Diary: April 2003

I have a small area near the new pond (probably less than 2 square metres) which I want to plant with nectar rich plants. Last weekend I planted a couple of globe thistles (echinops) and today I added a couple of fennels (foeniculum vulgare), one of which was of the bronze (pupureum) variety. I also transplanted a couple of oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) and a lupin (Lupinus) from elsewhere in the garden. At the front of the bed, adjacent to the pond, I sowed californian poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and some nasturtiums (Tropaeolum). I've left space at the back for some teasels (Dipsacus fullonum) which I haven't sourced yet.