#isleoftiree

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Machair is a Gaelic word meaning fertile low lying grassy plain, it is one of the rarest habitats in Europe and only occurs on the exposed western coasts of Scotland and Ireland. On the machair of the Isle of Tiree, Scotland, was Lotus corniculatus (common bird's-foot-trefoil, butter and eggs, eggs and bacon, hen and chickens, granny's toenails), was flowering providing a vital source of nectar for insects.

Plant of the Day

Thursday 5 July 2018

On the Isle of Tiree, Scotland, in the acidic, boggy environment of depressions or hollows among sphagnum moss was growing Drosera rotundifolia (sundew). These insectivorous plants have modified leaves covered with red hairs that secrete a sticky substance for catching their prey. Once an insect lands on the leaf, more mucilage is released and the leaf slowly closes around its latest nitrogen source. 

Plant of the Day

Friday 6 July 2018

A maritime native of the U.K., Armeria maritima (thrift, sea pink, cliff rose, cushion pink, lady's pincushion, sea gilliflower, sea grass) flowers through the summer on the Isle of Tiree, Scotland. This mat-forming, evergreen perennial has dense, needle-like leaves and needs a well-drained soil. 

Plant of the Day

Saturday 7 July 2018

Common in bogs throughout the U.K., the fluffy, cotton-like flower and seed heads of Eriophorum angustifolium (cotton-grass, bog cotton). The white cotton-like seed-heads were once used as a feather substitute in pillows. Here the plants are thriving on the Isle of Tiree, Scotland. 

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 3 July 2018

A native plant to the UK, here on the Isle of Tiree, Scotland, Iris pseudacorus (yellow iris, flag iris) is a vigorous, herbaceous perennial. It can be invasive forming extensive colonies, thriving at the margins of large ponds or streams and in moist, deep, acidic, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. 

Plant of the Day

Friday 29 June 2018

The largest trees on the Isle of Tiree, Scotland, are said to have been introduced by residents returning from New Zealand in the early to mid twentieth century, the evergreen Olearia × haastii (daisy bush). This is a natural hybrid from South Island in New Zealand between Olearia avicenniifolia and Olearia moschata. This plant makes an informal flowering hedge or windbreak for a sunny, well-drained site. It is particularly suitable for coastal gardens as it stands up well to strong winds and salt-laden air.