Articles in ‘Gardens of Britain’
February 13th, 2010
Poets love snowdrops. Even Linnaeus got lyrical when he classified them as Galanthus nivalis, which translates as “milky flower of the snow” (in Greek, gala = milk and anthos = flower). For St. Francis the snowdrop was an emblem of hope and the touch of green on the inner petals has often been seized upon as a symbol of spring’s return. It is uplifting to see the green sword-shaped leaves piercing the snow and the apparently fragile bell-shaped flowers resisting all that winter can hurl at them.
There is some disagreement about when the snowdrop was introduced to Britain: some say as late as the 16th century. It’s noticeable for its absence in Shakespeare. Snowdrops grow particularly profusely in damp deciduous woodlands, and flower form January to March: this year the Big Freeze has delayed them.
A list of gardens with particularly good snowdrop displays can be found here.
Flora of Britain, Gardens of Britain, Wild flowers of Britain | Tags: best places to see snowdrops, British flowers in winter, gardens with snowdrop displays, introduction of snowdrops to Britain, snowdrops and poets, snowdrops as symbols of hope|
October 3rd, 2009
The Guardian has compiled a list of garden-related autumn activities, ranging from visiting ornamental woodlands such as the Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire for a blast of autumn colours to organic apple juice-tasting in south London.
Gardens of Britain | Tags: autumn activities in Britain, autumn colours in British gardens, best autumn gardens, organic apple juice, ornamental gardens in autumn, things to do in autumn|
September 28th, 2009
Anyone who has enjoyed reading Roger Deakin’s books, especially Waterlog and Notes from Walnut Tree Farm, will love listening to these radio programmes that he recorded for the BBC. Produced by Sara Blunt, the 25 minute-long programmes capture Deakin’s unusual home and garden, and the man who lived there. The producer deliberately chose not to use an interviewer, instead allowing Deakin to draw you into his world with his own words. Read the rest of this entry
Gardens of Britain, Nature in art and literature, Radio and television nature programmes, Wildlife in gardens in Britain, nature writing about Britain | Tags: exploring a suffolk garden, inside a Suffolk farmhouse, living in the Suffolk countryside, radio programmes about Roger Deakin, radio programmes about Walnut Tree Farm, sounds of nature in England, tribute to Roger Deakin|
August 7th, 2009
One of the most unusual corners of London is the remarkable Garden Barge Square (Photo: Drew Bennellick) where a community of barge owners live right by next to Tower Bridge. These historic moorings date back 200 years or more. Gardens have been created on the decks of many of the barges to form a kind of floating garden square. But be warned barge living is not as romantic it first might seem. The Thames is cold, damp and grey in winter and the cabins are cramped. See more on Tree Hugger.
See also: Anatomy of a garden: Barge gardens (The Guardian) “Floating on the Thames just downstream from Tower Bridge are the most extraordinary gardens, yet thanks to their illustrious neighbour they’re largely unnoticed.”
Gardens of Britain, urban nature in Britain | Tags: Garden Barge Square, Gardens of London, Living on a barge in London, London barges, London Open Squares Weekend, Most interesting gardens in England, Tower Bridge barges|
August 4th, 2009
When a million-strong swarm of ladybirds landed on Blackdown Horticultural farm recently, every time the staff ventured outside they were coated in insects. But the red cloud brought good publicity for their enterprise: green roof installation.
The swarm had arrived to feast on aphids living on pesticide-free sedum plants, a staple of green roofs since these succulents are drought-resistant and thrive in well-drained conditions. Read the rest of this entry
Farming, Gardens of Britain, Wildlife in gardens in Britain, urban nature in Britain | Tags: benefits of green roofs, best green roof, ecological roof insulation, green roof design, green roofs and urban heat island effect, ladybird swarms in farm, sedum for green roofs, sky larks at Rolls-Royce factory|
The RSPB is gathering extensive information about exactly where swifts are nesting in the UK. It is suspected that their rapid decline in recent years is linked with a drop in suitable nesting sites, as buildings are modernised.
The first year’s survey reveals that of the houses where swifts are nesting:
A new generation of commoners will receive financial support to ensure animals continue to graze in the New Forest and so conserve its rich biodiversity.
The Co-op is further expanding its 
There are now some excellent landscape blogs covering Britain. Here are a few:
With more and more people wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables, the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners have over 100,000 people on their waiting lists. The National Trust have responded to this demand by allocating land for “super allotments” or community farms. In return for a monthly fee, members will decide what should be grown, and have the opportunity to work on the farms, receiving a share of the produce. 
