A to Z challenge 2023 - E is for . . .

 

A to Z challenge 2023 – E is for . . .

My theme for this challenge is Nature in all much of her wonderful diversity. My posts will reflect the fact that I am resident in the south of England.

All photographs in this post are the property of the writer.

 E is for Escallonia

Escallonia is an evergreen (mostly) shrub which flowers for several months, from June to October. It has arching branches that carry small, glossy green leaves and does not really require pruning, although I have read that cutting back encourages more flowers the following year. I suspect that my form of pruning – cutting back to ground level, because I am a closet tree surgeon – would have the opposite effect.

 Clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers attract a variety of pollinators and come in white, pink or red, though not all on the same bush.

Escallonia is reasonably hardy but will not tolerate temperatures below -5° C. It is untroubled by salt and wind, so will grow near the sea, as long as it’s not in an exposed cold location.

Some gardeners use it for hedging, while others plant it in borders. We planted ours against fences to the left and right of our back garden. The left-hand side is sunnier and we (I) call the right-hand side the woodland area, a grand name for something quite unsophisticated.

Bumblebee enjoying what the Escallonia has to offer

Essex skipper (Thymelicus lineola)

The Essex skipper is not a jaunty old sea-dog, (though he might well be, complete with sou’wester, sea boots and pipe) but a small butterfly with bright orange and brown wings, widespread across southern and central England.

The Essex skipper favours tall, dry grass in sunny, open positions and can often be seen on roadside verges and in woodland rides, as well as coastal marshes.

The caterpillars emerge in Spring from overwintering yellow-green eggs and feed and grow until June. Butterflies are on the wing in July and August.

 

Egyptian goose (Alopochen Aegyptiaca)

The Ancient Egyptians thought Egyptian geese were sacred and featured them in their artwork. The literal meaning of the name Alopochen is fox-goose and refers to the ruddy colour of the bird’s back.

There are many feral populations of these birds, created by escapees from private collections of ornamental birds. The British population dates from the 18^th century and is mostly found in East Anglia and in sites along the River Thames. It breeds where there is open water, short grass and suitable nesting sites, like holes in old trees. It is officially a non-native species and as such can be shot without permission if thought to be problematic. So sad!