In 2024, we began a project to increase the range of native plants in the park. The aim is to extend the period of nectar availability and provide foodplants to support and encourage butterflies, other pollinators and wildlife. The first planting focused on the perimeter of the park and a few areas where the grass is already naturally low-growing.

Autumn 2024

After preparing the ground by strimming and raking, we planted plugs and sowed seed. The expectation was that some would be more likely to grow well than others, and the outcomes would help us decide what to focus on in following years. Key species are yellow rattle, garlic mustard (foodplant of the orange tip and green-veined white butterflies), red campion, knapweed, yarrow and birds-foot trefoil (foodplant of the common blue butterfly). We also planted comfrey, wild carrot, willowherb (foodplant of the elephant hawk moth), red clover, vetches, selfheal, pignut (foodplant of the chimney sweeper moth), hemp agrimony, scabious, upright hedge parsley, hedge woundwort, teasel and wild angelica. In December 2024, we also planted a selection of native shrubs. These were mainly species that had not been planted in the park before. They include alder buckthorn (brimstone butterfly foodplant), dogwood, guelder rose, wild honeysuckle and spindle, all chosen for providing flowers, fruit, colour and food for insects. In 2025, learning from what has worked and what has failed, the project continued.

Summer 2025

With very little rain falling from February onwards, Yorkshire had drought conditions. At the beginning of April, when 1st Scriven cubs came to help plant the spring plug plants, the ground was already rock hard, so we planted into molehills. Growth was very delayed by the heat and dry conditions. Eventually yellow rattle germinated and grew, as did red bartsia, a bonus, as we did not sow this one, but all the ground disturbance we did the previous autumn encouraged it. Both these species are parasitic on grass so will help weaken the grass in future. Red campion and garlic mustard also grew well, being over and done before the worst of the drought. And, as of the beginning of July, the majority of shrubs were still alive. Other plants were less successful. Many started growing, but were very stunted by lack of rain. More planting is planned for autumn and next spring, with the hope that more favourable weather will allow more to establish.

Himalayan balsam is an invasive plant that spreads very aggressively and outcompetes many native plants. It reduces biodiversity and only a few wildlife species live on it. It had flourished in JSP and was tackled as a recent project using a contractor. It still needs ongoing control through volunteer activity which includes hoeing in spring and hand pulling in summer. We aim to prevent the balsam spreading its seed, which should reduce the problem each year.