February-March 2024
Hello Everyone
We have already slipped into April as this newsletter goes out. February had its usual hot days and many drying winds, so most of the time was spent watering where possible (we have our own well), as well as continuing with a lot of late summer pruning. I continue to have pruning done frequently from late summer on, and over the years this practice is paying off. So many visitors comment on the play of filtered light and captivating long vistas.
March has been a month of a lot of planting out and weeding. As the temperatures have dropped, the conditions are ideal apart from the lack of moisture in the soil. So, we give a very deep water when planting and another deep water about five days later.
I've had a shade house full of plants for a long time and it is most satisfying to have nearly completed the project of planting some things into bigger pots, planting many things into the garden, or throwing out things that have passed, as well as sharing with gardening friends.
Plants which we will have plenty of for the sales table later in the year are Disporum sessile ‘Variegatum’, Tovara(painters’ palette), and Cornus pumila. These are much admired in the garden and are very useful plants which you don’t see very often. In fact, for years, one of the most often asked question is “What is the name of that plant?” when referring to Cornus pumila, and after some research I have found that it isn’t available in nurseries. So we will have plenty more available later in the year.
Photo 1: The dry rock garden is developing nicely. With a variety of artemisias, globe thistles, paper daisies towards the back, and the bulbous Galtonia candicans to the front left, the area is finally shaping up nicely. The galtonia grows to about 1.6 metres and flowers late summer.
Photo 2: A much admired combination of the rose ‘Narrow Water’ and Filipendula maculatum. ‘Narrow Water’ has a soft pink tinge in its early stages and blends beautifully with the filipendula.
Photo 3: Malfi enjoys being in the woodland area on a hot day.
Photo 4: Late summer felling.
Photo 5: Surrounded by work tools, there is only one thing to do, and that is to sit down and relax!
Autumn colours have started in their usual stunning array; soon it will be time for leaf gathering. Making leaf mould is a slow but satisfying process. When the leaves have decomposed sufficiently, the mould is used for breaking down the soil when planting in tough spots where the soil needs some additional help to improve the texture.
A plant to look out for, for intriguing autumn colour is the fothergilla. I grow both Fothergilla major and Fothergilla gardenii, the smaller form. The latter is ideal for smaller gardens. Google it to have a look at the honey-scented spring flowers and the autumn colours.
Best wishes
Margaret
