A COMMON spotted orchid has caused a stir with members of Melksham Goes Wild.
After allowing a section of their garden to ‘go wild’, two members of the group – who are encouraging the community to sign up to the Blue Campaign to help boost the UK’s declining insect population – were surprised to find the orchid growing in their garden.
“It just shows you what can happen if you allow nature to take its course,” said the pair. “This section of our garden has been mowed regularly for decades, so we suspect the orchid seed has been laying there dormant for years!”
Melksham Goes Wild launched a campaign this year, asking people to ‘be less tidy’ in their gardens and give over an area of the garden to ‘wildness’. They have also been asking people without gardens to take part by using window boxes or any other outdoor space available to them.
They are also encouraging people to develop more ‘nature friendly habits’, such as avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides; leaving an area of lawn uncut; creating a water source in their garden; putting up an insect hotel, bug house or bird box; choosing insect friendly plants; and planting native trees and hedges.
Anyone taking part in the Blue Campaign can promote their participation by displaying a handmade blue wooden heart in their garden, or by putting a poster in their window.
To find out more about Melksham Goes Wild, visit their Facebook page, or find them on Instagram and Twitter.
