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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12 January 2014

Woodland Path Beginnings and The Merest Hint of Spring.

New woodchip path
After much deadheading of Sedums, Peonies and Lychnis in the Lower Border (it now looks much tidier!), it was time to help Chris to barrow the rest of the woodchip off the drive to various garden destinations.  We topped up the service path at the back of the Lower Border, mulched the bottom of the Sofa Border and left a couple of piles in the Aspen Grove (ready for when we move the Michaelmas Daisies).  We also laid some as a new Woodland Border path.  The plan is to edge it with logs (to prevent the woodchip creeping) and have a little 'retreat' seating area at the back beneath the Silver Birches with a narrow winding woodchip path between Snowdrops, Hellebores and Chris's wooden mushrooms to this secluded shady seating area at the back.  We'll probably end up having to move various clumps as it's tricky seeing them at this time of year.  Heaven forbid that we should inadvertently bury or worse; tread on brave little Snowdrops!  There is much to do in this spot but, at least we've made a beginning!  We also have a drive free of woodchip and tarpaulins for the first time in over 3 weeks!

Jasmine under the dining room window
Jasminum Nudiflorum

It was actually a 'rain-free, dry and sunny day with just the suggestion of things to come as the Jasminum Nudiflorum beneath the dining room window is in full flower.  After the appalling recent weather it is quite an optimistic sight with even a hint of (dare I say?) spring in the air.

Actually this wasn't the only hint of Spring!  Scent from the Sarcococcas was wafting around the garden  hanging heavy in the cold air and much more to my surprise: Chris found flowers on all 3 Loniceras! Despite anosmic deficiencies due to a recent cold, I can still vouch for their incredible perfume!  This is their 3rd season as they are relatively immature shrubs and therefore the first time they have bloomed.  Chris has been raving about their perfume for AGES and now I see that he wasn't exaggerating in the least.  These somewhat leggy shrubs should feature in every garden preferably by a door or a much used path. Their bloom and perfume is evident at a time of year when there is very little else to commend and it'll knock your socks off - promise!

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