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Gardener’s Cuttings


Heathers make a comeback Heathers could be making a big comeback after 25 years out of fashion. The British Heather Growing Association says that interest in heathers is at an all time high and follows the success of Heathers in Harmony, the association’s garden at this year’s Hampton Court Flower Show which won Most Creative Exhibit and Best Small Garden award. Association chairman John Hall of Hampshire-based John Hall Plants said: “Heathers were everywhere 25 years ago. There’s a lot of interest in younger gardeners. The winning garden we designed was a low maintenance family garden which was wildlife friendly and perfect for pollinators.”


Wildlife volunteer cuts last rhododendron on island nature reserve


The last cut in a 50 year battle against invasive Rhododendron ponticum is being made this September. Dorset Wildlife Trust is celebrating success in the long war to save the woods of its Brownsea Island nature reserve, which covers just under half of the National Trust owned island in Poole Harbour. Regular volunteer Brian March, from Hamworthy, has won the chance to make the ceremonial cut in a fundraising raffle over this summer.


Rhododendron ponticum


The large, purple flowering shrub, introduced in the 19th century, soon spread across the island’s woods, suffocating wild flowers


and trees and threatening the survival of one of the last remaining red squirrel populations in southern England. Victory has been won thanks to the work of thousands of volunteers over the years, including staff from local businesses, groups from mental health or back-to-work schemes and dedicated individuals such as Brian March.


Interest in heathers is at an all-time high


Alternative approach to gardening at West Dean


Sustainability and a more alternative approach to gardening are themes running through the new winter/ spring season of gardening short courses at West Dean near Chichester where prices start at £61 for a garden lecture. Afficionados of ‘grow your own’ may be tempted by two new courses with passionate organic gardener Wendy Ellicock.


‘An A-Z of vegetables’ is on Saturday 5th


November price £95 and ‘Organic


growing for health’ on Sunday 6th November costs £95.


Two new garden lecturers include Cleve West, winner of six RHS gold medals and Best In Show at Chelsea 2011, and the River Cottage’s Mark Diacono, winner of the 2011/The Guild of Food Writers Food Book of the Year Award with ‘A taste of the unexpected’, discussing what they grow and how they grow it on Saturday 12th


November whilst rose


November, www.westdean.org.uk/ college, or call 0844 4994408 to book a place.


expert Simon White from Peter Beales Roses will share his professional tips on how to select, care and grow roses for your garden. ‘All you ever wanted to know about roses’, is on Saturday 19th


Abby Gibbs, Dorset Wildlife Trust Warden on Brownsea Island, said: “Brian March represents an incredible volunteer effort since the days of Helen Brotherton, our late President and saviour of Brownsea Island. Thanks to him and countless others, we now have a good woodland habitat for the precious population of red squirrels and can concentrate on protecting them and the other wildlife of the island.”


Any re-growth will be managed by spraying for the next few years. Other important habitats on the Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve include the wet woodlands, reedbed and the internationally important lagoon.


Brian March, who works as a geologist, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to have volunteered for the DWT over the last five years. I would urge everyone to get involved in whatever way you can – from recycling a can every day to putting up a bird feeder or even giving up a day of your time – if everyone makes a small effort then amazing things can be accomplished. To have won this competition is a wonderful surprise and an honour.”


‘BioBlitz’ in Corfe Mullen shows richness of local wildlife


An astonishing richness of wildlife around an east Dorset village has been revealed in the results of a survey carried out in May. Organised by Nature Watch Corfe Mullen and Dorset Wildlife Trust, the results of a 12-hour ‘BioBlitz’ in Corfe Mullen has revealed that more than 700 wildlife species were seen in one day, Saturday, 28th


May.


The final counts from experts and local residents’ nature sightings show the richness of wildlife in the east Dorset village situated on the edge of the Poole conurbation.


From a total of 1674 sightings, 762 species were recorded, including 320 flowering plants, 75 moths and 14 different mammals. Sites targeted on the day included Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath reserve, private land on the banks of the River Stour and at the home of TV’s wildlife film-maker Hugh Miles, as well as many other gardens, the village hall and recreation ground. The event was supported by the East Dorset Community Partnership with experts and local people of all ages joining in the hunt for wildlife, which will be used to push back frontiers of knowledge and help protect species and habitats. All results will go to the Dorset Environmental Records Centre.


To see the full list of species, visit http://biodiverseit.co.uk/naturewatch/species- count-summary


Country Gardener 5


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