WAITING FOR RUDOLPH!

24th November 2018  N.Yorks.

Gone very cold suddenly.  It would seem Autumn is over and Winter just around the corner. The garden is still full of colour;  the resistance to low morning temperature around 2 degrees seems to be a further example of inverse Global Warming. Nasturtium seeds from the summer blooming have germinated and are again in flower. The same goes for Pansies and Heartsease. These plants were first planted a year last September, flowered all throughout last winter, often in minus 10 degrees and under snow, continued to flower all summer, naturally seeded in the their tubs and are now once again in full bloom and ready for another rigorous winter on the North Yorkshire Prairies.

Pansies heading for their second winter

Pansies and heartsease heading for their FIRST winter!

Roses now ready for their first winter pruning.  Just reduce height of Hybrid Tea bushes by half, feed and leave until end of February early March before giving them a good tidy for next year. Do the same for Climbers & Ramblers, but in early March take the upright canes and tie down to parallel with the ground to encourage upward growth from each latent bud (massive increase the flowering potential – left upright each shoot may only produce one flower). If you have some organic matter, composted leaves, grass clippings which are dry and brown (never use wet and slimy), mulch these around the rose plant base in a one metre diameter circle, up to 100mm deep, after scattering a good handful of granular Feed. 

Rose bush after its first trim

Always ensure that your rose bushes are firmly Heeled in to avoid Winter Wind Wobble, which will damage the roots and allow ingress of water down the side of the stem which can cause Rot. Should you be planting new Bare Rooted bushes, always soak new plants in a bucket of water for a few days prior to planting, ensure depth of hole does not allow soil to be above the graft as this will cause the root stock to grow pale green Suckers.  If some appear, cut off very close to root stock stem. Only water at bottom of hole and mulch top above ground. If very cold wrap new plants in horticultural floss until first buds appear in early March.

Definitely the last rose of  summer

Fuchsias are still flowering. There will be a many varieties that die off in the winter and will also be Killed Off permanently by frost. For continuity next year take cuttings now, keep out of winter Frost and give minimal water. Those plants that seem to survive initial Frost and continue to flower are the Hardy varieties. Just trim back, feed and leave in situ for next year.

Trailing fuchsia in a basket

Two trailing fuchsias hanging on!

Another Fuchsia in a window box

This fuchsia looks as if it will be hardy

 Geraniums need to be moved inside now.  Frost will blacken leaves and stems and will kill the plant. Move inside. Green house is excellent as plants will continue to flower under glass all winter. Take cuttings by  simply breaking off a 100mm spur shoot from main stems, removing bottom leaves and any flower or buds, plant around the edge of plastic or terracotta pot in used potting compost (no feed), keep almost damp if in cool dry place but water if in warmer environment. Keep the Mother plants but cut back by two thirds when the flowers cease. Feed and water new cuttings and old plants from next March and put out into garden next April.

Geraniums happily settled in the greenhouse

For the first time ever have managed to keep a shop bought Poinsettia from last Christmas throughout the long hot summer, and have managed to get lots of new growth, which is starting to turn red (remember these are just the top leaves on each stem not the flowers – which are usual very small and yellow.) The plant has been stored in full sun in the green house and the pot constantly in around 40mm of water.

So proud of this poinsettia from last Christmas which spent the summer in the greenhouse

The Christmas Roses (Helleborus Niger) have peaked rather early.  Hoping they will continue up to the Festive Season!

Helleborus Niger in full bloom already

Bulbs planted in late September in the pots, under the Pansies and Heartsease, are starting to come through - could be spectacular show in early Spring – hopefully.

Good time to divide Perennials. Hostas can be dug up, split into two or three pieces and re planted, Delphiniums can also be split if the clump has become over-sized. Tidy and Dead Head anything that looks a bit Tatty. Plant the remainder of your spring bulbs and retire the to Potting Shed for a well deserved winter rest.

HG has a new Bell so possible hear it (with new Hearing Aids) whilst warming up by the stove

must be time for Coffee 

 must dash

See you soon

Stuart.

IT'S DEFINITELY AUTUMN HERE

14TH OCTOBER 2018 - NORTH YORKSHIRE

The mild winds of Autumn are blowing from the south this morning. The summer having been dry and very warm, has caused many trees to turn to early Autumn shades of gold and these leaves are the very early victims of the near gale force wind (possibly the tail end of various hurricanes currently dallying with the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S.A). The ‘Season of mists and Mellow Fruitfulness’ seems as confused as the other natural points of reference relied upon by the garden and field flora to delineate their growing and resting time scales, but the hedgerows are full of colour and fruit.

