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.
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Monday, 13 December 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, 27 November 2010
A Wintry Scene
Woke up this morning to find about 4 inches of snow had fallen overnight. The garden looks magical under a carpet of snow.
Luckily I had managed to rake up the last of the leaves from the lawn, tidy the borders and sweep the paths before the snow fell. The prunings from the borders and the leaves were piled onto the compost heap. Plants in pots which are not fully hardy have been moved into the greenhouse and the cloche.
Extra seeds and fatballs have been put out for the birds and the snow has been cleared from the driveway. Now I can curl up in front of the fire with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and read my gardening magazines with a view to planning a new seating and barbecue area for next summer.
If more snow falls tonight I will have to go out tomorrow and shake it off the shrubs and conifers which could be damaged by the weight.
Luckily I had managed to rake up the last of the leaves from the lawn, tidy the borders and sweep the paths before the snow fell. The prunings from the borders and the leaves were piled onto the compost heap. Plants in pots which are not fully hardy have been moved into the greenhouse and the cloche.
Extra seeds and fatballs have been put out for the birds and the snow has been cleared from the driveway. Now I can curl up in front of the fire with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and read my gardening magazines with a view to planning a new seating and barbecue area for next summer.
If more snow falls tonight I will have to go out tomorrow and shake it off the shrubs and conifers which could be damaged by the weight.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Crop Rotation
When planting vegetables you must consider crop rotation even in the smallest veg patch. Growing the same type of vegetable in the same spot each season will encourage diseases to build up in the soil.
Vegetables fall into three main groups:-
1. 'Root crops' which include beetroot, carrots, parsnips and potatoes.
2. 'Brassicas' which include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and sprouts.
3. 'Others' such as peas, beans, onions and leeks.
Divide your veg patch into three plots. Grow any group of veg in one plot only one year in three, rotating with the other two groups. In this way the disease is denied its host plant and is unlikely to build up in the soil.
Vegetables fall into three main groups:-
1. 'Root crops' which include beetroot, carrots, parsnips and potatoes.
2. 'Brassicas' which include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and sprouts.
3. 'Others' such as peas, beans, onions and leeks.
Divide your veg patch into three plots. Grow any group of veg in one plot only one year in three, rotating with the other two groups. In this way the disease is denied its host plant and is unlikely to build up in the soil.
The Winter Veg Patch
This year I have planted curly kale and leeks to see me through the winter months. Both are very easy to grow. Seeds can be planted directly into the soil in May or planted into trays in the greenhouse and transplanted into the veg patch in June or July. As I am lucky enough to have a greenhouse, I sow my seeds under glass and plant them out in early summer.
Leeks are tough, hardy plants which will survive a hard frost and therefore make a good winter vegetable. Plant in rows 12 inches apart with the plants spaced at 9 inch intervals. Curly kale always tastes best after a good frost. Pick the young leaves at the top of the plant. These plants just seem to keep on growing giving a lovely supply of fresh greens throughout the winter. Curly kale should be planted in rows 12 inches apart with the plants spaced similar to leeks. Plant your winter veg near the path so you can easily access them in bad weather.
Leeks are tough, hardy plants which will survive a hard frost and therefore make a good winter vegetable. Plant in rows 12 inches apart with the plants spaced at 9 inch intervals. Curly kale always tastes best after a good frost. Pick the young leaves at the top of the plant. These plants just seem to keep on growing giving a lovely supply of fresh greens throughout the winter. Curly kale should be planted in rows 12 inches apart with the plants spaced similar to leeks. Plant your winter veg near the path so you can easily access them in bad weather.
Friday, 12 November 2010
A Wildlife Garden
Now is the time for tidying and preparing the garden for winter but don't be too tidy. If you want to attract wildlife to your garden let a corner or two go a bit wild. Leave seed heads on plants for the birds and pile some logs in a corner to encourage hedgehogs and insects. If you have a dry stone wall this is an excellent habitat for insects. I have a small dry stone wall at the bottom of my garden which is home to solitary bees.
Leave some leaf litter in your borders as this will provide cover for overwintering insects.
Bird feeders are a good way to help the birds survive winter and they give an immense amount of pleasure from watching the different varieties of birds they attract. Bird baths are a useful source of water, especially in very cold weather when the ponds freeze over. Put up bird boxes to attract nesting birds, making sure they are safely out of reach of the local cats.
Our gardens are increasingly becoming a haven for wildlife as natural habitats shrink and sometimes disappear altogether. Planting native trees and plants which will support a wider range of insect life, incorporating berry producing shrubs together with plants which attract bees and butterflies and ensuring your garden is a bird friendly area will make a huge difference. If you have room for a pond this will add another exciting dimension to your garden, attracting frogs and toads, water beetles and stunningly beautiful dragonflies. If you have very young children you may want to consider a wetland area which is a safer option but will still attract wildlife.
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