The twentieth century saw a 98% decrease in the variety of wildflowers in the UK.
The UK has been badly affected by loss of biodiversity with some of the worst results in the world. It is vitally important to kick-start some improvement by encouraging wildflowers to provide food for insects which become food for birds, amphibians, lizards and many other forms of life. All life on Earth is dependent on plants using energy from the sun to provide food, and flowering plants are particularly important in providing food for pollinators.
Two years ago, a small section at the Tintagel end of the triangle was set aside as an area where wildflowers could grow. Last year, large patches of brambles surrounding two rhododendron bushes were tackled and this area has been added to the wildflower area. It will take time to completely remove the brambles, so please be patient.
Boscastle Primary School have taken an interest in the project and are trying to extend it to other areas of the village.
The little part of the triangle project now has over thirty species of flowering plant and more will be identified when they flower later in the year.
There have been a few complaints about the triangle looking untidy, but this is a long-term project and those who like their lawns manicured like a bowling green may be disappointed. Many of the uncut clumps of grass were protecting the daffodil leaves. If we want to retain the daffodils, their leaves have to die naturally or they won’t flower next year. They will soon be ready to cut back.
The other end of the triangle has become very overgrown, with the planted shrubs in need of drastic pruning. Self-seeded sycamores have begun to dominate, shading out the smaller specimen trees. It is intended that this area will be thinned out over the next few winters and advice is being taken about what to remove.
With perseverance, the results will be rewarding and provide visual appeal and diversity, whilst providing habitat and food sources for a wealth of wildlife. The desire is to make this area a natural wildlife feature in the long term to show that Boscastle village cares.
