am unable to credit it to its author, but I am sure that other folk will appreciate it, especially at this time of year when the bird station is a great source of amusement. I have amended it slightly in places. In particular the original letter was addressed to a starling - now for some reason we do not get any visiting our garden and the squirrel advice is my addition. Have fun watching your bird table on these oh so chilly winter days and please remember to vary the menu. Some excellent advice on what to feed the birds and on hygiene can be found here on the RSPB website.

Dishing The Dirt

V IS FOR?

VERMICULTURE ~ which is rearing worms for the purpose of making compost.

The stars of the show saw me coming camera in hand and went into hiding. No wriggly mass of worms in sight but if you peek very carefully you might see the odd character squiggling by. They do not like light so disappear from sight rather quickly.

My wormery came as a ready to put together package from Wriggly Wrigglers but it is possible to make your own wormery, which does work out considerably cheaper. Chris Beardshaw gives a demonstration in this short video ~




The worms came to live with us in May 2009 - you can read about their first meal here. They live outside in the shed and when inclement weather is forecast I wrap their residence up with horticultural fleece or an old blanket - sometimes both. I must admit that they do not produce vast amounts of compost for me to use in the garden. This could be because there are only the two of us (humans) producing waste for them but we also have a compost bin in the garden. However they provide me with much entertainment and I usually visit them every day with food or without. Unlike us they do not eat as much in winter!

You can view more on the vital letter V over at ABC Wednesday!

Bewitched!

B IS FOR?

BUTTERFLY!
Now I have featured a butterfly in a previous round of ABC Wednesday but this happens to be the biggest and most beautiful butterfly that I ever did see. Whilst on holiday in France recently I noticed a little girl crouched on her haunches, taking photos of a flower bed or so it seemed. A budding botanist I thought. Getting nearer to her my eyes alighted on the subject of her photo - not a plant but a most glorious winged creature which was settled on a scented pelargonium. I did not recognise the butterfly but it turns out that it is a swallowtail. I found out that we have swallowtails in the U.K. but they are confined to the fens in Norfolk. Their continental cousins are larger. Sadly this little body has suffered wing damage at some point but is still beguilingly beautiful.

I had to make furious silent signs to attract himself's attention and by time he arrived the butterfly had alighted onto another scented plant - a heliotrope or cherry pie plant. We watched it linger there for some time before it floated off on the balmy breeze.

If you go over to ABC Wednesday you will be able to see a bevy of posts on the letter B.

Songbird

A most welcome visitor turned up in the midst of 'The Big Freeze' - a goldcrest which is the United Kingdom's smallest songbird. Now I don't know whether goldcrests have visited the garden before or not but this is the first time we have identified this bird. It could just be that the bird feeder is now situated closer to the window and can see the birds more clearly. Whatever the reason it was most exciting to see this little bird close up ~








Since our sighting of the goldcrest I have discovered thanks to Teza that there is a new digatalis on the block, which goes by the name of 'Goldcrest'. It is a new introduction and may be hard to get hold of for some time but it has gone on the wish list so I have a memento of this delightful visitor.

Is It Or Isn't It And Other IDs

A quick trip to the allotment this afternoon to drop some stuff off. The site was looking rather melancholy and was quiet. A couple of other plot holders were at work but other than that the place was deserted. Whilst there I noticed this wee beastie on a cosmos flower that is now going over. I read Ryan's post at Ryan's Garden earlier this week and wondered whether the invasion has spread to the north west. Could this be a harlequin ladybird ? I am hoping not. There are certainly numerous aphids about for ladybirds nice or nasty to feast upon. Himself took the car through a car wash a couple of days ago and was not a happy bunny to find the car covered with aphids this morning. After the curses out came the bucket and soapy water. The car has now been parked in a different spot so it will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.





Now a couple of of plants ids. The first is a lovely day lily which I have been lucky enough to have been given a division of by a dear gardening friend. She swears that the squirrels steal her plant labels and the one that identified this plant has gone missing ~




Finally a tree growing in a Liverpool park, photographed in June this year and then September ~

Meet The Family!

They are sociable, are not fussy eaters, do not play loud music at night and only speak when they are spoken to !

They came home with us after we visited the Malvern Spring Gardening Show earlier this year. Himself having not only talked me into buying a new greenhouse but also into purchasing a Can -O- Worms from Wiggly Wrigglers who were exhibiting at the show. We shared our campervan with a thousands worms for a night or two - well I am exaggerating somewhat - they were in a sealed bag in a storage box, fixed to the back of the van. There was definitely no danger of any of them worming their way into our bed.

I must admit that I had hankered after a wormery for several years and just like the greenhouse they were on sale at a special show price. They are a source of constant amusement - I disappear into the shed at least once a day to check on their well being and to talk to them. However I do not think I will have any usable compost until the spring and I do not think that there will be vast amounts in the future to bulk up my allotment beds. My thoughts were confirmed by a recent visit to the library where I read a report on wormeries in "Which ? Gardening". Although Can- O -Worms emerged as the best buy the report advised that this product will not meet all the average gardener's compost needs. I am not complaining though as I think that I am getting my moneys worth in enjoyment, as well as having another place to dispose of kitchen waste. The question of the moment is whether they will be warm and cosy enough in the shed overwinter or should I bring them inside? Himself is not enthusiastic about the latter option.

Their very first meal ~



Whilst on the subject of beneficial gardening creatures did you know that this is Bee Aware Week? I found out about this accidentally when I was on one of those magical mystery trips that the internet sometimes takes you on. Bee Aware Week is part of an ongoing campaign by the Women's Institute to raise awareness of the decline of honey bees. They are asking all WI members to spend a whole day eating only foods that have been pollinated by honeybees. You'll find an action pack about the issues and recipes and ideas for what to eat on that day here. After discovering some tasty sounding recipes, I will certainly be planning a bee friendly menu at some stage this week. There may be honey cake for afternoon tea but I am not telling the family just yet!

"Feed The Birds"

I read in my newspaper on Thursday with some concern that the dry September we have experienced many parts of the U.K., may cause problems for garden birds this winter, according to the Royal Society For The Protection of Birds.

On the plus side the dry weather has produced a bumper crop of berries which will provide the birds with a great food source. However on the negative side the hard earth has sent the worms and other delicacies (slugs and snails) deep underground, making them hard for many of our garden birds to catch. Apparently blackbirds and song thrushes are already suffering. On "Feed The Birds Day" over this weekend the RSPB is asking gardeners to to feed the birds, as well as consider getting engaged in other activities that will provide sources of food for birds. This could be creating a water feature such as a pond, planting berry producing native plants, building insect boxes and setting up bird boxes. All sound advice wherever you are on the planet. For details of "Feed The Birds" events taking place this weekend throughout the country have a peek here.

Information and frequently asked questions about feeding birds can be found here and ideas to encourage birds and wildlife into your garden can be found here. I am hoping to build an insect hotel/wildlife raft at the allotment. The foundations will soon be in situ with some muscle from himself - a couple of wooden pallets, which were wrapped round my new greenhouse when it was delivered, so watch this space.