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Mayby Ken - 16:07 on 21 May 2009Finally, we are having some warm weather, this is reflected in the flower and blossom displays in and around our hedgerows. Yes it is finally time to take off a layer of clothing as the old saying goes “Never cast a clout till May is out” this as we all now know is the “May” flower of the Hawthorn which is well out in sheltered spots. The more common one is the white may flower but just as nice is the red blossom, unfortunately the sight is better that the smell. Also the Ash tree leaf have beaten the English Oak leaf this season, normally my usual rule of thumb; “Ash is out no more frost about” is usually about 95% reliable, as a weather forecast, for young plants to be hardened off. I was quite surprised at work the other day having to explain to a friend of mine what “Hardening off plants” meant. It struck me that a lot of sayings and methods in gardening that I took for granted didn’t always mean a lot to some people. So if I waffle on about a certain subject don’t be put off asking me what it means. Hardening off plants is a gradual introduction for plants grown in a green house to be introduced to cooler conditions outside, either in an outdoor “Frame” or just put outside during the day and then back into the greenhouse at night. I hope the word “Frame” means something to most of you.
The first new growth that caught my attention this spring was the Lords-and-Ladies plant which grows near the hedgerows; it has a purple spike surrounded by a cup-like leaf or bract. It looks like a “Hoodie” of the wood. It relies on insects to pollinate itself, by attracting small flies and midges with its rotting, meat like smell. Well I always wondered what use the midges had in this world.
As these plants mature they have a lovely cluster of bright red berries; but are very poisonous.
Bluebells are a wonderful sight in the woods at this present time, they seem to epitomise spring with their vibrant colours that really show of the woodland floor. Mixed in the wood with these are the lovely pink flowers of the Red Campion, these have amazing colour variations.
We have just planted out about two hundred wild flowers that I have grown on from seed, these seeds were sent from an organisation to promote wild flowers for bees to feed on, sadly our two bee hives that are in the Conservation Group Allotment, have not survived the cold winter. The bees have been analysed to ascertain what has killed them off and it seems to have been the bad winter temperatures. The honey we had from these hives last summer was just fantastic, as anyone who has tried it will vouch for. So if funds are available we will be having another go later on.
The big guns of the flowering shrubs are now out in splendid colour; these are the Lilacs, with their Pinks, the Laburnums with their vibrant Yellows and some of the early Rhododendrons with their Reds.
So if you can get out and about there are loads to see and enjoy.
Ken.
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