garden

Six On Saturday: February ends with a frost

/ n20gardener / 22 Comments

Cutting back in the borders continues when the weather allows and the heavy rain of this week did not allow for anything. This morning there was a crisp frost which the sun is now sending on its way. The perennials are pushing their way through and it will be interesting to see what has survived, at the moment I am a little nervous for the gaura lindheimeri. Maybe I should be growing these from seed as annuals. One to think about. Here’s six from this morning’s frosty survey of the garden.

One

The bronze foliage of last year’s epimedium leaves looking glossy after the frost. The green leaves of the new growth are coming through so the time is fast approaching for a cut back of the old growth before the flowers arrive.

Two

The first flowers on the clematis armandii have opened, the stems along the wall are packed with buds which will soon provide a wonderful display.

Three

There are no concerns for this penstemon, moved to this position last year and clearly flourishing. It seems hard to believe that all this growth will be cut back in April. I checked the RHS advice and see that they recommend a half way cut in the autumn, something I might consider for next year.

Four

The viburnum tree is underplanted with primulas and anemones which brighten up this corner of the garden. There is new growth on the aquilegias too.

Five

Tulips are popping up everywhere which presents a challenge when cutting back some of the perennials in the borders. These in pots, are protected by the wire cage from the squirrels who like to bury acorns here. There are three layers of tulips in the pot, the first time I have tried this method. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Six

I was too late too capture a frosted gem but here’s a euphorbia wulfenii to end on, gently warming up in some sunshine.

The seed potatoes should have arrived at my local allotment shop this weekend. I’ve been collecting egg boxes to chit them in so I’m raring to go. Sunday morning looks like being dry and I hope to be out in the garden doing one or two jobs but the borders are so wet that I will be limited to working from the paths. The grass could do with a cut but it is unlikely to be dry enough for that task. Jim poses an interesting question this week – how do we double or even triple up our growing spaces? Stop by Garden Ruminations for all the answers. Happy gardening SOSers.

Six On Saturday: Wilful nature

/ n20gardener / 18 Comments

I’ve been reading some Thomas Hardy of late and I was very much in sympathy with his portrayal of nature always throwing something unexpected at us poor humans. His wilful nature was solely the weather, mine is the weather, although rain is not so unexpected these days, weeds and slugs. It’s a gardener’s lot I suppose and as such acceptance must be learnt. Here’s my six for this week.

One

Now is the time for tête-à-tête daffodils, much loved here by me and the slugs. No sooner do they flower then out come the munchers. I am in despair!

Two

Crocuses – tommasinianus I think and possibly ‘Ruby Giant’. Did I make a note? Not that I can find and will they too be eaten, probably.

Three

The viburnum is flowering giving me some encouragement.

Four

A few weeks back I confessed that the bellis daisies bought as winter bedding had not been planted out. That job has been done now and bless them, the daisies have responded well to being released into a more generous growing space and have thrived after a few balmy days.

Five

Way back when we arrived at this house, coming up to eight years ago, I planted out symmetrically four euphorbia wulfenii. Each year one of them took a turn to die off. Only one of the original four survived but generously it seeds itself everywhere. I now have self seeded versions in six other corners of the garden. This one is doing superbly well in the path edge. What can I say?

Six

And sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself and nature’s designs on the garden. For a few weeks now I have been admiring, from the kitchen window, new growth in the pot of mint on the terrace. I’ve been out and about in the garden a few times lately but only today did I stop by the pot and look more closely. Yes, I have a flourishing crop of bittercress that is now flowering. I will have to be out there asap to rid myself of those beauties!

Nature is sending more rain this weekend but temperatures are rising and there have been some good gardening days so jobs must be done. I’m down to my last few grasses to cut back and ever the optimist I am dropping pot grown tête-à-têtes in to gaps in the borders. Raspberry canes have been cut back and blackcurrants pruned. My seed potatoes are not available until end of February but I do have sort out my seeds for the year. Jim, our host, shares his garden ruminations and hosts the links to other SOS posts. Enjoy the chat and the gardening!

Six On Saturday: It’s the small things that count

/ n20gardener / 19 Comments

It has been a cold week here, down to -4.3 in the unheated greenhouse and frosts for several days. I didn’t see any magical sparkling photo opportunities which caused me to be a little despondent about what I could find in the garden this week. But so many small things caught my eye that I find I am able present another Six On Saturday.

One

The roses are putting out new growth, an encouraging reminder that the cycle continues even through the coldest moments.

Two

Euphorbia oblongata is looking as perky now as is does in Spring and Summer. I’ve had this for several years now even though it is often said be best grown as annual. Whisper that, I wouldn’t want to frighten it away!

Three

More buds are appearing on the hellebores. These ones self-seed themselves quite freely so I have quite a cluster developing.

Four

The viburnums are just beginning to come into flower, not quite covering the whole shrub yet, but it’s a start.

Five

The melica grass is ready for cutting back, new shoots are coming through. Here it is mixed with hydrangea ‘Limelight’ and self-seeded iris foetidissima all in the shelter of the rhododendron.

Six

Elsewhere other hydrangeas offer their brown winter colouring, the flower heads protecting the new buds of the next season’s growth and I have just spotted the first pairs, green gems in amongst the brown.

What a contrast next week will be. The warmer weather should encourage me to get out and cut back the autumn fruiting raspberries and make a start on the grasses. There’s a new storm coming in so it won’t be smooth all the way but I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you can enjoy your gardening too. Jim’s around as usual, hosting this little band. Take a look.

Six On Saturday: Cold!

/ n20gardener / 13 Comments

It’s cold and next week will be colder. I have a cold. The garden meanwhile is growing. It’s always worth wrapping up and taking a quick tour round. Here’s my six for the week.

One

It never ceases to amaze me how early the buds on the clematis armandii form. So cheering to think that in about six weeks the first flowers might just be opening.

Two

The roses have put out new flowers through December and January but the wet weather has foiled their efforts to shine. Now these will be nipped by the cold. There is much new growth to be seen here too and the quick December prune back needs to be followed up by a thorough going over to take out thin and inward growing shoots. That’s a job for warmer days.

Three

I planted out phlomis this summer particularly for the structure of their seed heads in winter. There are one or two on display but I was surprised by how easily they can be knocked off. There’s been no real frost so far, perhaps next week’s cold spell with give them a chance to sparkle.

Four

The arum italicum has just begun to spread! After seven years of immaculate behaviour I spotted three more little outcrops of it. It grows in an inhospitable corner and so I will allow it a bit more room whilst heading the RHS advice ‘has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well.’ I have been warned.

Five

The first flowers on the bergenia have appeared, they are nestling quietly in the folds of the giant leaves. A wise precaution I think.

Six

I spotted the goldfinches earlier this week having a snack on the verbena bonariensis seed heads, a sight to behold. Here, the late self-seeders are putting on new growth and I wonder if this hopeful spurt will survive the -4 degrees overnight that is forecast. 

I’m putting off my gardening jobs for another week, hoping that a warmer spell is coming. Don’t forget to stop by at Jim’s place for the SOS clan gathering. Happy gardening to those in the Southern hemisphere and keep warm to those in the North!