Our prize wisteria is under my care!
I’ve just completed a very responsible job in the garden, pruning the wisteria. John normally does it, however, he’s still happily hedge laying in the orchard, so after a few minutes instruction I had to conquer my fear of both heights and ladders and get on with the pruning! I hope I’ve done it correctly and that it blooms prolifically this year. It’s more important than ever because the garden is open under the National Garden Scheme in mid-May so I’d love to see the wisteria in full flower for that.
The hedge laying is going well; hopefully one more full weekend’s work, then the clearing up. At the same time we’re having to put new posts in to hold up the stock-proof fence round the orchard. All those put in 13 years ago have rotted off and, in fact, we discovered late on a wet Sunday afternoon that it was the hedge holding up the fence. One 50m (164ft) stretch of wire fence fell flat on the floor! Much as we like to see and talk to the horses in the neighbouring field, we don’t really want them in the orchard, so around 20 posts had to be put in and the fence stapled back up and all before we could get warm and have a cup of tea! The final task will be to put in around 100m (328ft) of rabbit wire to try and keep the orchard rabbit free.
Back in the garden, spring bulbs are looking cheerful, snowdrops now being joined by a few crocus, Iris reticulata and the first daffodils, while Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ looks and smells wonderful. I’ve also made a couple of willow plant supports that will be used to prop up perennials, such as the Oriental poppies and peonies.
My Highlight
A few extra minutes of daylight each day!
Deterring rabbits is hard work!
Worcestershire has endured three named storms in as many weeks, with widespread flooding and disruption. Let’s hope with spring on the way, sunshine and drier days become more frequent.
Undeterred by storms, we’ve carried on working in the orchard, putting up wire netting around the boundary to deter rabbits. First we loosened the soil with a mattock and pulled out bramble roots, then dug a deep trench, inserted the wire and finally put back all the earth dug out!
Hazel hurdles put up between the garden and orchard more than 10 years ago are now starting to break up. They’ve served their purpose in protecting a young beech hedge but now they look scruffy. I’ve started to take the worst ones out. I’ve made a start with seed sowing; the first batch of broad beans are in the greenhouse along with a tray of lettuce ‘Salad Bowl’. Narcissus are coming into flower and hellebores in the spring borders are looking stunning.
My Highlight
A lovely single camellia is absolutely covered in blooms – and bees – on a sunny day.
Tales from a Country Garden 