A Year in the Valley

A Year in the Valley

Discovering the flora and fauna in a small square of Portmellon Valley

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  • Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa)

    Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa)

    This is growing on the bank (Vole County), most probably another garden escapee.  The dryer habitat of the bank down to the watermeadow and the gaps left after the removal of at least eight pampas grasses has resulted in a number of different saplings, as well as wildflowers, ferns and grasses,  growing up as nature has taken over the space. 

    We have a mature Himalayan honeysuckle in the top garden and have been mistakenly calling it the Shrimp tree because of its maroon shrimp-shaped blooms from June to September, which turn into deep purple berries in the autumn.  Other names for this shrub are Flowering Nutmeg and Pheasant Berry – I wonder if this is for the gamey smell of the berries when squashed – and the Shrimp Plant is actually a houseplant.   This shrub has green leaves delicately shaded with wine red and gold.  It is said to be vigorously-growing and could reach 2.5m. 

    Daisy D

    12 May 2024
    Non-native
    Himalayan Honeysuckle

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  • October 2024
  • September 2024
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  • December 2023
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  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • Spotted in September
  • Spotted in August
  • Spotted in July
  • Spotted in June
  • Conclusions