Spiky things

I spent the first part of the day with the South Lincolnshire Flora Group at Willow tree Fen, helping to collect plants for the LoveLincsPlants project. It was another hot day, but fortunately we were able to set up the plant presses under cover. We were mostly gathering wetland species, but also decided to have a go at pressing a viciously spiny Milk Thistle, which has naturalised around the old farm buildings and along the bank of the River Glen. It proved somewhat challenging(see extra)!

Once home, I relaxed in the garden for a while, accompanied by the cats who love it when a human lies down on the grass. The grass is now burnt off and I'm afraid we may lose some plants, though many, such as this magnificent spiky Eryngium are made of sterner stuff and are thriving in the heat and drought, providing much needed nectar to a whole range of insects.