Gardener’s Cuttings
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.
‘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
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
Thorngrove Garden Centre autumn workshops
Hanging baskets can have all-year interest, so if you want to learn how to plant your baskets for autumn or winter colour, head to Thorngrove Garden Centre in Gillingham to learn all about it.
On Wednesday, 12th , Thursday, 13th and Friday, 14th October, between 2pm and 5pm 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.
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.
each day, the garden centre will be running Autumn Hanging Basket Workshops. Baskets can be for all seasons – learn how to plant them with varieties for autumn and winter colour, then have a go using plants selected from the vast range in Thorngrove’s greenhouses. Instruction will be free and there will be a helping hand from the experienced staff, Chris and Val. There will be a charge for materials and plants used.
Between Wednesday, 5th October and Wednesday, 16th November there will be a
flower arranging course consisting of seven workshops led by Carole, suitable for beginners or more experienced floral artistes. Each session will start at 2pm and finish at 4pm. Carole will start with a general introduction and demonstration. She will give out a list of items to bring in each subsequent week for your own practise. The charge for the course of seven workshops is £49, with materials extra if supplied. Thorngrove Garden Centre, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RE. Telephone: 01747 822242.
Awards for Haskins Garden Centre
Haskins Garden Centre at Longham scooped 20 certificates, including the Best Destination Centre and Best Catering/Restaurant in the region at the annual Garden Centres’ Association awards.
Terry Head (bottom right) and staff with the GCA award certificates
Terry Head, General Manager of the Haskins Garden Centre, said that he was delighted to receive so many awards in recognition of the professionalism and hard work
maintained by the 160 full and part time staff employed at the centre as they are based on thorough audits conducted by GCA appointed inspectors.
“We know through customer feedback and the centre’s £9m annual turnover that we are an attractive destination for horticultural and lifestyle shoppers but to have official confirmation is very satisfying,” said Terry Head. Haskins Garden Centre, Longham, Ferndown. BH22 9DG
Country Gardener 5 May.
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