310 OCTOBER 2020 - Gryffe Advertizer

Bridge Of Weir Horticultural
Society
As forecast, September was a cocktail of weather conditions but a
warm spell mid-month helped gardeners get on with an Autumnal
tidy up. Late flowering perennials, such as elegant Acteas and
frothy Gauras continued with a cheery show, as did the ever-reliable
Potentillas and smaller shrubs such as Hebes or Sedums – popular
with butterflies.
Coming into their own are Callicarpas, which produce leaves in late
Spring, followed by a display of purple-tinted leaves and tiny, pink
flowers. These will soon become shiny glaucous purple berries.
Autumn Heathers also provide great ground cover and require
minimum care. Foliage plants always lift interest when gardens
are between seasons, such as a Phormiums and Acers in a range
of reds or maroon shades, silver-leaved Senecio (including the
new introduction ‘Angel Wings’ but note, this is frost tender) or
shrubs with variegated leaves. Don’t forget Autumnal bulbs such
as Nerines and Colchicums. The latter are best in larger gardens
because of the foliage which appears after the crocus-type flower is
over. The delicate Kaffir Lily, Shizolstylis is also a border brightener
in autumn.
Members set themselves the challenge of growing Chillis. These
germinated well so members had as many young plants as they
could manage, particularly as we were not able to give any to
BoW Primary as planned! When growth was compared, they all
developed at different rates and some fell by the wayside, after
developing white fly/aphid infestations. By now Chillis should be
ready for use and more feedback can be found in the Society’s
E-Newsletter.
If you don’t feed birds throughout the year, now is the time to
buy in mealworms, sunflower seeds and peanuts for the autumn.
Robins are laying claim to their territories, so one will be watching
your efforts from a nearby lookout! Blackbirds have stripped the
berries from Cotoneasters and other berry-laden trees. Geese are
flying overhead on their way North and look out for Fieldfares, large
Thrush-like birds, as they feast on berries on their migration South.
e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk | October 2020 17
RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve
We’re open again as of Monday 14th September, and are changing
our opening times still 7 days a week but from 10am – 4pm. Our
visitor centre won’t be the same pre – covid. But we have made our
retail space larger and safer, with our usual and much-loved RSPB
products for sale. For visitors that just want to access the trails if we
are not set up outside, then we have our own visitor engagement
space inside.
Our winter migrants will be thinking about coming to visit us soon,
our Whooper swans, Goldeneye, Pochard, Teal and Widgeon.
We have just completed our new scrape; this area will encourage
waders to come to feed.
Some recent wildlife highlights seen at the reserve have been Marsh
and Hen harriers, with pink footed geese flying overhead. Also, an
American wood duck at Castle Semple, Nuthatch at our feeding
station and an otter spotted on the Airds Meadow loch.
So, come and walk our trails, enjoy the beautiful views you never
know what you might see!
14-19 OUTDOORS 310 OCTOBER 2020.indd 17 24/09/2020 12:07:33