a partner church in the WOLDSBURN benefice
CHURCH AT KIRKBURN
The area under the beeches and yews was covered in ivy and little else grew. This seemed to create a fairly sterile environment which excluded all other plants and wildlife. The ecologists were asked whether it should be removed, but they were unsure what to do.
So, as an experiment, part was pulled up and the results were instantaneous, the birds moved in to feed on the insects and new seeds germinated. About 80% of the ivy has since been pulled up, the old grave digging levelled and a few local provenance bulbs and woodland herbs were planted – English Bluebells, Ransoms or Wild Garlic, Woodruff, Wild Primroses, Red Campion and a few more. Other plants have since moved in – Forget-me-nots, violets, Herb Robert, Arum Lilly etc.
Woodland Plants – Woodruff, Wild Garlic & Primrose
So, as an experiment, part was pulled up and the results were instantaneous, the birds moved in to feed on the insects and new seeds germinated. About 80% of the ivy has since been pulled up, the old grave digging levelled and a few local provenance bulbs and woodland herbs were planted – English Bluebells, Ransoms or Wild Garlic, Woodruff, Wild Primroses, Red Campion and a few more. Other plants have since moved in – Forget-
Woodland Plants – Woodruff, Wild Garlic & Primrose
The true English Bluebell is under threat from the Spanish bluebell which is more vigorous and out-competes the native variety. Nearly all the bluebells sold in garden centres and those seen in gardens are the Spanish variety. They cross pollinate and hybridise with the native plants and eventually their genes dominate. The Spanish bluebell is more upright, has flowers on all sides of the stem, is paler in colour and has little fragrance. The English Bluebell has long fragrant flowers hanging to one side of the stem.
English Bluebell
Common Spotted Orchid
Photos courtesy of
Nan Sykes
Nan Sykes
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www.churchatkirkburn,org,uk page 78 2 of 3 (78,180) Conservation Diary 5 June 2000 29 November 2010