ISSUE 10 : SPRING 2009
Photo: PONT
make your garden
BUZZ
Plants for Bugs
Even very small gardens have the
potential to ‘buzz’ with wildlife. Some of
Britain’s native plants, as well as some
well-known garden varieties, can make
very good choices to use in gardens,
both large and small.
Spring lifelines
Bumblebees are among the first of our
big insects to appear after winter and
seek out the earliest spring flowers,
including Bluebell, Primrose, Bugle and
Cowslip for their nectar.
Bluebell is easily established from wildcollected seed, but takes four years to
flower. Only a few specialist wild-plant
growers supply genuine Wild Bluebell
bulbs grown commercially from wildcollected seed. Growers should give
information on the source of the bulbs and
proof that they have been commercially
grown from seed. Cultivated colourful
Polyanthus is often mis-labelled at garden
centres as ‘Primrose’ but look nothing like
the wild relative with its pale yellow flowers.
Never sow seed or try to plant plants
in ground where there is established
vegetation or where weeds are likely to
grow. Layers of woodchip to suppress
weeds can provide a good medium onto
which woodland wild flowers, such as
Primrose, Bluebell, Hedge Garlic and Red
Campion, can be sown.
Bluebell and Primrose can be seeded or
planted into semi-shaded weed-free shrub
margins, but Bugle and Cowslip will need
to be planted in sunnier parts. Hedge
Garlic, larval food plant of the Orange Tip
butterfly, can be planted in semi-shade
and established using seed or plug plants.
For small areas use plug plants to
introduce species other than Bluebell.
Perennial wildflower meadows
Wildflower meadows can be established
easily in a very small, sunny area of the
garden and will soon attract crickets, bees
and common butterflies. To prepare the
area, remove the turf or use a total-kill
herbicide before scattering seed on the soil
surface. Expect to wait two years before
seeing the meadow in full flower.
Alternatively, use plug plants into previously
weed-killed patches or where the existing
Flora locale, with other Wildlife Gardening
Forum members, is supporting the threeyear Plants for Bugs Project led by the
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). This
study will assess the effect of different
plant assemblages, consisting of native,
near-native and exotic species, on
invertebrate diversity in gardens. Visitors
to RHS Gardens at Wisley will be able to
view the plots from summer 2009.
Contact [email protected].
Photo: Sue Everett
Just as bumblebees,
butterflies and ladybirds
are exploring our gardens
in April, this edition
of Flora Update focuses on
gardening for wildlife with
native flowers, trees and shrubs.
grass has been removed (roots and all).
Poppies and other cornfield flowers are
annuals of disturbed ground that die after
flowering. Do not sow these species to
establish a perennial wild flower meadow.
Climbers
Dog Rose, Field Rose and Wild Honeysuckle
are excellent plants for many insects that
can easily be grown against a wall or trellis,
from seed or cuttings taken from the
wild. Wild Hop and Ivy are
caterpillar food plants for
Comma and Holly
Blue butterflies.
p2
PROMOTING THE RESTORATION OF WILD PLANTS FOR BIODIVERSITY, LANDSCAPES AND PEOPLE
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EDITORIAL
Dr Barbara Smith
Director and Trustee, Flora locale
Senior Scientist, Game & Wildlife
Conservation Trust
At last it seems that Spring has
arrived and we can enjoy the glorious
colours of spring flowers, trees and
shrubs in the garden as well as the
insects attracted to them.
Flora locale is an active member of the Forum for
Gardening with Wildlife in Mind, a consortium of horticultural
and scientific bodies, nature conservation NGOs, government
agencies, commercial companies and horticultural journalists
promoting wildlife-friendly gardening.
Using native plants in gardens is not only good for wildlife,
but also an important part of raising awareness of native wild
plants, where they grow and the importance of their
conservation in the wild. Flora locale is collaborating with
Forum members to ensure that British wild plants are
recognised as important components in the wildlife garden.
On the front page of Flora Update there’s a very helpful article
outlining ways to use our native wild species in gardens. Flora
locale is usually involved in large-scale restoration projects, but
we believe it is also important to have native wild plants in the
garden too. You can read our position statement on British wild
plants in gardens on www.floralocale.org
You will also see that, as a consequence of the Forum and
the manifesto Let Our Gardens Live! the Royal Horticultural
Society has instigated a project to investigate the association
between insects and plants in the garden. Flora locale actively
participated in shaping the project and we look forward to our
continued involvement.
