This month I have been thinking of Ukraine

As the tragedy in Ukraine continues to unfold I have decided to show my support by making my garden a riot of yellow and blue.

Yellow and blue are definitely this year’s colours

Yellow flowers I can already see from my window include narcissus, crocuses, forsythia and primroses. In the lane we have aconites and wild daffodils.

Bluebell leaves are slowly emerging and soon my garden will be even more of an azure carpet.

Make your own Ukrainian flag

An easy way to replicate the Ukrainian flag is to use an iris. Their simple two-tone yellow and blue is nature’s perfect statement of support.  

Keep the yellow and blue summer scheme through to autumn

I am planning to keep my colourful homage right through to autumn.

One of the easiest ways to do so is to use lupins. I have planted King Canute, Melody and Persian Slipper for the blues. They are next to the yellow Arboreus and Desert Sun. Once they are flowering they will make a very bold statement.

Plant yellows next to blues

Elsewhere I have teamed geums  Lissane and Poco with Geranium Rosanne will complement epimedium Grandiflorum.

Other yellows I will plant include Sisyrinchium arenarium, Campsis Radicans Flava and amongst the blues will be Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost, Orthrosanthus laxus and Eryngium.

Offering support

Locally everyone is rallying round to support the Ukrainian people. We have filled lorries with clothes, medicines and food. Neighbours have been knitting comfort bears for children. We have attended concerts and been reduced to tears by the melodic folk singing of Ukrainian refugees. We are opening our homes and doing whatever we can.

Spring is here

Away from Ukraine nature is carrying on as normal. Spring is definitely here. There are bright green shoots on the clematis. Big fat bumble bees are gorging themselves on fresh pollen on the cherry trees. And everywhere I look birds are collecting nesting materials. The days are warmer and longer.

At night and sometimes in the day I can hear a solitary tawny owl calling for a mate. Clear twoo sounds but so far no answering kee-wick from a female. He’s not giving up and I am sure he will find one soon.

Greenhouse is full

My greenhouse is full of seed trays. The first vegetables are popping up and the ground will soon be warm enough to sow carrots, parsnips and spinach.  It seems very strange that my life is following its normal pattern while just a short distance away life is anything but normal.

I pray for a peaceful and swift end to the war in Ukraine.

Gardening tips

Water plants which have been dormant in the greenhouse over winter to stimulate new growth. Give the grass a first cut if you haven’t already done so, but keep the blades high. Sow vegetable and annual seeds in your greenhouse. Plant new perennials for spring and summer colour.

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