As billions of leaves accumulate in gardens, parks, driveways and roadsides people view them from two perspectives (1a; 1b). Perspective one views them as unsightly heaps, slip hazards, drain cloggers, destroyers of lawns, blockers of car vents, gutter obstructors and driving hazards.Perspective two views them as the raw material of leaf mould which is a…
As the light diminishes daily and temperatures drop deciduous trees and shrubs are triggered into action to cope with winter. They know that with low light levels, shorter exposure to light and the possibility of freezing soils preventing their roots functioning properly it is going to be increasingly difficult to produce food using the green…
Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) or Pribhéad in Irish is often found growing in hedgerows. Its leaves grow in opposite pairs and are spear shaped or lanceolate. They are dark green on top and pale green underneath but changing now to a dark burgundy colour (1a). It is a deciduous shrub, though when winters are mild…
It is surprising what can be sown in the garden in October. Spring is a long way off; the weather is getting noticeably colder and the light is diminishing both in length and quality. Some gardeners might think that it is time to clean and oil all garden tools and store them in the shed…
Flowering now is Ivy (Hedera helix) or Eidhneán in Irish, an evergreen, native climber which uses aerial roots along its stem to adhere to a host so that it can reach light (1). It is not a parasite as some people believe. It has its own root system completely independent of the host plant it…
The Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) or Draighean/Draighneán donn in Irish has produced a bounty of purple-black fruit in the hedgerows now (1). These fruits which are covered in a blue waxy substance are called sloes or airní in Irish. They are classified as drupes. These are fleshy fruits with thin skins and hard stones in their…
The flat-topped, creamy-white flower clusters or corymbs of the Elder (Sambucus nigra) or Trom in Irish formed lofty, fragrant tiers when they dominated the hedgerows in June. These flowers were used to make wines, cordials and elderflower water which is used as a skin cleanser (1). The flowers have now turned into purplish/black berries (2a;2b))…
The attractive, juicy, shiny, red berries of Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) or Caorchon in Irish are a lovely sight now as they hang in inviting clusters from the hedgerows (1). These “berries” are technically drupes. (A drupe is a fleshy fruit with a central seed within a hard substance. This looks like a little stone). …
The beautiful, pale pink to white blossoms of the Dog rose (Rosa canina) or Feirdhris in Irish which brightened up the hedgerows in June have now turned to scarlet rose hips which are very noticeable. (1a;1b) These are rich in Vitamin C and were collected in England during the Second World War to make syrups…
Field scabious Knautia arvensis) or Cab an ghasáin in Irish is an attractive wildflower which is frequently seen now in most places in Ireland except the west. (1a;1b) It grows on roadside verges, hedge banks and dry grasslands. Its stems are hairy and wiry, with a scabby appearance and its height can vary from 40…
Common or Black knapweed (Centaurea nigra) or Mínscoth/Mullach dubh in Irish is common on roadside verges, grasslands and wastelands from July to September. (1) Superficially the plant looks like a thistle because of its deep purple flowers and similar flowerhead but on close inspection it will be noticed that it possesses no prickles. The dark brown…
These insects belong to a group called Odonata. They have long, thin segmented abdomens, striking colours and large wings with networks of delicate veins (1). They begin their lives as eggs laid on vegetation growing in water. These hatch into larvae which do not pupate. These are called nymphs. As they grow, they shed their…