Prof Duncan Westbury
@duncanwestbury
Professor of Sustainable Agriculture. Nature-based Solutions; Grassland Specialist; Expert Wildlife Gardener, as seen on BBC’s ‘Gardeners’ World’. Views are my own.
The world’s smallest flowering teasel plant! I frequently have to convince growers that cutting their wildflower strips in between rows of grape vines etc to a height of 20 cm will still yield lots of flowers but they are doubtful. As shown by this teasel in our lawn, they adapt.
Not many wildflowers left in flower, but this patch of devil’s-bit scabious is going strong!
I’ve started feeding the meadow voles fallen apples in our wildflower strip and they seem to love them! Food and moisture!
Dear BBC, please do your homework & stop contributing to #BeeWashing with honeybees. Yours Faithfully, Duncan
#BeeWashing at its best! In the 1950s in the UK there were around 250,000 hives similar to what we have today. The issue is that we have lost so much wildflower forage in that time so there is increasing pressure on our wild pollinators. Honeybees are not the solution
A wildlife garden is about providing what you can throughout the year. With the ongoing drought I’m still providing vital resources without having to water.
Wow! I have never seen this before! Apparently mating only takes two minutes but then they are locked in for over an hour! The Queen frequently took flight with the male still attached, amazing power! @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
Not sure what I like more, the small scabious flower or the hornet mimic hoverfly!
Such a beautiful flower (small scabious) but I’m having trouble trying to get more in this patch dedicated to them.
Human-induced #ClimateChange is real. We can adapt to some of the benefits this might bring. My grapes are certainly liking it!
Cutting a meadow later than normal every 4-5 years is so important t for species like Corky-fruited Water-dropwort that need extra time to set seed. Delaying to the end of July can make a big difference. @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Meadow cranes’-bill patch doing rather well in our #WildlifeGarden
Surely field scabious is a must in every wildlife garden?!
If you want a big show of purple in your meadow, go for great knapweed! Leave black knapweed at the back!
If you want white fluffy clouds in your wildflower area, grow some Hedge bedstraw!
If you want gorgeous colour and lovely evening scent grow some Lady’s bedstraw in your wildflower area!
If you want structure to your wildflower area, consider growing wild parsnip!
Meadowsweet - contains isolate salicin, which was used to synthesize modern Aspirin. The flowers were used for pain relief for centuries!
The bees have done their bit & now the goldfinches are down eating the cornflower seed - Perfect! #BumbleBirdPatch
What a sunset over a MG5 Priority Habitat Lowland Meadow in Malvern! @joshual951.bsky.social
A meadow in your garden can be so rewarding with very little effort.
Now picking tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, salad, and onions! Fully #Organic #FeedWildlife2FeedUs
45 seconds of your life in our garden that you might not want back!
