Wildflowers in the Woodland
Robin Hall
Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a biennial flowering plant that often appears in clearings in woodland after tree-felling or other changes have allowed light in. In this case the plants are growing in an area that was covered by a dense canopy of Rhododendron ponticum. This invasive species, which is not native to the UK, has spread into many areas of woodland and prevents the growth of other species which cannot compete with it. The area pictured here was cleared of rhododendron two years ago and it is wonderful to see the regeneration of native flora. In other parts of the wood, where there was a large stand of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus, another invasive species) the bare soil is starting to produce flowering plants and tree seedlings.
Much of the work in the wood is now directed towards preventing the re-growth of the invasive species that have been cut down. They are well established on the site and it requires careful 'weeding' and cutting to ensure they do not return. It is common to use Glyphosate to remove invasive species, but clearly it is not appropriate to use a chemical poison at Plaw Hatch Farm. There is a small group of volunteers who have been helping with this task and I am encouraged by the progress that has occurred and the enthusiasm with which it has been accomplished.
The woods at Plaw Hatch are open to all visitors and if anyone would like to get involved with the development of the project site then please contact me.
If you’d like to get involved in our woodland regeneration project, contact Robin at robin@plawhatchfarm.co.uk
