The elder tree was once a modest bush but I removed the lower branches to raise the canopy quite a few years ago.
I'm taking part in NoMowMay in which we are encouraged to let the grass grow and encourage wild flowers to germinate to provide food for the pollinators. After May I am going to leave the grass long and just mow a path to walk through.
At the base of the elder tree some shoots were growing so I carefully pulled them away and planted up into pots to grow on. Three out of the four 'cuttings' are thriving. I am so excited at the prospect of growing my own elder trees!
I used to pull up the green alkanet (above with the blue flowers) as it is invasive but the bees love it so much and it will have to stay. It is scattered all around the borders and grows happily alongside the rhubarb and strawberries.
The white borage has gone mad and self sown in abundance! I bought the seeds during lockdown last year and sowed a few pots of it. It looks almost luminous on a dull day and it is another favourite for the bees.
The water 'feature' is not too appealing to look at just now but it is essential to have water in a thriving ecosystem.
