Wild Raspberries

Wild Fruits: Raspberries.
Many kinds of wild fruits grow along the hedgerow and wild patches of land that increasingly border gardens and public parks and spaces.

In the local woods, wild raspberries peep out from beneath their bright green leaves to delight the passers-by. Blackberries, elderberries, sloes, cobnuts and sweet chestnuts add to the choices for a keen forager. These are some of the fruits that can be discovered in the woods, without even having to search for them. There are probably enough to keep a forager in constant supply of nutritious woodland and wayside fruit, nuts and berries.

Nature Reserve: Wild Raspberries at High Elms Country Park.

With, what can seem like, an ongoing battle between growing a kitchen garden and developing a wildlife nature patch, a decision might have to be made by many gardeners - dig your heels in and carry on regardless, fighting a losing battle with the local wildlife over who gets which fruits and vegetables, or apply the old proverb 'if you can't beat them, join them'. It can be quite a rewarding arrangement to let the wildlife win - they will probably take a liking to your garden and return to visit and feast year-on-year; better still, they'll take up residence!

Just as most of the blueberries grown in this garden are left for the birds, the wild raspberries, at the local woods and nearby country parks, which add bright and cheerful tones to the hedges, make super summer feasts for the wildlife and birds that visit.

The wild raspberries pictured here were spotted growing in some rough patches at the local nature reserve High Elms* in Kent - a perfect way to feed the birds and small wildlife. BEECHE Wildlife Garden manages their pretty walled garden to perfection: plenty of fruits and flowers for the birds and wildlife, a wildlife pond (which is also home to a family of coots), a bug hotel, a herb garden showing some medicinal and culinary uses, an ancient orchard and, within the Wildlife Garden, the honey bee apiary managed by Orpington Beekeepers.

Something for everyone!

Wildlife nature artist Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London.

*High Elms Country Park Nature Reserve in Kent, close to Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Sydenham and within reach from Surrey, Sussex and London.

British Wildlife Watercolours

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British Wildlife Artist Writer Illustrator

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