#hippuris vulgaris

[mafaldinablabla]

Before and after the haircut! It was a tad, erm, overgrown maybe? *nervous chuckle*

Before starting the real autumn work, I needed to clean it up. So this was like, prepping it for the actual makeover of the next weeks.

First it was the Iris, because it has more easily cuttable leaves. There were so many I had to make it in two times. Btw that vase had once a square shape, and if you enlarge the picture you can clearly see it's not longer the case, lol. I only left the younger leaves marking the plants for the repotting (not really necessary), and given how big the plant became without producing a single flower, I'm giving it until next June (even if they actually bloom in May) and then if nothing happens we'll say goodbye, because it means it isn't working between us.

Without the other leaves I could work on the water plantain and its branches, which was the most difficult thing, even if it doesn't show on photos, because they're massive and rigid and most importantly ALL TANGLED TOGETHER in one airy undetachable mess. I left only two little branches that had still to bloom bc I felt guilty cutting them too (although one doesn't stay up alone so it awkwardly dangles backwards and outside). I have also to say I'm very pleased to see that it hasn't dried up and died! There are a lot of new little leaves, I'm very glad to see it recovered from whatever happened this summer.

The mare's tail only needed some pruning for the dried parts (since I've done the resizing already). Glad to see it's in good shape and still trying to escape the pot, but I won't be fooled anymore! Biggest surprise and success is the canadian waterweed reaching surface level!!!! Never ever happened until now! Rejoice! Fingers crossed that next year it'll even make some flowers!

I'm very satisfied with the result and super excited for the next steps! Until next time, I wish y'all a happy autumn equinox and a lovely sunday :)

[bumblebeeappletree]

Adding water to your outdoor space is one of the most important things you can do for wildlife. It is vital habitat for wetland wildlife like frogs and dragonflies. Creating a barrel pond is one of the easiest, most accessible ways to bring wildlife to your space as you only need a small bit of hard standing land. It’s also great for many species of garden plant, insect, bird and mammal.

We used lot of plants in this barrel pond to show variety. You don’t need to use that many – 3 plants would be absolutely fine for a barrel pond and allows more room for each to grow bigger. Try to pick one with flowing leaves for shade and cover, one with emerging vertical stems, and one with plenty of leaves under the water to oxygenate the water and provide habitat below the surface.

Here are some details of the native plants we have used:

Mare’s Tail, also known as bottle brush (Hippuris vulgaris) – evergreen and a good oxygenator. Can be planted at a range of depths in the pond.

Bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata) – a shallow water marginal pond plant with starry white flowers in May and June. Cut back after flowering.

Lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) - features spear-shaped leaves and pretty yellow flowers in summer. It can cause skin irritation, so wear gloves when handling.

Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) – an iconic yellow-flowered wetland plant great for damselfly and dragonfly nymphs to climb out from the pond onto, just before they transform into their adult form. Grows vigorously, so keep in the basket and be prepared to thin back when it gets established. Wear gloves to handle.

Common rush (Juncus effusus) – clumps of bright green vertical flowering stems with brown flowers.

Common water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) – has delicate pinkish white flowers, which tower above the leafy foliage.

Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) – aromatic minty leaves and nectar and pollen rich lilac flowers make this an appealing addition to a pond for humans and wildlife. Spreads easily, so cut back after flowering.

Water forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris) – sprays of small sky-blue flowers with yellow centres draw the eye above water but below the surface, newts may use the leave to wrap their eggs in!

Native water Lilly (Nyphaea alba) – floating leaves are the perfect landing and drinking places for insects such as bees, a great spot for a frog, and they shade the water beneath, discouraging algae bloom.

For full instructions and more gardening for wildlife ideas, visit WWT's website at https://www.wwt.org.uk/mini-wetlands

[wildfloweroftheday]

29 May 2019

Mare’s Tail - Hippuris vulgaris

A fascinating plant (as long as it’s not an uninvited guest in your garden - it’s never going to leave!).

Sheltering among these yellow flag leaves. They will grow taller.

Flora Londinensis illustration:

[artscult]

Common Mare's-tail, hippuris vulgaris - high resolution image from old book.

[artscult-com]

Common Mare's-tail, hippuris vulgaris - high resolution image from old book.

[mafaldinablabla]

18th of August

What a surprise: the flower from the last post wasn't actually the last one, we had another new one blooming!!

As y'all can see, I've downsized the mare's tail, because it escaped the vase and the part that was outside was stronger while the one inside the vase was weaker and suffering.

I also reduced the water lilies's leaves because there were too many of them and in doing so I discovered that the pink water lily too has exploded outside of its vase and that's the part that's making new flowers. Which just keeps on proving me right re: they're too big for a mini-pond. I'm sorry because they're lovely, and the first plants I've got (with the water plantain), but I'm afraid I will have to change them with (a?) smaller one(s?).

The one plant that I was most concerned for its growth was the canadian waterweed since it's an invasive species, but so far it's the one that's taking it more slowly than the rest. Go figure.

Next works to do: cutting the old iris's leaves, downsizing and re-potting it, cutting the dead water plantain's flower branches and last but not least removing a lot of hornwort. Again.

Score: pink waterlily 9, white waterlily 3

[mafaldinablabla]

7th of august

8th of august

Other plants

All the new flowers in all their glory and also new leaves from the water plantain, which means its not dying on me yet (miraculously), and from the iris, which is at the end of its season (hence the yellow leaves). No flowers from it this year :( I don't know why, I have plans though so I hope for the next!

Score: pink waterlily 7, white waterlily 3

[mafaldinablabla]

6th of august

I wake up and go to the kitchen and? GASP! A NEW FLOWER!!! *takes pic immediately*

Then of course I also had to took another hundred

I'd say this spot on the garden is a good one since everything grew and keeps growing a whole lot. I'm removing handfuls of hornwort every time I pass by the pond and it doesn't even seem to make a difference, that's how much there is!

I will be queuing the new water lilies posts for the next days as to not posting all of them at once.

Score: pink waterlily 6, white waterlily 3

[mafaldinablabla]

Okay so day ?(I forgor) of the spring clean up or whatever it was that I started more than a month ago and got around to finish only today!

The white waterlily flower is in its last day, the second pink waterlily flower blossomed, the bud of the third one is halfway out of the water, and Guenda checked out that everything was in order before I began.

The bigger pot I ordered for the water plantain is actually too big, so it stays in the broken one until I buy another one of the same size. Or I change the iris one with an oblong one, since they tend to grow at the border, and use that one for the water plantain. Or both. I'll see.

I rotated the position of the pots so the water lilies will receive more daylight (I think), planted the water mare's tail and the canadian waterweed, let's see how it goes this time. Now it looks worse for wear but they'll stabilise in a few days. Also the (earth) snails are back trying to feed on the iris and the water plantain so I'll have to deal with them asap.

Bonus pic of a bug I saved from drowning!

Score: pink waterlily 2, white waterlily 2.

[mafaldinablabla]

First two taken last Saturday, last two taken this Tuesday, you can see the difference by looking at the common mare's tail growth and the flower that's open and then closed.

The open waterlily is... one I didn't realise was new! I don't remember where it is, actually, bc I took pics but haven't paid enough attention, since when I took them I was always coming in or going out. But I know it's new by looking at the leaves around it. I think?

Today I only managed to take a quick pic of the mare's tail, plus bonus creechur (for size).

Score: pink waterlily 3, white waterlily 2.

[artscult]

hippuris vulgaris - high resolution image from old book.