SPRING IS IN THE AIR
Spring is in the air! At least it was yesterday, and it is today. I cannot speak for tomorrow. It's a time for me to start thinking of my garden and what I want to grow this year, apart from my roses. Yesterday I visited the RHS shop in Harlow Carr and, with the sun shining down through the glass roof of the garden centre, I was inspired to buy. Last year the begonias that I grew in the semi-shade under my kitchen window were so wonderful, so giving with their lovely green leaves and seemingly never-ending display of showy flowers, that I just had to have more. I already have tubers for peach coloured begonias so this time I bought 3 double whites, and 3 Giant Pendula Yellow. They will have to be planted around April, but I will probably start them off indoors.
I also bought some Lily of the Valley (Convallaria Majalis) rhizomes. I've never tried growing them before and I can only hope I'm successful. I haven't seen any for many years but understand that once established they spread, which is good! They need moist soil and partial shade. I have just the place for them in the north facing border in my back garden. For such tiny white flowers, they have a powerful fragrance - I remember that much about them. I need to plant them very soon.
Before I left the shop, something else caught my eye: a bag of gladioli corms, Nanus Mix. They are half-hardy and short stemmed (24"), flowering in July to September. They need sunshine (don't we all!) and protection from strong wind. I think I shall have to grow them in pots.
I've noticed that in the trough at the front of my home the tulips are pushing their way through. The Irises started coming through a few weeks ago but the sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall have slowed them down a bit. I've also got hyacinths planted outside and wonder when they will make an appearance. This time of year is my favourite time of year, when all we have ahead of us are the milder months of spring, summer and autumn. Next winter seems such a long way off and most of the bad weather we have been having lately will soon be a thing of the past. I hope.
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| September 2012, my tuberous Begonias |
Before I left the shop, something else caught my eye: a bag of gladioli corms, Nanus Mix. They are half-hardy and short stemmed (24"), flowering in July to September. They need sunshine (don't we all!) and protection from strong wind. I think I shall have to grow them in pots.
I've noticed that in the trough at the front of my home the tulips are pushing their way through. The Irises started coming through a few weeks ago but the sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall have slowed them down a bit. I've also got hyacinths planted outside and wonder when they will make an appearance. This time of year is my favourite time of year, when all we have ahead of us are the milder months of spring, summer and autumn. Next winter seems such a long way off and most of the bad weather we have been having lately will soon be a thing of the past. I hope.