STINKING HELLEBORE
(Helleborus foetidus)
The stinking hellebore earned its name from the seed pods which produce an acrid smell when crushed, although certainly not as unpleasant as the name suggests. It is quite a rare plant in the wild, although it can be found in old woodlands on chalky soils. The unusual pallid flowers and dramatic leaves make it an interesting garden plant and a useful supply of early nectar.
| type | Perennial, evergreen |
| flowers | Yellow-green with purple rim, late winter to mid-spring |
| height | 60cm (24in) |
| planting | Plant pot-grown plants in autumn |
| site | Shade |
| soil | Dry, chalky |
| care | Leave undisturbed |
| propagation related species | From seed in summer The green hellebore (Helleborus viridis) also flowers this month and can be distinguished by the wholly green flowers, without the purple edging. It is smaller, only 45cm (18in) high, and it prefers a moist soil. The leaves are deciduous, dying back in summer |
| wildlife value | Both hellebores are a ready source of nectar for early honey and bumble bees. H. viridis flowers a couple of weeks later than H. foetidus, so by planting both, a continuous supply of nectar is assured |
SWEET VIOLET
(Viola odorata)
A widespread native flower, the sweet-smelling violet grows naturally on banks, in copses and in hedgerows. In the garden it will adapt to any shady location, in grass under trees, under hedges or in the border. Its relative, the common dog violet (Viola riviniana) is unscented and flowers later, but is also a useful wildlife plant, supplying nectar for spring broods of butterfly.
| type | Perennial |
| flowers | Dark violet, sometimes white, late winter to mid-spring; occasionally in autumn |
| height | 10–15cm (4–6in) |
| spread | 30cm (12in) |
| planting | Plant out in early autumn or late spring, 30cm (12in) apart |
| site | Partial shade |
| soil | Any |
| care | No special care needed |
| propagation | Plants spread naturally by runners. These can be rooted in summer or the whole plant can be divided in autumn |
| varieties | A range of colours are available in the garden varieties; ‘Coeur d’Alsace’ is a rich pink and ‘Sulphurea’ is a yellow form |
| wildlife value | This is the earliest flowering of the native violets and provides nectar for flying insects and food for butterfly caterpillars, particularly the fritillary family |
SHRINKING VIOLETS The population of some species of violet is dwindling, so it is vital to buy seeds and young plants from nurseries and not to collect from the wild. The Teesdale violet (V. nepestris) is found only in Upper Teesdale and at a single site in Cumbria. Likewise, the fen violet (V. persicifolia) is confined to a few scattered locations in East Anglia
practical project MAKING AND SITING NEST BOXES
A RANGE OF BOXES FOR A RANGE OF BIRDS
Simple wall ledge for blackbirds, sparrows, spotted flycatchers, thrushes
Dimensions: 15×15cm (6×6in)
Open-fronted box for pied wagtails, robins, spotted flycatchers, wrens
Dimensions: 15cm (6in) wide × 15cm (6in) deep
Log box for sparrows, tits and wrens
Standard box for sparrows, tits and wrens
Dimensions: 15cm (6in) wide × 15cm (6in) deep; hole 30mm (1 1/2in) maximum diameter
Open-fronted owl/kestrel box for kestrels site as high as possible; for owls site inside a disused building
Dimensions: 45cm (18in) wide × 45cm (18in) deep × 40cm (16in) high
Birds need safe places to raise their young in the spring and summer, and gardens provide some of the best habitats. If possible there should be a choice of potential sites that different species can use — thick hedgerows for sparrows, walls covered by climbers for blackbirds and thrushes, hollow tree trunks for blue tits, sheds and outbuildings for robins and swallows. Nest boxes should be thought of as an adjunct to these natural sites, not