These photographs were taken three days ago when it was extremely warm. I look at the wildflowers that are often referred to as 'weeds' differently nowadays. So, I decided to photograph a selection of them in the same way that I take pictures of garden flowers. These plants just grow, and need no tending.
But! I hear the neat-freaks say. These are weeds, they make the place look so untidy. Of course they do, but who cares? Are woods tidy? Are meadows tidy? They are not and they shouldn't be. And don't get me started on hedges.
These plants are so important for the environment. They provide foraging for pollinators, food for insects, seeds for wild birds. When I pass the big patch of willow herb that grows between the poly-tunnels and the raspberry garden I am always looking out for caterpillars, especially elephant hawk moth caterpillars. I haven't seen any this year but they must be around somewhere. The yellow rattle that we encourage in what used to be a lawn will feed on the grass roots and encourage more meadow flowers to thrive. There is eyebright growing beside it. It's a tiny patch but is a start. There is no need to buy expensive meadow flower seed. The seed is already there, dormant and waiting for the right conditions to come forward.
