Last weekend we were at a barbecue at friends here in West Sussex. I had a rhododendron feast. Part of their garden was planted a hundred years ago and contains voluptuous mature shrubs covered with every hue of rhododendron flowers. In ancient woodlands these non native invasive plants are considered the Beast. But in a garden they […]
Rhododendron Feast Read More »
In early spring when my usual route into the woodlands became too muddy, I headed to another part of the woods where there’s a pine plantation. The path leading up to it is lined with coppice trees whose branches bend over it so you feel like you’re in a tunnel heading to Narnia. Badger and deer trails crisscross
I spent this past weekend at the Spring Fayre at Forest Garden Shovelstrode in Sussex. As children played in the sunshine, wild flowers glowed in the woods, a terrier leapt into the pond, and visitors strolled around the stands or watched wood crafting displays, that spring feeling struck me. Not surprisingly that spring emotion is
That Spring Feeling – My May Nature Notes Read More »
I was tempted to name this photo ‘lost sheep in the forest’ but they weren’t lost. These three were part of a flock allowed to graze in the Ashdown Forest, presumably owned by a Commoner. But, thanks to me, my three – my husband, Luce and Theo – had been lost nearby earlier in the morning. Luce
Sheep in the Forest Read More »
Is it made of jade? Look at that colour! my son exclaimed. That’s my favourite colour ever, my daughter added. We were inside The Glasshouse at RHS Wisley filled with exotic plants in its tropical, dry temperate and moist temperate zones. What was remarkable as we walked around – actually my kids ran – was the display
The Mystery of Flower Colours Read More »
A walk through a forest is magical for kids when they’re nature detectives. And an amazing setting for these young detectives are the nature trails in the Hamptons, Long Island, with their incredible diversity of natural habitats. I’ve included a printable spotter sheet with 10 plants for kids to search for and identify on a
Nature Detectives Ponds Marshes Read More »
