Introducing Maidenhair Spleenwort, Asplenium trichomanes, the first new species added to our Garden list in 2025. We actually found this fern last Autumn, detached from a wooded bank in a nearby car park and decided to bring it home. We gave it a spot on the concrete steps, where it’s close relative, Hart’s Tongue Fern, has freely colonised from a single introduced individual many years ago.
Typically we don’t add a plant species to the species list until it has survived and flowered at least once. As ferns don’t flower, we decided to add it only if it survived the winter. Which we are glad to say it has.
This species is common in many parts of the world and is perhaps one of the most attractive ferns about, and as such a garden favourite. Although at present, all the Garden ferns are currently looking a little shabby after the long winter.
We’ve also started to see a few of our resident species about. Spotted Wolf Spiders (our most abundant spider in the Garden) are already dashing about in the leaf litter. Plus:
We also recorded our first Scarlet Tiger Moth, well it’s larva (caterpillar), chomping on some Green Alkenet, in the first bright sunshine of Spring (2nd March 2025).
We also spotted our first Green Shieldbug of the year on the 2nd March. Note, that in winter they turn bronze in colour before they hibernate. This fella has not long become active again.
And finally we found our small patch of Primroses had survived beneath the bramble and hazel. Spotted flowering on the 1st March 2025.
So, spring has arrived and our resident species are waking up.
DC: 03/03/2025
Wildlife Garden 