Biodiversity in Bittern

- Where preparations for pollinator planting are a reason for children of all ages to gather and play

What is pollinator planting?

From what I have gleaned from Judy’s extensive knowledge and personal experience in her habitat garden, pollinator planting is about introducing a variety of flowering plants to the environment that supply essential nourishment for the native insects and birds to feed from, shelter, reproduce, encouraging them to stay long-term.

You likely know the word ‘pollinator’ means an insect or agent that carries pollen to a plant for fertilisation… For example, bees effectively pollinate many of our fruits and vegetables.

If I remember rightly from biology classes in high school, pollen comes from the male (stamen) part of a flower and is carried to the female (stigma) part of another or the same flower.

Judy’s Neighbourhood Invitation…

Some time ago Judy had purchased a stack of cardboard tree guards with the view to invite the children of her neighbourhood to colour them in and learn about their use. Having me there as an extra pair of hands, and with the energy to get the activity underway, Judy asked me to create an example.

I’ll digress here a little background information… You see, Judy and I both used to work in the Lifestyle department of an Aged Care Residence - not the same one - and so we have long held the essential essence for creating and delivering activities born from our unique self-expression with the intent to inspire. While my creative artist pens, pencils, paints etc have been let go, Judy’s craft room was/is a creative’s delight from which to source all manner of exquisite tools to play. My first tree guard artist’s choice was a set of metallic paints that I layered to create a depth of multicoloured mood… I’ll leave you to read into any symbolism you may perceive…

Judy also wanted the tree guards to be personalised with the name of the artist… in hindsight I would have written, Artwork by Leanda as opposed to ‘owning it’ though it doesn’t really matter. I must admit, my sense of identity was a little taken aback when Judy said my example tree guard was too perfect and others might never want to start one! From my perspective, I simply loved the experience of painting that included a raised texture in some areas for a person who might be blind and could run their fingers across it to feel it instead. I envisage residents’ from Aged Care Homes being taken on a bus trip to wander, sit and appreciate a cuppa while viewing the artwork beneath the well-established trees.

I decorated several tree guards at Judy’s… this one had an Indigenous feel to it and to me symbolised rain and the path each drop takes to nourish the soil… the day after I placed it outside it did rain though not enough to quench the dry earth.

Supervising local children from the neighbourhood in the school holidays was a lot of fun

Each design unique to the child

Sitckers and textas… no paints!

Once this young one got going she couldn’t stop, deciding every initial inclusion needed pink crayon to cover it all

On another occasion Judy invited some of her dear friends to join in an afternoon of tree guard decorating amid conversation and a cuppa.

Another area and creative source for inspiration was writing on the blackboard and informing those passing-by with words, quotes and plant information. The children of Judy’s neighbourhood love the chalk too… adding their strokes of creative genius to the blackboard… What fun!

I can only imagine the above quote is a variation on Audrey Hepburn’s,“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

Unlike the common plastic tree guards we most commonly see, the cardboard will breakdown into compostable matter. However, I feel the delight of the children and adults of Judy’s neighbourhood and beyond will thoroughly enjoy wandering through the field of colourful creations and be the talk and inspiration of many passers-by.

Imagine if many followed in her footsteps and dressed up their nature strip, garden, house block or field with pollinator plants protected by designer tree guards… what a joy it would be for the insects and birds and what a delight it would be for you and me!

Do you have a habitat garden near you?

Remember to…

Enjoy a sunshiny weekend exploring where you are. Next week I’ll share a photo gallery from recent adventures that expand on my time at Judy’s Biodiversity garden… I cannot wait to surprise you!

Love’s Harmonies,

Leanda Michelle ✍🏼📚

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