August 2010

Don't go gardening in flip-flops! I am thinking that a number of people coming across this may think it awful to garden in anything but sturdy boots or shoes anyway, and they would be possibly correct! Last week an unsuspecting and totally innocent parsnip managed to fold its foliage tightly around my ankle as I was passing - the resulting blisters and welts show how dangerous a garden can be. It seems I am getting more susceptible to the chemicals in plant leaves and the subsequent reaction with sunlight. I have had some humdingers recently, last year it was the well known culprit, Rue on my arms. And I have tried to be more circumspect since. I mow in shoes and approach dangerous areas of weeds and major weed and prune in border sessions with shoes too.

Finally some of the tomatoes are ripening hooray. I don't think Greenwich is as described by Plant World, it has a modest dark pink blush, not as advertised! The German Strawberry tomato seems fairly susceptible to blossom end rot but is tasty. The recent lacklustre grey weather has stymied the squash and melon setting. It seems only one squash per plant has set, all the babies coming on have rotted-off. The melon in the greenhouse has set 3 and is not producing any more female flowers.The last of the Highland Burgundy and Shetland Black potatoes have been dug. The Shetland Black emerge like delicious dark purple pebbles from the earth - dark pinky purple mash anyone?

It's interesting that tipping-point between warmth and light, summer to autumn transition. And we are now officially tipped towards autumn as the first Cyclamen hederifolium are in flower.

Butterflies - last year loads of Painted Ladies, none this. Last week only Peacocks and Whites. This week mainly Tortoiseshells and a few Red Admirals. The weather has been blustery and wettish which is not conducive either. The darker Buddleja flowers of Empire Blue seem slightly more popular than (I think) Dart's Papillon Blue. Participated in the Big Butterfly Count.

The annual meadowy, veldty, small scale thing worked in parts, Planted from pre-sown blocks the Tidy Tips and Godetia bottiae have been fairly floriferous and lasted a while, the silene didn't bother at all to germinate. The mixed seed scattered on another plot didn't germinate at all.

Yes I have also made nursery purchases this month although I find summery weather less inviting for making purchasing decisions sometimes. The Botanic Nursery at Atworth in Wiltshire has been inconveniently closed when I have been disposed to visit it until the other weekend. Chaotic, but came away with a lovely delicate Fuchsia Lady Bacon, and a couple of new foxgloves as I have enjoyed D ferruginea grown from seed which are just finishing now. My Cayeux irises have also arrived, two definitely going to be distinct in a french stylie.

Someone is eating the newly purchased waterlily Texas Dawn in the tub trug by the patio, big bites and flipped leaves - birds? Moley is still active especially after downpours, somewhat inconvenient when you see you newly planted thyme bobbing about as the mole wallows shallowly through the soil and dives round newly planted leeks too. Gold toad rummages around by the back door in a sort of companiable way.

Am listening to Nick Drake at this moment (The Unthanks do a great version of River Man too) and re-reading Margery Allingham generally, Beckoning Lady and Tonker and Minnie's Midsummer Party, something to think about for next year maybe with a touch of Moomin Summer Madness!

[17/08/10]

July 2010

Just into July... for once.

Someone at work asked if when I look at the gardens, do I just see work - the answer is mostly yes but generally in a good way. I wouldn't say that either garden is neat or perfect, there is always something to be done. But generally where some people might see weeding as a chore I often enjoy getting down and dirty and discovering things I otherwise would not have noticed. For example, now the mole has apparently got its runs sorted so the earth mounds are not a giveaway I find the foray runs and tamp them down as newly planted plants get starved of water if the mole has had a scuttle round them.

I do get pleasure just sitting, especially on the bench that sits off the primrose path, looking out across the woody bed, and I shall get pleasure when the buddleja's are in flower watching the butterflies.

In Bath, the Mount Etna Broom, Genista aetnensis, is in full flower, a great golden mass humming with bees various. The slitherin's enjoyed the recent welcome shower but cross fingers the copper tape round the hosta pots deters them, although it doesn't stop them completely. You can see that they don't really like the copper but the larger ones can bridge the gap faster than smaller snails who definitely experience the shock.

The Carmichaelia which generally goes un-nurtured and under regarded is rammed with small white and purple scented pea flowers this year - did the winter shock it? Another winter recoverer is the Colquhounia which has shoots coming strongly from the base, all the upper growth has died off.

First harvest in the veg patch a golden mangtout , the golden stems and pods look just slightly sickly (they aren't) not sure whether I like the colour combo (this veg grower has a different opinion), potatoes International Kidney / Jersey Royal - 5 tubers in, return approx 14 potatoes of various sizes (1 plant to go). Couple of courgettes barbecued complete with flowers - Striato D'Italia which I also grew last year, I think they have a good flavour. Still haven't quite cracked the strawberries in grow bags, the harvest is quite frugal.

