We meet at the City Puzzle Garden in Plymouth. It’s situated next to a busy shopping centre; but why, we wondered, is it so named…A puzzle indeed, until we read the sign.
That bottom left red piece tells the tale. This little urban green space is only temporary and earmarked for development, it seems. The layout has been designed in 9 sections, we presume, as the sign illustrates, with the idea that each section will be relocated elsewhere when, or if, building work starts. We consider if this would actually happen in practice, but rather hope that development does not take hold and swallow up yet another wild patch.
Despite a heavy presence of grass which tends to block wildflowers, there is plenty of life here in this urban nature patch A respite from the hectic Christmas shopping We really must rethink how we use land and stop the use of pesticides – we must protect insect populations which are fast depleting. There may not be a yellow flower at this time of year, but the leaves are clearly evident. Some lovely Daisy flowers supporting winter wildlife 🌼🌼🌼Trees help soak up excess water and store carbon – trees are tree-mendous! 🙂The long leaves of the Plantago lanceolata – great for human and animal medicine Leaves of buttercup Field Burweed
Cranesbill
Mosses are truly ancient Look on the rock 👀Grey Cushioned Grimmia moss – wow! Like a bit of lichen 🙂👍Look after the birds in your garden, on your street, in the park… It’s cold out there and there’s less and less food out there for them 🐦🐦🐦💚
And then it was our turn… Scrumptious tahini vegan biscuits and custard cookies, yummy 😋 Happy Christmas.
#RebelBotanists 