Fur, Feathers, Flowers And More #6

Plenty of botanical offerings this week from right here in our neighbourhood. Pull on a jacket, find the scarf and beanie - get outdoors and enjoy where we live.

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Delights to Come

Our in-house nursery is holding around 150 species in seed trays and pots - over 2500 plugs and individual pots.

‌The thought of all that pricking out and potting on is a little daunting, but the prospect of all the annuals and perennials filling up our neighbourhood is energizing.

‌A lot of own seed was collected last year. It is an anxious wait to see if the seed is viable (ripe when collected, beyond latency period), the minimum sowing temperatures are adequate, the snails absent.

Much friendlier to the modest FofEV budget than trips to the commercial nurseries, and we can grow species we want to use but are not generally available in the trade, other than as seed.

Seed availability became a problem in the Covid years. International sales were prohibited, the wholesalers did not purchase from suppliers or licensed collectors, and the collectors stayed home.

The garden clubs and networks were the saviors.

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Beast Of The Week

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Bold markings, bold personality.

The Pied Butcherbird is a favourite along the railway corridor. The very distinctive, pleasant call adds to the experience of working in our bushland wildflower gardens.

The Butcherbird - like magpies - becomes very attentive to any digging or weeding that might turn up morsels of food.

Aggressive when defending a nest site but otherwise very unobtrusive. Not one for incessant chattering or flitting and bouncing about the branches.

Wildflower of the Week

Each week we describe a species of the wildflowers Friends of Eaglemont Village have planted in our neighbourhood.

These plants, which we put in public spaces for community enjoyment, are suitable for private gardens.

Plant of the Week -

‌Hibbertia scandens

Our best specimen is in the Station Entrance Garden close to the Eaglemont Station sign.