I was staring moodily out of the kitchen window this morning, wondering what on earth there was to write about this week and why weren’t there any interesting birds at the feeder? It had been another cold week, with heavy frosts and minus temperatures overnight. Then, unexpectedly and majestically, a heron flew across the sky. I was able to watch it cross three gardens and fly onwards into the distance. Purpose returned, six things would be found and here they are.
One
The new buds on the clematis are coming through now, reminding me that it is time to cut this one back. It’s a viticella, ‘Madame Julia Correvon’.
Two
The rosemary is in flower. Ready for the bees to arrive.
Three
More herbs. Although looking a little scruffy I am pleased with this coriander. I never seem to keep a regular supply going, but last year I tried again with some seeds in a new pot against a wall. They grew, went to seed, and I pushed those seeds back under the soil. They germinated and we had a second picking. I was happy enough. I am more than happy to see that they have come through a tough winter. Maybe I have finally found the right place.
Four
Above these straw coloured stems are the feather heads of ‘Karl Foerster’. These are a definite winner in my book, providing interest all through winter. But the time has come to cut them back. Probably should have done it a few weeks ago but never mind!
Five
In the front garden, the sarcococca, which flowered a while back, has had a second go. This plant is about two years old, and in spite of inhospitable conditions (dry and shaded) it does seem to be making a go of it.
Six
And finally, I’ve started the potato chitting. My local allotment shop had quite a good range in stock and I was able to buy ‘Charlotte’ and some ‘Pink Fir Apple’.
It has felt like a long, long winter but gradually the days are lengthening and before we know it the garden will be rushing on ahead of us. Sunday is earmarked for gardening. The green manure will be cut back and dug in, that last rose climbing rose will be pruned and the gooseberries must be tackled. Over in Jim’s garden, he’s also cutting back grasses, and signs of Spring are evident. Take a look, and don’t hesitate to join in too.
n20gardener 
As I was saying recently, I had also bought some potatoes Charlotte but I haven’t started chitting them yet! I’m going to do that this weekend. It’s great to see coriander coming back to life. I have to sow new seeds every year.
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Inspired by your photo, maybe I’ll have another go at Coriander.
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I always had success with Pink Fir Apple potatoes in bags. I’m not growing any potatoes this year, but I have bags of last year’s potato compost and a few are sprouting. You’re more advanced with the clematis and rosemary ‘down south’. Not a sniff of a bud on any of my montanas 😦
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Coriander always bolts for me before I can pick any. Can I be bothered to try again? Everything in my garden seems to be on a go slow this year, but it has been nice to spend a couple of hours in the afternoons cutting things back and giving it a general tidy up. The Hairy Bittercress is all over the place – again! Does nothing stop that plant from growing?
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I am undecided about doing potatoes this year, I might give sweet potatoes a go.
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‘British Queens’ are the one and only sown here; a perennial favourite.
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‘Karl Foerster’ grass has become one of only a few preferred ornamental grasses here. I am concerned with its life span though. Festuca ovina ‘Glauca’ is another preferred grass with a completely different function. It seems to be very perennial, even if it eventually goes bald in the center as it migrates outward. Purple fountain grass is the other preferred grass, which looks great for only a few years. We must replace them as they die out. Anyway, I am sort of watching the ‘Karl Foerster’ grass. Some have not lasted for long, but I suspect that they rotted from too much water.
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My sarcococca seems very happy in dry shade too. You seem to have found plenty of interest despite the chilly weather earlier this week.
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