May - a force to be reckoned with

So far it has been quite warm and sunny, however May often has a trick or two up her sleeve.  

22c one day....then a cold arctic blast reminds us that we do not control the weather. 

This was actually an empty shell, beneath Angel's shrub (Weigela Wings of Fire), in the corner of the Long Border and Patio Borders. 

Globes of allium Purple Sensation above,  and peony Bowl of Beauty below about to burst open. 

The bearded iris have begun to join in the display in the Terrace Border. 

Oh and the wisteria is in flower!

Next week, I'm going to buy some bedding plants for us, mother-in-law and TMTC's aunt.  We have a local nursery that has just released appointment times to ensure social distancing, and if your name's not down, you ain't getting in.

It's Saturday morning as I create this entry.  Tomorrow Boris Johnson and his government are expected to announce certain restrictions to be relaxed. I hope they don't go too soon and too quickly and the mortality figures respond in the same inevitable manner. 

Stay safe and well.

A good death

If there's one thing certain about life, is that it is limited.  That's why it is so vital to live life to the full, grab every opportunity to enrich it, and have a good death.  It's a great concept in theory but unlike plants we humans rarely go out with such a finale.  Today's entry is a fanfare, a celebration of death, a closing performance if you like.

Himalayan birch 

Cornus 

Viburnum 

Azalea 

Liquidamber styraciflua Lane Roberts 

Hydrangea Blueberry Cheesecake 

Weigela Wings of Fire 

Magnolia George Henry Kern 

Acer Crimson King 

The two acers borrowed from the neighbour's garden (above and below)

Heuchera 

Purple Pittosporum tenufolium Tom Thumb with bright green new foliage. 

Acer in front garden 

Hydrangea in front garden 

Deep chocolate heuchera 

And Staghorn.

The bright red stemmed cornus didn't fare well behind the birdbath. I suspect cats laying in that area didn't help, so TMTC has moved it to a brighter spot.  The roots looked healthy so I think it will survive. 

The wires and eyes have been removed from the old fence across the end of the back garden, along with the mirror.

And Folly door.

In our garden since we use mainly shrubs and perennials, dying usually isn't so final.  Already bulbs are pushing through the soil and blooms are forming on winter flowering shrubs.

Inside the baby spiderlings have readily sprouted roots and the first batch have been potted up.

One has already made the journey to its new home with our Dutch friends.  The next batch have been popped into glasses of water on the kitchen window sill but there are still a great many more babies on the mother plant!

Tiny flower buds are forming on this Christmas Cactus in the sunroom.

Last Christmas, our Dutch friends cut back their large rubber plant (ficus elastica) and we helped show them how to use the sections removed as cuttings.  Much to their delight the cuttings rooted and were potted on over the last 9 months.  One of their babies now resides here with us.  I hope I can continue their care and raise a healthy new rubber plant.

And finally, bulbs from the Netherlands have also been gifted to us.  These will be planted later next month, deeper than usual as suggested to endeavour to help them bloom the following year.

Retail therapy part 1

I'm all for rewarding hard work.  Most of the time it's better to get the graft out of the way and then enjoy the fruits of said labours.

Today I was treated first.

I'm after two trees and a shrub.  One tree is this stunning liquidamber styraciflua "Lane Roberts" in all its autumn splendour.  It's deciduous, meaning the bright red leaves will fall as the autumn becomes cooler.  In the spring new maple shaped foliage will emerge in a glossy green.  It prefers a neutral to acidic soil.  The garden centre is delivering it next weekend. 

The other tree I would like is a prunus serrula, or Tibetan cherry which sports a rich chestnut shiny bark for a bit of winter glamour.  However, I'm struggling to find one locally. 

I did manage to find an euonymous alatus "Blade Runner" in another garden centre.  It doesn't yet wear it's bright autumnal wardrobe, but I'm sure it won't be very long.  It performs best in full sun to part shade if you're looking for that bright autumn glow.

I did mention a spot of hard work, right?  This afternoon TMTC and Bumblebee moved a very heavy pot with an acer in the Yen Garden to a temporary spot beneath the pergola.

The last blooms on the cannas, also temporarily beneath the pergola before they're lifted.

Autumn colour again, this time cotinus.

Rhododendron Christmas Cheer looks very happy in the Yen Garden. 

We've had low night temperatures this week.  I'm still hopeful the Agapanthus Twister will get its moment before the frosts.  The backdrop of Hydrangea Blueberry Cheesecake really makes a statement. 

Sorry, I digress...

Three rosa New Dawn have been hard pruned, dug out and potted up.

The ferns, hellebores and hardy geraniums were lifted a couple of weeks ago but there was still a fair amount to dig up.

Before, pretty corner of the Pink Garden 

After...the rose Mum in a Million can stay put, along with the Himalayan birch, hydrangea and a couple of hart's tongue ferns.  There is a rash of primula seedlings that are still to come out.

Heuchera limes and burgundies, bergenias and a few clumps of two different persicaria varieties have now been removed from the Pink Garden, along with lots of other plants I don't want to be trampled or knocked about.  The large climbing hydrangea has been cut back hard but I won't lift it.  If it survives, great.  If not, I'm sure I can find another plant...

There is still the border in the Yen Garden to deal with, but we ran out of compost.  I think we deserve to put our feet up and watch Strictly now.

Oh...and enjoy the fruits of our labours!