Wisteria Moments

Just can't resist sharing a little video of the Wisterias.  We only have one left to bloom - amethyst Falls on the garden tool shed is always later.  The others are pretty much over for this year.

WISTERIA MOMENTS

Wisteria sinensis

Busy BUSY BUSY!!

Getting everything ready for our forst NGS Open Day meant just no time for blog posts.  BUT - what a day it was!!!  We welcomed over 100 visitors in the first 50 minutes.  We overcame all kinds of hiccups from electrical problems which meant that urns were tripping out.  We ran out of change.  Then to top it all, the drain beneath the kitchen sink window became blocked!!  With our many supporters and helpers all were over come.  The weather cooperated despite dire forecasts and the womderful clarinettists from Barrels and Bells played for 2 hours in glorious warm sunshine,  It was the most unexpected successful day.  Even the Wisterias looked fabulous. 

An enormous thank you to every single person who helped in any way.  You all deserve a mention - Pat and Brian Finch especially for lugging so much furniture around the county and making so many exquisitely delicious cakes and sausage rolls ALL of which sold out!

  

Gradual Catch Up

 Too long since my last post but I'm gradually catching up after the awfulness of last autumn/winter.  The greenhouse was an utter disheartening mess! Dead, dying and rotting plants. Gradually and slowly plants have been disposed of where necessary, glass cleaned and pruned plants rescued.  Seeds have been sown and plug plants potted on.  I no longer dread opening the greenhouse door but walk in with hope.  Elsewhere in the garden, spring is well under way. Despite earlier gales and very cold - even frosty weather, the garden looks pretty tidy - if you don't look too closely!  The Hostas in the Hostalry are certainly waking up and Acers are beginning to leaf up. With Open Gardens looming on 3rd May, I'm hoping the Wisterias will be at their best!

  

HOPE!

 Well, we're into March and the garden is looking springlike and the birds are singing their little hearts out!  I managed to start all 3 mowers after a winter of inactivity.  This meant all areas of grass enjoyed their first and second mow of the season and even the edges were trimmed.  The greenhouse has also had attention and I made a start of glass cleaning!  We've had 2 glorious sunny springlike days, narcissus have taken over from the snowdrops,  The Camellias are blooming and the Magnolia is showing colour.  Hope abounds!

I have to share this as I used A.I. to write a garden description PTC Garden courtesy of Gemini A.I.  I'm thinking of visiting!!

Disappointed!

 These Silver Birch (Betula jaquemontii) were purchased from expert local growers Frank P Mathews in 2019.  They were specifically ordered and sold as 3 multi stemmed specimens.  To be honest, I was disappointed at the time but said nothing!  (Why are we so polite & humbled with experts?)

Every time I look at them, I feel nothing but disappointment! I should never have accepted them let alone plant them.  They're just not multi stemmed but have not had their lower barnches pruned. To me, they just look wrong!

I wonder what they'd say now?

Galanthus Anniversary

This was a post from last year when my husband and I visited Ashwood. Here I am 12 months later wating for the gem that took his eye to bloom but no longer having the most wonderful husband by my side. I just could never have imagined not being able to share this little flower with him.

"7th February 2025 - It's always dangerous to visit Ashwood Nurseries, Gift Shop and Tea Room at this time of year!!

I'm no Galanthophile but 'Melanie Broughton' caught our eye with her broad leaves, elegant long stem & standing head & shoulders above her fellow blooms. After talking to the expert who propagated her, she came home with us! Interestingly she was found at Anglesey Abbey in 1998."

Reginald!

A word on Reginald!!  Reginald Robin fledged last spring and continues to be a loyal and fearless garden companion!  Even as a speckeldy baby, he displayed courage. You can see his adolescent plumage on last year's photos.

He is just EVERYWHERE all the time!  I'm almost frightened of treading on him.  I felt such a character deserves a post all to himself!

Reginald Robin