The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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24 November 2013

Date with an axeman!


One Rowan - one berry!
One Rowan - no berries!

Once upon a time in a garden, there were 3 Rowans.   One in the Woodland Border which reliably bears pretty pink berries; one in the Culvert Border which is always a mass of brilliant red berries. The third one in the Sofa Border rarely did anything ever and this year bore just a single solitary berry (photographed by Chris in disgust!) It never failed to produce masses of suckers beneath the graft and was Chris's most hated tree and, to be fair, was  well overdue for replacement.  I should say at this point that trees are Chris's great love in life!  This Rowan's stay of execution ended today!  A date with a chainsaw was in the diary!

Using the chainsaw was the easy part, digging and chopping out the roots was an entirely different matter but eventually the score was Chris 10 - Rowan 0!  Despite the cold and frosty day, Chris was in short sleeves axing out the numerous roots.  The upshot was a barrowful of logs and the promise of a bonfire for the brash.

Rowan logs

Rowan brash
Having cleared the ground, it was time to move a Magnolia Wanda's Memory which was planted in an entirely unsuitable spot in sheer desperation last spring.  It was a surprise purchase by Al and the weather was so glacial for so long, the poor thing spent weeks in and out of the conservatory - occasionally being forgotten and being blown over in the arctic spring winds and having its young tender leaves scorched by the late frosts.  It is now in a perfect spot and will hopefully thrive.  The finishing touch was to plant some more foxgloves kindly given by the other Chris (Genever.)
Magnolia Wanda's  Memory avec Genever  Foxgloves





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