A rare...day off!

There's not many opportunities where I decide to take a break from work and head-off for some inspiration. On this occasion it was RHS Wisley; only up the road from me so a worth while trip to see the fruit trees (both soft and hard)...

...and to take a look at the Alpine house which I was hoping would have a fine display. It didn't disappoint

 

I wasn't disappointed! 

A Day out with notebook in hand

The RHS Spring flower show (otherwise named the RHS Plant and Potato Fair) was another chance to see some lovely displays in the iconic horticultural halls. It was fairly quiet when I first arrived, much to my surprise, but soon filled up as the day went on.

There were some great displays but the one that caught my eye was 'Jacque Amand International' displaying their collection of early irises. Simply stunning. 

There's always new cultivars being introduced by the breeders but Iris reticulata 'Katherine Hodgkin' still gets my vote.

This show certainly attracts the intrepid snowdrop searchers (galanthropiles) and with a mouthwatering selection there's no wonder that the best soon disappear from the shelf. One I particularly liked was Galanthus 'Spindlestone Surprise' but at £48.00 per bulb you need to be sure it's the one for you.  

Just over the road is the other hall and this year was host to the bewildering world of the humble potato. And what a selection! This row certainly caught my eye.  

There was also a guest appearance from Mr Potato Head. 

All-in-all a fab day out but before I left, a much deserved cuppa and a quick look back on my notes.  One reading 'Avon Bulbs - G. 'Spindlestone Surprise' I like...a lot. Think of trying next year.'

Having a wish list

Over the past couple of weeks I've been working on a border design for a client and putting my thoughts on paper; sourcing various books that will assist in helping select the plants for the conditions, simultaneously pulling on my own experience over the last few years.

As with most wish-lists, the plants that could work are pretty extensive and it's always easy at this first stage to rattle-off a list of potential specimens. The difficulty is trying to reduce the list.

This is the first draft: Dryopteris wallichiana, Japanese anemone 'Honorine Jobert,' Brunnera 'Jack Frost,' Geranium 'Rozanne' and Gillenia trifoliata. To achieve a long succession of interest other layers such as bulbs and incidentals are yet to be added. Project ongoing!

Surprise, surprise

Despite the frenzied unwrapping of presents on Christmas day (not forgetting a birthday 3 days earlier I should add), one could say 'that's your lot' for a wee while. However, with the auricula season soon upon us I couldn't help but take a more detailed look at Woottens of Wenhasten to see their extensive list of these little beauties.

It wasn't long before 'viewing' on the website, became 'purchasing' and the speedy arrival of the parcel within 2 days. Well impressed!

Packaging was pretty expensive but the contents inside were superbly protected with some biodegradable corn-starch chips.

So, in addition to the auriculas, I also persuaded myself to get some more species pelargoniums to try; interestingly, pelargoniums were a hot debate on the BBC series 'Garden Revival' 

All unwrapped and ready to go. Sadly, there was one runt of the litter but I'm sure he / she will do fine and soon catch up with their fellow offspring.

Jack Frost

Cold and frosty weather has been present over much of the UK and today, many plants were covered in frozen flakes which looked quite stunning.  Here, the leaves of Anthemis tinctoria 'E. C. Buxton' add to the winter scene...

and sedums along with ornamental grasses, also have an appeal when tinged with frost.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are so focussed on removing dried flower heads from their hydrangeas, probably not realising these heads have an important part to play in protecting the plant during the cold winter months.  In addition to this vital role, they also look quite stunning when their flower heads are covered with frost.

The time to remove these heads will soon come but for now enjoy their display.

Trussed, stuffed and ready for winter.

Well, another year is coming to an end although the gardeners' calendar is well underway. The weather has still been relatively mild with only the occasional frosty start (on the south coast anyway). However, some tender plants that are to be kept outside had their winter-warmers put on during the week as I'm sure a cold spell will eventually show its face.



Two Dicksonia antartica thoroughly wrapped up. Firstly, straw was stuffed into the crowns, then the trunks wrapped in fleece, followed by the fronds (pulled together with twine) encased in a hessian bag. All they need now are some facial additions to add to the winter fun.  A red nose wouldn't go a miss!

Aster la vista baby

It's been a productive day albeit a bit chilly. Last year a client brought some asters from a previous home to use in a new border we had been developing. I wasn't sure of the variety of aster so a little cautious as to their durability, size and what precise colour.

As we headed into autumn the asters took over the main display and provided a colourful display but I could already see that they were too prominent. Notes were taken and today these same plants were dug-up, divided and replanted in slightly different positions.

From the first 3 plants, I was able to get quite a few new plants. All that's needed now is to get the remaining spare plants potted up in readiness for a charity event next year.  Further divisions from the rest of the asters made sure I had in excess of 40 new plants.  Not bad for a day's work!