Sadly, the recent rains mean that the copse has been like a large lake on more than one occasion in the last few weeks. Luckily the trees are not in leaf as I would be worried about their chances of staying upright in the endless gales. There has to be a respite soon. However, this is an area that I was hoping to work in during the coming days, but I think that it will be some time before the ground is dry enough to do so.
I don’t usually bring Hellebores into the house as I prefer to see them in situ as they don’t last long when cut, but these blossoms were submerged in about four inches of water during the recent flooding and I could not bear to see them drown. I may have to consider replanting them if the torrential rains continue. Unfortunately, I can’t move the mature trees in the same area and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will weather the storms.
The Hellebore Double ‘Ellen Red’ blossoms have started to loose their deep pink colour but the greenish pink mature blossoms are just as attractive.
In my struggle to rescue the hellebores this Hawthorn shield bug ended up first on my jacket and then on the floor of the kitchen. It is the first one that I have seen this year and I hope it survived my rescue operation.
This brave miniature cherry blossom Prunus incisa ‘Kojo no mai’ dared to present a few tiny blossoms on the only sunny day in weeks. Even as surprising, was the fact that it was visited by either a brave or foolhardy wasp and a bee. Nature is amazing. This plant is a replacemnt for one that thrived for over ten years and then suddenly died. I am hoping that this can tolerate short term flooding.
Last year I had four stunning Melanoselinum decipiens or Madeira Giant Carrot plants in full flower in a shady border in the copse. As I had not planted them I assume that they came from bird seeds. The trunk of the plant is very striking, particularly in winter when they are more visible. I had hoped for thousands of seedlings but so far there has not been one. Perhaps it is the bad weather that is at fault and they will appear once we have a Madiera type spring.
Another stunning Hellebore Double ‘White Anna’ hiding in the shrubbery. I am particularly fond of the graceful double varieties. It is flowering earlier than usual, but with much less blossom than in previous years. I hope that it is not a bad sign.
Sadly the camellias that are in blossom, are losing them almost as quickly as they appear. Despite the fact that the copse is relatively sheltered, the recent gales are too much for the protection that I have provided. The plants look heathy but I doubt that I will have the usual stunning display.
A victim of the most recent storm – Camellia are usually very resilient in coastal areas but I wonder if the cold was the culprit here.
This is the last of the three Correa family that I grow here. It has a vibrant flower but is not doing as well as its relatives. I suspect that this will be the year of the great replanting.
My pine trees have taken quite beating this winter, but apart from losing a few branches seem oblivious to the extended winter. These pine cone buds are a refreshing sight when most other trees are still reluctant to show their buds. The detail is amazing and the colour belies the dull weather we have had for most of the winter.
The Salix ‘Mount Aso’ has to be one of the most attractive of the species. It is very popular with gardeners and it is easy to see why. I love it as it keeps reinventing itself and each stage is as interesting as the last.
This Mount Aso is growing between some pink winter heather and a eucalyptus and I have decided that it is an almost perfect pairing. So much so, that I will try it in other corners of the garden. This plant grew after I stuck a twig in the ground so fingers crossed for the new attempts.
Some years ago, I planted a hedgerow at the bottom of one of my fields to give the birds some shelter. This was so successful in increasing their numbers that I have started to plant trees and shrubs in the field proper. Because there is a high wall separating the field from the garden I have long hike to go and see how everything is doing. This is the start of a new entrance which will allow me easy access from the house when I am feeling lazy.
The dogs have always entered the field by scrambling up and down the four-to five-foot wall without any hesitation. Millie now seems puzzled about the new easy access and has been studying the gap closely. I am sure that it won’t take her long to figure it out.