Please note that the date for the Spring Show in the MHHS publicity leaflet is incorrect – it should read 18 March 

Purleigh Gardener’s Society Talk – ‘Growing Irises’ by Barry Emerson

Wednesday 26 March at  Purleigh Village Hall at 8.00pm 

Danbury & Little Baddow Hort Society - ‘Herbaceous Perennials/New Wave Borders’ by Tom Cole Friday 7 March at Danbury Village Hall at 8.00pm, entry £1.00.

Our Bumblebee Nests

I knew very little about bumblebees other than they are important for pollinating plants, until in 2005 and 2007, when we had two bumblebee nests. The first was in the garden shed, and the second in the garage.  Initially, we noticed a large Queen bee looking for a suitable nest site in the spring.  In both instances, she chose a place behind a stack of wood where mice had once nested.  Apparently this is quite common.  The bees tended to come and go in ones and twos.  They would fly slowly into the shed or garage, near to the ground, land a couple of feet from their nest then walk from there.  Bumblebees do not swarm, as honeybees do, and do not sting unless really provoked.  If Ken happened to be standing at the bench and was in their flight path, they seemed to become disorientated and not be able to find the nest.  If he moved out of the way they would immediately go to the nest.  Maybe this was self-preservation or perhaps they were just trying to avoid giving away the location of the nest.  The door of the shed and side door to the garage are next to each other and were left open during the day but we had to fix the doors slightly open at night, as the bees were early risers!  I don’t know how many bees there were as we only saw one or two at a time.  They left some time between the end of August and September. 

We found the nest, which was round, about 4 inches in diameter and dark brown in colour and very sticky.  It was covered in small holes, quite unlike the honeycomb of honeybees.   We learned later, that they have an annual life cycle.  They all die except for the new Queens who bury themselves in the ground until the following February when the whole cycle begins again.  We were sorry when they left, we felt privileged to have had them, especially as bumblebees are in such decline.  For further information see the website for The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, at www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk   Shirley Thorp

Wild about gardening…if having read about the bumblebee nests you are keen to attract insects to nest in your garden here are some ideas on how to do it.  You can buy purpose built nests for insects such as bees, ladybirds and lacewings – these are available from several local garden centres.  You can also make your own by using bundles of bamboo, straws or other small tubes, bundle together and block one end off by placing in a cylindrical container.  Hang in a tree or shrub or against a wall ensuring that they won’t fill with rain, and put in place before the spring so they are available when the insects start to emerge.  Piles of logs or a log with holes drilled into it will also provide places for insects to nest and hibernate.  Also, following on from the Big Garden Birdwatch, the RSPB have lots of advice if we want to attract insects into our gardens.  There is a new ‘Homes for Wildlife’ section on their website www.rspb.org.uk/hfw

Friary Walled Garden

Sunday 3 February was our usual Open and Work day and we had 12 workers: 

1. Lots of wind-blown rubbish was collected and disposed of.

2. A compost heap was dug over and distributed on the west wall bed and also 13 sacks of stable manure were spread there.

3. Ivy was removed from the east wall and also from near the gate - all cut up and sacked for disposal.  For the east wall this is just a start on this work.

4. Long shoots of the Kiftsgate rose were fixed on top of old part of the west wall.

5 The tops were removed from two pear trees and the old plum tree was lopped.  

All the material was cut up and sacked.
7. Three car loads of waste garden material (unsuitable for compost) were taken to the tip.

West Wall bed - A chart has been prepared and the bed marked off in metre lengths to help with planning and recording the new planting.  East Wall - Over the last week or so almost all the ivy has been removed from the east wall - a long, dusty and arduous job and thanks go to Jack for doing all this.  There are now large piles of rubbish which we shall have to cut up and dispose of.

The crocuses are out everywhere and other bulbs will soon be out in flower.  There are lots of cyclamen out.  The viburnum is giving off a most delightful scent.  The next Open and Work days will be on Sunday 2nd March and Sunday 6th April at the usual times of 10.00am to 4.00pm.  We are never short of jobs so come along for a while and give a helping hand or come along just to have a look.   Arthur Cox

The Essex Gardens Trust Talk – ‘E H Wilson: Miss Wilmott’s Man in China’

It is the 150th anniversary of the year of Miss Wilmott’s birth, the creator of an historic garden at Warley Place near Brentwood.  As well as being a passionate gardener she also helped plant hunters by funding their trips overseas.  One of these hunters was Ernest Henry ‘China’ Wilson, famous for his trips to the Far East.  The Essex Gardens Trust will have a talk by a modern day plant hunter, Mark Flanagan, who wrote a book called ‘Plants From The Edge of the World, New Explorations In The Far East’.  In the book Mark refers to E.H. Wilson as his ‘inspiration’ and says it was “A privilege to stand where Wilson stood and to see the landscape through his eyes”   Mark is Keeper of the Gardens at Savill Gardens, Windsor.  The talk is on Saturday 29 March at 2.30pm, Writtle College, Main Campus, Lordship Road, Writtle (it will be signposted on the day).  £5 on the door. 

Any items for the newsletter, comments or requests please contact me on 01621 858624 or email karenhutchings@hotmail.com

Karen Hutchings, Editor