It took a while to get going this morning. Lachlan stayed over yesterday, but was working the back shift today so I watched the morning sun enviously whilst packing up the lunch of champions to see him through what seems likely to be a long night. By the time I got out the sun had turned to a pelting hailstorm which, as I ran for the greenhouse – determined to get something done there if nowhere else – turned promptly to sleet. However, by the time I had thinned my annual grasses (this is the first time I’ve tried these – have to say they look a bit sparse but I’m travelling hopefully..) the sun was back out and I shot out to dig a hole for my new acquisition – a cherry plum. (I’ve been coveting the one in the walled garden at The Hirsel (below) for ages and finally cracked). This proved a longer job than I anticipated as I had to remove a vast clump of lysimachia from the designated spot. It seemed a shame to throw it all out so I hauled some up to the back track and rehomed it in the further reaches where it can run amok (as is its wont). Just as I was stamping it in the rain came back on so I retreated back to the green house and fiddled about until it passed over. Back out again in the late afternoon sun, the hole didn’t look right. So I dug up another huge clump of lysimachia and a few cephalaria for good order and dug another hole. Again, I took pity on the uprooted plants and off I trotted back along the track for a bit more rehoming – yes in the rain again…. By this stage I concluded that if I didn’t just crack on and plant the ruddy tree I’d be sure to change my mind again. I came in an hour or so ago, distinctly soggy and with the niggling feeling that I might well be moving that tree again tomorrow…..
Earlier last week we did have some proper “out all day” weather when the war on the carex continued. The holes left by the two big ones by the pond have been nicely filled with some bare root Iris ensata in the “Dinner Plate” series I found in a sale (well what could I do…?). I’m not sure if they’ll flower this year, but they looked perky enough when I tucked them in. I’m afraid that, flying in the face of common sense, a good deal on penstemon, salvias and verbascum spotted when picking up some potting compost for mum meant that the spaces designated for annuals in my last post have been filled up already. This is not as dire an outcome as it sounds as I’ve been woefully late sowing my seed and the prospect of antirrhinum before Christmas seems remote.
In the rest of the garden things are really starting to get going. White daffodils are starting to take over from the yellow ones, though they are still valiantly flowering along the back track and the first of the big tulips are out. Most of my peonies have sprouted and the first hosta spikes are starting to emerge. My Lidl bargain magnolia stellate is flowering beautifully bay the stream, but its older sister in the library bed is looking a bit sparse so is getting the coffee ground treatment as recommended by Raymond next door. Down in the nuttery and round the pond it is fritillaria season. The shade garden under the plums also continues to be an absolute delight. Drifts of blue muscari are weaving in amongst the primroses and there’s a dainty froth of flowers on the epimedium I snaffled from Mum’s old garden. All things considered I’m really quite pleased with how things are shaping up.
Looks beautiful – keep us informed!