PUBLISHED: 11:30 06 July 2019 Ross Bentley Marbled white Picture: David Walsh Archant Efforts to plant and nuture wild flower areas across Ipswich's open spaces have been rewarded with a riot of colour and insects aplenty, especially at Landseer Park. David Dowding leading the buttefly walk in Landseer Park Picture: Ross BentleyA heatwave at the end of June: perfect conditions for early summer butterflies and tucked away in central Ipswich, the perfect setting.I had joined members of the Suffolk branch of Butterfly Conservation to take a leisurely stroll through Landseer Park to see what we could find - it was to be a wonderful morning outing. Leading the way was David Dowding, a wildlife and education ranger with Ipswich Borough Council, who has been involved with enhancing the town's parks for pollinators for more than seven years. This work was ramped up in 2017 when the Buglife charity provided funding for its Urban Buzz Ipswich project, a two-year … [Read more...] about Finding the valley of butterflies in the centre of Ipswich
Meadow acres garden centre
Gerry Daly: change can be a good thing in the garden
So, this measure of seasonality can be used to offer change on a monthly basis, even weekly. To go beyond that natural seasonal change, is there a case to be made for temporary effects in the garden? Should a garden change somewhat from year to year? Does a garden become a little predictable, and therefore boring, if it is the same year after year? Some garden-makers have taken this approach, deliberately making changes, as simple as a few tulips in a small number of clumps, or a path through a meadow that traces a different track each year. Some garden designers have created even more temporary effects, often these last just long enough to be photographed. For example, mowing patterns into grass lawn and allowing them to disappear when the grass grows out, or, even more temporary, marking patterns in the dew on grass lawns at dawn in summer or autumn, and photographing them before the sun dries the dew. The use of bedding plants, which can be planted still, provides a way to have some … [Read more...] about Gerry Daly: change can be a good thing in the garden
Looking for a garden to visit? We’ve got 13 to enjoy
PUBLISHED: 16:30 24 March 2019 Steve Russell Freston House Picture: Andrew and Judith Whittle Archant They’re open as part of the National Garden Scheme, which raises thousands of pounds for charities such as Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Care The Mannington Estate Picture: COURTESY NGSAlfred Austin, one of our past Poet Laureates, wrote: “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body but the soul.”No wonder we feel outside is where we want to be. Here are 13 of the gardens opening this year under the National Garden Scheme banner.Mannington Estate, near Little Barningham, Mannington, Norfolk, NR11 7BBThe home of The Lord and Lady Walpole is 18 miles north-west of Norwich.The gardens – 20 acres – feature some cedar trees and yew hedges from the 19th century and mature trees from the 19th/early 20th century. That said, the gardens are … [Read more...] about Looking for a garden to visit? We’ve got 13 to enjoy
Protests grow over plans to build 300 luxury homes near RHS garden
Plans to build 300 luxury homes on land next to the country's fifth national gardens have been strongly criticised. The development would be off Leigh Road, Worsley, and close to where the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Bridgewater is due to open next summer. On Wednesday demonstrators opposed to the scheme will lobby a full meeting of Salford council. The 156-acre RHS Bridgewater, will transform Worsley New Hall at a cost of £44m - which includes a contribution of £19m from the council. It estimated it will attract between 700,000 and 1m visitors a year. The allocation of green belt land for the homes is the latest controversy involving the Peel Holdings owned site. Just over a decade ago the wider site was proposed for a racecourse. Locally Leigh Road is already dubbed 'Millionaire's Row' and the proposed homes would be pitched at wealthy professional types. The plan was included in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and triggered opposition. Greater … [Read more...] about Protests grow over plans to build 300 luxury homes near RHS garden
Amateur gardener to give talk on his ‘labour of love’
When Bob Salisbury and his wife Rosemary moved back to County Tyrone from Nottinghamshire they set about building their new home on a 17-acre site. In a 15-year labour of love the couple have transformed a barren corner near Seskinore into a wildlife haven.Next Tuesday night at 7.30pm in Maghera leisure centre, Sir Bob will speak to members of the local Garden Society. Describing their journey as a “good news environmental story,” he recently published a book charting their hard work.‘The Field Of Dreams’ is an inspiring story for amateur gardeners which has received critical acclaim.Recalling the transformation of the wildness they moved to, Sir Bob said: “When we acquired the first five acres, it wwas a rural desert, neglected and devoid of birdsong.“It was nothing like the landscape Rosemary recalled from her childhood here, when there were skylarks, curlews and many smalle birds. We decided to try to turn the clock back.”“Neither of … [Read more...] about Amateur gardener to give talk on his ‘labour of love’