Just like in other parts of the countryside, the vibrant green of new growth has given way to the mature colours of established greenery, interspersed with rather dry-looking grass stalks and spent flower stems. This is the time of year when the wildflower banks should really be mown and cleared, allowing the seeds to establish for next spring. Unfortunately due to some red tape we don’t yet have access to the pond banks to do the work, but hopefully we can catch up soon.
One of the few flowers on the pond banks in August is the stunning Evening Primrose. This plant was introduced in the 1600s and has become widely naturalised especially along poor, well drained substrate such as on roadside verges. Many wild flowers seem to thrive where we least expect them and become very miserable if we try to cultivate them in nutrient-rich gardens. Evening Primrose is still cultivated commercially, and I’m sure you will have seen Evening Primrose Oil-based products for alternative medicines. It’s a great flower for us by the pond because the bees and butterflies love it and they need food sources like this after the spring flowers have faded.