16 March 2008 - Goodbye snowdrops

Goodbye snowdrops! What a year it has been. In spite of terrible predictions after our peculiar summer the snowdrops have performed better than I can remember and following bulbs - daffodils, bluebells and hopefully tulips look set to do the same.

I love the early time of year. Gone is the sinking feeling that cold dark months are with us and eager anticipation is in its place for snowdrop roll call. Most have done better and increased in number, although White swan and Gracilis Highdown have returned weakly after their division last year. Elwesii Deerslot seems to have exploded into seedlings and few flowering plants and Primrose Warburg was weakly and had funny puckered leaves.

I have moved her to my plant hospital and hope she recovers because she has to be a favourite. Other yellow snowdrops have done well particularly 'Wendy's Gold'. I divided George Elwes, Tubby Merlin, Viridapice and Comet last year and began some drifts, which have already established themselves as a focal point.

I am still nervous about division and find some rather resentful of disturbance whilst others certainly go back if left to their own devises. John Grey hated my interference, Plicatus Byzantinus almost disappeared until I noticed how the bulbs were working to the surface and Collosus of course grows like a leek now that I regularly split him.

I had a wish list at the beginning of the year that has certainly been reduced. Wasp and Diggory are now happily planted as are Mary Biddulph and Greenish. But sadly I failed to find Walrus, Ballerina and Heffalump but still there is next year. But probably the most exciting find was the return of our own 'special' yet to be identified by those better informed than myself. It appeared last year and has increased this year. It is an Ikariae with green tips and a good solid green mark from base to apex. It has a charming way of turning up its outers and reminds me of a pixie hat. Roll on next year to see what it does.

There are still lone fresh looking clumps of snowdrops but the year is moving on and spring has sprung. Cherry blossom gives froth to the garden whilst daffodils, primula, scillas and chinodoxa give highlights of colour through pulmonaria and lovely emerging clumps of green herbaceous plants. Everything looks tidy and full of promise but already things are straining to get ahead.

We are looking forward to our tulip festival which will reach its climax at the end of April/ beginning of May but I cannot help noticing patches of colour all round the garden and hope that the forecast cold will stem the enthusiasm some tulips are showing!

Opening earlier this year has meant that we have made huge efforts to clear winter fallout and I feel we are far more together than previously. Most vegetables are sown and potatoes and beans are already in the ground. Our south facing walled garden seems to be warming the soil and already we can see emerging shoots but we have fleece at the ready.

We are off to France next week and are full of design plans for both house and garden. Our cases will be full of portable finds such as curtains, small pictures and of course a plum tassel! Well I like the colour. Amy is coming too and has volunteered to be tea girl. Little does she realise that she will be porter, cleaner, holder, painter and we hope a source of great ideas too.

We are leaving the garden in safe hands. An admirable team led by Lily the puppy who can dig great holes.

posted by Barbara @ Sunday, March 16, 2008   0 comments (Post a Comment)