Proper Summer weather arrived late in the North of England this year, but the plentiful rainfall helped boost plant growth leading to stiff competition between the Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and our native flora in many parts of Astley Park.
Pictured above we have Wild Teasels (Dipsacus fullonum) and Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) amongst other species battling with the Balsam aside the main path down from the Sensory Garden. Briefly the teasels flower (as seen below) and provide a source of nectar for bees.
Nearby, the wildflower meadow managed by the Council has also bloomed well in recent weeks.
Above we can see Oxeye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare), Greater Bird’s-Foot-Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) amongst others.
As the Summer approaches an all too brief climax berries of various types are appearing. The much maligned ‘brambles’ (all in Genus Rebus) are bearing fruit with Blackberries widely distributed around the Park and less common are wild raspberries, pictured below, in Great Wood found by our Members whilst Balsam bashing.
Also discovered during Balsam clearance was an Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila Elpenor) caterpillar. This fine specimen, pictured below, was about 5cm long by about 1cm broad and was found on the edge of Great Wood across from the bowling greens.
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