May : Promise

A mass of different foliage textures.
The perennial border near the pond that we strimmed and cleared during the winter now covers an area of about a quarter of an acre. All the plants in this space were raised from seeds and cuttings and division, and time and patience. Everything looks tall, healthy and full of promise.

Next to the pond the irises stand, elegantly Japanese, with round Hosta leaves as a contrast, which are already producing new flower spikes. In the pond, and on the margins, new Bullrushes sprout through the old ones from last year.

The next job will be to tame the red Dogwood plantation. Again, a huge area grown from several bundles of 25 bare rooted slips, time and patience. The Dogwoods looked very fine and colourful through the winter and early spring with their bright red stems against the white Silver Birch trunks. By now, mid- May, the striking red stems have disappeared under new leaves and flowers. At 1.5 metres tall, this plantation demands some speedy action. We need views through this thicket to the perennial area beyond so we can see and enjoy it from the balcony. It is one of those colossal but enjoyable tasks with dramatic results.

I tidied the big island border last week. It was only planted up last year with shrubs and perennials gleaned and scrounged from elsewhere. It is thriving, and ok, but not quite right yet as far as the planting layout goes. It was colourful with bog standard Fuchsias and the like, but I think it still feels like a space filled with an odd selection of leftovers – which it is. The gaps need filling soon.

G dug a new outline for the whole border, so now the curve begins to make more sense.
Yesterday, I added a variegated pink Weigela, and three Pieris from the wholesale nursery, which I hope will do well, and we were given a bag full of Candelabra Primula which are fabulous. I’ve put them in the shade of the big Alder in the centre of the border, and planted them with a generous helping of compost and sharp sand. The Rambling Rector rose, climbing enthusiastically up the Alder is totally rampant. G is not keen on roses as he says they attack him when he mows, so this one is ideally placed away from the grass. I like the Rosa rugosa near the paths because they add a splash of colour and the birds enjoy the rosehips in the autumn.