Willow Domes and Dead Hedges

 At the School Garden the wigloo has been given a haircut, but the willow  archway is awaiting some tonsorial attention...

...while the newly arrived 'dead hedge' has been gaining all the attention.

Who knew how adaptable willow could be?

Willow on the go

The willow arch in the school garden is up and running with a flush of green leaves. So reassuring to know it must have put down roots.  And the dome next to it isn't doing badly either!

 

Up Up Up

Bee on Willow

After lolling about in the doldrums at 6C or below for a week the temperature today has followed the following pattern

7am   7C

8am  8C

9am  9C

10am  10C

11am 11C

12noon 12C

1pm 13C

Unbelievable! And on the subject of bees. the bumble bees have woken up and are prospecting for nest sites. So far they have evaded my camera lens. Above is the best shot to date.

Here's the most uplifting song I can think of to reflect the mood:

Kilmarnock Pussy Willow

Introducing the latest addition to the back garden:

Kilmarnock Willow 

Why you ask?  With one aim: to provide a source of nectar for emerging queen bumblebees!  There's not much about in March.  That's why.  And what's more it seems to be working!

Bee Visitor

We bought the plant a couple of weeks ago when it was in bud and potted it up into a larger pot. Since then the buds have transformed into catkins and the few queen bees there are about are going wild for them.

How did I know to do this?  I read Dave Goulson's book "A Sting in The Tale" and he mentioned the role pussy willow plays in providing vital energy for newly emerging queens.  (I am currently just finishing his sequel "A Buzz in The Meadow" and would recommend both books to anybody with even the slightest ecological interest). I'm not pretending that the bees have taken up residence in the  bee nest hotels I recently posted about, but they are appreciating this new service station facility!


Kilmarnock