Woodland Edge
Following a horticultural path unique to me, led me to a certain curiosity. Always one for taking a hobby or an interest to its nth degree, a few years ago I found myself becoming intrigued by the ecology of neglected wastelands. I would pass a fenced-off builder’s site, where perhaps a house or two had been torn down, and would make a habit of either stopping by occasionally or passing very slowly to see the vegetation that was developing there. Over the years I’ve developed an interest in the ecology of natural grasslands (meadows, pasture etc) and how this relates to scrub and woodland settings. All I need to hear is one throw-away comment such as ‘ of course, it goes without saying that our gardens mimic the woodland edge ’ and my curiosity soon becomes an obsession – I simply need to know more! Having said that, the natural competitiveness of plants (esp perennials) has, for a long time, been of special interest to me. Ever since I first put several c...