NATURAL ELTHAM
which has been seen around Eltham this summer. Once only seen on the Channel Islands and in the Torbay area it has moved into south east London.
Jersey Tiger Take
the Jersey Tiger, as beautiful as any butterfl y,
Quite how the Jersey Tiger got here is a mystery. The distribution records show a major gap between its traditional homes and south London. However, it certainly feels at home. Nearly 60 were found in Greenwich Park last summer with signifi cant numbers found in Eltham. Similar numbers have been found this year.
Its arrival seems to coincide with the disappearance of the Garden Tiger whose woolly bear caterpillars everyone knew.
The moth can be seen fl ying in the afternoon and after dark from late July until the end of August; it’s large with white forewings striped in dark chestnut, the hind wings are orange with large blue spots. Here is another mystery; our local population has around 60 per cent with yellow hind wings, which elsewhere is a rare aberration. Whatever its origins, its continued presence is probably connected to climate change and is one of a number of new species turning up.
‘Greenwich in Bloom’ fi rst prize.
Blooming Winner For
Mike Hill, living ‘The Good Life’ has been recognised with a
A garden containing a range of traditional and unusual plants together with hens and bee hives has seen him lift a fi rst prize in Greenwich Council’s annual horticultural contest.
Four hens and an expanding population of more than a quarter of a million bees live among the shrubs and lawns of his Eltham Hill home.
Mike has won the fi rst prize in the back garden category, also, second prize for his front garden and also been mentioned in the hanging basket awards.
The retired GP, together with wife, Rosie, formerly a nurse, enjoy the proceeds both of the garden and two allotments in Bexley Road site, where the main fruit and vegetable production operation is located.
30
Another newcomer in the last few years is the Tree Lichen Beauty. This little stunner is so new that it doesn’t appear in all the books; it is bright emerald green and black, and measures an inch or so across the wings. Its sudden spread from being a rare immigrant may have a lot to do with the cleaner air allowing the spread of lichens within London.
Beware the larvae of one newcomer, the Oak Processionary Moth, coming soon to a park near you. In its homeland, it is a major pest, defoliating hardwood trees. Its hairs can cause skin irritations.
SEnine
the velvet deep crimson of blooms of a Diplodenia, originally from the tropical woodlands of South America, but living happily in SE9.
Against the south facing walls are a white fi g and a peach, both producing fruit, much favoured as a treat by the local fox and squirrel population.
Mike is looking to expand his bee population to nearly half a million; as they fl y over a radius of two miles, most SE9 householders will play host to his charges. The annual honey crop has risen to 176 pounds this year.
Among the traditional roses, marigolds, delphiniums and Michaelmas daisies are rarities such as the powder blue Plumbago, a rare blue trumpet fl owered shrub from Argentina, Iochroma australis, the heavily scented climber, Trachelospermum Jasminoides, and
Mike said: “I’ve entered the contest in previous years but this is the fi rst time I’ve won fi rst prize. When we bought the house, much of the garden was overgrown and I’ve gradually developed it with plants from catalogues and some I’ve grown from seeds and cuttings.”
Take a walk in the Pleasaunce
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40