Isn’t it surprising how the
gardening years can be quite so different. A couple of years back our
borders were so filled with opium poppies that I could have competed
with Afghanistan. Last year not one was seen … and the price of heroin
had gone up! But gardeners must merely shrug their shoulders and move
on. Each (mini) disaster must be viewed as an opportunity, and I guess
many of you will be reassessing your own gardens in the light of this
last summer’s drought (and worse).
It was difficult soil and fluctuating weather that encouraged us, some
twenty years back, to move towards a more ecological approach to our
garden. Plants imported from overseas, or from different climates with
one’s own land, may well thrive for a while if the gardener adjusts the
soil or aspect or generates a microclimate suitable to their needs. But
they may not be fully in their required niche and given a touch of
neglect turn into a new planting opportunity i.e. they die! Why fight?
Use a lovely native that really enjoys the situation and has had
thousands of years to evolve into that niche. Work with nature and avoid
fights.
Perhaps it is now the time to reassess the garden’s design and planting
scheme. Whilst you are about it, make it easier for yourself by ensuring
the mower, or other machines, pass easily around the corners and beneath
tree or shrubs. In our meadow, by simply adding winding pathways, we
have added interest and an adventure playground for visiting kids.
Spring, in all its fickleness, is with us. One day it is patio weather,
the next a cool northerly wind, straight from Siberia, encourages a warm
coat. The spring flora has burst upon us in all its yellow glory (why is
it almost everything has this colour in the UK spring?). The birds are
singing away to attract lady friends and swear death to rivals; this
morning I was awoken to a duet of song thrush and blackbird. The only
snag was that it was 5am and snoozing was off the agenda.
The garden is peppered with artificial nest boxes of all manner of
designs, but our new owl box already has an occupant (or two). So we
have the attractive prospect of owlets later in the spring and a
corresponding reduction in small furry animals. I hope they enjoy eating
moles especially.
I thought you might enjoy a few images of England as spring forces back
the cool of winter for the cool of spring (and cool of summer and …).
The narrow canal boats are moored at Worcester, adjacent to the famous
china factory. Note the spring bulbs on the deck of the nearest boat.
Brockhampton is amazing – a C14 moated farmhouse with a timber-framed
gatehouse. It was a brilliant spring morning when I bunked into the huge
estate before it was open to get a really good picture! The house itself
is set in parkland and the fallen trees and boughs are left on the
ground for colonisation of insect life. This leaving of fallen timber is
now recommended in the UK.
Croome Estate is where Capability Brown had his first landscape
commission – a great amount of work has been carried out here … it’ll
look good in two hundred years time …
in the meantime, do not bother to
visit!
Remember of you are to visit National Trust properties in the UK – your
Aussie National Trust card will get you in for free. That’ll save you a
few hundred devalued pounds.
Good gardening.
David
david@forest-edge.co.uk
David would love to get an email from you
© David Beeson
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Illustrations from top to bottom:
Rhododendrons.
Wild flower display in the grounds of Worcester Cathedral.
Narrow boats with spring bulbs in pots.
Brockhampton Estate of The National Trust - C14 moated farm house.
Brockhampton House.
Croome Park - National Trust.
