Country diary: A young shieldbug has found a safe place to hide – or so it hopes | Nic Wilson

Bedmond, Hertfordshire: The entire Serge Hill project is a haven for humans and wildlife, and there’s much to find in its collection of drought-tolerant plantsLooking across a swathe of golden oat grass to the Apple House, it seems almost inconceivable that the M25 and M1 motorways are just beyond the treeline. I’m exploring the Serge Hill project for gardening, creativity and health: a therapeutic resource for local schools, community groups and charities, founded three years ago by Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith.All around me, a diverse collection of drought-tolerant plants is thriving in a six-inch layer of sharp sand in the uppermost section of the plant library, despite not having been watered once during our sweltering summer. Continue reading...