King's Lynn Horticultural Society klhs.co.uk
July 2016 Volume 3, Issue 3
KLHS News
The fountains at the Botanical Garden
CAMBRIDGE BOTANICAL GARDENS
only to pass at the various intersections that divide the gardens up.
Various parts are under construction as they reBy STEVE BARKER fresh and renew old specOn an overcast Saturday imens, but also form 18th June, ten souls some completely new braved the typical June(!) areas. weather to visit the gardens. I particularly enjoyed visiting the glasshouses, All of us had come on the with the different clitrain, as parking is at a mates, from hot arid to premium in Cambridge steamy jungle type. The and I did not know of any explanations in the areas nearby car parks. were very informative Once the entrance fees and pointed out certain had been paid, we all plants. went our separate ways, (Continued on page 2)
klhs.co.uk
A rain-speckled bud on our Peace rose.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cambridge Botanical Gardens
2
Growing Wildflowers in Wootton Park 2 & 3 Butterfly Count
3
Annual Show 4 Wisley Visit
4
years. In addition to reeds there are several other plants, Cambridge Milk The lake meanders from paved and Parsley, Fen Ragwort, Purple Looseseated area to the rock garden, which strife and Meadow sweet. has an apology as it is made from Probably the most impressive exhibit Lancashire stone (not very PC, it was the Fountain, completed in 1970, would be sourced differently now!). there are seven large discs, like waThe schools garden was worth a visit, terlily pads, each of which spouts wato see how they are taught about both ter. Around the fountain are plenty of (Continued from page 1)
“The Fen display was particularly interesting, relating to our area. � flowers and veg, with the relationship seats as it is a very pleasant place to between the earth and environment. rest a while. The Fen display was particularly interesting, relating to our area. This is managed in the way that is would be commercially with each quadrant of the reed bed being cut every four
Everyone who came said that they would come back at a different season to see the changes in the various areas.
GROWING WILDFLOWERS ON WOOTTON PARK By Nolan Mills I am projects committee member for South Wootton in Bloom and like horticultural challenges; so, inspired by the wildflower strips along the verges at Hunstanton I thought why not do something similar on Wootton Park? Having obtained permission, a strip 50 metres long and about 1 metre wide, was mown, killed off with Roundup and rotavated alongside the cycle track. This was sown in April 2013 with a cornfield mixture of mainly corncockle, cornflower, corn marigold and common poppy. The seed is very small and only 3 grams per square metre is recommended. So to get an even spread, this was mixed with silver sand. Five metre strips were measured out and the seed for this area was mixed with 1kg of damp sand. After sowing the area was lightly raked then rolled after the soil had dried out. Unfortunately, it did not grow as well as expected because I did not get a good clean seedbed and April sowing was rather too late. Learning from this experience the strip was killed off with Roundup in November, rotavated twice and then sowed in March 2014. Having been impressed by the wild-
flowers in the Olympic Park seed was obtained from their suppliers—Pictorial Meadows. This seed together with better cultivation created a much better floral display. Residents said can we have more? - so a second strip was created further along the cycle track in 2015. They were both sown last year and were very impressive. The seed in the Pictorial Meadows mix was mainly poppy, toadflax, cornflower and coreopsis. On sunny still days in June and July the numbers of bees, butterflies and other insects was amazing. After 3 years as expected the first strip was showing signs of a lack of fertility. So this spring I have applied Growmore fertiliser. Hopefully it will not grow too vigorously and fall over. The seed mixture is slightly different this year, there are supposed to be 12 species so we will see what grows—hopefully it will look as good as last summer.
Wildflowers along the cycle-track.
BUTTERFLY COUNT Butterfly Conservation’s annual Big Butterfly Count starts on July 15th and runs until August 7th.
butterflies have bounced back after a tough time last year.
Just spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot and record the highest number of each species you see. Send your sightThis summer’s popular citizen science ings to www.bigbutterflycount.org, or exercise could help show whether our download the free app.
ANNUAL SHOW The Society’s annual show is to take place on August 13th at South Wootton Village Hall. There will be all the usual classes, for flowers and vegetables, arts and crafts and cookery. Plus, this year there is a new trophy donated by Amberley Hall Care Home, in King’s Lynn, awaiting the baker of the tastiest plateful of Shrewsbury biscuits.
“this summer, entry forms should be sent to the chairman, Mr Eddie Barber” Younger entrants—up to 16 years old—again have a range of classes to choose from, including a mini garden in a seed tray, an animal made from fruit and vegetables, four jam tarts or a display of three different vegetables grown in their garden. Would all entrants please note that this summer, entry forms should be sent to the chairman, Mr Eddie Barber, 8, Grimston Road, South Wootton, King’s Lynn, PE30 3HU, or telephone: 01553 671502, who can also supply copies of the show schedule. The schedule is also available on the website: klhs.co.uk/show-schedule.
WISLEY VISIT Wisley is the destination for the Society’s second outing this year on September 17th. A Royal Horticultural Garden in Surrey, Wisley boasts impressive mixed borders, rock and woodland gardens and a huge glasshouse, which showcases a world-class plant collection. The RHS’s extensive collection of tender plants, which includes difficult to grow, and rare and endangered species can be found in the glasshouse. Members of the KLHS can join this coach trip for £20 each. For those who are not members, the cost will be £29.50 each, but groups of four or more non-members can travel for £27 each. Further information about the trip will be released shortly and put on the society’s website.