The Riches of Uncut Grass
Eluned Nicholls, Parish Councillor in Kingsthorpe, shares her experience of No Mow May
We are now in the third year of No Mow May1 and Kingsthorpe Village’s verges and greens are showing signs of a remarkable recovery from years of being cut to within inches of life.
Take a walk along Lower Leys or along the bank of the school hill in May and you will see the tall stems and umbrella shaped clusters of white flowers of the graceful Cow Parsley (Anthriscus Sylvestris), one of Monty Don’s favourite plants.
Also growing in profusion is Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens). Its blue, nectar rich flowers are visited by hoverflies, bees and butterflies. The flowers are also edible and make an attractive garnish for salads or desserts.
At a lower height you will see the yellow stars of Herb Bennet or Wood Avens (Geum Urbanum), a relative of those popular garden Geums, Lady Stratheden and Mrs Bradshaw. The flowers of Wood Avens are important for pollinators, while its leaves are a source of food for caterpillars such as those of the Grizzled Skipper Butterfly.
Growing alongside Herb Bennet is Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), an aromatic member of the Geranium family which was used in the past as an antiseptic. The endangered Common Carder, Buff-tailed and White-tailed Bumblebees are just some of the pollinators that visit its delicate pink flowers.
Look closely at ground level and you may also see the loose mat of heart shaped leaves and delicate flowers of Dog Violet (Viola Riviniana). With its soothing, cooling anti-inflammatory properties, Violet was used by the Greeks as a salve for dry or chafed skin, abrasions, insect bites, eczema, varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
I know some people like a bowling green lawn, but I hope we will all also learn to appreciate the riches of uncut grass.