Spring Jewels...

Its been a while since my last post as I've been really busy lately. I am currently organising an open gardens event for this summer, my own garden, two of my clients and a friend of mine are throwing open their gates to raise money for cancer research and my gardening clubs funds; all in memory of my fantastic uncle Brian who sadly passed away last August. I am now Chairman of our local gardening club and I've recently joined the AGS alpine garden society at Birmingham.

Just a few photos below of some of the beauties which are gracing the garden at the moment...

 

 

Primula juliae

Hepatica nobilis compacta

Jeffersonia dubiae

The tulips are in full swing now and looking lovely. On a day like today (warm and sunny) they fling back their petals and are transformed into multi coloured landing pads for all manner of insects.



Tulip turkestanica

Tulip 'Waterlily' closed buds...

Difficult to see how they gained such a name until they open...

'Waterlily' in all its glory.

Tulip 'Fashion'

Tulip 'Red riding hood'

Lewisia tweedyi 'Album'

Lewisia tweedyi

Pulsatilla vulgaris

If you ask me spring is well and truly here now. Everything is growing fast and its so visible! I sat in the garden yesterday with a cup of tea and I swear I could hear the unfurling shoots as they yawned and stretched from their winter slumber... For me, at this time of year, I feel a satisfying sense of excitement. Everything seems possible after the depressing lull of winter. Perennial performers return after their winter dormancy like old friends returning from a four month vacation. Of course not all return and some fall victim to winter wet or heavy frost. Rather than see this as a disaster; see it as an opportunity. A sudden gap within a border to plant something new or unusual. Gardening is all about the ups and downs. Every little thing enriches the whole experience... Until the next post...Enjoy you garden...

Renovations, rockeries and really big leeks...

Its a mix and match post this week, offering a view of several parts of the garden: Montys garden, the rockery and the greenhouse. I've been in the middle of renovations throughout the garden. Before we open this summer, there are paths to be laid, plants to planted and seeds to be sown...

Second alpine sink ready to plant. I've used pieces of hypertufa to create a 'crevice garden'. The acute drainage between the crevices will enable some of the more choice alpines to thrive.

Over the past few days I've been doing some renovations in Monty's garden. As the site naturally inclines, I've decided to put in two stone steps, raising the level of the path. Some of the rocks are very old and have some wonderful colonies of moss growing on them. At the moment we have sand on the paths but, once finances allow, I shall be putting down slate chippings I think. 

Ashwood hybrids hellebore performing above the rich purple of heuchera 'Midnight rose'.

Planting around the pebble pool is advancing. I've also added some old mossy rocks to the pools edge for an instant look of maturity.

A different view, looking across to Montys garden. A new trellis has been put up against the greenhouse. This will enable us to grow sweet peas at the back of the border along with mina lobata (Spanish flag).

The rockery is gearing up for a good spring show. There are a few gaps where I've removed some conifers which had gotten too big for their allocated space so, come spring, I will be able to get some new additions.

At the moment cyclamen coum is holding the stage...

There are various Iris popping up, all at various stages. Katherine Hodgkin is just going over. Pauline (purple) is just in full bloom now (in the photo above). There are several others just poking through, Sheila Ann Germaney and Joyce to name a couple.

A little beauty looking good right now is this Scilla mitschenkoana. This was planted in the first alpine sink I made. Although only a single bulb/stem this year, it will steadily clump up and produce even more of these delicately beautiful flowers.

For the veg-lovers out there...My Pendle Improved leeks are now out from under artificial daylight and just sitting with a little bottom heat. They are currently on 10" collars and in 3ltr pots. Towards the end of next month I shall be looking to move them up to the unheated tunnel which will give me a lot more room in the greenhouse for more seed sowing and pricking out.

Alpine Sink- the finished article

 Just an update on the alpine sink I've been working on over the past week or so.
After our trip to Ashwood nurseries, I was able to plant the sink up. I've chosen what I call 'specialist' alpines. They tend to form cushions of growth and, with a limited size, you're able to fit more in!
The compost mix I have used is recommended by AGS (the alpine garden society). I have joined the AGS this week and they have their first meeting this week with raffle and plant sales table (more purchases...) The mix is:

2 parts loam (I used sieved molehills. J Innes 2 or 3 would suffice)

2 part peat (composted bark if you prefer) 

1 part sand

1 part grit

There is no added fertiliser as alpines need little in the way of nutrition.

The finished article.

Hard to believe it started life as a white Belfast sink! The hypertufa has turned a lighter colour now it has dried out abit making the sink look more stone-like.

I've even been busy this week making a smaller sink for some alpjnes. I've used an old washing up bowl and a plastic propagator lid as moulds. I put a 2" layer of hypertufa in the bottom of the bowl and put the propagator lid on top then I filled in the gaps with more mixture. I left it two or three days to harden and then removed it, drilled two drainage holes in and placed it outside to weather and to continue 'curing'.

My free form sink. A shallow trough like this is ideal for cushion alpines which require sharp drainage.

I think I've got the hypertufa bug now! Loved the first sink so much I've started on the second sink...

Having some hypertufa mix left over I thought i'd have a play. I filled a plastic plant saucer (the mix doesn't stick to plastic very well so it makes removal easier) and then pushed some shells into the mixture before it set. Now I have a nice plaque I can either put on the wall or prop against some pots in the garden.

You can even make stepping stones like this one I made...

..or, for those of us who never grew up, why not make a face? Tuck this guy amongst some plants and he'll give your guests a surprise when they stumble across his gaze...

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration to try hypertufa. Its dead easy and a lot of fun. I would urge anyone who hasn't had a go before to do so.

Ashwood Nurseries & Garden

It was John Massey's (owner of Ashwood Nurseries) winter open day on Saturday. It's not far from Duck Pools so, for a birthday treat, we went on Saturday afternoon. The weather was dry but bitterly cold and the sun never made an appearance! John's chosen charity this year is Macmillans. For £5, it's nice to see the ;bare bones' of the garden.

On arrival one is greeted by this magnificent hammamelis. Tastefully underplanted with snowdrops and winter aconites.

 

 

John's front garden. An eclectic mix of shrubby and herbaceous planting with some wonderful feature boulders.

Another star winter performer here in the form of Cornus mas. Beautiful yellow stems on bare branches. Positioned to receive some sun, this shrub lights up dark winter days.

Brightly coloured salix stems, pruned hard each year to encourage fresh new growth which holds the most colour.

The stone pergola that guards John's patio area. The dry stone wall in the picture is planted with many lewisisas

A view across ornamental conifers and alpine planting.

Oh Dear!

Just by Johns back door- a great combination of fern and snowdrop.

Cornus Midwinter fire

Ashwood's new hellebore- 'Rebekah'. Very nice larger than normal flowerheads which almost look up at you!

I love this form of cloud pruning...

Some of the Hammemalis in the garden must have been planted some time ago as they are a good size and well-established.

As you can see the pond was frozen Even the canal was icy in places.

This cloud pruned holly was a wonderful piece of topiary. This borders the driveway up to John's bungalow.
We have visited this garden many times and have enjoyed it throughout the different seasons. Winter colour and scent now; throughout summer there are anemone pavonina, lewisia and burgeoning borders and in autumn there are scores of autumn bulbs and vivid autumnal hues. Ashwoods is well worth a visit if you have never been before. Specialists in hellebores, lewisias, hepaticas and salvias amongst others; you will find something for every taste. If you live too far away they have a very informative website and do mail order too!
I certainly didn't come away empty handed- I nearly had a trolley full -again!