"We shape clay into a pot..

.. but it is the emptiness inside that we want"

A Zen saying

Summer has arrived at long last with temperatures reaching 20C.  In the skies above the garden over the weekend Swifts were screaming and performing daredevil acrobatics and butterflies were everywhere. The group recorded Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Large White, Red Admiral and Small White butterflies.  Bees also were evident with many queen bees darting about the garden looking for nest sites.  Several Tree Bumblebees were also seen which suggests that they now have a stronghold in the area.

Male Orange Tip

Red Admiral

Swift - or Devil Bird

About the garden the warmer weather has kick started many plants.

The delightful orange tulips are flowering for the second year

The spectacular Cherry blossom which attracts many bees

Species tulip in the grass garden

Marsh Marigold- or Kingcup on the pond edge

The delicate flowers of the Amelanchier 

 The Amelanchier was moved from the back of the garden at the end of last year and is clearly enjoying the new situation.  The delicate white flowers contrast with the small dark leaves.  Alas the flowers do not last long and leave just the foliage for the rest of the year.

In the green house some of the cacti plants are flowering.  One plant has a magnificent carmine flower and the other a subtle desert pale pink.  Again, these flowers do not last long

 Recently the  Sundew, Venus fly-trap and Pinguicula plants were planted together in a mini bog garden which made them look more natural than in separate pots.  They have responded well to the move and now the Venus Fly-trap plants are in flower.

The mini Bog garden

 

 Work has been  carried out in the Willow Classroom where minor repairs were made to help retain the basic dome shaped structure.  Lengths of willow were sourced from Abbotsbury Swannery  to whom we are very grateful

The Barley has germinated and is growing well.  We managed to keep the hungry Woodpigeons away from the sprouting seeds and now have five rows of healthy looking Barley plants.  We have sown wild field poppies in with the seed.

The rows of Barley

 Our Neighbours have kindly given us a lot of tomato plants of various varieties.   The plants have been put in the cold frame for the time being until we have sorted them out.

The trolley laden with the Tomato plants

On the Saturday evening the moth trap was set. Unfortunately rain - which was not forecast- put a damper on things with only three species of moths caught.  However two Puss Moths were not to be sneezed at!

Angle Shades

Puss Moth

The construction of the Jurassic Garden has now  been completed.  The two entrances into the garden have been marked with two pieces of Portland Stone.  Each stone has been decorated with artwork by children from Mrs Palmer's class.    The standards were very  high and it was difficult to choose two pictures but we finally decided on the two pieces below. The Jurassic Garden will be officially opened on the Open Day Saturday July 9th.