gardening

Six On Saturday: New shoots and leaves

/ n20gardener / 22 Comments

February is the time I start to cut things back and if it stopped raining I would make a start. It seems that the sunny days fall when I need to be elsewhere. Even if I’m elsewhere the garden moves on. In one part of the garden I have had camassias bulbs pushing through the soil for weeks now. Elsewhere a planting of 30 new bulbs has yet to break the soil. That old gardening trait of impatience is creeping back. Here’s six signs of garden growth for this week.

One

The new tree has arrived. I was very willing to spend a little more to purchase a taller tree but the variety I chose was only available as a 1.5 – 2metre specimen. It is sorbus sargentiana, chosen because it has a slightly narrower growth shape. I fully intended to buy a native sorbus, but this one hails from W. Szechwan, China. It seems to have made it’s way to the UK around 1910 which sits happily with the age of this garden.

Two

The clematis armandii buds are a bit of a garden marker. When the first fat ones appear I know the garden is getting going and so must I.

Three

The other clematis plants are also shooting, this one is ‘Madame Julia Correvon’, a viticella variety that was raised in France in 1900.

Four

These are the glossy leaves of the cherry laurel seedling that appeared mysteriously in the garden last year. I let in stay and it is doing very well. This may eventually move to my daughter’s new garden, once we see what is growing there.

Five

The new rosettes of buds on the hylotelephium. I have several of these in a holding bed. Also waiting to see if they are needed for the new garden.

Six

Lastly, the flowers on the iberis sempervirens are just beginning to open up. An easy doer and reliably hardy. I might be persuaded to share a little of this too.

It’s a sunny day tomorrow so I plan to start some cutting back. Sunny days at this time of year often mean cold overnight temperatures but I for one will be happy to see a blue sky. Jim at Garden Ruminations hosts as usual, stop by and take a look at everything that is going on and happy gardening to you all.

Six On Saturday: Reasons to be cheerful

/ n20gardener / 12 Comments

We have blue skies here. A beautiful sight. This means low temperatures tonight, minus two is forecast, but I’m going to enjoy the sunshine. January is coming to an end and the garden is beginning to take shape again. Here’s six things I found this week.

One

The hellebores are popping up, these are unknowns that self seed very happily and I let them do their thing freely.

Two

This is hellebore ‘Pretty Ellen Red’ that was in bud a few weeks back.

Three

I planted euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ around the hellebores but hardly ever share a photo of it. It does a good enough job of covering the ground so I shouldn’t be so mean.

Four

Speaking of ground cover, I also planted some pachysandra terminalis. Various people frowned and looked concerned, but I did it. It can spread to 1.5 metres but so far it’s been a little slow to get going. It has lovely glossy leaves and looks very fresh at the moment

Five

These are absolutely tiny but they are the first snowdrops in flower. Already nibbled of course.

Six

The asplenium scolopendrium, or hart’s tongue fern has also done well over this winter. These splashes of green keep the spirits going.

There are plenty of bulbs nosing through now. I’ve spotted the first shoots of tulips and muscari and the ipheion uniflorum has put up grassy leaves. All very encouraging. I’ve also spotted green shoots among some of the grasses which means I must get out there and cut the old stems down. Thanks to Jim, our host and his garden can be admired at Garden Ruminations where you can find the links to other SOS posts. Happy gardening.

Six On Saturday: Slim pickings

/ n20gardener / 14 Comments

I have the mid-winter feeling. The frost of last week took out the bergenia flowers and the salvia ‘Amistad’ is a brown stem. But I can see the days lengthening, the bulbs are beginning to nose through the earth and the garden is gently flexing its muscles. Mid-winter feels like a quiet time but there are seeds to be chosen, potatoes to be selected and jobs to done.

One

A friend was sharing out some low growing campanula, I guess it is carpatica. It’s a spreader of course. That is why there is plenty to share around. I’ve taken a pot full to add to my border with a wall. Hopefully it will drape itself elegantly downwards.

Two

I always have pots of verbena bonariensis to share around. This tatty collection is destined for my daughter’s new garden. We are waiting to see what comes up first before any planting can take place.

