Garden

Growth continues for Ecosmart Fuels Ltd with the acquisition of Hardwood Logs Ltd Naturally seasoned and Kiln-dried hard wood logs available for both delivery and collection As well as delivering Biomass Heating fuels Wood Chip and Wood Pellets

Tel: 01629 534 475

Holly Grange Farm, Lea Moor Road, Nr Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5RA

sales@hardwoodlogsltd.co.uk www.hardwoodlogsltd.co.uk

Green Gardens

C Chi him mn ne ey ys Sws Swe ep ptt C Chi him mn ne ey Ry Re Line Line es s Fu Fulll CCl CCT TV CV Chi him mn ne ey Iny Ins sp pect ectio ion ns s Sol Soliid Fud Fue ell A Appli pplia an nc ce es s In Insta stall lle ed ad an nd Sd Serv erviic ce ed d Based in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire

The complete garden service 07940 186923 / 01433 620147

C Chi him mn ne ey Poy Potts as an nd Cd Cow owlls Fis Fitt tte ed d heatheratgreengardens@yahoo.com

L La andlo ndlor rd ds Certs Certiiffiicat cate es s

Please contact Matt Ramsden on 01433 651166 or 07778 190 905 www.peaksweep.co.uk

matt@peaksweep.co.uk Like us on Follow us on

WE POWER SWEEP WITH

The industry approved system Proud to be serving the Peak District for over 20 years

Renovation and restoration, Garden design, Planting, Pruning, Plant supply, One off Garden tidies, Hedges tackled, Garden maintenance, Help and advice, difficult areas made beautiful.

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE, FdSc Garden Design, RHS Diploma

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Hot summer draws the late butterflies

The long, hot summers has caused many problems and concerns and not least have been the effects of searing and scorching weather on wildlife. However, some species have done well and especially particular butterflies for instance, have thrived. Late summer has proved a boon time for species like the spectacular ‘red admiral’ though its close cousin the longdistance migrant, the painted lady has been thin on the ground. The red admirals I have pictured were a group of several that were basking in the September warmth of a sunny glade in the woods at Padley Gorge. Close by, in a garden in Nether Padley a buddleia bush, a sprawling sweet pea, and a nearby dogwood bush had attracted a stunning ‘brimstone’ butterfly. Dogwood and its relatives are the larval foodplant for this species which currently seems to be expanding its range. With the native distribution of its foodplants rather restricted, it is likely that garden and roadside plantings are helping it spread to new haunts. The one pictured is a ‘second brood’ adult, the first brood being out and about in early spring. The name of ‘brimstone’ refers to the animal’s brilliant sulphur-yellow colouration.

Another butterfly which has had a bumper year is the pretty ‘speckled wood’, a member of the ‘brown’ family that includes widespread species such as ‘meadow brown’ and ‘hedge brown’. Speckled woods have increased in numbers and range of occurrence dramatically over recent decades and now occurs in woods, parks, and gardens all across the region. This is a remarkable turn-around from its position of being uncommon and only found in southern England. This summer especially, it has been ever-present in woodlands especially where it flits across glades in search of shafts of dabble sunlight. The speckling of white on brown of the wings must be important in camouflaging the butterfly and protecting it from potential bird predators. Other late butterflies in woodland rides and glades have included the browns as mentioned earlier; and hedge brown in particular has done very well. The green-veined whites have also been abundant and favour sprawling bramble patches where they are joined by ‘peacocks’ and ‘small tortoiseshells’.

In gardens, late flowers such as verbena, lavender, mint, echinops, passionflower, honeysuckle, and some buddleia varieties are magnets for these late summer visitors. Earlier in the year, species like red valerian, marjoram, and others are a draw for butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees, and other insects such as hoverflies. Ice-plant is another late-flowering perennial garden favourite that is excellent for butterflies, but the season can be extended with easy-to-grow annual flowers such as nasturtiums. The climbing and trailing nasturtium varieties are excellent and both flowers and leaves are also good in salads too! Other good plants to grow in the longer-term include native ivy which flowers late, is great for insects, has late berries for birds, and provides cover for all sorts of wildlife species. Ivy, along with holly and berberis, is also the foodplant of another butterfly with a late summer brood, the ‘holly blue’. This is another one that has done well this year and is found in both woodland and in gardens.

A garden room isn’t just a room in your garden…

it’s a room that adds value to your life, and your home. With 20 years experience in designing, manufacturing and installing garden buildings throughout the UK you can trust that Cabin Master will deliver you The Perfect Space for your garden, such as a Garden Office, Gym, Mancave, Garden Bar, Entertaining Space or Spare Room.

The Perfect Escape. Holiday at home...

with a BBQ cabin. It can become the heart and soul of your garden. Our trademarked sloping wall design not only gives the cabins an unmistakable silhouette, it also makes them very comfortable and enables you to sit back and relax whilst enjoying countless days and nights with your favourite people.

Stunning Contemporary Garden Rooms

Garden Bar • Home Gym • Offi ce Space • Family Room • Cinema Room Entertaining Space • Hot Tub and Swim Spa Enclosure • Sun Room

0115 932 8888 | www.cabinmaster.co.uk

Show Site: 251 Toton Lane, Stapleford, Nottingham NG9 7JA

Free Site Surveys Free Design Service No Obligation Quotes Flexible Finance Available

www.cabinmaster.co.uk Visit Our Open Air Cabin Master Village With 25 5 Stunning Buildings On Display Next To The Toton Tram Station www.arcticcabins.co.uk Call: 0115 932 8888 BBQ Cabins & Garden Bars

Opening times: Monday - Sunday 10am - 4pm The Rose Gardens, 251 Toton Lane, Stapleford, Nottingham NG9 7JA. 20 years in business • Manufactured in the UK • High quality central BBQ grill Delivered and installed by our trained fi tters • 10 years guarantee • All year round use

GARDENS

Gardener’s Calendar Let’s talk about leaf mould. Great for mulching around plants in spring and early summer and

can also be sieved and added to compost.

Top Tip:

And if you have trees shedding onto your garden it’s a no brainer. You can rake up and collect in bin bags – but do remember to put lots of holes so air can get up and you don’t end up with a gooey mess. Or create a bin out of a bit of chicken wire and four posts. Simples. The garden can start to look a bit of a mess at the moment, so basically you can cut back perennials which die off in winter. This includes the likes of phlox, delphiniums, catmint, and hardy geraniums. It can be a good idea to leave some ornamental grasses and honesty and alliums which continue to provide structure over the winter and can look good with a bit of frost on them. Plus leaving some remainders in place is good for wildlife. Other perennials which might be thought to be on the edge of tender should also be allowed to keep their existing growth over winter as it will protect the growing base of the plant. If bringing tender plants into a conservatory or greenhouse make sure you water only sparingly throughout winter. Brown or yellow tips on leaves don’t mean your plant needs more water – it needs humidity, so mist leaves and push plants closer together as that also helps to create a humid atmosphere.

Top tip: remove this year’s summer bedding from containers and borders and add to your compost heap. You don’t have to take all the existing compost out of containers, just the top few inches.

ALFRETON FACTORY SHOP

Rock Fall UK, Wimsey Way, T: 01773 600078 Alfreton Tr.Est, Somercotes. DE55 4LS (Same estate as the McDonalds) shop@rockfall.com Mon-Fri: 8.00-16.30 Sat: 8.00-14.00

To advertise please call the Voice Team on 01629 364 015 31