This summer it became very apparent how overgrown the bog garden next to the pond had become. Sadly, we had also lost some of our favourite plants, many of which were good for wildlife.
So B has decided to weed and clear the area, replanting the irises and a few other plants. He has also ordered some seeds to replace plants we had lost - Water Avens, Ragged Robin, Marsh Marigold and Lady's Smock. The seeds arrived this morning - beautifully presented and with little information sheets on the plants and how to sew/grow them.
Here is the cleared bog garden (looking horribly empty) although I notice brambles are still scrambling over the fence. I was a bit concerned at the time of year he has decided to tackle this job in case the area was used by hibernating animals/amphibians/insects. But there are plenty of other places for them round the garden.
This is a photo of the bog garden in 2013 before it got quite so overgrown. I tried to find a picture from this summer but I've hidden it away in a photographic file somewhere and can't find it.
Thanks for your helps and tips re: lack of flowers on nasturtiums. They are finally flowering. I have come to the conclusion that I probably planted them far too late in the year.
I've put a few rotting apples on sticks around the garden to try and attract butterflies. We had a Comma butterfly a few weeks ago when it was warmer which spent hours on the one apple.
Michaelmas Daisies (one of my favourites) are in flower now. We still have a few white flowered ones round the garden but sadly, all the deep pink ones, seem to have disappeared.
Autumn Leaves on the pond
It looks like a good year for pyracantha berries which will be attracting blackbirds and wood pigeons any day now.
My nasturtiums have also been very late in flowering, but it's been lovely to have them when so many bedding plants have faded. I'm interested if your apple on the stick ALSO attracts lots of wasps? We seem to have had a bumper crop, and although only a handful, more hornets than other years (esp. one in the bedroom who had no wish to leave!). Thank you for your kind comment on my tree. I hope the pond clearing project goes well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline - the nasturtiums do add a splash of colour :) Interestingly I haven't seen that many wasps around this year and especially recently. Many people seem to have problems with wasps in moth traps but I rarely get them! Saw several hornets at Baddesley Clinton the other day but again few at home. Fascinating how different parts of England vary!
DeleteThe pic from 2013 looks really lovely but I know only too well how things can get out of control with certain plants taking over and sadly losing precious ones. I'm sure with the new plants it will look fab again in next to no time. Yes autumn is definitely here with leaf colour and berries looking great. Glad you have flowers at last on the nasturtiums!
ReplyDeleteI am slowly working my way through blogs I have to catch up with whilst also needing to sort out loads of photos to do some posts myself! Will get there in the end so bear with me.... :-)
Thanks Mandy. The bog garden will hopefully recover in time. Plants like the Yellow Irises have been re-planted along with some Greater Reedmace plants grown from seed and I am looking forward to seeing the results from the new seeds :) Suspect he will have lost a few other plants from the digging over but we shall see!! I've just been watching a Common Carder Bee on the nasturtium flowers this morning :)
DeletePlease don't worry about late comments or indeed commenting on each and every post. You have had such a worrying time recently and its always so difficult to catch up on posts when you've been away for a while. I was so pleased and relieved for you over the scan results. Look forward to reading to seeing more of your lovely photos and reading your posts too :) Take care and don't try to do much please.