John Jordan in the Honnor and Jeffrey Wildflower Meadow, Freshwater (June 2023).
Congratulations to the garden centre business Honnor and Jeffrey for sowing a stunning wildflower meadow on their land at their Afton Road Garden Centre in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.
In previous years the land had always been mown to keep it neat and tidy.
Freshwater resident and wildlife and wildflower enthusiast, Pete Johnstone, was so impressed with the meadow that he got in touch with the company to find out more. John Jordan, the garden centre groundsman undertook the meadow creation and explained that: “The land had always been kept neat by mowing but had served no real purpose.
The idea of creating a wildflower meadow had been in the planning for several years. In autumn 2022 the seed was purchased, the field rotovated and the flowers sown.”
The wildflowers attracted a lot of interest from those using the cafe with people taking photos and saying how beautiful the meadow was.
A seed mix of 27 species native to the UK was chosen, including common poppy, corn chamomile corncockle and cornflower. John plans to resow and mow in late summer to keep the meadow in top condition. Next year (2024), John reckons, the meadow should be even better.
Pete Johnstone, who took the photos, said: “By creating this wildflower-rich meadow, Honnor and Jeffrey have created a valuable wildlife habitat that should be here for years to come. They have also made a nature-positive contribution to the landscape of the River Yar corridor that runs from Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay.
Pete Johnstone, who took the photos, said: “By creating this wildflower-rich meadow, Honnor and Jeffrey have created a valuable wildlife habitat that should be here for years to come. They have also made a nature-positive contribution to the landscape of the River Yar corridor that runs from Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay.
To my mind this is an excellent practical example of a business contributing to the Island's Biosphere Reserve and should be commended.” (Text courtesy of On the Wight)
Ellen Penstone-Smith. Head Gardener at Farringford House
Ellen Penstone - Smith, Head Gardener at Farringford House. (2022)
I met up with Ellen Penstone-Smith, garden manager at Farringford House, once home to the Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, on a frosty winter’s morning. The last time I had visited the garden was in the previous summer and the walled garden, in particular, had been packed full of colour. On today’s visit the garden is wearing more muted winter colours.
The Cedar of Lebanon standing next to Farringford House.
New tree planting in the grounds is important to replace older trees and to improve the habitat for wildlife.
