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 18th
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!
