A TOUCH OF COLOUR IN THE DARK DAYS OF WINTER

9th  February 2019   North Yorkshire.

Cold, grey, misty morning after three weeks of heavy frost and a little snow; so that’s January out of the way – things can only get better - in the words of a long forgotten Prime Minister. Isn’t it fortunate that plants have no political affiliations – they just keep giving, not taking or arguing.

Two patches of snowdrops, - double and single cheering up a dismal day

The garden is presently in a state of hibernation, but puckering up and ready for action at the first hint of Spring. Amazing to see what is in flower in these murky weeks of midwinter. Clematis have a few flowers, Heartsease and Pansies still giving colour, baby Cyclamen immaculate in white, purple and magenta, snowdrops on show, daffodils about to burst into golden yellow and the winter ivies are full of new growth and fresh green leaves. Roses full of new bud and getting ready for their next pruning, mulching and feed. Always remember to prune out the centre of the plant to ensure lots of air circulation and promote pest free strong new growth for next season's flowers.

Still smiling after a battering of wind and snow showers

Ivies keep the window boxes interesting during the winter months

A pot full of pansies and budding daffodils

Heartsease and daffodil buds ready to spring into life

Rose bush showing signs of life

Our spectacular large flowered clematis is also beginning to sprout

The winter flowering clematis is still giving good value

Having avoided the seed catalogue until now (following the ‘Double Ordering’ of plants last year), on their perusal, am pleased to say that there is little new under the sun. Pleased to see that the blousy courtesan of the flower beds -  the Dahlia in its may forms - is continuing to be  recognised for all the glory it brings to the summer garden. The Dahlia, once the leading protagonist in the outlandish colour stakes, fell from grace with the trend setters during the ‘Noughties’ (2000 – 2009). With the rise of  the Natural Garden much colour seemed to disappear from the garden  to be replaced with  meadow seed mixtures. Fortunately a few of the Talented Horticulturists started to reintroduce colour and form into show gardens and National Trust properties – the response of the Gardening Public was very positive and the Seed Merchants  have responded with an abundance of ‘NEW’ colour in the catalogues. Thank goodness for common sense and the ‘Traditional’ Gardener Lovers.

And another thought -With the forthcoming withdrawal from the EU by UK, will we soon see a revival  of the many plant varieties banned by  Brussels? The cultivation of the curved Cucumber may even be seen again.

So what to grow in the newly de-restricted British Garden in 2019?

Well again, in our patch, growing vegetables is being left to the experts. However, all flowering plants are on the menu. The garden remainers, roses, clematis, fuchsias, delphiniums, lupins, euphorbias, lilies, helebores, geraniums etc etc (all planted last year), will stay put and, if properly fed and maintained, should give a magnificent show in their second year. The annual bedding plants such as Loboelia, Alyssum,  bedding Geraniums and non hardy Fuchsia will be bought in. (Too much trouble to seed, prick out and grow on when the Supermarkets get in so right and are so cheap) – so it must be to the more exotic possibilities that concentration will be directed - not sure what will be sown or planted but will keep you all informed.

A favourite hellebore orientalis

Helleborus Niger is still giving plenty of bloom

This little trough gives a cheerful welcome at the front door

Today's latest surprise - two iris reticulata set amongst ivies and  black ophiopogum 

The temperature now having risen above 8 degrees C., the donning of rain hats, waterproof jackets and trousers, Wellington boots and gloves is called for prior to inroads into the ‘To DO’ list being commenced. It’s pruning, splitting, replanting, feeding and mulching time again. It really is FANTASTIC being a Gardener where ever you ‘Dip your Spade’.

Another log on the Garden Shed Stove as the HG has arrived with coffee and another batch of Seed & Plant Catalogues, so maybe another day of contemplation before the season really gets started.

Must dash- 

coffee going cold-

 GOOD GARDENING in 2019.

Stuart.