Greater Stichwort

Red Campion

Star of Bethlehem

 

 The wildwood is gone -the primeval forest that covered much of this island- but some species of the forest floor remain. In a damp tree-lined dell near Hitchin there are thousands of Ramsons aka Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum). 

 This colony would have flourished under the canopy of the wildwood. And persisted as our ancient ancestors created a landscape of woodlands and clearings. The dell is now surrounded by large arable fields where no Ramson could grow. Nonetheless the pungent smell of garlic fills the air of the dell as it would have done in the wildwood. 

 

 The presence of Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) is an indicator of ancient woodland. I made my annual pilgrimage to look for tiny Toothworts on the edge of Wain Wood. Not one did I find but there was more Archangel than usual.

 

A particularly handsome stand of Solomon's Seal.

The heat today is more like summer and the bees are buzzing.

 White Deadnettle (Lamium album) flowers early in spring and keeps on flowering through summer, autumn into winter. A prolific weed/wildflower much visited by bumblebees. 

 Made a start in planting the herb garden at the music school. The  tallest plants (Fennel) in the middle, low growing herbs for picking round the edges (Mint, Lemon Balm, Thyme, Chives and Garlic Chives), interspersed with various annuals (Borage, Nasturtium, Calendula). More to come.

 The circles are crushed eggshells to keep slugs and snails at bay; they don't like dragging their slimy bellies across the jagged edges. Actually I've seen hardly any this spring. The days have been too sunny and dry, the nights have been too cold and dry. However there may be another problem in this setting: deer. Muntjacs regularly come into the grounds to forage, they may or may not like culinary herbs.