Checked out the Fragrant Orchids on Combe Hill a few weeks ago, seemed to be a healthy population, but less Pyramidal Orchids on the orchid bend this year.

Work beckons, I see notched nibbles on some of my impatiens leaves which tells me the evil weevils are building up and were not totally blitzed by the evil weevil drench in the autumn. And despite the recent rain, watering and feeding is on the task list, as is raking up more of the many shed twiglets from the broom and dessicated rose petals.

I am currently listening to Glastonbury highlights on 6 Music (well Nigel Colborn always signs his blog off with something cultural - not me said the sparrow!)

[04/07/10]

June 2010

Slap my wrists I have visited Bob Brown's again - well why not? Have been trying for a few years now to sort a shady bed that has progressively got shadier in my town garden, tried loads of things over the years (having also to factor in the snail problem). This weekend it has been overhauled with 2 Brunnera, Jack Frost and Looking Glass, the expensive Mahonia (see last month), a hydrangea Grayswood and a hard structured fern. Wait and see how that comes together!

The reason for the second visit to BB was a trip to Kiftsgate Court in Gloucestershire, one day I will actually see that damn rose in flower but yet again it was not to be. Otherwise a charming garden in its early summer finery, tree peonies just going over, philadelphus, thalictrums and more! Oh and I fell for Peony Buckeye Belle at BB's, not at all magenta as described, but a rich beetroot red I would say. Nearly went for the white small flowered P wittmanniana but swerved to the red instead.

I admit I also tootled round Derry Watkins Special Plants recently primarily for some bad taste geraniums (as in very coloured leaves, I already have 'good taste' Lord Bute from cuttings taken from a Special Plants plant from last year!!) to deck out my garden sitting area and to see if she had any different heliotropes but I already have Chatsworth and White Lady, but got instead Thalictrum Elin and a tender small Beschorneria albiflora - go figure!

Gardens have yet to hit the full high notes of summer, the delphiniums and roses for the main summer show were still in the wings in my parents garden this weekend. Their iris and poppy bed was awash with oriental poppies in deep reds, oranges, whites, pinks and swathes of Patty's Plum. In the wildflower meadow Common Spotted and Fragrant Orchids were dotted among the Yellow Rattle, clovers and others flowering their heads off. The Geranium pratense is just starting to flicker blue amongst the lushy grasses and umbellifers.

The deutzias also seem to be very blossomy this year, walking through the Bath Botanic Garden today a very double frilly one was much in evidence hiding a less spectacular but highly scented philadelphus.

So there we have it, the longest day is nearly upon us and we are being treated to sunshine and showers at the moment - fab growing weather.

[13/06/10]

May 2010

I have been enjoying the ups and downs in the temperatures although some plants such as the tomato seedlings in the greenhouse have not. Without a heatwave earlier in May the blossoms have lasted longer and the apple trees and lilacs have had time to be, now we have had a few hot days and all is blowing fast. The air has been thick with scents including rape and hawthorn, a real pleasure.

Two weeks ago Herefordshire was gorgeous, lushy green and blousy blossomy. Visited Stockton Bury Gardens after a few years away. Delightful, but sadly the sun did not come out and another week or so would have seen absolute peak perfection.

Then on to Bob Brown for bargains, I bought a Mahonia gracilipes from another nursery recently for £14.50, only £4.50 at Bob Brown's, same stock I wonder, as same size? Various Kniphofias including Bitter Chocolate, other things, and my Ma came away with a very reasonably priced Coronilla glauca Citrina too.

The swifts were late I think this year but alongside the swallows and orange tip butterflies have been enjoying this mini heatwave.

Have planted out squashes Potimarron and Blue Banana (Plant World and Ferme de St Marthe) this weekend and dahlias Black Monarch, Etheral, Kari Quill and Chee (National Dahlia Collection). First tomatoes, German Strawberry, Vintage Wine and Greenwich (Plant World Seeds) popped into halved tomorite growbags in the greenhouse already plumping up and looking as though they fit the bag not lost little seedlings. Dwarf bean Stanley a bit weedy and has been chomped on by slugs so far purple pole beans are fine. Carrots also been decimated, the mole in the raised beds does not help matters. Sitting on a bench in the garden on Saturday the wood chip path quaked before the little critter scuttled off on hearing voices!

The last of my Paeonia rockii from seed (Chiltern Seeds) have flowered, both white but no maroon blotches, so that's two whites and two pale pinks with maroon blotches. P woodwardii have been put out as 2 year old seedlings to fend for themselves in the garden (HPS seed). Drosera anglica, Sundew, (Chiltern Seeds) have come up like mustard and cress, lots of tiny twin rounded leaves scattered across the compost surface, twinkling in the sunshine.

