A turbulent 6 weeks
Thursday, February 18, 2016
I apologise for the delay in publishing this news item which
extends from the last few days of December, through January to the
middle of February. There are a number of reasons for this which
will be revealed as you read through this item
The weather has been the dominant feature preventing any
meaningful garden work. The borders and lawns are soaking and the
early hellebores are registering their displeasure with dishevelled
flowers and sparse growth. Growth in the polytunnels is beginning
to grow away strongly and some of the early sown vegetables
and ornamentals have germinated from a mid January sowing.
The most essential item of foot wear with
waterproof leggings permanently in place for ease of putting on and
taking off
A "Hard " moon on Christmas Eve
My garden work came to an abrupt halt when I was diagnosed with
fluid on the lung which has been a long drawn out process requiring
me to be in hospital for 16 days on and off.
PLEASE NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF MY ILL HEALTH I VERY
MUCH REGRET THAT THE GARDENS WILL NOT BE OPENING FOR THE NGS IN
2016, NEITHER WILL I BE ABLE TO DELIVER ANY TALKS THIS YEAR.
ALL CLUBS AND SOCIETIES WHO HAD ALREADY MADE BOOKINGS HAVE BEEN
INFORMED.
Weather
After 77 consecutive days of rain starting on 3 November the
longest spell of rain we have had here in nearly 40 years came to
an end on 19 January We fared much better than many other parts of
the UK and our small river only overflowed its banks
twice.
Slight water incursion onto the bank at the back
of the Paddock Pond
More acceptable winter weather, in the form of snow
and frost, came several times during January and February but
didn't last long.
Sharp frost on the Paddock lawn, a rare sight this
winter
A sheet of frozen snow gliding gently off the
conservatory roof
A frozen water bucket reflecting the yellow flowers of
cornus mas above
Snow on Carmarthenshire Fan the largest "mountain" in
the county. It remained for 3 weeks
Wind was a regular feature with a succession of Met Office
named storms but fortunately in spite of their severity no damage
was done.
The only casualty was this 25 year old amelenchier
lamarkii which was dying slowly of constricted roots, the lagacy of
not unravelling the pot bound roots when planting out.
One partcularly notable weather event was the exceptional warmth
which rather got lost in all the bad weather. This made the weeds
grow rampantly especially the dreaded bittercress which can flower
and set seed in a month. If you miss weeding out the first flush it
will be very difficult to get on top of it
Min Tempearture -7C (3 seperate occasions) max 16C
In Cornwall Spring comes even earlier. the criterion being when
7 champion Magnolia Campbellii trees in a range of gardens
have 50 flowers or more in bloom. This year it was 16 February, a
month earlier than the norm. For more info. type www.caerhays.co.uk
in your search engine. (Sorry I couldn't get the direct link
to work)
Garden update and What's looking good
On the garden front there is little that has been done because
of the weather and my condition. Since I was taken ill I have been
deeply moved by all the help and support we have had from many
friends and neighbours, including offers to do the Spring clean up
at Cilgwyn which is so kind of them given that many of them have
their own gardens to attend to.
As far as what is looking good the attached pics will give you a
good idea but don't hold your breath!
The last red pepper still in good condition staight off
the plant in mid January
KIT Kat admiring the first daffodils in late
January: cyclamineus "Jet Fire" looking battered by the wind and a
sharp frost
A wild species form of helleborus liguricus with
lightly scented flowers
An older form of double hellebore with good vigour but
smaller flowers'
Very sorry looking hellebores after a week of
persistent rain
The most floriferous form of helleborus niger that
we have in the gardens. Generally considered to be short lived and
difficult to grow this one just gets better every year
Wildlife and countryside
Given that it has generally been so mild there has been
little evidence in the Paddock Pond of any frogs, apart from large
lump of frogspawn jelly on the bank. Probably predation by a heron.
Because of the electric fence around the pond it would appear to
preclude a otter who would normally be the main suspect.
Murmurations of starlings have not been in evidence
throughout the winter although we have had relatively small
groups roosting in the nearby tall trees.
A small flock in the large beech tree in the
nursery
On the wildflower front there are some good stands of snowdrops
along the hedgerows and road verges. After an early start they are
still hanging on very well. Celandines are increasing in number
especially along the stream garden,
The lambing season is in full swing but when it is particularly
wet they remain in the barns for a few days to acclimatise. It will
be good to see the fields full of lambs again, one of the
highlights of the countryside year and something that never fails
to lift the spirits,
Visits
There haven't been many opportunities to get out and about but
recently my very good friend Richard Bramley from Farmyard
Nurseries took me on a trip to the Midlands to visit 2 hellebore
nurseries. Aswood Nurseries is a world famous breeder and grower of
hellebores and the current generation are some of the best we have
seen.www.Ashwoodnurseries.comThere
was an added bonus when with Kevin the head propagator, we had an
exclusive tour of the tunnel that contained the best and rarest
forms. An unforgettable experience.
Some of Ashwoods finest hellbores displayed to
wonderful effect. Check out their quality
Sunlight catching this superb apricot hellebore flower.
The most difficult colour to create in the genus. It also shows the
merit of planting hellebores backlit by the afternoon
sun.
Aquite unique yellow, red star centred, red
spotted form. The picture doesn't do it justice
Unusual crosses giving very special sepal colours
This most unusual species hellebore is h, vesicarius
from Turkey. Quite tender it needs a sheltered site and really
sharp drainage in the summer. The most difficult hellebore to grow.
A connoisers choice
Then it was on to Credale Nursery. wholesalers with a very
good range in a wide variety.
And an event nearer to home for those who live in south Wales
(and for the more adventurous if you live further away) Llandysul
Winter Gardening Weekend a well established and much loved event.
It takes place in the Tysul Hall, Llandysul SA44 4QJ from 19 - 21
February 10 - 5 pm For more details of the show go to www.farmyardnurseries.co.uk and
click on Our Calendar
There are talks by top speakers, spring flowers in abundance for
sale, light refreshments and a stage display by Farmyard
Nurseries, Gold Medal winners at numerous top flight RHS Shows
including Chelsea.