Sycamore tree wearing its autumn foliage

Elderberries

Hawthorn Berries

Wild Rose Hips

Yummy blackberries

The garden is still full of colourful bloom - Fuchsias and Geraniums  still almost at  their best.  This is the most advantageous time to taking cuttings for next year. Just keep moderately dry through the winter months and just free of frost for the best results. Roses soldiering on in colourful splendour, Dahlias making their final show before the early frosts of  late October strike. Cosmos have been particularly well flowered this summer together with the Potentillas and Geums. They all continue to fill their allotted spaces with plenty of enthusiastic blooms.

Climber That's Jazz - wonderful scent and velvet flowers

Rose Gertrude Jekyll in her final flowering

A small pot of bedding dahlias, with nasturtium trying to find  time to bloom again before winter!

Thalia Fuchsia is  very elegant

Fuchsia still giving lots of blooms

Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff is soldiering on bravely - until the first frost

Cosmos have bloomed contiuously well into October

Sedum brings autums colour and attracts the bees 

So a retrospective view of the summer garden can only give a feeling of satisfaction for a first year in a new setting. Possibly too many ‘Annuals’ planted (but masses of colour if a little ‘gaudy’ on the odd occasion). The bush and climbing roses, planted last October, are well established and are all in their fourth or fifth flowering (always choose perpetuals or repeat flowering for munificent results – and feed weekly, watering every two days when hot and dry). The light rains of September have just about managed to eradicate the ravages of Mildew, particularly on the Roses and Dahlias. As they have all been fed and watered well, there must be another reason for this stress related blight - the well noted ‘Acid Rain’ of current fashion does seem to remove most of the offending white powdery residue (so nature still has a wonderful performance record).

The plethora of ‘ready to use’ anti pest and disease sprays currently available have the ability to destroy most problems when used sensibly, and are most beneficial. Black Spot, Rust, Mildew, Green, Black and White Fly together with Red Spider and Thrypps can destroy a keen Gardener’s crop and ego in no time at all.

Gardeners, like all groups in society, are always subject to the ‘mores’ of fashion. The use of ‘chemicals’ to feed and cleanse the domestic garden have been in and out of favour possibly four times in my gardening career. The use of natural manure as a fertilizer is now often frowned upon in ‘Suburbia’ due to the pungent aroma that can permeate for 250 metres in the densely populated areas. The solution to this supposedly ‘Anti Social’ behaviour is conveniently packaged pelleted feeds (just take your pick – Organic or P.C.).

The general first impression of UK gardening after ten years away is mainly the lack of interest among the young (when you're 75 any under forty is ‘Young’). In the Forties  and Fifties the evening stroll around the garden with my Father was a high point of the day.

The demise of the small family run Nursery seems to be almost complete, first ruined by the corporate ‘Garden Centre’ – which no longer seem to sell plants but rely on Coffee Shops, Fashion outlets and Christmas Decorations to survive. The most reasonably priced, often best quality, but limited choice of the Super Market Gardening sections would seem to be the future for those on a budget – the disparity between a Super Market Fuchsia for £1- and other sources asking from £3.50 to £6- for and identical specimen does tend to shock and Tulip Bulbs priced at £2- for ten in  a leading Supermarket in UK and the last of the local Garden Centre Sites asking £5.99 for the same bulbs can only accelerate the Garden Centre demise into restaurants and Dress Shops.

The current predilection for the curse of ‘Global Warming’ – simply Mother Nature getting her own back on two hundred years of man-made miss use of her virtues – would seem to be the cause of all natural disasters from ‘Brexit’ to ‘Late running trains on Southern Region’. The effect upon my garden has been minimal, whilst Iberia seems to be entering a phase of very hot summers, high winds and colds winters (especially in the ‘Beiras’). The broad prairies of North Yorkshire are enjoying a renaissance of horticultural munificence – lots of sunshine and plenty of water all at the correct time.

And finally - violas planted  in October 2017 look set to give pleasure for another winter

So GARDENING is great wherever you choose to participate – just enjoy the natural pleasure in brings to the committed – and enjoy the coffee that, with a kind word and gesture- your Head Gardener will continue to supply.

Must dash – everything seems to be growing exceptionally well!

See you soon

Stuart.

