Tags
Anemanthele lessoniana, chaenomeles x superba Jet Trail, clematis armandii, Dwarf narcissi Tete-a-Tete, green hellebore, Hellebores, Japanese quince, Magnolia soulangeana, March, nest making, Pheasant's tail grass, six on saturday, Stipa arundinacea
It seems that February is finished for 2019 and what a February. Record breaking temperatures here in England gave us all something to smile about, something to distract us from the politicial shenanigans. The weather gave me and you I trust, the opportunity to cut back all the perennials, prune the roses and lightly weed over the borders, frankly incredible, compared to this time last year, when we were under the white stuff thanks to the beast. This Saturday I have another six to share with you and the Propagator.
- This is Clematis armandii. An evergreen climber which flowers in early spring. Scented, with petals which appear rather waxy. It is a favourite clematis of mine and is smothered in buds which is very pleasing.
- Japanese quince Chaenomeles X superba Jet trail. This is a dwarf shrub growing to no more than 1 meter tall. It is located against the same stretch of fence as the Clematis above and I chose it for its white flowers.
- Hellebore. This one is a double which comes through as a slightly green/white tinged pink. Very pretty it seems to like the raised bed next to the tiny Tete a tete daffodils. Raised beds work well for Hellebores as we can see their faces without having to lie on the ground. Thats my top tip for today.
- The birds certainly seem to think that spring is here and I spotted this nest up amongst the fat buds of my friends splendid Magnolia tree.
5. This is my green Hellebore. It came from a divided piece from my last garden. I am unsure if it’s name but I enjoy its contrast to the pink and white Hellebores. A fresh green, don’t you think.
6. This is a small Pheasant tail grass, Anemanthele lessonia, previously known as Stipa arundinacea. It is relatively short lived but self seeds freely around. If you fail to strip the seed heads it can be a nuisance in paths. Anyway I like its colouring and its nomadic spirit.
So that’s my six for today. Enjoy your weekend wherever you are. D.
digwithdorris.com 
Dorris, you have lovely sights there! My Armandii has struggled each winter so I only get a couple of blooms and some years none. Wrong plant, wrong place perhaps. 😉 Yours is lovely. I could look at the intricacies of hellebores all day.
I love those Hellebores – the green one is so fresh looking and the pink one is so pretty! I think I would like to get some.
And a lovely Spring Six too.
That is a very lovely double hellebore. Your Clematis armandii is more advanced than mine. Would you recommend that grass (I preferred the name Stipa – easier to say)?
It has a pretty tone as some hellebores can be rather somber colours don’t you think? The clematis is in a very sheltered courtyard which will have helped bring it on. I preferred the stipa version of the name too. If you are a hands on gardener who moves plants about and is happy to maintain things I would say absolutely yes, it has lovely colours. If you like to plant and then sit back to admire the job done I’d say not. it is short lived, about 3 years although you will have lots of new ones, just elsewhere. It is not invasive and has shallow roots so is easy to move.
Hiya, I have that grass, a few clumps. They do seed about, as you say. I am.contemplating digging up a huge clump in my front garden.
They are easy enough to remove which is helpful when a clump needs to go
Ah, you like white too.
Yes but I do like other colours too
Well, most do. White happens to be my favorite color, but some flowers are best in other colors other than white.
When I was pruning the wisteria I saw the buds on my Clematis armandii, I must check to see if the buds have opened, I didn’t think so last time I looked. Your Hellebores are gorgeous and a good tip to plant them in a raised bed, thank you.
All lovely, Dorris – I am so pleased to now have a happy C armandii too
Further Cathy’s comment, can I ask both of you your view of what makes a happy Armandii? I planted one new last year but haven’t noticed any flowers yet. Is it too early in it’s ‘life’ or is this already a sign it’s not happy? Thanks
Thorncroft says they need free drained soil and a sunny aspect to flower well. My previous one had neither of these; fortuitously, as I hadn’t read that when I bought this one, the new bed that it is in has been built up so will drain well and has more sun than I thought it would as it catches it between the house and the extension. It stilll only has one open flower but does have more buds – so I am quite hopeful…
I love hellebores and that double pink is very interesting! I don’t think I’ve seen a “double” here! And that green is my favorite color in the garden!
Thank you it is a pretty one. It is covered in flowers too this year. I should imagine good nurseries or specialist growers will have some double hellebores to choose from.