A Wildflower and Rescue Garden

For me, the sight of diminutive Scarlet Pimpernel in the wild border by the ticket machine is always a special June moment…it confirms survival and that summer is with us. It was this species of literary romance that began the idea and urge to save it from the consequences of occasional strimmed tidyness of a wasted and unwanted (except as a dog convenience) strip of land. Sherborne in Bloom offered a way forward.

Council permission was granted to introduce a wild garden retaining naturally occurring species and introducing others to enhance the area and encourage bees, butterflies and other wildlife in an environment benefiting from an elegant wall providing some shelter.

It was risky: I needed to trust that a ‘safe haven’ – a place of peace -  within a busy space would become beneficial and accepted rather than vandalised… to date there has been no bother from that direction except an accidental strimming last year almost ruined the July entry. I believe wild species which many people dismiss as weeds deserve an opportunity to grow. Even dandelions of varying type provide essential nectar and colour.

Springtime primrose, cowslips (purchased from Castle Gardens), bluebells (the bulbs donated from the ticket man’s own garden) transplanted violets with the blessing of a fellow resident, honesty, forget-me-nots, polyanthus and Pack Monday wallflowers have naturally gone over now.

There have been some disappointments: twenty or so replanted daffodil bulbs rescued from Hillbrook Court produced healthy green leaves but no flowers. Gifted young foxgloves failed to thrive, maybe succumbing to a slug, the wet or because they need a more porous, free draining soil, which is why I have not attempted to introduce lavender. Only one cornflower seed germinated weakly from a whole packet and a perennial verbena that provided a lovely purple show last year has failed to reappear this year. I hope for a replacement.

Last year pink corncockle was prominent, similarly white shepherds purse. Currently swaying in the breeze are a proliferation of orange ‘fox and cubs’ flowers, tall oxeye daisies at the ticket machine end, complementing a mass of feverfew daisies that bore separation last year and osteospernum transplanted from Nottingham last year have reappeared. Soon larger perennial daisies will bloom. Self seeded black medick with its trefoil, clover like leaf, is healthy but will need trimming back to prevent it endangering neighbouring flowers. Wood avens are more prominent as are flowering columns of loosestrife. Buttercups continue the yellow theme brightening the shade. Welsh and Californian poppies reappear and other varieties are expected to pop their heads.

Rescued lilies, mallows, white-headed yarrow, red deadnettle, blue speedwell, valerian of differing hues flower as do the more cottagey blooms of seeded antirrhinum,  nigella and planted scabious keep bees busily buzzing. Hoped for butterflies will be able to prepare for the next generation on stinging nettles. I’ve seen birds hopping in and out of sheltered ground searching for seeds and/or insects as worms are unlikely food being rare in this patch. There were signs of squirrel scraping soil for buried walnuts and I’ve seen hedgehog on the pathway.

Blue borage spectacular last year has self-seeded, so a similar show is eagerly awaited though space is limited. However the star of this year must be the thistle, 5-6 feet high and similar width hosts a multitude of promising blooms; it appeared unexpectedly,  unplanned – the joy of such a patch – in a place where it must compete below ground with roots of two felled poplar trees that used to tower above Hillbrook Court. I only hope this thistle does not keel over before Sherborne in Bloom’s July event though I will need to request Council help for the safe disposal of this giant of prickles when its time has naturally come nearer to Autumn.

Into the plot – because I couldn’t resist the opportunity – I have chanced a single ‘ money maker’ tomato plant purchased at the recent Lions Fete in Pageant Gardens but, like last year’s transplanted rescued mint now thriving, will also contend with different tree roots as well as exhaust fumes.

Recently for various reasons, the wild patch has needed to do its own thing with less tending or interference from me but I hope – as was originally envisaged – this wild border brightens a moment or two for those pausing to park cars, buy a ticket as they arrive for work or leave for home, shoppers, hospital and willows visitors and staff and of course local residents as they past to and fro.

I certainly enjoy and appreciate the interest shown by people who stop to chat. I acknowledge with thanks items for the garden donated by individuals, not least Sherborne in Bloom for supporting this project.  It has been a privilege to manage the patch, a tiny corner of which I can view from my top floor window. This venture has given me an opportunity to dig, discover and discard a multitude of stones, broken glass, struggle with invasive grass and tree roots, plant, sow seed, listen to bird song and the nearby brook babbling and relax whilst watching for new growth, identifying the known and new-to-me varieties this plot has produced.

I have not listed all the seasonal species. I look forward with anticipation the helpful arrival of the water bowser and staff as happened last year, especially as a hot summer is expected and wish Sherborne in Bloom continued success in the various categories of competition.

copyright Doreen Rose (Homan)