Our new training programme from May to November builds
on last year’s great success. We’ve arranged more grassland
events, which will appeal to consultants and land managers
aiming for Higher Level Stewardship funding, workshops led by
the Grazing Advice Partnership, and more woodland events.
We’ve also introduced an exciting seminar in October, which I
will be leading, to assess the balance between pressures on
land for increased food production and restoring farmland
biodiversity. Details are on the back page and booking forms
online at www.floralocale.org We hope to see you there!
make your garden buzz from p1
Planters
Wild flowers and ferns can be readily grown in planters such as
half-barrels. Even a small pond or marsh can be established in
a planter by using a waterproof lining. Colourful wetland wild
flowers such as Purple Loosestrife, Water-forget-me-not,
Yellow Flag, Ragged Robin and Meadowsweet are just a few
of the species that can be used.
Top trees and shrubs
Grey Willow and Silver Birch are particularly useful, and easily
managed by regular pollarding or coppicing to keep them small.
Both are among Britain’s top host trees for native buglife,
making them particularly good food sources for Blue Tits and
other garden birds. Grey Willow can be grown from cuttings
taken from the wild. In March, the female trees have dull green
catkins, which spill ‘fluff’ when seed is shed, while the male tree
is peppered with golden pollen. Willow nectar is an important
food source for insects and birds at the beginning of the year.
Herbaceous beds
Perennial and biennial wild flowers can be planted in small
groups in herbaceous beds as plug plants. Foxglove, Teasel and
Mulleins are biennials. Either collect seed and re-sow annually or
encourage seedlings that will appear close to the ‘mother’ plants.
Native wild flowers for herbaceous borders: (B) Biennial
Red Campion
Foxglove (B)
Dark and Hoary Mullein (B)
Field Scabious
Small Scabious
Greater Knapweed
Common Knapweed (rayed form)
Wild Marjoram
Oxeye Daisy
Teasel (B)
Viper’s Bugloss (B)
Meadow Cranesbill
Dropwort
Small Tortoiseshell on Small Scabious
Photo: Sue Everett
Recommended books, leaflets and websites
: Buying native flora. A Flora locale Advisory Note on
www.floralocale.org Printed copy available from office
(send A4 large letter s.a.e.)
The larvae of over 90 species of British moths, including Puss Moth, feed on willows
Photo: Sue Everett
: Wildflower Gardening by Jenny Steel.
Britain’s native Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a host plant
for caterpillars of the Brimstone Butterfly. With umbels of white
flowers in late spring and reddening autumn foliage, this
attractive shrub is easy to grow from cuttings. Holly (Ilex
aquifolium) is a good winter food source for birds and is also
host to the caterpillar of the Holly Blue butterfly. Only the
female tree bears berries.
When you buy native species use a specialist supplier of
British native trees and shrubs (see box). Most garden centres
sell only cultivated varieties produced in volume for the
nursery market.
: List of suppliers of British native flora. www.floralocale.org
www.wildlife-gardening.co.uk
: English Plants for Your Garden; Scottish Plants for Scottish
Gardens. Books by Jill Hamilton. www.buy.at/wildflowers
(link to Amazon and support Flora locale)
: Gardening with Wildlife in Mind. Online resource provided by
Natural England: www.plantpress.com/wildlife/home.php
: Advice on trees and shrubs that are good for gardens.
www.british-trees.com
: Wildflower Meadows – how to create one in your garden.
NE 32 in Natural England publications list at:
http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/
Photo: Sue Clarke
Welsh Wild plants
for landscape and biodiversity
Influencing planners and local authorities to use Welsh
wild plants for biodiversity in urban developments and
greenspaces was one of the key issues emerging from the
Flora locale Welsh Wild Plants for Landscape and
Biodiversity seminar in Llandrindod Wells.
Following an inspirational opening talk by Iolo Williams, Patron
of the Wild Meadows Initiative, delegates from organisations
across Wales heard presentations about quarry face
restoration, urban wetlands and urban river restoration, and
how the pipeline through the Brecon Beacons gave opportunities for restoration and enhancement of biodiversity.
