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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10 November 2014

Useful Winter Colour

Using the stems in March
November leaf colour
Naked November stems



All in the same garden but, different Dogwoods at differing stages and different colours!  All are Cornus sanguineas and those in leaf are definitely the Midwinter Fires with the odd Alba! Colour is so important at this time of year with the shorter days and the ever lowering light levels.  These stems are cut down each year in March as younger stems retain the brighter colours. The stems make very useful plant supports as they can be woven like willow stems and become available at exactly the right time of year!  The picture of me making a support was obviously taken in March.  I'm using a dustbin lid as a template for my extremely rustic looking plant support but it worked perfectly well and how much more natural than plastic?

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