Mother Nature’s Gift

Spring gives new life to us all Spring brings joy to us all Spring bestows light on us all Spring heralds Mother Nature’s love to us all by Allan Hughes, Volunteer

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Spring gives new life to us all

Spring brings joy to us all

Spring bestows light on us all

Spring heralds Mother Nature’s love to us all

by Allan Hughes, Volunteer

Winter springs into life at The Hidden Gardens

Top Row Corylus avellana (Hazel catkins) Middle Row (l-r) Iris foetidissima seed pods (Stinking Iris), Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ (Witch Hazel) Bottom Row (l-r) Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops), Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel), Sarcocca confuse (Sweet Box) Although it’s still January, the weather has been relatively mild and things are springing into life. Look closely and keep senses alert to discover bright splashes of colour and gorgeous scents. We […]

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Winter 2014 in The Hidden Gardens

Top Row Corylus avellana (Hazel catkins)

Middle Row (l-r) Iris foetidissima seed pods (Stinking Iris), Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ (Witch Hazel)

Bottom Row (l-r) Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops), Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel), Sarcocca confuse (Sweet Box)

Although it’s still January, the weather has been relatively mild and things are springing into life. Look closely and keep senses alert to discover bright splashes of colour and gorgeous scents.

We expect snowdrops to be popping up through the leaf litter in January, but the unusually mild winter has thrown up some early signs of Spring, such as the hazel catkins.

Walk down the White seat area and look out for the inconspicuous, very sweetly scented, creamy-white flowers of Sarcococca confusa or Sweet Box. Glossy black berries follow the flowers.

The beautiful spidery flowers of Hamamelis mollis and H. x intermedia ‘Diane, with the delicate, citrusy scent of Witch Hazel, are in the White seat border and the Ballet border.

Look out for the seed pods of the aptly  named Iris foetidissma, which means ‘with a very bad smell’! Some people find the smell of its leaves unpleasant when crushed or bruised, an odour that has been described as “beefy”. It is just as well that it warns people to ‘back off’ with its foul odour as ingestion can cause severe discomfort.

Watch this space to follow The Hidden Gardens as it changes through the seasons.

We’re going Round in Circles with Glasgow Museums

This Saturday 30th November we’re taking part in Glasgow Museums‘ Round in Circles. It’s a celebration of the best (and only) circular train line, the Cathcart Circle. It’s going to be a fascinating day, with activities at Pollokshields East, Maxwell Park and Cathcart station. Maybe we’re biased, but we think Pollokshields East is going to be […]

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131128 scotrail collage

This Saturday 30th November we’re taking part in Glasgow Museums‘ Round in Circles. It’s a celebration of the best (and only) circular train line, the Cathcart Circle. It’s going to be a fascinating day, with activities at Pollokshields East, Maxwell Park and Cathcart station. Maybe we’re biased, but we think Pollokshields East is going to be the best.

We’ll be there from 10.30, and hope you can join us. If only to get the first look at our snazzy new kiosk!

Find out more about Round in Circles

Our top three Most Wanted for November and December

Have you seen any of these guys around the Gardens? They’re our top three to look out for! On the left we have the Fieldfare. We’ve already seen one recently, but we’re hungry for more! In the middle we have the Redwing. Similar to the Fieldfare with a speckled belly, and similar to a Song Thrush, […]

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novemberdecember wildlife watchHave you seen any of these guys around the Gardens? They’re our top three to look out for!

On the left we have the Fieldfare. We’ve already seen one recently, but we’re hungry for more!

In the middle we have the Redwing. Similar to the Fieldfare with a speckled belly, and similar to a Song Thrush, but with a fantastic flash of red.

Finally on the right we have the Waxwing. There’s no mistaking this guy! Waxwings are a flighty bunch, so you’ll have to be quick to spot these colourful wonders.

You’re most likely to see these birds in the avenue of trees. Let us know if you see any!

Fieldfare in The Hidden Gardens

We were happy to spot a Fieldfare in The Hidden Gardens this week. They’re listed as red status by the RSPB as they don’t usually breed in our neck of the woods. Fieldfares are Wildlife Watch’s “Beast of the Month” for November. There are plenty of facts about these friendly thrushes. Our administrator is particularly taking […]

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Fieldfare in The Hidden Gardens

We were happy to spot a Fieldfare in The Hidden Gardens this week. They’re listed as red status by the RSPB as they don’t usually breed in our neck of the woods.

Fieldfares are Wildlife Watch’s “Beast of the Month” for November. There are plenty of facts about these friendly thrushes. Our administrator is particularly taking note of how Fieldfares protect their nests by pelting enemies with poo…

Let us know if you see any interesting wildlife in the Gardens!

Dinovember hits The Hidden Gardens

  We didn’t think Dinovember would affect us at the Gardens, but then we went into the Glasshouse. Dinosaurs from the Parent & Toddler toy box must’ve broken in last night, and they have made a right old mess. We wonder why they were up and about! Maybe they were jealous of the Gingko being the only […]

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Dinovember in The Hidden Gardens

 

We didn’t think Dinovember would affect us at the Gardens, but then we went into the Glasshouse. Dinosaurs from the Parent & Toddler toy box must’ve broken in last night, and they have made a right old mess.

We wonder why they were up and about! Maybe they were jealous of the Gingko being the only thing in the Gardens from the Jurassic/Cretaceous period?

What do you think?