Shahid Lateef’s Post

Blackthorn, or Prunus Spinosa, is a tree most often found in hedgerows, has spiky black branches, and blooms in March with a dramatic display of white blossoms. These early flowers come before the tree has even sprouted leaves, and provide early-waking bees and other pollinators a good source of pollen and nectar. Related to almond, cherry and apricot trees, blackthorn produces sloes in autumn which are incredibly bitter to taste, but commonly used to flavour gin. Blackthorn is ideal for hedgerows especially those on farmland, as it forms a thick, spiky, livestock-proof barrier. Farmers often say that when the blackthorn flowers, we are in for a cold snap, as its flowers seem to coincide with the last chills of winter. In folklore, blackthorn was purportedly used to make magic wands. In Irish mythology, winter starts when the winter goddess Cailleach strikes the earth with her blackthorn staff. Some say the blackthorn tree is haunted by the ghost of a witch or is a gateway to the fairy realm, and it is terrible luck to cut one down. Either way, the blackthorn provides food, shelter and habitat to a whole host of insects, birds, and wildlife, including the rare Black Hairstreak butterfly, which loves to lay its eggs within blackthorn hedges. #Blackthorn #Wildflowers #Folklore #BritishWildflowers #Hedgerows #Biodiversity #Pollinators

Happy #FlowerFriday! Some of the most interesting wildflowers take a little extra attention to appreciate. Drumheads (Senega cruciata) occur in open wet habitats from pine flatwoods to savannas and marsh edges. Although their pink flowerheads are quite showy, they are often hidden among the grasses and other vegetation they occur with.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ehhfxMS3

If you want an airy, sun-loving, summertime eye catcher, this is the flower for you. Tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis) is a graceful, deer resistant plant that sports lavender clusters of flowers atop wiry stems. It is a warm climate perennial (hardy in USDA Zones 7–11) that will grow to 6 feet tall in warm regions and 3 feet in the north. Grown as an annual in cooler zones, it is a nonstop bloomer from midsummer to frost. Plant it in a group in a sunny location and watch the flowers wave in the breeze. Tall verbena tolerates hot, dry, and sunny conditions and is a first-rate cut flower. Better than that, Verbenas are a rich source of nectar for honey- bees and butterflies. Protect it from strong winds and watch the pollinators gather round. For a shorter variety, try “Meteor Shower,” or “Lollipop,” which grows to 2 feet tall. their denser growth habit works well in containers and when massed in the garden. “Meteor Shower” sets little seed, so it does not spread in the garden as most verbenas of this type do. #Verbena #Floratopia #deerresistant #flowergarden #cutflowers #annualflower #gardendesign

Baby's Breath is one of our favourite flowers that we use in some of our seed balls 💚 Latin Name: “Gypsophila” from the Greek gypsos ("gypsum") and philios ("loving"), a reference to the gypsum-rich ground in which some species grow. Where it thrives: in dry, sandy and stony places, often in chalk-rich soils. Why we love it: The seeds are often shaped like a snail shell, and we have noticed these seeds when making seed balls, and which resemble fossilised ammonites! These plants are also have many practical uses, including production of photographic film, soap and shampoo, as well as to absorb toxic elements from polluted soils. #seeds #seedswap #seedballs #sussexseedballs #ashestoblooms #giftguides #worthing #sunnyworthing #independentworthing #worthingsmallbusiness #sussexgifts #familybusiness #sendwithlove #botanicalgift #worthingbotanicals #giftsforgardeners #plantlovers #giftsforher #giftsforhim #giftguide

Everybody loves trees 🌳... all kinds of trees and we LOVE 💚 sharing all about them with you! Here we have the Arbutus 'Marina', also known as the Strawberry 🍓Tree, is an evergreen tree notable for its reddish, peeling bark and glossy, dark green leaves. Typically growing 20-40 feet tall with a 20-30 foot spread, it produces clusters of pink to white flowers in the fall and winter, followed by small, red, strawberry-like fruits. It thrives in Mediterranean climates (USDA zones 7-10), preferring well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Minimal pruning is needed, mainly to shape the tree. It is resistant to pests but can suffer from root rot if over-watered. Are you familiar with this tree? It's a beauty don't you think?! #arboristnow #treeknowledge #everybodylovestrees #treetrivia