Workshops led by Gerry Lucas from Edge Hill University,
Steven Bromley from Groundwork Wales, and Kylie Jones from
NEW Wildlife considered the issues and actions needed to
achieve creation, restoration and appropriate management of
Wild Meadows and greenspaces close to urban areas and
publicly-owned land.
Improving communication with local authority staff involved in
making decisions about urban greenspace management, and
a need to provide clear, costed management advice to help
influence change are some of the key actions included in the
full Report which can be downloaded from
www.wildmeadows.org.uk and search on Wales seminar.
opportunities for biodiversity through the planning process,
and to seize other agendas, e.g. health and well-being and
reducing carbon footprints, to develop biodiversity projects.
“It was a great event, people were really keen to take part and
share information,” said Ivy Berkshire, the Flora locale Wild
Meadows (Wales) project officer. “The Report will help to take
forward the Wild Meadows Initiative so that we see more
Welsh wild plants in urban greenspaces and public areas
throughout the Principality.”
The Wild Meadows Initiative is funded by the Countryside
Council for Wales and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Delegates also identified issues relating to the supply and
demand for wild plants and seed, the need to promote
Working
with NERC
Flora locale is working with the Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC)
to support an exciting new project –
Integrating Genetics into Conservation –
a NERC Knowledge Exchange proposal.
The project aims to promote
interactions between research and
conservation communities, and to make
best use of available genetic information
to guide conservation management.
Integrating Genetics into Conservation
asks important and searching
questions which are of direct
relevance to Flora locale as a key
organisation disseminating genetic
guidance to practitioners.
The Flora locale website
www.floralocale.org
will have information about this
project as it develops.
Flower by name …
Wild flower champion and good
friend of Flora locale Charles
Flower has published his longawaited and beautifully illustrated
book Where have all the wild
flowers gone?
After the appalling destruction
provoked by modern farming
methods during the 1970s and
1980s, Charles pioneered practical
methods of wild flower restoration
on his own farm, where he grows
wild flower seed crops and runs
restoration workshops. In this book
Charles sets down his personal
experience and knowledge gained
from decades of restoring wild
flowers to the countryside of
southern England.
If you buy this book (or other
books) from Amazon via
www.buy.at/wildflowers a few
pennies will come Flora locale’s
way – at no additional cost to you.
FLORA LOCALE TRAINING PROGRAMME 2009
The Flora locale training programme is created for people involved in the design, management
and restoration of landscapes for biodiversity, whether on a farm, smallholding, new urban
development, village green, city park or school grounds.
This year there are more woodland events, conservation grazing and land management events
with the Grazing Advice Partnership, a new lower plants and fungi workshop, and several events
on managing grassland for biodiversity.
Bookings should be made at least two weeks in advance of each event, and 10 days in
advance for Welsh events. See www.floralocale.org for full details or contact us for the
programme and booking form.
Each event is led by experienced practitioners and provides an informal opportunity for participants
to learn from experts and each other. Most events include a chance to see projects ‘on the ground’.
WALES
Wild meadows:
managing and restoring wildflower grasslands in Wales
FREE EVENTS supported by the Countryside Council for
Wales and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Additional events
may be organised, check www.wildmeadows.org.uk
for details and sign up to the e-newsletter. To help us
know numbers, and for health and safety reasons, book
at least 10 days in advance or events will be cancelled.
Email: [email protected].
Call or text 07912 789003.
