Sage..

Day 157 #365DaysWild

Turkish sage (phlomis Russeliana) now in what garden designer Piet Oudolf described as ‘the fifth season’ - a celebration of plants in their ‘dead’ stage. On frosty days, the structures of the seed heads are especially interesting.

When we were first developing our prairie beds, it was Turkish sage which best exemplified the kind of planting and effect we wanted to achieve.

Although the perennials have retreated beneath the frosty ground, their stems, dried leaves and seed heads still provide food and protection for birds and invertebrates.

Goldfinches probe the seed heads for food.

 

We leave the dead tops of the plants during winter,

‘Dead hedges’ are built up using twigs, sticks and branches and the arisings from perennials in the beds and meadows. They provide ideal places for invertebrates, mammals, birds and herpetofauna.

removing everything to our dead hedges before spring growth, helping wildlife and removing the need for smoky bonfires.