I think that unless this is done in full knowledge of the downside it's got some difficulties. For instance I know a suburban verge that retains a lot of the wild vegetation from before it was a built-up area; so there are orchids, yellow rattle, ox-eye daisies, etc., which are more important for biodiversity than if they were replaced with garden plants, most of which are exotics. The native bluebell is becoming threatened by Spanish bluebells that hybridise and spread easily, primroses cross with primulas. Be very careful - pretty is nice, but it can be problematic.
Here's a pic of my guerrilla zone. Normally the council contractors spray weedkiller along it and mow so close they hit my railings so no chance of orchids or yellow rattle there I'm afraid.
Edged it today to make it neater (not pictured). Essentially it is planted up with weeds and casts-off but I've tried to make it look cultivated enough to not warrant council tidying. Thus far it has survived
My local council came along last year and cut down banks of bluebells in full bloom just because it was time. Idiots! If they came now they'd get the dandelions before they go to seed but oh no! They'll wait till it's bluebell time again.
Rant over.
That looks lovely VS. No leaping gazelle-like over that.
My friend's mum, who was then in her eighties, started mooching out of her gate and around the corner to a piece of nastiness and the results were spectacular. People came from miles around to admire it. Kept her going for years we reckon. She'd talk to folk for hours on end about what hard work it was whilst basking in the compliments!!!
That's nice Hefty Nice photos as well...I particularly like the one taken at the base of the tree with the sun glowing low in the sky, looks like a magical woodland.
I'm going to have a think about what else I can create (easily and for free) to pad out the stolen strip? Needs to be football proof, duck proof , fairly nice and not deadly, deadly poisonous. I could perhaps make some some sedums, no just had a better idea, orpines, and maybe astrantia...will have a think
hefty how lovely,you have certainly beautified some spaces, plant pauper that's unbelievable isn't it, I thought it was illegal to cut bluebells? I've even taught my 2 year old not to pick them, we've been in the woods all day and he hasn't!! I started another thread what to put in flower bombs as I'll be making them in school soon, now I'm not doing to do guerilla gardening as such with 30 4&5 year olds but we can do it in the school grounds, however I did want to use either native or naturalised plants so I'll ask here for suggestions ( I would love foxgloves but can't for obvious reasons )
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I think that unless this is done in full knowledge of the downside it's got some difficulties. For instance I know a suburban verge that retains a lot of the wild vegetation from before it was a built-up area; so there are orchids, yellow rattle, ox-eye daisies, etc., which are more important for biodiversity than if they were replaced with garden plants, most of which are exotics. The native bluebell is becoming threatened by Spanish bluebells that hybridise and spread easily, primroses cross with primulas. Be very careful - pretty is nice, but it can be problematic.
Here's a pic of my guerrilla zone. Normally the council contractors spray weedkiller along it and mow so close they hit my railings so no chance of orchids or yellow rattle there I'm afraid.
Edged it today to make it neater (not pictured
). Essentially it is planted up with weeds and casts-off but I've tried to make it look cultivated enough to not warrant council tidying. Thus far it has survived
My local council came along last year and cut down banks of bluebells in full bloom just because it was time. Idiots! If they came now they'd get the dandelions before they go to seed but oh no! They'll wait till it's bluebell time again.
Rant over.
That looks lovely VS. No leaping gazelle-like over that.
My friend's mum, who was then in her eighties, started mooching out of her gate and around the corner to a piece of nastiness and the results were spectacular. People came from miles around to admire it. Kept her going for years we reckon. She'd talk to folk for hours on end about what hard work it was whilst basking in the compliments!!!
really nice to see other people do this also! yaaaaaaay!!!
heres a few updated pics
quick update, ive started a new spot or 2
That's nice Hefty
Nice photos as well...I particularly like the one taken at the base of the tree with the sun glowing low in the sky, looks like a magical woodland.
I'm going to have a think about what else I can create (easily and for free) to pad out the stolen strip? Needs to be football proof, duck proof
, fairly nice and not deadly, deadly poisonous. I could perhaps make some some sedums, no just had a better idea, orpines, and maybe astrantia...will have a think
big thanks
ive actually done a few more bits n bobs since i wrote here last
also ive raked over various patches of bare earth and sown bee friendly seeds, so will see what happens with those in the next few weeks!
ill take some new pics also
hefty how lovely,you have certainly beautified some spaces, plant pauper that's unbelievable isn't it, I thought it was illegal to cut bluebells? I've even taught my 2 year old not to pick them, we've been in the woods all day and he hasn't!! I started another thread what to put in flower bombs as I'll be making them in school soon, now I'm not doing to do guerilla gardening as such with 30 4&5 year olds but we can do it in the school grounds, however I did want to use either native or naturalised plants so I'll ask here for suggestions ( I would love foxgloves but can't for obvious reasons )