Although the first of March is considered to be the beginning of spring in meteorological terms I tend to stick with the astronomical terms – the Vernal equinox falls on Monday March 20th this year. But there is no doubt that life in the garden is beginning to emerge with the longer hours of daylight.
After a break of several months I am back with Six things in the garden on a Saturday. Or in the case of the first item, one thing that is no longer in the garden.
It’s certainly opened up the view, but as this was where my crocuses, winter aconites and snowdrops are planted I am wondering whether I need to transplant them to a shadier spot. Any expert out there know whether they’ll be happy in a sunnier location during the summer?
It’s been a delight this past month to discover new bulbs opening in the garden daily, beginning in January with Iris histroides ‘George’ through to old and new irises arriving, single and double snowdrops and crocuses. The Hellebores are still a bit behind.
Iris reticulata ‘J S Dijt’ is looking good this week, old bulbs which were removed and stored over the summer then replanted in November.
It’s not all bulbs though. I have several South African Osteospermums / Cape or African daisy in my garden, not all of which are hardy so I was pleasantly surprised to find these yellow ones beginning to flower.
Finally an update on my Cornish Hedge which was looking really good at the beginning of the year with the Sicilian chamomile / Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana and Erigeron ‘Sea Breeze’ trailing beautifully over the stones and forming lush green mounds of foliage. Then disaster struck. Escapee sheep came into the ‘Wild Garden‘ and happily munched their way through all the plants, not even eating some of them, just pulling them out and tossing them on the ground. I could have wept. It’s far too depressing to post a photo of the damage. I will cut everything dead back and in May scatter some annual bee flower seeds over the top and cross my fingers.
Jim of Garden Ruminations is now our host and as a former nurseryman has a lot more than the SOS happening over on his blog so well worth following. As always, if you want a peek over other peopleās garden walls then please pop over to his site where you find links to many more wonderful garden enthusiasts from all over the world. See here for the participantās guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
Such a shame about the hedge – something prickly in it might deter future munching.
Yes. I might try the dog roses. See how that goes.
I’m amazed at the rich variety already crowding intro your garden. But those sheep eh? I hope you find a means of preventing a repetition.
I can’t block off that part of the garden as it is needed for the septic tank clearance and oil tanker so needs to be kept open. I have never had such destruction by the sheep before. Luckily they can’t get into the main garden, though I suspect they are working on that!
Double grrr.
Nice to have a bit of space to play with. It always looks good, Jude.
Thanks Jo. Lots to do this year as things are needing fixing. I wish I had a handy man (or woman)
Or a willing husband? ššŗ
No chance, he hates DIY and has vertigo so no ladders. I am hoping Alex comes down for a couple of weeks to fix the shed and the fencing for me.
Any news on Alex? š¤š
Delayed until April šØ
Not too long now. He needs to be fit and strong for the op.
Sorry to hear about the vandal sheep, how infuriating!
Odd that they have destroyed so much this year, they usually leave the plants alone. Oh, well, it is what it is.
Lovely to see your garden again after the winter. Love your bright crocuses. Here’s to a good gardening year
The crocuses have been good this year, usually they get flattened by wind and rain. My favourites though have to be the dwarf irises, they are so beautiful.
I’ll have to try some dwarf irises. I only have the tall ones.
The dwarf ones are fabulous, cram 25 in a shallow bulb pot and they look great.
Great signs of spring!
We have a cold snap forecast next week, I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Love your crocuses and snowdrops, Jude. A hopeful sign of spring. I hope they survive your cold snap!
Snowdrops are hardy, but the crocuses will flop. Still they’ve done really well this year so no complaints.
How very rude of those sheep. Hopefully your replacement garden will be pretty.
I might leave it for now, see if anything recovers. Scatter some annuals over it in May maybe.
I have crocuses in many different places in the garden. Some are in very sunny spots although they are covered by other plants but they do not seem to care where they over summer. Amelia
I guess I will find out! I might transfer the snowdrops to under the Hazel tree.
Beautiful to see new life in the plants!
Yes. It is different every day now, seeing buds and bulbs appearing.
Lovely