Three

I flexed a few muscles this week. On the right is the hole left by the fig tree. The stump has been ground out – not by me. On the left is the space for the new tree. It is positioned to be equidistant between the persimmon tree and the first apple tree. Thus giving them all a chance to breathe. I’ve only taken off the turf to mark the position. Now I’m wondering if I can make a semi-circular flower bed. My only problem might be the remains of the spreading roots of the fig tree.

Four

The fig tree may be gone but there are plenty of fallen figs still be collected. With each one I pick up I say to myself ‘You won’t have to do this next year.’

Five

The hellebores are coming into their time. Helleborus argutifolius or the Corsican hellebore is really beginning to shine but something is being brave enough to eat the prickly leaves.

Six

Here’s my ‘Pretty Ellen’ white, I’m developing a clump of these around the oak leaf hydrangeas in a newly planted border. It’s early days yet but this area is beginning to fill out. The green shoots of Tulip ‘Maureen’ have just appeared, ready to take over in May.

I have news of the greenhouse. It should be delivered by the end of January with installation probably taking place first week of February. That should set me up nicely for some seed sowing in March. Oh yes, things are coming along nicely. I hope all goes well in your gardening spaces and over at Jim’s place. He’s the host of the SOS meme so stop by at Garden Ruminations and catch up with the news.

Six On Saturday: Frost on frost

/ n20gardener / 19 Comments

This blog is about six things in the garden every week throughout the year and at this time of year it becomes difficult to show variety. The garden is dormant, not much is changing except the weather and this week it has been a story of consecutive low temperatures giving frost forming on frost. Some plants are not going to like it. Here’s my six for the week.

One

Here’s the view of the main border, the libertia gives it some winter structure and greenery. Taller plants are left standing to give some height. With a sprinkle of frost it can look quite pretty.

Coming down to the detail.

Two

Frosted libertia.

Three

Frosted rose .

Four

Frosted verbena bonariensis.

Five

Frosted phlox

Six

Frosted agapanthus.

The decision to take down the large fig tree has been followed through and this week it happened. The garden feels lighter. The persimmon and a neighbouring apple tree have more room but I think there is enough space to fit in a new tree and I’ve decided to go with a rowan. I’m shopping around now with the aim of planting up in March. In other news the daffodils in pots are beginning to show through. I’m hosting a collection that will go to my daughter’s new garden once we can see what comes through there.

Don’t forget that Jim shares his SOS and the links to other posts on his site Garden Ruminations.

Six On Saturday: Confusion in the garden

/ n20gardener / 14 Comments

Happy New Year to all. Here it is a very frosty morning, the second in a row. Proper Winter weather but the garden up to this point seemed a little confused. Here’s six things I found in the garden this week.

One

I pulled out the ‘Romanesco’ cauliflowers in October as they had come to naught. This one, for some reason long forgotten, was left in the ground. I know they grow well in cool temperatures and clearly the mild winter was working well for it. I’m not sure how it will cope over the next few months but maybe I’ll be harvesting it in April!

Two

This salvia ‘Amistad’ had overwintered through last year and came into leaf very late in the season. I was very surprised to see it flower at the end of December.

Three

I have a flower bud on the libertia grandiflora. This is supposed to do its thing in May/June/July.

Four

The primroses are popping up everywhere. I’m quite used to these being in flower from early November.

Five

I’m showing the seed heads of the phlomis again because, at last, I have been able to capture them frosted. If I’d been up earlier it might have been more impressive.

Six

For the final show and tell, I have the new buds on the hellebore ‘Pretty Ellen’ red. These I grow around the corner of the shed and it does look like I have lost some during the dismantling and re-building process. Perhaps they will struggle through a little later.

I did manage to garden a little after Christmas and can finally announce that I have planted up tulips. Not all, only some. I managed two pots worth in a three layer lasagne. I only have a few left to plant. These are ones that previously lined on of the veg beds. I’m planning to move them to line another veg bed. Why, I ask, did I lift them in the first place? The garden is well and truly in Winter mode and it is easy to see how much pruning the roses need. I completed two bushes and have about ten shrub roses and three climbers to do. The climbers have really gotten away from me and I shall have to be very firm with myself to get them back in control. Happy gardening or garden planning to everyone. The days are getting longer and that itch will soon have to be scratched!

