X Chitalpa tashkentensis Family: bignoniacaea This is an intergeneric hybrid ( a cross between two genus) of Catalpa bignonoides (the indian bean tree) and Chilopsis linearis (desert willow). They are closely related and both come from North America but come from different regions; Catalpa from moist areas of the south east and Chilopsis from the arid areas of the southwest and parts of Mexico. Catalpa is not particularly tolerant to frost, but this hybrid is. This year, I presume due to the intense heat we have experienced in July, it has put on a wonderful show of large pinky lilac blooms with an attractive yellowy stripe inside the...
Read MoreThis was videoed a few weeks ago. On average he only comes into the greenhouse for about 20 minutes; feeds, has a good long drink of fresh water and then leaves. His timetable is that he ussually comes in on the 2.30a.m. bus from Location Unknown. He is a creature of regular habits. hedgehog feeding Here is another taken just outside the greenhouse. Hedgehog entering greenhouse to feed.
Read MoreJune and July have been incredible for us. Firstly we had our second open day where we raised another £256 for the NGS. It was a wet old day but we still had 44 visitors. It doesn’t sound a lot but imagine saying to someone that you had 44 people for tea and cake; different story eh? Then providence awards us with a swarm of bees for a second hive. July has been a month of watching what bees do. How they fill up so full of nectar that they almost crash land into the hive, or they do crash land in front of the hive, take a minutes breather and then make it to the hive after a second attempt. We’ve learnt how much they love borage. And we have had a taste of...
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