Went to Longstock Nursery in Hampshire a few weeks ago and could not resist half price roses, I was not allowed to buy a Chapeau de Napoleon last year on a whim, but this year he is mine along with Belle de Crecy. Sadly unless I win the lottery and get my couple of acres, the rose bed is officially full. I am glad to see that Hunts Court in North Nibley is still open as quite a few roses came from there, the owner is a real enthusiast and visiting the nursery a total delight in June.

Also visited Phoenix Plants, as usual fairly chaotic, but got myself a Sanguisorba canadensis which I have been after for a while. This weekend a half price Corylopsis pauciflora at £7.50 in a mainstream garden centre was a prize, I hope, as it is a little sad at the moment, dried out and unloved. A specimen was such a lovely sight and bee heaven at Marwood Gardens back in early April.

Also been marvelling at what has survived the cold, Verbena bonariensis and both Melianthus comosus and major are sprouting away from the base and I noticed Dahlia merckii coming up this weekend too. My parents report the same, some tender things they thought lost are growing away. I have lost oddities including variegated Horseradish and artichokes planted last year.

I love the frothy umbellifers at this time of year, Sweet Cicely, Chaerophyllum hirsutum Roseum, Cow Parsley and Meum athamanticum. First Sweet Peas picked this weekend, although I have to say not very scented. In Bath first roses are nearly out tonight too although the luscious scent of Rosa rugosa has been drifting across the local car park for a week or so already.

I would also like to thank Jacques Amand for reimbursing me for the Colocasia Black Magic and and Arisaema triphyllum, neither of which were in good shape when they arrived i.e. the growing tips rotted, all other stock was fine and the lilies are growing away strongly. Pity about the Colocasia, maybe next year.

It may look as if I am single handedly supporting the UK nursery industry but I do grow a lot from seed myself and the industry needs support, independent growers are going through a rough time! (Well that's my excuse)

[24/05/10]

April 2010

I thought I would sneak a quick and guiltily late entry in just before the end of April. Things are catching-up on themselves. I have already seen the Horse Chestnut candles lit in places before May Day despite the cold start to the year. This year the daffodils were welcome after all the snow and frost but have now been hurried away for the cherry, crab apple and soon the lilac blossom.

Summer bulbs have arrived although a little disappointed by rotten Colocasia and Arisaema from Jacques Amand, all else was fine. Dahlia cuttings have all arrived too from Winchester Growers not quite sure about everything I have, as I picked a random selection last autumn, but amusement will be had when they flower.

The Blackthorn is exploding creamy white out of the dark hedgerows. Magnolia flowers are losing their bare beauty with the emerging leaves replacing the nakedness of the flowers now muddled and the petals carpeting the ground.

I saw my first Swallow last weekend in the middle of Wiltshire perched on a line above a branch of the River Avon where large fish were lazily holding station in the fast flowing water.

The Cuckoo was calling in the Berkshire woods this weekend and a mad Bluetit is being an aggressive pest to itself catching sight of its reflection in windows and car wing mirrors. Last weekend also the sound of a Pussy Willow alive with bees, the puss tufts set off against blue blue sky.

A fabulous display of Milk Maidens (Cardamine pratensis) on the way into Marlborough, a flowery setting for a large election poster, she should be flattered by her natural display I feel, rarely have I seen such a dense carpet of them.

Also on travels around, Wood Anenomes (Anenome nemorosa) showing pink and blue variations in wild colonies (altho' I am not keen on the pink).

Volcanic Ash not so much in evidence apart from perhaps a towering lemony Turneresque sunset over Bath on Saturday evening.

Did you know Lily Beetles squeaked? I didn't until this weekend. I have squashed many a beetle with no sound effects, but having carefully tipped two off a Martagon Lily squeaking was definitely to be heard emanating from the orange beasties.

More anon

{26/04/10)

March 2010

It's Spring - really it is! Hoorah. Well it still feels a little cold still, it reached the heady heights of 10°C in my garden yesterday. A Brimstone butterfly visited briefly. Checking the phenology website the peak sightings for Brimstone butterflies was this very day last year.

Looking idly from my window this morning across the park I saw amongst the trees what initially I thought was smoke but I think was a sudden mass release of pollen, there and then gone. Cars up the road have been covered too by little polleny impacts - it's yew I think.

Daffodils appear to have been held pretty much at the same level across the country, another few days and we should see verges and gardens awash with yellow. Less of the slow gentle roll of Spring up the country this year?

Some of my seedlings have got a bit thready due in part to over liberal sowing and not having the space to move them on. Next weekend I may attempt to wean the hardier seedlings into cooler conditions for onward growth - cruel and heartless.

