Before the Parsons Close wildflower site was planted up in 2012, the banks of Clipstone Brook at the bottom of the Close was a monoculture of nettles and Himalayan balsam. Over the course of a decade, a lot of work has gone into the site to move it away from a monoculture of nettles and Himalayan balsam, to a very biodiverse ecosystem to create both food and shelter for pollinators.
Over the years the area has expanded, starting from the main path, expanding between the skate park, down onto the steep bank at the far side of the brook, to the footbridge on the far bank.
How the site got started
In April 2012 as Leighton-Linslade In Bloom was launched in Parsons Close, members of our group along with Councillor Brandon and other volunteers dug up nettles beside the main path to plant wildflowers from the Community Tree Trust. Once the area began flowering a year later, it was nominated for an Anglia In Bloom biodiversity award.
Later we opened up the area between the skate park and the brook by mowing the path and allowing the existing comfrey and black horehound to flower. We planted primroses, knapweed, marjoram, burdock and teasel, which provide nectar and pollen for bees at various times in the year.
Established wildflowers and garden plants in Parsons Close
The breakthrough at this challenging site was having the confidence to remove the willow herb. It had been the only late summer flowering plant in the main area, but it was smothering the other plants. Gradually, the grass has been kept under control and the following plants have been very successful:
- Comfrey
- Stitchwort
- Red campion
- Black horehound
- Marjoram
- Wild geranium
- Primroses
- Knapweed
- Musk mallow
- St John’s wort
- Teasel
- Burdock
- Nepeta (catmint)
- Hollyhocks
Educating the local community
We have visited the nearby Pulford Lower School a number of times to give talks on bees and carry out various activities. In May 2015 the children carried out a survey of bees and plants. Our local MP Andrew Selous attended an assembly there on bees and judged a competition on wildlife-friendly gardens.
Keep an eye on our events page for more information about upcoming work parties or awareness days.