Warm winters

Posted on 24th November 202224th November 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

My garden is confused

My garden doesn’t know what season it is in.

Summer flowers are blooming

Summer flowers are still blooming. Leaves have turned every shade of orange and red. Some have dropped but others are clinging on. Tips of bulbs are peeping up in the flower beds. At the same time there are still clouds of white flies on my brassicas. What is going on?

I’m not complaining. I am delighted I still have dahlias. I know they will only last until the first frost which surely can’t be far away. Until then, Bishop of Llandaff continues to show off its resplendent, red blooms. Roxy still has luscious magenta flowers.

Salvias still flowering

Salvias and verbena are also flowering. Verbena Lollipop has clusters of lilac flowers. The velvet red flowers of Salvia confertiflora continue to provide much-needed colour. We are really in a topsy turvy world.

Some winter flowers are also out. Clematis urophylla winter beauty is putting on a fantastic display. It has evergreen foliage and white bell-like flowers which nod delightfully in the wind.

The cyclamen are in full flow. We have carpets of pink, Ruby Strain and white Album.

Christmas preparations have started

Cyclamen in full flow

I’ve started my Christmas preparations already. An enormous box of fat balls has been bought. They will soon be filling the bird-feeder wreath on my gate. I will decorate it with pyracanthus berries too.

I’m already eyeing up ivy, bergenia and euonymus for the wreath for my front door. The scarlet leaves of euonymus Red Cascade will be fabulous.

Plants are on my present list

My Christmas present list consists of plants. I have enough socks and smellies. Plants are a much better gift. And they will last a lot longer. This year I want Santa to bring campsis, brunnera and melianthus.

I will also be giving plants. Lupins will feature heavily. This year my nearest and dearest will be receiving Blossom, Blacksmith and Melody.

Gift vouchers suit everyone

If I can’t think of the perfect plant, I will give gift vouchers. That way they can choose whatever they want.

Getting ready for winter

I have been getting everything ready for winter. Tender plants have been brought into the greenhouses for protection from frost. Perennials have been pruned. There is only spinach, sprouts and parsnips left in the vegetable patch. The lawn has hopefully had its final cut for 2022.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Gardening tips –Order seeds and plants for next year. Open greenhouse doors on dry days to encourage air circulation. Continue to rake up leaves and store to provide a free mulch for next year.

#season #summer #bulbs #dahlia #salvia #verbena #winter #clematis #cyclamen #Christmas #bergenia #euonymus #campsis #brunnera #melianthus #lupins #gift vouchers #perennials

Autumn colour

Posted on 24th October 202219th November 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

It really is the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. I woke up this morning to find the valley shrouded in mist. It was almost magical as the sun slowly started to burn its way through.

The birds and squirrels were mobbing the feeders. They are stocking up for winter. And there was a definite nip in the air.

Dried flowers and grasses from the summer.

Harvest is finished

Harvest festival has been and gone. The porch of our church was packed with apples. The sweet scent hit you as you approached. Inside, all the window ledges were crammed with produce. It all goes to our local foodbank.

Bumper year for apples

It has been a bumper year for apples. I have never had so many. I feel guilty that we can’t consume them all. But I know the birds and animals will enjoy them.

Are we in for a hard winter?

The pyracanthus is covered in bright orange berries. Is this a sign of a hard winter to come?

Warm days and welcome rain

The garden has enjoyed the warm days and the welcome rain. The grass is growing vigorously. I hope each cut will be the last, but it never is. The dahlias have been magnificent. They started slow but are wonderful now. I am enjoying their vivid colours as I know as soon as there is a frost they will be gone. The gorgeous red Bishop of Llandaff has been a particular star. It has been flowering for months.

Late flowers

Other stars have been the agapanthus and thalictrum. I am really enjoying the very pretty white petals of agapanthus Twister. They have a touch of blue on the outside which is just gorgeous.

Schizostylis is still flowering. Viscountess Byng is a delicate pink.

Campsis and salvia are also providing late colour. I am growing campsis Flava against a south facing wall and love its yellow trumpet flowers. Salvia Confertiflora has unusual velvety red flowers which should last throughout November.

Meeting with Alan Titchmarsh

I was privileged to meet Alan Titchmarsh in September. He was appearing at the Appledore Book Festival and it was marvellous to hear his anecdotes about gardening, and much more. I enjoyed being a volunteer for the first time this year.

New assistant is causing havoc

Monty Don has made great reference to his new assistant, Ned, the Labrador puppy. He is not the only one causing havoc in the garden. We have Teddy, a bichon frise, who is also keen to help by digging. Teddy might be creating extra work but he is adorable.

Gardening tips – Take advantage of dry days to give your lawn a last cut (hopefully!) but remember to raise the blades. Prune hedges. Lift tender bulbs and plants and put them in a frost free area for the winter. Mulch dormant perennials. Prune roses. Dig over vegetable plots. Collect seeds from annuals and vegetables.