I pick up and put down Robin Lane Fox and read a chapter last night on Lilium regale, to think something we take for granted started life so dramatically - Ernest Wilson's enthusiasm to ship as many as possible of the tens of thousands lilies from an isolated Chinese valley for the paying public, started a landslide in which he received a crushed leg and a trampling by mules. The valley, RLF says, has not ever been revisited. Is this still true? Maybe the mountains were unhappy with his depredations. Hopefully I shall be enjoying the fruits of those labours in July nontheless. An update the answer is yes, the intrepid Roy Lancaster for one has visited the valley more recently.

Started to tidy and clear back in my garden, raggedy, sparse, heavily singed Euphorbia mellifera, the Aloe gone totally I think, Agapanthus Purple Cloud all mush? I had warily poked bubble wrap into the core of the very unforgiving Agave striata which is now too big for me to find cover for over winter - has it survived? Bubble wrap has been removed in case rot sets in (if it hasn't already?) It looks OK but you can never tell. I will just have to wait and see.

Veggies and much more will need attention next weekend - busy, busy.

[14/03/10]

February 2010

Grey for the most part and a bit above freezing ( 7°C today). Sowed seeds last Friday in a heated propagator, Mimulus up in 2 days! In the other propagator, sown last weekend, Scabious Derry's Black has started, Snapdragons fast as usual (Crimson Velvet) and a couple of Crambe cordifolia too. I fear the first sown sweet pea seeds in the cold greenhouse including Miss Truelove, have failed, the second lot sown only a few weeks ago seem to be starting to sprout though.

On winter walks recently I have seen woodruff near Midford, periwinkle (not native), in the Golden Valley at Wick and Babington's Leek emerging (probably not native) near Abbotsbury. On a sunny hillside under bushes the bluebells were also pushing through. The general lack of sun however means little stretching of the crocus and snowdrop flowers, it is a shame not to see crocuses in particular wide open and smiling at the sun.

Potatoes purchased and chitting, 5 each of Shetland Black, Highland Burgundy, International Kidney, Pink Fir Apple and Anoe.

Got engrossed by Southern African flora on a couple of websites this weekend so have indulged at Silverhill Seeds, scented gladioli, a couple of Kniphofia and Drosera cistiflora (why not? I still have some of the specialist compost left!).

Still too early to assess winter's losses in the garden and too early to prune things like Buddleja's, nor do I want to clear too much from tenderer plants, leave some protection for a while longer. A rabbit has started on some of the plants, chewing the tops off the emerging leaves of the autumn crocus and scattering cyclamen hederifolium leaves.

Am enjoying dipping in to Robin Lane Fox's Variations on a Garden at the moment. It is good to re-discover old and sometimes forgotten plant friends through the eyes of others. Another good snippetty read is Bob Brown's Cotswold Garden Flowers catalogue.

Also enjoyed Dan Pearson's recent article on flowers for cutting - a cutting garden would be a splendid indulgence if I had the space outside, and in!

I see Gardener's World got a kicking again recently - I like Toby and Carol! It's a pity we can't seem to support more than one vaguely intelligent gardening programme viewing wise. Lawns are boring, composting can be boring etc etc if you have seen it year on year on year - great for beginners and if you want the gardening equivalent of Horlicks. Trendyupping mostly didn't work though - hoorah for the most part! I would like to see something along the lines of C4's Real Gardeners again but keep the Country Living Burberry wellification stylie out of it. Let things develop, campaign for slow TV gardening ...

(15/02/10)

January 2010

I think my memory is going - I thought I had updated my diary in December 2009 and I had not - very poor (said with a Vic Reeves accent I would suggest). This festive break has involved much perusing of plant catalogues, google images and Rix & Phillips books, long lists which gradually have to be whittled down to short and affordable lists. There is only so much propagation space and only so much garden to put things in.

I also got inspired last week by the Annie's Annuals website which shows riotous combinations of annuals, perennials, succulents and much more! Sadly I can't seem to find some of the US native annuals mentioned on UK seedlists and have also had to temper my wild prairie ambitions as the patch of ground I have to play with is small, so Layia or Tidy Tips, Nottingham Catchfly and Godetia bottae will have to suffice.

I am trying Drosera anglica (Sundew) from seed as I enjoyed Drosera capensis which sat on an outdoor table all summer but is not hardy. Hopefully D anglica will be.

My mother has gone for Zinnias in a big way for summer colour - scarlet, white and green - yikes! I must admit I have already placed my order for Dahlia's from the UK national collection and have a few surprises in the mix i.e cultivars I have not grown before.

Ate the first of the 2 squash that set last year, Cornu d'Hiver, quite nice flavour, sweetish with a lightish chestnutty texture. Potato days get into full swing this month, I will be found rummaging amongst heritage tubers in a couple of weeks - roll on spring.

Frost currently has us in its grip which will halt the onward march of bulbs appearing and keep the just emerging purple buds of spring flowering Cyclamen coum shut up.

Here's to good growing in 2010.

(3/01/10)

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