Olfactory Spring Treat

Sadly, you have to imagine the intense perfume from this clematis Armandii apple blossom. If only I could copy and paste the fragrance in a blog! A year after planting, I thought it had died here it is alive, kicking and a real show - any excuse to walk to the greenhouse and pause under the arch en route! So nice to have so much bloom and fragrance so early in the year. As it happens, I made loads of trips to the greenhouse as it was overdue for a clean up in order to make room for seed sowing.

A Hidden Lakeland Gem

Both Head and Under Gardeners sneaked off to Scotland and the Outer Hebrides for a week and en route home called in at a friend's garden in the Lake District. Glenis and John have made the most magical naturalistic woodland garden in a uniquely secret setting outside Ulverston in Cunbria.  It's just packed with a fabulous collection of unusual plants, shrubs and trees all growing between mossy coated rocky outcrops. Seeing it in the pouring rain was somehow even more atmospheric in this green haven. There were wonderful Camelias, Rhododenrons, Snakes Head Fritilleries, Narcissus, Erythroniums - even Lewisias and Trilliums all dripping  in the spring rain. We're hoping that our treasured souveniers will thrive here at PTC! 

Heart of Oak!

Chris and his creation

Check out Chris's latest amazing creations from ancient reclaimed oak fencing!! How lovely is this pair of tea light holders? This is such a marvellous idea as the pair can be moved around to suit any placing. He's left the original finish on the uncut sides which emphasises the grain on the satin smooth sanded sides and curves. Also, the heart shaped aperture can be back lit. It's the perfect idea and perfect design.  After all, hearts are never out of favour or fashion. Hopefully Chris can be persuaded to make lots and sell them at open gardens.

Saturday Pond Work

Unusually for us, we seem pretty up to date with seasonal garden jobs so, today meant a big pond tidy up. The border was riddled with Bitter Cress just coming into flower. How satisfying to remove it all before it explodes zillions of seeds everywhere. Our audience was the world's bravest little robin who, was actually perched on my camera strap at one point. He knew I was an easy touch and was hopping around eating any worms we exposed whilst weeding.  It was perfect day for weeding cool, breezy but dry. Weeding around our pond isn't always easy - especially on the side where some fallen trees have been left for nature to do its job. Not that Chris is ever fazed by the thought of rotting logs rolling into the icy depths with him on top!! By the time it was all edged and I'd whizzed around with the mower, it did look MUCH improved. Alas, no frogspawn. I figure the fish always eat it - sigh!

A very tidy pond!

No - he didn't fall in!

Spring Greens

Recent days have been milder and even sunnier which means it's suddenly looking very spring-like here at Pear Tree Cottage. It's amazing what a difference some early sunshine makes.to the bright lime greens of the wild Euphorbias.

Wild Euphorbias in the Woodland Border

Our Very Own Mini Woodland Path!!

Woodland Border path looking towards the house...

...& looking towards Compost Corner

As the snowdrops had faded and now is the very best time for dividing and moving them, Chris and I set to work moving the biggest clumps to allow us to lay a simple woodland path. As snowdrops prefer to be planted in the green, it's perfect timing and, with any luck, we'll enjoy carpets of them next spring a little higher up the border. As we'd emptied the old wood chip from the Hennery we had the perfect base for a woodland path. It even looked weathered. The Hellebores and Pulmonarias look so lovely against the limey green wild Euphorbias - I know it's not a woodland path in the true sense of the word but, it's the nearest I shall ever get and I love it! With the Symphitum, Epimediums and Narcissus all in flower either side and Lilies-of-the-Valley lying in wait, I couldn't be more pleased! This path is also pretty vital at the moment as the main path is out of bounds until the grass seed germinates and it's the main route to the compost heap! Historically this border never enjoyed any access at all and plants could only be viewed at distance from the lawn. It's so much nicer being able to walk between them and down to the new steps built by Chris G in compost Corner - especially at this time of year. 

Epimedium

The Woodland Border from the lawn

Hellebores & Symphitum

Avian Eggspectations!

The 'House for Hens'

The Hennery

We eventually finished restoration work on the 'House for Hens' (despite certain difficulties in the door manufacturing department - and with their manufacturer!) All was well that ended well and wobbly screws were removed and replaced and doors straightened! I made little copper sills and door strips with scalloped edges to keep the rain out and help prevent the ply de-laminating. In time, the copper will weather and turn a lovely green - if the structure lasts that long!

The entire house was sanded down and repainted after the inside had been thoroughly creosoted (which Chris discovered all over his hands when lifting it back onto its pole!). The Hennery has now been swept out, the old wood chip removed (and used to make a woodland path) and disinfected with Jeyes fluid. Chris G called and placed mortar where certain rodents had been gnawing meaning that they no longer have a direct route in. New woodchip has now been laid and everything awaits the arrival of our new flock next month. I can hardly wait as the garden seems SO totally empty without any kind of livestock!