JUST FLOWERS!

14TH AUGUST 2018 - NORTH YORKSHIRE

That is the second Spring Bulb Catalogue to arrive by post this morning – must mean the Summer is nearly over and the bedding plants can be allowed to finally relax.

 Weather here has been abnormal for last three months - no rain and daily temperature in the high ‘twenties’. With lots of watering and feeding, everything (true what they say on the ‘Miracle Grow’ packets – at least double the norm when it comes to blooms) has been truly magnificent.

Trailing begonias dominate this basket

The seeds planted in early spring have all flowered – even those supposed to wait until next year. Dahlias, hollyhocks, nicotiana, geraniums, lupin, delphiniums, sweet williams, nasturtiums, petunias, cosmos, lobelia etc. etc., have all performed in the one hundred and twenty tubs and hanging baskets and in the ground.They have been fed and watered each day.  When temperature reached mid ‘thirties’, baskets were treated twice. 

Peachy powder puff hollyhock

Dahlia - which should have been red, but never mind

Having placed and order for plug plants during the cold dark days of January, forgot about these and re-ordered in March.  The situation in April in the greenhouse became chaos as they started to arrive by post immediately after Easter, before the night frosts had departed. Lost around fifty percent due to planting out far to early. Bizzy Lizzies, fuchsias and begonias couldn't manage the cold nights and expired. However, the mass of plants arriving soon after made up for their loss, and by mid May the garden started to look ‘Horticulturalised’ (thought this was a most descriptive word for ensuing chaotic planting and flowering).

Just another basket!

Rich velvety red trailing petunia

Baskets and window boxes in profusion

Love this display of giant begonias

Lobellia and busy lizzies enjoying a hanging basket

Away from annual bedding plants, the roses have out performed the first year expectations. The climbers have been a bit slow but the third bloom, which is imminent, should be splendid. The H.T. Roses planted last October and nourished through the long winter are well settled in, about a metre tall and have all bloomed and perfumed at least once. Some are about to perform for the third time – all due to lots of feeding and lots of water (easy to forget roses need masses of water when it’s dry). ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, ‘That’s Jazz’, ‘Litchfield Angel’ and ‘Prima Ballerina’ have been, and still are, outstanding – ‘Falstaff’ is a disappointment , due for the ‘chop’ and will be replaced in October.

Golden Celebration

Prima Ballerina

Gertrude Jekyll

Tranquility

Super Trouper

That's Jazz!

Bedding Dahlias are still at their best, full of colour and bloom – well supported by daily dead heading, watering and weekly feed. Bishop of Llandaff is glorious in vibrant red (only one plant, as the other three sets of tubers purchased, at great expense failed to grow, put not your trust in the hands of experts?). The other tuberous dahlias, supposed to be red, have flowered extensively but turned out white or red and white stripes (never believe the plant suppliers once again).

Vibrant Bishop of Llandaff with its stunning bronze foliage

Pretty bedding dahlia with dark foliage

Another clump of pretty bedding dahlias

The plethora of Fuchsias (purchased from the local Morrison’s Supermarket for £1- per plant) are wonderful, every possible variety from Tahlias to massive ‘Australian Giants’ are in full dancing splendour.  It will be time soon  to take lots of cuttings for over wintering under glass. Fuchsias, like dahlias, always respond to lots of TLC (tender Loving Care, Lots of Feeding and regular watering) and hopefully, will flower well into December.  Many are slight frost tolerant – so real value for money and a multi talented show which always impresses those non gardening neighbours and city based visitors.

Just a couple of fuchsias

The hoped for ‘Spires of Summer’ have actually happened, delphiniums in multi hues of blue, purple and white, lupins in reds, orange, cream and mauve, hollyhocks in white, peach, claret and red, Oriental Lilies in White & cream and nicotiana (now 1.5 metres tall and ever fragrant on a balmy evening. Should have read the seed packet properly as thought they were dwarf variety – look a bit strange in the hanging baskets but never mind Eh!) Have filled the two flower beds, giving height, width and lots of continuing colour.

Dreaming spires

Five troughs planted with Ivy Leaf Geraniums, Pelargoniums (trailing geraniums really), lobellia and begonias have flourished to such an extent that they would not look out of place on the front of a Bavarian Chalet. Hanging baskets, fed daily, have become two metre pillars of flowers – all due to the wonders of ‘Miracle Grow’ fertiliser (hope they see this and send me a supply for next year?).

