Near the House

Winter has returned, then April weather with a vengeance over the Easter weekend.
Snow which settled on the ground; then rain, hail, cold, sun, wind and more snow. Good weather to be indoors. I have a design project on the go so there’s no excuse and no choice. No sun to entice us outside.

Meanwhile, spring is transforming the landscape. Each time I venture out I notice more changes. Small plants we moved earlier this month are now doubled in size; and lush and green. The crab apple trees are covered in leaves, and trees across the valley have a definite greenish tinge. Daffodils and the magnificent blossom look fantastic despite the rough winds, and the Dogwood stems, so recently red or yellow- green sticks , are now a mass of small bright leaves and buds.

Yesterday morning before the rain set in, we had a go at the gravel area near to the sun room, and the rockery and border beyond. G wanted to cut back the giant red Berberis.
I think it is B. X ottawensis ‘ Purpurea’, but can’t be sure as we didn’t plant it. A stunning shrub, but it had grown far too big and was full of bramble so demanded attention. The sharp Berberis thorns combined with the bramble made cutting the privet hedge behind it a hazardous experience. With the big hedge cutter, a saw and long handled loppers it was soon a more manageable size and shape.

The cut branches were the strongest golden yellow I have ever seen in nature, quite overpowering the daffodils nearby. We also tackled a large Fuchsia and I’ve taken about 100 cuttings. It’s far too late really, but if they root we can make a fuchsia hedge. It is a lovely small flowered deep coloured variety. ( Sadly the cuttings didn’t take – but worth a try)

I thought I’d completely cleared the gravel of perennials. I had moved them ALL to the new perennial border by the pond last autumn, including Daylilies, Rosebay Willow Herb, Cranesbills, Euphorbias and Sisyrinchium. I now find a lawn of new growth, as the perennials have got a second wind and/or seeded. Some of the new arrivals are small but impressive plants already, so I will get out the spade once again and move them to a new home before regravelling. No doubt this is the first wave of many to emerge as gravel is second to none for the germination of seed dropped the previous summer.

Eventually the plan is to put in some raised borders to match the ones on the other side, which have successfully disguised the horrible rockery. This year constructing new raised sleeper borders is too expensive, but when we do it, it will balance out the design from the house, and be a big improvement. The gravel perennial border ploy was spectacular, particularly in June, and did the trick of disguising the rockery, but it had to go as it had practically trebled in size over the years.

I’m itching to get working beyond the area close to the house, but we’ve had so much rain it is laying in puddles in the borders making them a no go area, and the grass garden is half underwater again.