#agapanthus #dahlia #thalictrum #schizostylis #campsis #salvia #perennials #garden

Our Queen

Posted on 22nd September 202219th November 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Memories of Her Majesty the Queen

Watching the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen brought back memories. I never had the privilege of meeting her but my flowers did.

I exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show many times when she visited over the years. But, to my knowledge, she never came to our lupin stand.

Lupins for a Queen

However, my lupins though went to her. Beefeater and Masterpiece were used by Rachel du Thame to decorate the Royal Barge for the Diamond Jubilee in 2002. It was an enormous honour and a source of great pride to all of us.

Although I didn’t meet her I did see her at Chelsea. She always wore brightly coloured outfits so that she would stand out. She was a constant at Chelsea and she will be greatly missed.

Beautiful garden flowers

It was lovely to see flowers from Royal gardens bedecking her coffin. I particularly liked the dahlias, pelargoniums and Sedum. Most of the nation I was transfixed by the little spider that had stowed away in the greenery.

Plenty of colour still

Gardens at this time of the year still have lots of colour. Another very reliable autumn flower is crocosmia. Rosea has delicate pink flowers. If you want a dash of red, plant Lucifer.

Preparing for Harvest Festival

Like many others our village is getting ready for harvest festival. We are no longer asked to provide fresh produce. It’s a shame as it has always been a good way to send some marrows to a new home. Instead, we are asked for tinned and dried goods for the local foodbank.

Room for flowers too

There will be flower displays too. I will contribute Echinacea. I have some very beautiful Hot Papaya which has orange pompom-like flowers on dark stems. Southern Belle’s dark magenta flowers are also striking. I will also throw in a few squashes, pumpkins and courgettes from the vegetable garden. After all it is a celebration of harvest. If the food bank doesn’t want them, I can always bring them home again.

Glorious year for apples

It has been a glorious year for apples. All varieties have thrived. I have never seen so many crab apples in every colour from pale yellow to deep purple. The cooking apple trees are groaning with fruit. And, I have more eating apples than I have ever had before. There are too many to eat, stew or press into juice or cider.

Fabulous penstemons

Penstemons are fabulous plants. They are easily cultivated and flower for months on end. They don’t mind drought, although this summer was a challenge. And they are not bothered by pests. As an added bonus they are robust enough to stand on their own without needing staking. What more could you want? The flowers resemble foxgloves and are from the same family. My favourites are the purple and white Charles Rudd and the scarlet King George V.

Gardening tips – Keep dead heading flowers to prolong displays. Plant bulbs including snowdrops, crocus and daffodils. Keep mowing the lawn. You never know when it will be too wet to mow until next spring. Water pots sparingly. Remove dead and dying foliage. Bring tender plants into the greenhouse or a cold frame to overwinter.

#chelsea #lupins #flowers #dahlia #pelargonium #colour #crocosmia #harvest #echinacea #penstemon #bulbs

Raindrops …..

Posted on 31st August 202221st November 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Magical rain drops

Those first few drops of rain were magical. I wanted to dance outside for joy. You could hear the grass and flowers imbibing the much-needed moisture.

I was a teenager in the great summer of 76. It was much easier being a care-free child than a nursery-owner. I spent the entire time on the beach rather than in a sweltering greenhouse.

Echium Blue Steeple outside the greenhouses

Plants perked up quickly

Having looked very disconsolate in the heat, it was amazing to see how quickly plants perked up once they had had a drink. Dried out dahlias put on new growth. Verbena raised its head. Astilbes had another push. Cosmos which had been very reluctant to bloom all summer were suddenly a riot of colour.

The grass which had been brown and crisp underfoot turned green. It has even started growing which is a shame as I have enjoyed my break from mowing the lawn.

We still need rain

Although we have had some rain we could do with some more. The rivers are running low and more and more hosepipe bans are being introduced. Maybe we need a Minister for Drought. When one was appointed in 1976 the heavens opened immediately.

Gaura The Bride has been a superstar in the hot weather. It is drought tolerant and loves the sun. I will plant some more for next summer.

Autumn is upon us

Autumn is coming. The leaves on many trees have already turned orange and dropped. Cyclamen is flowering. Ruby Strain and Album are providing a gorgeous pink and white swathe of colour.

My schizostylis are already flowering a few weeks earlier thanormal.Viscountess Byng is a vibrant pink. For something a little softer try Pink Princess.

Thinking of bulbs for spring

I need to plant bulbs for next spring. Anemones are top of my list. Virescens produces a carpet of unusual greens blooms and does well in woodland areas.

Room for more lupins

I shall add some more lupins too. Beefeater, Manhattan Lights and Desert Sun will all be found a place.

I am down to do the flowers for the church at the end of September. I don’t think there will be much left in my garden. But, my two week stint covers harvest festival. So hurrah for vegetables which will have pride of place. Anyone for a marrow?