Bavarian style troughs full of geraniums and lobellia

So a full year away from our Portuguese Idol has been very interesting and productive, even with less heat but more water. Leaving at the end of July last summer meant we missed the horrendous fires visited upon many of our friends – have been delighted to see the photographs of the recovery of their land and gardens – nature is a wonderful healer, as is human determination, and the scars will soon fade into memory. 

Well lawns and hedges to cut, must keep the Head gardener happy or no coffee!

Must dash

see you soon

Stuart.

A GARDENING ANGEL FROM HEAVEN FLEW OVER NORTH YORKSHIRE ONE SUMMER DAY!

19TH JUNE 2018 - NORTH YORKSHIRE

The new herbaceous border

Floriferous back garden

Secret Corner of the back garden

Is there anything more ‘Fair’ than an English Country Garden in glorious June. The blue skies and sunshine, interspaced with a force nine South Westerly Gale (you must remember to be grateful during a English Summer), have brought the  lateness of the planting to disgorge a plethora of blooms in the most wonderful of summer colours.

Roses are coming to their first peak; the husbandry of winter and spring have paid dividends. The bush roses, planted bare rooted last November and wrapped with horticultural floss against the winter frosts, are in magnificent bloom. Gertrude Jekyll is a mass of super fragrant pink flowers which endue the garden with the exotic fragrances of Old Persia. Prima Ballerina  shares an equal status, pirouetting across the lawn. 

Super smelly Gertrude Jekyll - a great favourite

Prima Ballerine - so dellicate

The pure gold of Summer Sky compliments the rich orange of Dancing Queen, and the gentle white and creams of Lichfield Angel and Tranquility cool the head Gardener's excitement on her morning preamble (with note book for my daily instruction). 

Tranquility - currently the H G's favourite

Lichfield Angel - soft creamy white

 The Climbers planted in February had a very cold start but are now showing signs of activity. They have tended to bloom before putting on any great growth, but still hoping for a spurt of activity after their first flowering. They are being fed with copious quantities of Top Rose, Bone Meal and Hoof and Horn, and watering – yes, Watering in N.Yorkshire. A benefit of Climate Change – maybe).

Climber Alchemist, getting started

The miniature Herbaceous Border, constructed in the front lawn, has been a total delight. Everything planted has taken – Delphiniums, Astilbes, Poppies, Geraniums Aquilegia, Hostas and many more already in flower, and spreading out to country house standards. 

Poppies add colour!

Great herbaceous mixture of colour and foliage

First-time flowering Delphiniums

The flower bed planted in the back garden to camouflage the LPG Tank, is trying hard to please. The Lilies, Delphiniums  Hollyhocks and Lupins are growing and putting on a reasonable show after a initial disaster created by two very enthusiastic Dogs ‘Digging for Britain’. (If any of you in Australia have a sudden and unexpected appearance of Gladioli they could be the cause).

Hanging Baskets, Wall Troughs, Sconces and Tubs were planted with gay abandon (the old meaning not the current understanding of the term) in April and May are in full and passionate glory, and are exacting their toll with a one hour watering regime each day and feeding three times a week (keep telling the HG that we have to be keen to put up with the required effort).

Just baskets and wall sconces

Just waiting for the numerous Fuchsias, planted in containers, baskets and ground, to burst into action as only a fully fit Fuchsia can. These amazing plants will flower from now until Christmas if well fed and watered and kept in a shady spot (direct sunshine reduces their flowering period dramatically). Am taking cuttings as they grow for the Green House ‘show’ from November until next March.

This little fuchsia makes and early start 

The Geraniums from seed, cuttings and plugs are at last in flower. The result from seed was very poor, about 15% germination, from cuttings around 60%, and from plugs 85%. So ‘Cost-wise’  plugs are way ahead. (Will keep in mind for next year remembering that ordering plug plant in early January for late April delivery is a definite ‘NO’ – something to do with memory and age as they got ordered twice and 100 geranium plugs are just to many for the current sized garden.

Getting used to cutting lawns twice a week and hedges once a month. The Portuguese climate had much to say for itself as there were no lawns, and hedges don’t grow from March to December.

That would seem to be coffee about to be served on the terrace in the convivial summer sunshine – must dash, have fun.

PS – Thank you to the 43,000 hits (just passed this total yesterday) in fifty three countries for the flattery of following my febrile garden fantasies.

Stuart.

And the winter pansies go on and on and on!