Tim Matcham Garden Design

Firstly the elaborate structure of the stems and leaves create a mesmerising pattern rising up from a flat pad of dark green leaves that look as though someone has etched the veins in a titanium dioxide rich white paint. The plant is semi evergreen and sends up these wonderful spikes of flower heads in the summer. They dry out and can provide good winter interest too. The second reason that this particular plant was smothered in the bright red soldier beetle which has acquired the name Hogweed Bonking Beetle! These bright red creatures spend most of their life doing – well – it!! They even feed and fly together and are seldom found alone. This summer the conditions seem to have been absolutely perfect for the beetle which has been seen in large numbers. The larvae are soil dweller and hunt for snails and other insects