A 2010 plant-hunter's diary

[davidbr]

Although most of late Spring was occupied by preparations for my mid-June trip to the Scilly Isles, I did also manage a couple of successful excursions around Somerset and Gloucestershire in the meantime. Starting with a visit to Wayford Woods, in south Somerset, on May 24th - it's what remains of an old estate, abandoned for well over fifty years and now managed as a nature reserve, where many unusual plants remain as relics of cultivation.

I'd seen it before as a planted park tree, but never previously come across Indian Horse-chestnut (Aesculus indica) in a naturalised state; here, though, it seems to be well-established and was currently in full flower. Even more unusual, a single Lantern Tree (Crinodendrum hookerianum) was also covered in dozens of red flowers; I'd never so much as heard of it before, let alone actually seen or photographed one!


Indian Horse Chestnut (Aesculus indica)


Lantern Tree (Crinodendrum hookerianum)

[davidbr]

I've encountered Handkerchief Trees (Davidia involucrata) in parks and gardens before, but this was the first I'd ever come across as a relic in a wild situation - in full flower amongst the native trees in Wayford Woods, it certainly made for a spectacular sight!


Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata)

Also in full flower were plenty of Rhododendron bushes, of a whole range of species; quite a few of which were new to me, and I've found them rather tricky to identify. So, if anyone disagrees with the names I've put to these, feel free to say!


Eared Rhododendron (Rhododendron auriculatum)


Kurume Azalea (Rhododendron obtusum)


Ward's Rhododendron (Rhododendron wardii)


Thomson's Rhododendron (Rhododendron thomsonii)


Torch Azalea (Rhododendron kaempferi)

[davidbr]

Japanese Snowball bush (Viburnum plicatum), Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) and Cappadocican Maple (Acer cappadocicum) were also unexpected bonus finds for my list, as was Black Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens), which at first I thought was a type of dogwood.


Black Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens)


Japanese Snowball-bush (Viburnum plicatum)

Much of the woodland floor is very marshy, making a prefect environment for a strongly established population of American Skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) - at this time of year, of course, in fruit. Buck's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) was also an odd sight, and a strikingly bright red rose bush I've since named as Geranium Rose (Rosa moyesii). Altogether, a very successful day!


Geranium Rose (Rosa moyesii))


Buck's-beard (Aruncus dioicus)

[Jennie]

Hi David, good to see that you're back!

Some of us have missed you........

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Jennie

Hi David, good to see that you're back!

Some of us have missed you........

Yes, sorry it's been so long - this past summer's been somewhat hectic

[davidbr]

Early in June (the 2nd, in fact…) I headed into Oxfordshire; to Hartslock nature reserve, in search of the orchid rarities supposedly growing on this site. Unfortunately it seemed that the Lady Orchids had finished flowering, but the Monkey Orchid population was still in bloom and there were also many hybrids between Lady and Monkey Orchids - commoner, in fact, than the pure Monkeys.


Monkey x Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea x simia)


Monkey Orchid (Orchis simia)

I was quite surprised to find a single plant of Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata) in flower, having thought I'd be far too early to stand a serious chance. The next new species, Red Alder (Alnus rubra), by the side of a small country road, was quite likely originally planted many years ago.


Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata)


Red Alder (Alnus rubra)

[davidbr]

A few days later, heading southwards out of Bristol to Sand Bay, Night-scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala) made a welcome casual, on a small patch of roadside sand, whilst the following morning saw me successfully (and very surprisingly…) connect with Perennial Rocket (Sisymbrium strictissimum) around one of the public car parks at Sharpness Docks, in the vicinity of Gloucester.


Night-scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala)


Perennial Rocket (Sisymbrium strictissimum)