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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6 December 2019

Garden Birthday Bonanza!



Hellebore 'Diva' in a faux lead pot
Head Gardener is still in a sling and feeling a tad fed up with not being able to get on with the usual seasonal jobs - sigh!  The garden has suffered one of the wettest autumns and the ground is still so wet, it 'sings'.  There are leaves fallen leaves EVERYWHERE and the Yew topiary by the back door remains untrimmed - for the very first time at this time of year.

However today I did manage some potting left handed and it took 10 times longer than usual!

Acers - Osakazuki & Beni Komachi in their new pots



Having been given a couple of Acers for my birthday, I spent some birthday money on some pots for them and also a Hellebore. Two glazed pots for £10 and a really big English grown Gold Standard  'Diva' for £15. For the Acers,  I used a mix of ericaceous potting medium, grit and JI No 3 with a top dressing of horticultural grit.  Hopefully both will thrive when they're put outside in the spring.  For now, they'll remain in a cold greenhouse.


After all the excessive rainfall we've had to endure,  for the past few days, we've been enjoying a well deserved spell of dry weather with some remarkable sunrises and sunsets.  Sadly using a camera left handed is nearly impossible and using a phone isn't much better!





Sunset from the garden tool shed verandah.

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