First of April, first watering.

Tags

End of month view, Succulents, watering

First watering, Summer is on its way.

The succulents I have collected over the years have spent the Winter in a cool but bright room in the house. They have not been watered since the beginning of November.

Looking less than perfect, now the light levels are increasing, I will begin watering them every ten days or so. Then, once the risk of frost has passed, I shall put them outside. Sited against a south facing wall they will happily stay, sunning themselves.

Let’s hope for a hot dry Summer; we must be due one after such a wet Winter.

This is my end of month view which I am sharing as part of Helens meme https:// thepatientgardener.wordpress.com
Do take a look at some of the other end of month views, some of the gardens are looking beautiful. Dorris.

End of month view: November

Tags

Ajuga reptans, Anemanthele lessoniana, Bugle weed, End of month view, Pheasant's tail grass, Stipa arundinacea

The 30 November was such a dark, dirty, squally day that no one would choose to be in the garden unless they really had to.  The last 30 days has seen the garden subjected to rain, rain and more rain.  The ground is waterlogged.

water logged lawn

The temperatures are so mild that the grass is still growing, as are the weeds.  All the leaves are down and have largely been bagged up for composting.

Apple tree still holding onto its fruit

The apples are somehow hanging onto the branches of the tree.  I have collected barrow loads and they are delicious.  I am however waiting for someone to hold onto the ladder for me in order that I can get up to collect the rest.

 

I have planted up an old bath with Stipa arundinacea, now know as Anemanthele lessoniana.  The common name is Pheasant’s tail grass which is grown for its attractive pheasant like autumn colours as well as it attractive seed heads.  I have underplanted the grasses with Ballerina tulips and edged the planting with the black shiny leaves of Ajuga reptans.  Bugle weed, its common name, can be invasive but within the boundaries of the tub it should be fine.  I look forward to seeing the Ballerina orange red shining through the grasses.

Today the next phase of the garden started.  The boundary hedge is coming out.  Not really a hedge more a collection of brambles, half dead lleylandii, self sown elder and nettles that have reached six foot.

Hedge of weeds

 

Gone.  Ding dong the hedge is gone.

 

This end of month meme is hosted by Helen at https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/end-of-month-view-november-2015/

Take a look.  I wonder what weather December will bring?

Showing my ‘End of month view’

Tags

End of month view, Geum "Mrs Bradshaw", Horse chestnut tree, molinia Transparent, persicaria affinis, Persicaria amplexicaulis Firetail

Backdrop Autumn Colours provided by three Horse Chestnuts

The shots of red are courtesy of Cotinus Grace and Persicaria ‘Firetail’ (at rear) Persicaria affinis in foreground.

At the end of each month I shall be posting an update of the garden to record its progress. This is a meme hosted by Helen at https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/end-of-month-view-october-2015.

Saturday 31 October was a glorious day and first thing the light was almost perfect Autumn light. There looked to have been a very light frost as seen by the grey green tone on the grass

and the leaves of the Geums.  How hairy they are.

 

The claret red in the fore ground is Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’ with purple of Verbena Bonariensis.  The silver foliage at rear right of the bed is the pineapple scented shrub Cytisus Battandieri.

There is a lot to do over the Winter, not least the clearing of a dead, weed infested boundary. In the meantime I am trying to get on top of the weeds in the borders before mulching the heavy clay soil.

Given that this time last year only the Horse Chestnuts were growing, it would be fair to say that I am pleased with progress.  I am concerned that I may lose one or two plants this Winter as the clay is solid in places, time will tell.

Molinia Transparent

Anyway I hope you enjoy the pictures.