Don’t forget that Jim shares his SOS and the links to other posts on his site Garden Ruminations.

Six On Saturday: At the Winter solstice

/ n20gardener / 18 Comments

The turning point has arrived. I’m ready to welcome in the ever-lengthening days and the garden is with me. There are new buds on the magnolia, the climbing hydrangea and there are flower buds forming on the mahonia. It is the time to celebrate seed heads and berries and the garden here does offer up some goodies – just a few. Here’s my six for this week.

One

I have been meaning to share the cotoneaster horizontalis for some weeks now and as you can see I should have done it sooner. The positive thing is that the birds have been enjoying the berries.

Two

Of course there must be holly at Christmas time. No berries here!

Three

For seed heads, I can offer the lovely whorls of the phlomis.

Four

And here the remains of the flower heads on the hibiscus syriacus ‘Red Heart’.

Five

The flowers on the viburnum are just beginning to open.

Six

Lastly, the lime green flowers of some hellebores. These are meant to be ‘Pretty Ellen’ but I have very strong doubts.

This is my last post until the New Year. I wish everyone peace and joy, a good gardening year to come and I look forward to catching up with you all in 2025. Many thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for continuing to host our SOS gatherings.

Six On Saturday: These ever shorter days

/ n20gardener / 18 Comments

I’m feeling the gloom of a dull December. The garden is so wet that nothing can be done. Mild weather continues but with it comes the rain and so the lawn is still squelchy and the borders cannot be cleared of weeds. Finding six things is always interesting at this time of year but there were some pleasant surprises.

One

There was a brief respite from the rain and the ivy to decorate the house was quickly collected and brought inside. It’s used to hang elegantly around pictures and to wrap around the stairs. There’s plenty to choose from!

Two

The ferns are dying back, at this stage they provide a rusty brown contrast to the remaining greens in the garden. I inherited these but I think they are dryopteris filix mas.

Three

This is possibly my new favourite rose, so I share it with you again. It still looks spindly and I am hoping that this summer will see it really settle in. In the meantime it does put out the most beautifully coloured flowers. ‘Lady of Shallot’.

Four

I lost a euphorbia mellifera over the last winter but miraculously another one self seeded. It’s looking so full of optimism at the moment. Harsh weather may change that.

Five

There is another new flower bud on the climbing rose that I moved this year. This is ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’.

Six

Appropriately for this time of year the helleborus argutifolius is opening up its flower buds. Also known as the holly leaved hellebore it makes a good companion to the ivy.

I’m still confessing to not having planted tulip bulbs. Perhaps next week. I’ll be here for a last SOS before Christmas. Until then, join us over at Jim’s place for the weekly get together and have a good time enjoying some green spaces in this dull December. Better still, take a look at the SOSs from the Southern Hemisphere!

Six On Saturday: The Winter garden

/ n20gardener / 16 Comments

First, apologies for going AWOL last week, there was just too much going on! This week I can report that the concrete base for the new greenhouse has finally been completed. It has been carelessly decorated by the soft impressions of some creature’s feet. Poor thing, hampered somewhat by soggy concrete on it’s nightly prowl. Now I await the greenhouse delivery, due sometime in January. Thankfully I do not have to worry about it being damaged by this weekend’s storm. The garden though is battered by blustery winds and regular downpours of rain. The lawn was in squelch mode as I looked for six from the garden this week. It’s a challenge but here they are.

One

Fresh green leaves caught my eye. There has been frost here but the temperatures are on the benign side and this pulmonaria thought it was worth putting out some new growth.

Two

The libertia holds it’s shape well through winter. I have four of them, possible an error as I did not fully appreciate how much space they take up. I forgive them when they are in flower.

Three

I’m sure the euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii doesn’t know if it’s coming or going. The wet winters are not what it expects and then occasionally it gets the perfect hot dry summer. Somehow they soldier on. If I lose one I gain at least one from it’s ability to self seed quite generously.

Four

There’s not much in the way of flowers at the moment but here’s an early primula that the slugs haven’t found.

Five

The leaves of a new heuchera are doing some interesting things at the moment. These have turned out better than expected.

