I Spy Spring!
Well, here we are again, the year has finally turned and spring is at last visible on the horizon. I don't know about you, but I've been busy in the garden even in these dark months. A lot of this work has been in the form of post-storm clearance. In late autumn we had gale force easterlies which literally tore through the garden and damaged some shrubs, but luckily not too severely. As Christmas came upon us, yet more winds swept in, this time from the Atlantic, the more usual quarter. Only on this occasion the winds were even stronger causing structural damage in some areas, and since Christmas Eve there have been a succession of intense low pressures hitting the British Isles causing damage to gardens in the process; as I write the latest devil is roaring outside!
On the rare days when the winds have abated and no rain is falling, I have been out pruning some of my climbing roses, which ideally benefit from winter pruning. Climbing roses in general appreciate pruning this early as they tend to be just that bit slower into growth. It's amazing how much old and dead wood you come across hidden away deep inside old roses, and how satisfying it is to prune it away to be left with a much cleaner, leaner plant for the coming new season.
In my pottering in the winter garden, I suddenly caught a strong waft of scent from the flowering witch hazel (Hamamelis. mollis) with it's spider-like yellow flowers on bare branches!
A truly uplifting experience, just what one needs at this time of year! A couple of years ago, I planted several winter jasmines (J. nudiflorum) to brighten up the depressing months and now at last they are beginning to flower as they should, no scent though, pity that.
One of the high points of winter for me is the flowering of my Garrya eliptica, the silver tassel bush. This handsome evergreen shrub is a real boon in the middle of winter, having nine to ten inch long silver catkins around January, looking for all the world like a static waterfall.
During these long winter months one really does need to see signs of hope, signs of early growth, promises of good exciting things to come. The Hellebore orientalis are looking full of that kind of promise, plump flower buds just waiting at the starting blocks for more friendly weather. The leaves of Hellebores always look a little worse for wear at this time of year. Once the flower buds develop further I will remove the leaves, allowing an unrestricted view of the new flowers, and a clean fresh start for the plants, allowing plenty of elbow room for the new foliage.
Latest Articles