Monday, 15 August 2011

Simplicity

Sitting here today on the patio(sounds grand but it isn't)on a very warm and sunny August morning, I feel contended that at last the rear garden has come up trumps. I have gardened all my life, even being briefly employed as one, but have never quite been able to find the knack of getting it right, this year I have. It doesn't look that much from the photo below but the top part, which is part hidden, is a riot of colour which is attracting all manner of bees, butterflies and other winged insects. Its all I've ever wanted, a garden full of such insects and I can't be alone, how many of you out there get simple satisfaction from seeing bees for instance, being helped by the flowers in your garden.


For me also, there is one flower that is the king amongst all others Verbena Bonariensis. This purple-flowered plant comes up every year and quickly thrusts itself to six feet in the air, shouting "come and get it" to all and sundry insects - its is magnificient and if you want Hummingbird Hawk Moths in your garden, plus all manner of butterflies, this is the one to grow.


Coming a close second is the lower growing Golden Marjoram. It has a more "while you're passing" approach but neverless, when its in flower it is a magnet for bees and butterflies, plus its good in ommlettes!

And lastly, although not about to set a twitcher's pulse rate racing, perhaps in a few years time though, House Sparrows. I always have a decent sized flock in the garden all year round on the bird tables in the drive but on Saturday they beat the record in count, there were 46. I love them and in reality so should everybody, especially as they are on the point of being classified as "endangered". The photo below shows part of the flock on one of the bird tables, there were also many on another and many in and out of the hedge alongside.

Off now to the reserve to take part in the monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WEBS), although given the desert like conditions on the main marsh I don't think I'll be adding many birds to the overall count.

Posted by at

6 comments:

  1. Marc Heath15 August 2011 at 14:25

    Certainly looks like a great wildlife garden to me, you have done well there.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Derek Faulkner15 August 2011 at 15:37

    Thanks Marc, I appreciate the comment.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wilma16 August 2011 at 04:42

    Snap! On Sunday I spent a fine 45 minutes on our patio enjoying the birdsong, watching the hummingbirds fight over the best nectaring plants, and seeing the butterflies, bees, and hoverflies swarming over the liatris, butterfly weed, blackeyed susan, and coneflower. I was thinking this is the best our garden has ever been and realizing what a genuine contribution it is making toward the continued existence of so many species. We even have a population of English House Sparrows that nest in our lilacs and frequent our feeders. This is where the true satisfaction of gardening lies for me and it seems for you as well. Your garden looks fabulous; I would love to see more of it and the insects and birds that visit it.

    I am planning a post on my garden soon, but you can see a peak at my Picasa monarch butterfly web album at this address: https://picasaweb.google.com/106892530784746696106/MonarchButterfly

    ReplyDelete
  4. Derek Faulkner16 August 2011 at 07:34

    Thanks for commenting Wilma, and fancy you having English House Sparrows as well, such lovely birds.
    A garden that is not only colourful but also attracts and aids insects and birds is a lovely achievement and well worth working for.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ken16 August 2011 at 15:09

    Testing

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ken16 August 2011 at 15:11

    Thanks Derek, I unticked the box as you advised ! It's nice to be up and running again
    Ken

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)