A beautiful wildflower area caught the eye of judges in the Port St Mary in bloom competition and it won top prize in the large garden category.

It was created by Ian Costain, a keen environmentalist, in his garden at Thie Yuan, Fistard.

He explained: ’I noticed how well the grass and sundry weeds were growing in the scaplings (stones) of the drive, which has been a stone and rubble depository for years.

’Over the winter I spread half a ton of sand and a couple of bags of peat-free compost on top of the stone chippings and then in May I spread the contents of a "Manx meadow in a box" seed collection that I probably bought 12 years ago when the Wildflowers of Mann was a thriving concern.

’I get the impression that every seed germinated, maybe just relieved to be out of their box.’

He described what it is like now: ’The area is full of bees and other insects all day long, although now that the nasturtiums are in flower at the opposite end of the garden, they’re spoilt for choice.

’The wasps have built a nest in one of the garden stores, partly against the door and partly under the top, so i can’t use it ’till they’ve finished.

’They’d be even wilder than the average wildlife if i damaged the nest, but otherwise no problem at all.

’I think there’s a chance that they’ve kept my aphid numbers down to virtually none this year, which is more than can be said for the family of pheasants (male, female and four young) who have trodden on one area of bedding plants and dug holes to make themselves comfortable elsewhere.

’I thought it was the sparrows having a dust bath, but I’m now inclined to think that they wait for the pheasants to dig it, and then it becomes communal.’

He added: ’An inevitable side effect of feeding the birds is that the sparrowhawk will be attracted by their fat and healthy bodies, so he flies by fairly regularly though usually without success.

’One picture shows him perched on a standing stone in the front garden, having missed his chance.

’The hedgehogs begin calling at about 9pm. If the younger ones arrive before the bigger ones they risk being rolled out of the way of the food. and once they’re in the garden they are free to help themselves to any slugs and snails.

’During the particularly dry spell a few weeks ago, i found a couple of them in the shallows of the pond, having a good drink.’

Judges - led by Rushen MHK Laurence Skelly - admired the variety of the planting obviously designed to attract and feed insects and wildlife.

Awards also went to David Webb, winner of the small garden (less than 20 square metres) category for his plot in Reayrt y Chrink.

Judges thought that the garden was carefully planned to maximise the planting and included a wide variety of foliage which made for a very pretty space.

Winner of the allotment category was Mary-Ann Jennings for her plot on Castletown Road that demonstrated a number innovative solutions to save water, maximise yield and also the use of companion planting.

Runners up were Michael and Alison Woodall, who have created a lovely garden space with sweeping pathways and colourful flower borders, and Paul Quine and Dave Stringer with a traditional allotment plot growing a wide variety of produce.

The winners received a certificate and voucher for Ballagawne nurseries sponsored by Port St Mary Business Association.

Anyone interested in having a look around Ian’s garden, in exchange for a donation to the Manx Wildlife Trust, can email [email protected].