Spring Foliage

Foliage is an element in the garden which should never be underestimated. Colour is undoubtedly eye catching but is frequently ephemeral and sometimes elusive. A fickle spell of weather can scupper the best planned flower schemes. However, foliage is far more often, reliable, longer lasting and with an infinite variety.

The little raised bed by the upper bench is dominated by the laburnum tree but it is underplanted with an eclectic mix of shade loving plants. Admittedly, there are some primroses in bloom but for me the star of the show has to be the contrasting leaf shapes, sizes and hues. What I also appreciate is the different leaf textures. Rough, waxy, hairy, ridged, smooth they can also be very tactile. They do coincidentally, at least in the Pennine garden, provide a convenient feline hiding place where a watchful eye can be kept for neighbouring bandits looking to invade their territory!

A garden designed with foliage as a first principle will prove to be a less fickle mistress and virtually guaranteed to deliver. 

Top tip: when designing or replanting a patch of your garden think about the impact the foliage can have, either the stand alone effect of the plant leaves or the intriguing combinations which can be created.

Heuchera Green Spice

 

April Snow

When snow falls in the middle weeks of spring it can cause of few concerns. Accumulations on plants with new growth can be damaging, so this morning I was out brushing away the snow piles from the more delicate plants. Of course, I did have two helpers, both of whom needed a human to show how to negotiate a path through the cold wet white stuff.

Top tip: It’s always wise to remove heavy snow that accumulates on your plants before it freezes and breaks or deforms the branches. Gently lift branches upward (if need be with a broom) and shake the snow off, starting near the top of the plant. If snow has already frozen on the branches, or if there’s ice, it’s best to wait until temperatures rise above freezing.

Trees and shrubs with horizontal branching tend to be less susceptible to snow and ice damage. Most conifers, including juniper, yew, spruce, and pine, have relatively flexible branches and are well adapted to shedding snow before it becomes so heavy that it breaks branches. Multistem shrubs and trees, and those with narrow upright branching, can be seriously harmed when heavy accumulations pull branches apart. Some gardeners go further and tie the stems of such shrubs together which can reduce winter damage. But prevention is a better approach: prune properly, and maintain your plants so that they develop strong branching that resists winter injury.

However, not much can be done for some spring flowers, the daffodils have taken a bruising.

     

So while today there was a temptation to linger outside and enjoy the sunshine the indoor jobs were calling.

          

Nice Surprises

Those of us who have a garden or outdoor space of our own are indeed very lucky. We get to know our patch with an intimate detail. We might think that this knowledge would preclude us from unexpected surprises but this is far from the reality.  Nature has a way of invading, wildlife has a habit of making itself welcome and the weather has a power to change everything.

The secret is to embrace all these influences, to enjoy the dynamisms and to not become disheartened when, bindweed, badgers and bad weather take their toll, to quote Kipling,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, 
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools

Whilst I might sometimes feel like a worn out tool, there are so many pick me ups to be discovered every day. Even in these fraught Covid ridden times you do not have to look far to spot something to gladden the heart. These primroses have decided that the corner of the steps will make a good home....

..... the birds are preparing and checking the suitability of our garden 

..... and finally, I have finished building my new cold-frame, my excuse for the dearth of new posts in recent weeks!