Looking Forward to Spring

All the snow and ice has melted at last so I decided to walk down the garden and survey the damage. Most of the plants look flattened and very soggy, but there are some signs of new growth which makes me look forward to the first flowers of spring.  Snowdrops are usually the first flowers of the new year but growth has been delayed this year by the unusually low temperatures. The hellebores are in a sheltered spot and have a lot of new growth on them. I grow two types of hellebore, the white Helleborus Niger (Christmas Rose) and the varied shades of Helleborus Orientalis (Lenten Rose).
Helleborus Niger, or Christmas Rose, originated in central and eastern Europe and is believed to have first arrived in Britain with the Romans. It has black roots (hence the second name, Niger) which were believed to have been a cure for mania, insanity and melancholy. The plant was also believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits so was often planted near to the entrance of the house. It produces beautiful white flowers between December and March and grows between 12 and 18 inches high.
Helleborus Orientalis, or Lenten Rose, originated in southern Europe and Asia. There are a number of varieties of this plant producing flowers in shades of crimson, purple, pink and white (see picture above). It grows to a height of 18 - 24 inches.
Hellebores like partial shade and deep, well drained but moist soil. They do not like being moved once established. The roots can be divided in March after flowering to produce new plants.

Winter Flowering Heathers

If you want to add a good splash of winter colour to your garden, try growing winter flowering heathers. Most heathers prefer acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.0 but the many varieties of Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis, Erica x williamsii and Erica vagans can be grown in alkaline soil.
Many bloom from November to March and some have very attractive foliage which provides a good contrast to the flower colour. They come in a range of colours in shades of white, pink, red and purple, and form good ground cover plants ranging in height from 6 inches to 24 inches.
Grow them together in beds for a dramatic swathe of winter colour or use them to fill gaps in the rock garden. Heathers can be grown in containers but they hate having dry roots so make sure they are well watered during dry periods.
They are low maintenance plants which only require a small amount of pruning. Just trim them lightly after flowering is finished. Don't cut back hard but follow the contours of the plant to keep it looking neat and tidy, pruning just underneath the spent flowers.

R.I.P. My Lilac Tree

Another 12 inches of snow has fallen and the weight of it has brought down the lilac tree in my front garden. This was a beautiful tree in spring, covered in pale blue highly scented flowers. I underplanted it with a golden leaved variety of Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya Ternata 'Sundance') which also flowers in spring and has a lovely scent.
My late mother gave me this lilac as a cutting and I have watched it grow over the years and each year it seemed to flower better than the last. It is so sad to see it in such a sorry state. I will have to wait until the snow has gone to see what I can salvage. Lilac is easy to propagate as it produces suckers from the base so I will hopefully be able to grow another lovely tree from what remains of this one.