Six

On a dry sunny day the hakonechloa macra looks splendid and really worthy of a spot in the garden for some winter colour. Today it has been flattened by the wind and drenched by rain and so it’s a somewhat muted look I share with you.

I think the wind is easing off now but rain continues. There’s not too much gardening to be done but I confess to having unplanted tulips, pellies still outside and blackened dahlias to but cut back. On the plus side the hellebores have had last years leaves taken off and another batch of fallen figs were collected. Unfortunately there are plenty more to come down. Don’t forget to stop by at Jim’s place for his ruminations and the links to other SOS posts. Keep safe and happy gardening everyone.

Six On Saturday: Storm preparations

/ n20gardener / 12 Comments

It’s been a busy week here with the shed base frame work being completed on Monday. It was too cold to lay a concrete base for the greenhouse so the project continues into next week. We had snow that didn’t linger on Tuesday. On Wednesday the new shed arrived and the move back in began. But many things were too wet and that continues to be the case. Today Storm Bert arrives and I was out making safe the greenhouse contents and moving the pots in sheltered positions. Here’s a sad looking six from the garden this week.

One

Let’s start with the new shed with four windows which do give a little more light. The skip came in very handy and plenty of stuff was got rid off. I held on to most of my collection of bricks and old roof tiles, pleading that they always came in handy.

Two

And today they were put to good use, weighing down the builder’s bags that hold the collection of plastic pots, netting and seed trays that came out of the greenhouse.

Three

The water butts have all been emptied of their contents now and are huddled together in a corner. I’d hate to see these rolling across the garden.

Four

I still haven’t had time to take the scented leaf pelargoniums inside so they have been huddled together against the winds. Next week is mild so they will good for another week outside.

Five

The pellies are still pushing out the odd flower here and there.

Six

And still looking quite green, these ferns are in the shelter of the larger rhododendron. Dryopteris filix-mas possibly. I inherited them so I’m really not sure.

I have abject apologies to send to our lovely group of SOS bloggers I have not been able to do much reading over the last two weeks. I’m hoping life settles down a little and I will be able to get up to speed again. Jim hosts the SOS group so drop in and have a good ready anytime. In the meantime I wish you all a safe weekend from any storm and happy gardening if you can get out there!

Six On Saturday: Decay and renewal

/ n20gardener / 19 Comments

Having spent several hours over many days clearing out the old shed and greenhouse, the subject of decay is much on my mind. The exteriors of both buildings were clearly decaying and inside many of the contents were also in a state of decline. Plastic sacks that held netting crumbled as they were moved and piles of old black plastic pots were consigned to the dump. It’s a clean slate for the moment, the renewal begins on Monday when the site is cleared. The garden too takes another step towards seasonal decay and the cold weather forecast for next week will surely be the end for the dahlias. Here’s six from a garden in change this week.

One

I commented last week on how often the fox had startled me in the garden and sure enough it happened again. I went down to the back corner of the garden to investigate and there was a tell-tale depression in the leaf mould heap. The fox had found a very comfortable and dry place to curl up and rest. There’s not much I can do about that for now but after some rain it will become a little too soggy for comfort.

Two

Here is the fox, roaming the garden with not a care in the world, searching around for fallen fruit. Picking up the fallen figs and mowing up the leaves is a weekly task.

Three

The weigela is beginning to turn colour and the leaves will soon drop.

Four

There are still some surprising flowers in the garden. This is clematis ‘Madame Julia Correvon’, a viticella variety.

Five

The hellebores are beginning to flower, I think it’s a little early for this variety but I’m pleased to see it has fought back from a slug attack in the Spring.

Six

There are still flowers on the hebe, the hardy geraniums and the hydrangeas are putting out new panicles too. This one is ‘Limelight’.

The garden is full of bits and pieces from the greenhouse and shed. Those items that can stand the weather for a day or two are piled in every spare corner. Terracotta pots have been de-spidered and moved to the garage. The new shed arrives on Wednesday and then the process will begin again in reverse. The new greenhouse is not expected until January, just in time for the next year’s cycle of renewal.

This weekly post on the state of my garden is part of the SOS meme hosted by Jim of Garden Ruminations. Please take a look at the SOS Participants’ Guide if you would like to take part. Happy gardening to you all.