Bulb Planting

As Autumn draws to a close and the shorter days of Winter take hold it is time to think of next Spring and the promise that comes with it. Planting bulbs is my way of preparing for Spring and taking my mind off the dull, dark days ahead.

Our delivery of Allium bulbs has arrived from our supplier Direct Bulbs and today we were busy at work planting all 300.

Mount Everest, Purple Sensation and Nigrum are our favourites creating, when planted together, a wonderful raspberry ripple effect. In our central round border, we have the tall white Mount Everest in the centre with Purple Sensation running around the mid section and the smaller white Nigrum at the front.

In another border Purple Sensation drifts, serpentine-like, through and around the border. Meanwhile, Nigrums frame a curving path at the end of which they mix and mingle with Purple Sensation.

Spring is many months away but for today at least, it seemed that little bit closer.

Hedge Planting

A hedge is a wonderful thing and I have been waiting patiently for some months now to start the process of planting hedges. Today was that day and I have laid over 60m of bare root beech hedging in three specific sections of the garden. Firstly and most importantly, alongside the Parterre creating a clear division between the back and front garden. Secondly, to close off the Nursery Garden in the middle of which access is provided by our old oak gate. And finally, two runs of hedging against our western and southern boundaries overlooking open fields.

It was hard but rewarding and the effect immediate. An investment that will be repaid in full over the coming years.