There’s not much coming and going from the house at the moment but the garden is constantly busy and the extra time spent at home has meant that I have been taking longer looks at the view. I’ve accepted that the snowberry is going nowhere but I have manged to reel in its sideways expansion and have once again reduced the height. Last week The Nostalgic Gardener was discussing Forsythia with The Prop and whilst I sympatfise whole heartedly with their views I know that mine are here to stay. This week my eyes fell upon the cotoneaster horizontalis. It does give a beautiful display of red berries in the winter but at the moment it is in danger of losing its place to a sarcococca confusa I rashly purchased a month back. I’ve potted on the sarcococca whilst I contemplate the cotoneaster.
One
The sarcococca has been potted on into the vacant pot left by the planting of this daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ in the border. Poor daphne had been in the pot for about two years and although the guidance is that it is suitable for container growing, once a space in the border became available a move was inevitable. One of the fig trees rotted away at the base of the trunk last year and had to come down. Last week I managed to dig out the last (I hope) of the large roots. Daphne now has a new home and so too does the sarcococca.
Two
The compost corner has been paved. I had forgotten just how much space those towers of two x two slabs took up. The paved area looks better suited to a performance space, a garden dance floor perhaps? But no, the bins have been reconstructed and now I have the job of refilling them. The extra space around the bins will come in useful, most immediately it has been dubbed ‘covid conversation corner’ as this is an ideal meeting place for a socially distanced chat with adjoining neighbours.
Three
Speaking of neighbours, there was some sad gardening news last weekend. The glorious willow tree in next door’s garden has to come down. The increasing lean and lack of leaf signalled a problem and the upshot of an inspection was that the tree is predominantly dead. It has been propped up until work to take the tree down can be started. Sad times, but that does mean new opportunities for the neighbours and perhaps for me. It might make a corner of this garden less shady.
Four
A new arrival to this garden came on Friday. The impulsively ordered arch has been delivered. Even in pieces it looks lovely. I hope to be able to put in place this weekend.
Five
The fritillaries have also arrived. These are on my list to look out for in the next autumn end of season bulb sales, but I may order a few in August to be sure I have more next year. The arrival of fritillaries is often swiftly followed by red lily beetles. Time to be vigilant and this year I am going to try Grazer’s Lily Beetle protection. It is to be used before the nasties are sighted so that is a job to do this weekend.
Six
Sunshine was another, albeit brief, arrival this week and the spring flowers shone. I couldn’t choose which one to include so here they all are. The first tulip – ‘World Friendship’, the first thalia, and the first cowslips. The cowslips are self-seeders relocated from elsewhere in the garden. Filling out the garden for free is one of gardening’s great joys.
As always there is more joy to be found at the aforementioned Prop’s site where all the links to other SOS posts can be found in the comments sections. Also a good place for gardening chat
n20gardener 
I love the idea of a dance floor next to the compost bins, you just need to hang a disco ball above and add some flashing lights and good tunes. This area now looks very smart! It is a pity about your neighbour’s willow, they are such graceful trees, but as you say, new opportunities. Love the yellow flowers this week (what, you didn’t feature your Forsythia?!) and the Fritillaries, apart from beetle issues, are they easy to grow?
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I’ll avoid the forsythia and go straight to fritillaries. Yes, easy to grow from bulbs, just buy double the number you think you’ll need! I did collect seed one year and then read they take three years (or was it more) to get to maturity.
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3 years – groan! One for me to add to next year’s bulb order I think.
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The Fritillaries are ahead of mine, and they need another week here. I’m looking forward to seeing an overview of the arch
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The arch is up! Always takes longer then you think. Photo next week.
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Ah, daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance.’ A wonderful plant. One of mine has just started flowering.
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I’m sure it was seeing yours doing so well in the ground that persuaded me to get mine out of the pot asap. Mine is just in bud.
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It’s always sad to lose a tree, but as the ‘victim’ of my neighbour’s trees shading half my garden, I wouldn’t mind something killing of his 60-foot labernum and the numerous sycamores that have sprung up far to close to our house for comfort. I’m looking forward to seeing your arch in place .
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I hate it when neighbours let tree seedlings get away into trees. Sycamores are also a problem around here. The 60 foot laburnum does not sound much fun. Phot of arch coming next week.
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That is one huge tree! It must create a lot of shade. I too am looking forward to seeing that beautiful arch in situ. I keep thinking about one, but afraid my garden is too windy and any structure like that will be blown down.
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OH keeps muttering about this one blowing down! I am being very positive. I think I won’t get too much benefit from the willow coming down as I have a large rhododendron on the same planting line but we shall see🤞
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I found the snowberry in my garden does like to spread beyond its allotted space and its impossible to dig out. Glyphosate was successful and only needed one application. I love a garden arch and that one looks lovely.
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Hmm, I’m tempted. This one is so old and well established, over 6 feet in spite of my hacking back.
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That willow does not seem to be very big. If you plug some cuttings into the ground, and select the best one later, it should replace it efficiently.
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The neighbours are going to do that I think – if there’s any living material.
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It doesn’t take much! One viable twig could be enough.
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That is a lovely looking arch. I look forward to seeing it in situ. The compost area is also looking good. I think it’s useful to have a bit of space for General Things – conversations with the neighbours or otherwise!
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Yes, I’m very happy to have a flat space around the bins after a couple of years (shame on me) of wobbling around on an uneven surface. The arch is up so photo coming next week.
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Lots going on with you! I am slightly disappointed about your decision against the dance floor, it would have been a great spot for a bit of disco composting. Love the frits and the daphne, I am not however a fan of Cotoneaster horizontalis so I say “Out, make space for the wonderful sarcococca you fiend!” or something like that anyway. Have a great week x
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Great compost area!
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