Gardening tips – Keep dead heading flowers to encourage more blooms. Divide perennials for more colour next year. Start next year’s planning for next year. Keep watering

#dahlias #verbena #astilbes #grass #autumn #cyclamen #schizostylis #bulbs #spring #anemones #lupins

Autumnal tints

Posted on 27th October 202121st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Autumn has arrived

Autumn has well and truly arrived. The mornings are colder. The evenings are darker. And there is a damp, dankness in the air.

Some blooms are manfully trying to carry on. The dahlias, salvias and roses are still flowering. But most have given up. Salvia Black and Blue is a joyous exception. As are the trumpet vines. The orange flowers of ‘Madame Galen’ AGM are gorgeous. It is a great climber which adds height to the garden.

Welcome rain

The rain is welcome. We had a particularly dry summer. Although I like the lack of rain, my garden doesn’t. It is now having a good drink. The grass is still growing and each time I think I have given it the last cut of the year it puts on another spurt.

When I’m not mowing the grass I am spending my time clearing up. At the moment I am busy trying to harvest the last of the indoor chillies, peppers and tomatoes. This will enable me to give the greenhouses a good clean before moving new stuff in from outside. The hanging baskets are still flowering but the first frost will knock them back. Likewise the geraniums. I need to protect these tender plants if they are to have a chance to making it through the winter.

Good to think about spring

Every garden needs lupins. They come in so many colours and shades. There is one to suit everyone. One of the more unusual ones is Lupinus chamissonis. It is a dwarf variety with silvery leaves and claret and blue flowers.

One of the best lupins is Masterpiece. Its purple blooms with orange specks are magnificent. Every garden should have at least one Masterpiece.

As the colour in the garden fades I take comfort from the structure of grasses and the greenery of my ferns. I love the way the grasses move in the wind. At this time of year many of the ferns have turned golden. They provide a haven for wildlife, and I find the different shades of green very calming. Dryopteris filix mas ‘Barnesii’ is very neat. It goes well with Dryopteris filix mas ‘Crispa Cristata’

Wild flower project

Over the last few weeks I have been adding to the wildflowers in our lane. It is something I started a few years ago. I began small. Just a few native bluebells. But gradually I have added more and more. This year I have planted wood anemones, cyclamen and fritillaries. I can’t wait to see what they look like in the spring.

Gardening tips – Take advantage of dry days to give your lawn a last cut (hopefully!) but remember to raise the blades. Prune hedges. Lift tender bulbs and plants and put them in a frost-free area for the winter. Mulch dormant perennials. Prune roses. Dig over vegetable plots.

#lupin #cyclamen #perennials #trumpetvine #autumn #salvia

#grasses #ferns #geranium #dry #spring #anemones

Autumn Chelsea

Posted on 27th September 202127th October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Plenty of colour in the garden

There’s still plenty of colour in the garden. My flowers have all benefited from the recent sun. Roses which I thought were over have sent out new buds. The dahlias are magnificent and will remain so until the first frost. After a miserable August, September has been a fabulous month.

Asters in full bloom

The asters are still in full bloom. My Monch have been seething with flowers all summer and they show no sign of stopping. Their beautiful lavender blue blooms are covered in bees and butterflies. I get a buzz from all the buzzing every time I walk past them.

Late summer show from the dierama

The dierama are also putting on a late summer show. The blooms wave in the wind like fairy wands. They have taken over from the pulcherrimum which are beginning to die down. However, there are still enough of their pink fishing rod flowers to add a dash of colour and movement in the garden.

Another plant which blooms into autumn is the salvia. Confertiflora has unusual velvety red flowers well into November. It contrasts well against the sky blue Uliginosa. Black and Blue is also providing some very welcome colour.

Start thinking about winter

Despite the warm weather and the colourful flowers I need to start thinking about winter. I have been digging up annuals which are past their best. My pruning shears have been sharpened ready for some serious cutting back.

The greenhouse is still full of tomatoes, peppers and chillies. I will soon need to take them out to provide space for pots which need over-wintering away from the dangers of frost.

Welcome spring visitor

I have a very unseasonal flower. A narcissus which has been dormant in an outdoor pot all summer has decided to bloom. It might be six months early but it is very welcome.

It has reminded me that now is the time to plant bulbs for next spring.

Mixed emotions for Chelsea

I enjoyed watching the Chelsea Flower Show on television. It was good to see it going ahead although I was sad not to be there. It has been a very difficult two years for everyone who grows plants for a living. But, fingers crossed, next year will be better. My lupins will be back where they belong.

Gardening tips – If it is dry enough mow the lawn. You never know when it will be too wet to mow until next spring. Plant bulbs including snowdrops, crocus and daffodils. Keep dead heading flowers to prolong displays. Water pots sparingly. Remove dead and dying foliage. Bring tender plants into the greenhouse or a cold frame to overwinter.

#autumn #bulbs #summer #lupins #dierama #salvia #winter #annuals