In the heart of a quiet orchard, where the early morning mist kisses the leaves, lies a story of quiet resilience. The macadamia trees, with roots that dig deep into the earth, stand as guardians of an age-old secret. These trees, seemingly still, are alive with purpose, drawing strength from the soil, welcoming the dance of pollinators, and providing a haven for the creatures that call this orchard home. As the seasons turn, they patiently nurture their precious cargo, hidden beneath tough shells, protected by nature's own design. Each droplet of rain, each ray of sunlight, is a gift that they transform into growth, slowly, quietly, but with unwavering determination. At dusk, when the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, the orchard rests, having completed another day of nature's labor. These trees, though silent, tell a story of hard work and harmony—a story not often seen but always felt by those who take the time to look a little closer. Witness the dedication of these magnificent trees, and let their story remind you of the power of patience, resilience, and the quiet beauty of nature's work. #MacadamiaTrees #NatureAtWork #quietresilience #orchardlife #sustainablefarming #naturebeauty #farmtotable #NaturalGrowth #NutLovers #NaturalGoodness #premiumquality #macadamianuts #agriculture #nature

What is chaos, really? Forests, grasslands, coral reefs, they’re all complex ecosystems with countless links and connections. Life supports life, from the extensive fungal networks in the soil to the ancient canopy giants that shade the forest floor. It’s interesting to contrast these complex natural systems with the intensive human-mediated natural systems that we see as being harmonious. Disorder in the suburbs can to some people look like a lawn left unmowed, dandelions sprouting on the edge of a path, or last season’s lettuce plants setting flowers and seeds in your veggie beds. Let’s throw away our notions of what order and chaos are meant to look like, and instead embrace the mulch, the flowers, the seeds, the insects and the long grass. A ‘perfect’ garden isn’t necessarily as harmonious as it seems, and a bit of chaos invites those many connections between the elements of the system that nurture each other. What do you think? Order? Chaos? What do they mean to you? #artasactivism #permacultureillustrator #brennaquinlan

Happy National Flower Day. What is spring without flowers? Pollinators, birds, and life wouldn’t exist without these beauties. #Kennicott #Kennicottflorals #floralinspo #floraldesigners #floralarrangements #floralinspiration #floraldecor #NationalFlowerDay #SpringBlooms #FlowerPower #FlowerObsessed #FlowerMagic #BlossomSeason

Fall brings a stunning variety of flowering plants, from vibrant mums and asters to delicate sedums and ornamental grasses, all adding rich color to your garden as the season changes. However, as food becomes scarce, deer are more likely to target these beautiful blooms. Protecting your fall flowers is essential to ensure your garden remains a colorful retreat through the cooler months. Without proper protection, deer can quickly damage or destroy your plants, leaving your garden bare. That's where Deer Solution comes in! We can help you safeguard your fall flowers, you can enjoy their beauty and preserve the investment you've made in your landscape. #deersolution #deerrepellent #deerrepellant #deerdamage #deerdamagecontrol #deercontrol #pestcontrol #allnaturalpestcontrol

You want a beautiful lawn and we can help. We know you're thinking about all the deer that visit your yard. But, did you know that you can have a beautiful lawn and flower gardens too that natural deter the deer? A few of the most common plants they avoid include: catmint (Nepeta), bee balm (Monarda), lavender (Lavandula), salvia/sage (Salvia), creeping thyme (Thymus), ornamental onion (Allium), Russian sage (Perovskia), ornamental oregano (Origanum), anise hyssop (Agastache) and yarrow (Achillea). These plants and herbs are beautiful, they flower a good part of the year, and quite aromatic. Some plants with fuzzy foliage that deer typically also avoid include: heartleaf brunnera (Brunnera), lungwort (Pulmonaria), lamb’s ear (Stachys), deadnettle (Lamium), wormwood (Artemisia), blanket flower (Gaillardia), coleus (Plectranthus), butterfly bush (Buddleia), spirea (Spiraea) and viburnum. With a little planning you can have a gorgeous lawn, as well low maintenance gardens, while also keeping the deer away. #turf #turfmanagement #grass #lawncare #grassseed #soiltesting #weedcontrol #soilaeration #soilamendments #phbalance #fertilization #slitseeding #prestigiousgrassisalwaysgreener #qualityisjobone #moregreenfewerweeds #loveyourlawn #CultivatingLuxury #gogreen