I am still putting my faith in the March surge but a few more things have been added to the ‘possibly dead’ list this week. Fortunately there are some signs of life so the balance is being just about being maintained. It’s been cold overnight with frosts forecast but not materialising. The end could be in sight. I’m upping my cutting back programme and can report that my conscience is a little clearer as the gooseberries have now been pruned. Here’s my six for this week.
One
I have been inwardly wailing about the lack of crocuses, being somewhat of an impatient gardener. But this week they have put in an appearance. I’m pretty sure these are ‘Ruby Giant’. Of course my camera skills have given perfectly in focus leaves and rather soft focus flowers. Artistic I think!
Two
Oh, the poor pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ is looking very sad. Losing leaves and so far showing no signs of new life. It will be a blow if these go. There are three of them fronting the Japanese anemones (autumn flowering) astrantia (summer flowering) and the melica altissima ‘Alba’ (late Spring to Summer) which as you can see is in need of a tidy up. The pittosporum is a H3 group for hardiness. It’s definitely not enjoyed this winter.
Three
Combining new life with another possible loss. The first of the tête-à-tête daffodils have opened. Behind are the remains of salvia nachtvlinder, which may or not spring back to life later in the year. I won’t cut this back until I see signs of new growth. But it may be another loss.
Four
The reliable new shoots of phlox. Long lived and indestructible. Thank goodness for this one. The brown stems from last year can easily be snapped off. On my ‘to do’ list over the next few weeks.
Five
Some more new shoots to enjoy. These are delphiniums, grown from seed last year. I decided to keep them in pots over winter to grow them on into stronger plants before subjecting them to the challenge of hungry slugs in the border. Three are doing very well, the other two are a little behind. The charming bittercress weed is also putting on a good show.
Six
This luzula nivea is a new one for me. I planted out about six of them last year and they seem to have toughed out the winter conditions rather well. They are part of a new border at the back of the garden. Quite shady, quite dry. The luzulas seem to be quite happy.
I’ve been looking at my seed collection and wondering if I need to make new purchases. After having shunned cosmos for a year I think I will go back to them. My thin border is in a need of a rethink so this year I will probably fill it with annuals while I dither about what to do with it. I won’t be sowing anything just yet but it is definitely approaching itchy finger time! Enjoy your gardening this week. Those weeds need watching. Jim is hosting the SOS links as usual. Take a look at what’s going on.
n20gardener 
Reading ” dead things” , I expected to see the catastrophic photo of your euphorbia again. The result of that Six is not that bad. You make me think that I have to cut down the old shoots of my penstemons…new ones have arrived here too.
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I think you mean the phlox! I’m leaving the penstemon for until the end of March just to be really sure for them.
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Yes #4 the phlox you’re right. 😅Penstemons will be cut down too but later.
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it’s a nervous time isn’t it? Watching out for those new shoots. I have a bed that was shady, but is now in full sun due to the Kilmarnock Willow tree being removed so I shall probably have to remove all the snowdrops and crocuses from there once they finish flowering as I’m not sure they like to be in sun during their resting period. Like you whilst I dither about what to do there I shall be sowing annuals this year, but probably not until May. I’m hoping the cold this year may have decreases the number of S&S. 🤞
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I think the crocuses will be happy and I do have some snowdrops in a sunnier spot that do well.
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The toll of the winter is becoming more apparent now, though some things I thought I’d lost are making an effort. Your poor Pittosporum does look very sad but I’ve found S. ‘Nachtvlinder’ to be pretty tough, shooting well from the base.
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That’s encouraging for the salvia
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I have been looking around at what didn’t survive the winter too. A few more weeks will really show me what has gone to the garden in the sky and what I need to replace.
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Yes I’m I’m impatient for mid March!
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Ah: Hungry slugs, you are right to keep you precious plants safe.
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I haven’t found that snowdrops mind being sunbaked during the summer. Mine spread like crazy in the hottest driest area.
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The hardest thing with probable deads is how long you have to leave them to be sure, when if you knew they were dead something new could be getting established. Several Salvias are on my dilemma list.
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That is exactly the dilemma.
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I’ve already pulled out a few things that had completely died – a hebe was definitely past it. The French lavender I’ve left for now, but I know in my heart of hearts that it’s a gonna. I hope your salvia makes it through as they are such a pretty thing.
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It’s hard to make that final decision. I lost French lavender a few years back and went with English after that. It looks untouched.
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Annuals are great for filling gaps while we decide what to do with something, aren’t they, and I am now wondering if I have any Cosmos seed. They are wonderful although in my garden it’s a full time job protecting from slugs 🐌
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What is so stressful for Pittosporum tobira? I am unfamiliar with ‘Nanum’, but suspect that it is as resilient as other cultivars. Does it just dislike damp and cool weather through winter?
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I think you are right, it was just too cold and wet over the winter. I think of them as quite hardy but I guess that combination just didn’t work for them this year. I’m hoping they will respond to a light cut back when the weather warms up. It’s still cold here 😦
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