As observed during March 2012

27/3/2012

Leafing through Lupins

We are now observing good growth on the emerging herbaceous plants. Taking a closer look at the emerging foliage on some reveals colonies of bugs and beasties. This image of a Lupin cultivar shows an active colony of Lupin Aphid, Macrosiphum albifrons.

Not easy to control culturally or organically, repeat spraying with dilute dish washing  water may reduce the population but never totally wipes it out.  

These aphids overwinter within the shelter of the dead basal foliage, grasping the chance to feed on the fresh sap. These are wingless adults, winged adults appear during the summer when the colony is too large to support itself and these fly away on the breeze to colonise other Lupin plants. 

19/3/2012

Invasive alien

Libertia sessiliflora, collected in Chile and obviously enjoying our climate. The soil surface beneath the colony of mature plants is awash with germinated seedlings from the parent plants. This plant has the potential to become an invasive alien, the prolific seed production and germination rate as seen in the attached images have the ability to procreate exponentially. 

The Scottish Government has set up a working group to promote the conservation of biodiversity within our native flora and fauna. Legislation will be enacted to strengthen the case for control of alien species that pose a threat to our native flora.

At present this is governed by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. The “WANE” Bill makes it an offence to sell any invasive plant or animal on lists prepared by Scottish Ministers. 

Many non native species are now considered invasive and are appearing on lists which then prohibit their sale or planting in areas where they would pose a threat to native vegetation. This is often due to their thug like characteristics; think of the swathes of Rhododendron ponticum that cover hillsides and estates. Plants that invade water courses are a particular area of concern; Hydrocotyle ranunculoides is a non native invasive species which is a problem in this type of habitat.

Keeping things in perspective; our garden flora would be the poorer without the diverse range of plants collected worldwide, thriving in the temperate maritime climate and now populating our gardens with an array of colour, form and function

5/3/2012

Floral scents

Abeliophyllum distichum exuding floral scent from the mass of pink tinged blossom covering the deciduous wood. Worth a walk to the south facing border at the foot of the Arid land house to appreciate.

Plant this slow growing shrub in full sun to allow the wood to ripen in the summer, anywhere else this far north and the plant will sit and sulk.

Introduced from Korea in 1924 where the summers bake the wood allowing reliable flowering.  Sharing the family Oleaceae and the characteristic pithy, hollow stems with another spring flowering favourite; the genus Forsythia.

For previous years' highlights during this month, see the March Garden Highlights Archive page.

Back to Top