Last week, we were dodging showers again and even woke to a white landscape. Jack Frost still seems determined to keep a grip on things.
In my previous post, I mentioned our struggle to find clematis to complete the planting scheme for our new border — so did we have any better luck this time?
At home and in the garden
Last week brought real progress in replanting one of the garden borders.
On Wednesday, Martyn erected the trellis at the back of the border, just managing to finish before the rain arrived.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, we had visited a garden centre in search of clematis to provide a backdrop to the perennials chosen for the planting scheme. That trip was disappointing, so on Thursday we tried again at a different garden centre. This time we were successful, finding two varieties that fitted the colour palette: the pink Comtesse de Bouchaud and the purple Glorious Days.
The previous week, we had ordered the perennials from Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, a specialist perennial nursery. I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of them sooner, as we’ve visited before and thoroughly enjoyed it. The nursery and garden are privately owned and well worth a visit.
Before trying Stillingfleet, I had contacted several local nurseries, but most could only supply one or two plants from my list. After a few adjustments, Stillingfleet had everything we needed. We bought:
- 1 × Veronicastrum ‘Red Arrows’
- 2 × Salvia ‘Caradonna’
- 2 × Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’
- 2 × Eryngium ‘Picos Amethyst’
- 1 × Nepeta ‘Purrsian Blue’
- 2 × Astrantia ‘Roma’
- 1 × Geranium ‘Azure Rush’
- 1 × Carex ‘Evergold’
We were very pleased with the plants we collected on Friday. This time we didn’t have time to wander around the garden, but we did stop at the small tearoom for a drink and a slice of homemade cake.
On Saturday, I planted up the border and now just have to hope the plants settle well and the final picture lives up to expectations. In autumn, I will add spring bulbs.
At the allotment
We are holding off planting too much for now, not wanting to risk young growth being nipped by frosts. Some plants recover, but the setback can be significant. Later plantings often catch up with — or even overtake — those that were hit early.
Despite this, I did plant a bed with cabbages and cauliflowers, hopefully hardy enough to withstand a frost. No doubt the resident horde of wood pigeons were watching closely, hoping we’d leave things unprotected — we didn’t.
Martyn spent an afternoon sorting out the greenhouse on the plot.
The spiders that had taken up residence were not impressed, but when the tomatoes are ready to be planted, we will be good to go.
The apple and quince trees are full of blossom, and there are still plenty of buds poised to open.
The strawberries are also flowering and, so far, the flowers have escaped any frost damage. There are none of the dreaded blackened centres — let’s hope that continues.
A rare treat at this time of year — we even came home with a small harvest: a few sticks of rhubarb. At least one crop that is untroubled by frost.
In the local park,
The ornamental cherry trees are putting on their usual magnificent display. It’s always something to look forward to, even if it never lasts quite as long as you’d like.
Out and about
During our walks last week, we noticed the woodland understorey is quickly filling out.
We didn’t catch sight of them, but the soundtrack of pheasants calling and woodpeckers drumming provided a constant accompaniment.
Two plants dominated the scene. From a distance, masses of dandelions cast a yellow haze across the grass.
They are remarkably adaptable: in frequently mown areas they produce very short stems, with flowers almost flat to the ground, while in longer grass the stems stretch much higher.
The dandelion “flower” is not a single bloom but a cluster of up to 300 florets, each capable of producing seed — which is how the familiar dandelion clock forms.
Dandelions are so common that they’re often taken for granted, even treated as weeds, yet in the right setting they are genuinely beautiful.
Bluebells, on the other hand, are widely loved, forming striking blue carpets that, from a distance, resemble impressionist brushstrokes.
Up close, the flowers are more spaced out, and occasionally white forms appear among them — white bluebells or should we call them white bells?
Ruby was very well behaved, trotting through the bluebells without stepping on a single plant.
The UK holds around half of the world’s English bluebells, and they are a protected species. They are increasingly under threat from Spanish bluebells, which can hybridise with our native plants.
We also noticed the first flowering of some dead nettles. Despite their appearance, these nettle-like plants do not sting, as they lack stinging hairs.
Finally
The weather continues to dictate what we can and cannot do at the allotment, but in the end, I suspect our patience will pay off.
Let’s see what this week brings — a return to winter, a settling into spring, or even a hint of summer?
As always, until next time, stay safe and stay well.