Managing paddocks for ponies and biodiversity
Friday 22 May 2-5pm Carmarthenshire Ref W1
Wild Meadows Bug Walk
Saturday 30 May 2-4.30pm Monmouth Ref W2
Identifying the plants of wild meadows
Tuesday 30 June 10am-3.30pm Gwynedd, North Wales
Ref W3
Conservation management of upland-fringe meadows
Wednesday 1 July 1-4pm Elan Valley, Powys Ref W4
Identifying the plants of wild meadows
Monday 6 July 11am-4pm Carmarthenshire Ref W5
Restoring wild meadows – Ceredigion
Tuesday 7 July 10am-4pm Ceredigion, mid-Wales Ref W6
An introduction to grassland management
Wednesday 22 July 2-5pm Carmel, Carmarthenshire
Ref W7
Grassland restoration for new owners and managers
Wednesday 12 August 2-5pm Mold, Flintshire Ref W8
SCOTLAND
Managing wild flowers in the city
Thursday 13 August Aberdeenshire Ref SC1
THE MIDLANDS
Constructed wetland systems
Thursday 23 July Bringsty, Herefordshire Ref M1
Pigs for land management
Wednesday 7 October 10.30am-3.30pm Bewdley, Worcs
Ref M2
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
Ponies and conservation grazing
Wednesday 3 June 10.30am-3.30pm South Wiltshire
and the New Forest Ref SW1
Introducing woodland wild flowers into new woods
Thursday 2 July West Dorset Ref SW2
Grassland restoration, management and creation
under Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
Thursday 9 July Bath Ref SW3
Habitat management for lower plants and fungi
Tuesday 10 November Chew Valley, North Somerset
Ref SW4
NORTHERN ENGLAND
An introduction to grasslands for butterflies Ref N1
Thursday 30 July Morecambe Bay, Lancashire
CONTACTS
Flora locale
Postern Hill Lodge
Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 4ND
T: 01672 515723
[email protected]
www.floralocale.org
meet Flora locale
Technical seminar. New development and urban
greenspace: Wild plants for biodiversity enhancement
Thursday 19 November Manchester Ref N2
Facilitator: Penny Anderson
This event has been specifically designed for people involved in
planning and managing developments, and others who wish to
improve biodiversity associated with greenspaces. The day will
cover all aspects of integrating wild plants into new
developments, including benefits for people and wildlife, basic
requirements such as soils and landscape, ground preparation,
management, as well as selecting and sourcing native species.
Those attending are invited to bring along their own case
studies or proposed projects for discussion on the day. Penny
Anderson is a national expert on habitat creation. She coauthored the book Habitat Creation and Repair.
EAST ENGLAND
Lowland wet grassland re-creation and management
Tuesday 19 May Great Steeping, Lincolnshire Ref E1
Sue Clarke Company Secretary
Sue Everett Technical Adviser
Wild flowers and the enhancement and management
of meadows and grassland
Friday 26 June South Cambridgeshire Ref E2
Woodland wild flowers for new woods
Thursday 16 July Marston Moretaine, Beds Ref E3
Propagating and planting tree seeds for woodland
creation projects
Wednesday 9 September Cranfield, Beds Ref E4
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Flower-rich turf for roofs and landscapes
Thursday 4 June Basingstoke, Hants Ref SE1
Ivy Berkshire
Welsh Meadows Project Office
Swyddog Project Dolydd Byw Cymru
T: 07912 789003
Ffôn: 07912 789003
[email protected]
Enhancement and management of grasslands
Friday 12 June Bishop’s Waltham, Hants Ref SE2
Pond creation and conservation
Tuesday 7 July Oxford Ref SE3
Pond creation and management
Thursday 17 September Bishop’s Waltham, Hants Ref SE4
Claire McCorquodale
Training Events Administrator
Food, farming and conservation
Tuesday 20 October Fordingbridge, Hampshire Ref SE5
Facilitators: Agricultural Ecology Group of the British
Ecological Society and Flora locale
Keynote speaker: Simon Fairlie (rural sustainability
commentator and author of Can Britain Feed Itself?). This
workshop will explore how the pressure to increase food
production can be balanced with the need to maintain and
restore farmland biodiversity. Issues to be addressed include:
can Britain feed itself – and at what cost? Should food
production and nature conservation be geographically
integrated or segregated? Can the rural land management
schemes deliver? Challenges for interdisciplinary projects will
be discussed. The output will be a paper for policy makers
and NGOs. £45 (£35 for BES members and concessions)
Good practice in managing ancient trees
Thursday 22 October, Burnham Beeches, Slough
Ref SE6
Flora locale seeks to restore wild
plants and wild-plant communities
to lands and landscapes across
the UK, and by this means raise the
biodiversity, environmental quality and
enjoyment of town and countryside.
Directors:
Richard Clarke (Chairman),
David Burton, Donald MacIntyre,
Dr Barbara Smith, Robert Sutcliffe
A charity registered in England and Wales
(1071212) and in Scotland (SC039001)
UK Registered Company No. 3539595