We have had some strong winds recently with gusts to 70mph. Fortunately no trees have been blown down but we have lost a few large branches. Have you noticed the nights drawing in and the temperatures dropping putting a chill in the air? These changes herald the arrival of autumn and this year looks good for a beautiful show of autumn leaf colour. Some of the wild flowers are still looking their best. One of the stars at Bedgebury is Devil's-bit Scabious 'Succisa pratensis' growing in large areas under the conifers across the site. Look out for the round bluish purple rounded flower heads nodding on long stalks; it is a good source of food for bees and butterflies. It gets its common name Devil’s-bit Scabious because its roots stop abruptly as if they have been bitten off. The plant was used to cure almost anything, so the Devil got angry with it. He bit off the root out of spite.
