Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Wednesday 23rd September 2026 - Play Lane Millennium Green, Ryde GG #1098

 Terry's photos











Devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis)


New Zealand pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii)

We spent a lovely autumnal morning working in the butterfly meadow area of Play Lane Millennium Green helping to rake up cut grass and clear other unwanted greenery.  The grass was cleared away (and the ground scarified) so that it would not compost and add nutrients to the soil, thereby encouraging wildflower seeds to germinate.  Bramble roots were grubbed out by mattock and also cut back from the edges of the meadow.  Clumps of devil's-bit scabious and hawksbeard were retained so that they could set seed.  Stalks of rosebay willowherb had been cut, and their seeds were to be scattered over the ground after our session.

Concern had been raised about the New Zealand pygmyweed growing in the pond area.  The springs over this site vary their course over time and the pond is currently dry (exacerbated by our hot summer) so this is a good time to remove as much as possible.  See link -

New Zealand Pigmyweed Invasive Species | Canal & River Trust

All removed material was put into a plastic sack where it will rot down.  This is a very invasive non-native plant which can regrow from tiny fragments.

(Please note that spelling varies – pygmyweed or pigmyweed!)

Devil’s-bit scabious is so named (according to folklore) because the root terminates abruptly as if bitten off, allegedly, by the Devil!

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Path update......

 


We last visited this site in April and worked along this central pathway through the woods - see link below.  

Isle of Wight Green Gym - Official Blog.: Wednesday 29th April 2026 - Play Lane Millennium Green, Ryde GG #1078

The area had been very boggy; a drainage pipe was installed and the pathway extended and encroaching plants cut back.  It has now dried out and much improved.

Thank you to Terry for the photos and to Rose (PLMG Trustee) for the biscuits.

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