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!

Garden Tour Part 2: The woodland garden

This part of the garden we used to call the woodland . A rather grand name for a small area overshadowed by a large photinia, snake-bark maple and variegated holly. The soil underneath, though cast into shade from May to October, was very fertile as it had been where our family of ducks had been allowed to roam freely.

It was the ideal place to grow all manner of interesting woodlanders such as trilliums, nectaroscordum, syneilsis and a menagerie of unusual hardy ferns. Below are just a select few of the beautiful plants that flourished in this little piece of garden...

Euphorbia polychroma

Smilacena racemosa

Narcissus Tete-a-Tete

Arisarum proboscideum



Helleborus

 

 

 

The next two photos are taken, first, looking back towards the circle garden. Towards midsummer the bright yellow of Lysimachia punctata and Anthemis E.C Buxton are joined by the deep pink flowers off Hydrangea 'Zorro' with its almost black stems, the azure blue of Aconitum and candyfloss pink of Phlox.

 

 

 

The photo below looks the other way across towards Monty's garden (named after our rather adventurous Border Terrier). Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem', Physocarpus Darts Gold and Geranium violaceum planum all shine out in this particular picture. A tapestry-like backdrop is provided by purple hazel and wisteria sinensis.

Ultimately, the short path through the woodland garden leads to the potting shed.

This year I have started making changes in the woodland garden. The variegated holly has since been removed, allowing much more light in. Most of the woodlanders have been repositioned throughout the garden and I have installed a pebble pool which is surrounded by luscious planting for foliage effect as well as flower. Heucheras mingle with euphorbia robbiae;  ophiopogon planiscapus 'nigrescens' mingles with soleiria, gently masking the pebble pools edge. Cornus flaviramea boasts egg-yolk yellow stems at this time of the year and have been underplanted by the dark glossy evergreen leaves of pachysandra terminalis which, later in the year, will provide a flush of white flowers. Underplanted under of this are Tete-a-Tete and hyacinth 'Odysseus'. Front of border interest comes from woodruff (or Master of the woods), which, at present is just starting to wake from its winter slumber, thrusting its fresh new shoots through the likes of cyclamen hederfolium and viola 'Freckles'.

As soon as I've finished the developments I will endeavour to take some photos and include them on a future blog.

Have a good week and tune in next week for an update.