There’s been a bit of change in the garden since my last Gardening View post, including a major replacement project. The sun is shining though and the borders are full of flowers. I’ve also got a voucher code for you for some beautiful pots.
It’s been a great year for daffodils – and very welcome after last year’s slug and snail ravaged season. I’ve planted lots more, particularly in pots, and existing displays, such as those under the apple tree, are bulking up nicely.
One of those that I decided to buy more of was N. ‘Eaton Song’, first discovered as a chance purchase a few years ago. It got badly eaten by my slimy foes last year but is looking good now.
I’ve lots more pots this year – not least because I was given some to trial by British Flowerpots (read about it here).
The violas in them have flowered all winter and are now being joined by tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. I’ve got a mix of glazed and plain terracotta and all have performed well over the winter.
British Flowerpots are offering a discount to my readers. Just use the code CHATTY10POTS to get 10 per cent off pots.
This container is rather less colour co-ordinated! It was originally planted up in that strange season of 2020 when even in autumn plants were hard to find. It’s a display that thrives on neglect – I rarely do much beyond give it the occasional water yet every year it performs. The colours may clash but it never fails to bring a smile.
Something I wasn’t smiling about was the pergola. We noticed a couple of months ago that it was decidedly wonky. After nearly 30 years, the posts had finally given out and it seemed the only thing holding it up was the plants.
So, a major project has been replacing it – made more difficult by wanting to salvage as much of the roses and wisteria as possible. The clematis were moved and given a die or thrive ultimatum.
The main trunk of the wisteria, which is as old as the pergola, had died off but there was lots of growth from plants that had come from the original. Peeling back these and the rambling rose was a major task but finally managed. New posts have gone in and the plants are now retrained.
Those who have followed me for a while will know about my annual frost and wisteria battle. Far too often the display is hit by a late cold snap. This year, I have the added threat of few if any flower buds. Wisteria is notorious for sometimes taking years to flower and though the ‘new’ plant appears to have some flower – as opposed to leaf – buds it’s a bit early to tell. I’m just hoping.
I have been busy sowing seeds and both greenhouses are now filling up. Despite the recent warm weather, it’s still too early to put much outside although I have begun to direct sow a few things and the beetroot that was started in modules is planted out.
The hellebores are also having a fantastic year and the blooms are lasting well. They make a great border companion for the early bulbs.
The first scillas are out and the garden is full of primroses – in all shades! While we could do with some rain (my garden is already very dry), I’m hoping this early warm spell bodes well for the summer after last year’s dismal one.
You can read past Gardening View posts here.
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