What a strange month

This has been a strange month. Covid continues to make it very odd for everyone. We have finally been allowed to go to the pub for a meal. I can hug my nearest and dearest although the Government says it was never illegal, just not advised. And I can book a holiday to the Falkland Islands. Anyone want to join me?

Difficult to adjust

I don’t know about you but I am finding it difficult to adjust to the lifting of restrictions. The pub seems alien with all the staff wearing masks. Who needs to wear one with the former promise of freedom with vaccinations? And, church without singing is just not right. No chance of choir starting anytime soon with ridiculous, complex rules.

Even though holidays are opening up I shall give overseas destinations a miss. The horror stories from people queuing to get back in have put me right off. Besides I live in Devon. It is a holiday destination. I have everything I need within a few miles.

Something to smile about

The hemerocallis or day lilies are reluctant to show their faces. However, once they start to grow they will be worth the wait. Frans Hals has gorgeous apricot yellow and red flowers which will cheer you up however miserable the weather. Big Smile will do what it says with its lovely maroon throated petals.

Lupins give colour

Lupins give colour to every garden. Desert Sun is a rich, custard-yellow. Salmon Star is a coppery orange. Masterpiece is a rich purple with orange flecks. Persian Slipper is a dainty lagoon blue with a white speck. And Rachel de Thame is a luscious pink. Lupins really do come in every colour.

Gardening tips – Cut back the foliage of daffodils, tulips and other flowering bulbs if it has completely died down. Plant summer bedding and geraniums for colourful displays through to autumn. You can still plant lupins too!

The garden has burst into life

The garden has burst into life. Birds are pairing up. The dawn chorus is a symphony of song. There are new green leaves on the trees and hedges. Blossom season is in full swing. Daffodils have given way to tulips. The first lily of the valley is in bud.

And, we are nearly out of lockdown. What’s not to like?

Cautious optimism

As we come out of lockdown, I am cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. We will all still face challenges. For the first time for many years West Country Nurseries won’t be at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The organisers have moved it to September. I can’t delay my lupins for that long. The lupin choir will have sung its heart out by July. I am really sorry to be missing it. I love meeting customers face to face and sharing my passion for plants with them

Clematis are flowering

My garden is really colourful. The clematis are flowering like mad. My favourite though, is Armandii which has wonderfully fragrant white flowers. The perfume from them is really powerful. Armandii Apple Blossom which has pink flowers and vigorous mahogany-red twining shoots is also worth a look.

Lupins are on their way

More importantly the lupins are putting in an appearance. They are a joy to see. Lupins add structure and colour to any garden. They always make me smile.

This year I am growing Beefeater, Magic Lantern and Snow Queen. You can grow tree lupins from seeds. They can be sown anytime between February and September for flowers the following year. Lupins also come as individual 9cm pots if you want flowers this year. Whatever your level of gardening we can help.

Lupinus ‘Beefeater’ with ‘Persian Slipper in the background

Greenhouse is full

In the greenhouse I have row upon row of seedlings. Planting from seed is always a gamble. Sometimes I get many more plants than I need – does anyone need a spare cucumber? And there’s always something that doesn’t come up. My chillies and peppers are yet to make an appearance, but I live in hope.

Very dry

We have had a very dry April. The sun has shone, and we have had perfect blue skies. This means I have had to water more than usual. But that is changing. We have had 24 hours of solid gentle rain. This is perfect for gardens. Enough water to make a difference. Not so much it washes the soil away.

Gardening tips

Water young plants daily. Dead head spring bulbs once they have stopped flowering but do not cut back their leaves. Harden off tender plants. Once the danger of frost is over transplant vegetables and flowers from the cold frame or greenhouse into their final spots in the garden.

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Month: May 2021

Uncertainty