The long shaded border on the north side of St. Botolph’s Church, opposite the Sessions House, has been given a further makeover following the intervention of the Boston in Bloom team.
Following a plea in 2016 from The Stump’s fabric manager, Angie Kisby, the moss-covered border was cleared and sown with an urban bee mix. This year three species of ferns have been introduced to complement the wildflowers which are now showing through. Angie and Trevor from St. Botolph’s Church were joined in the rain by Alison, Paul and Sheila from the Bloom team to plant the 120 ferns.
The three species of fern – ostrich fern, hart’s tongue fern and hard shield fern – were selected for their tolerance to shade and will feature on the Boston in Bloom judging tour in July. They will also provide an attractive feature for delegates when The Stump plays host to the RHS East Midlands in Bloom regional awards on 13 September.
Chairman of Boston in Bloom, Alison Fairman, said: “Planting in the rain was made fun with our Stump friends. It has been a delight to work in this historic environment and the ferns should thrive in the shadow of St. Botolphs.”
The new fern planting complements the two large bell shaped flower beds on the other side of The Stump which have been carved out of the turf and planted with hundreds of viola and daffodils.
