Dudley, Eunice and Franklin

The Tommies

It has been a windy week, with three (three) named storms one after the other, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.  And it’s not impossible that we shall have Gladys before too long, as the forecast is for more wind through to the end of the month.  Dudley hit further north, and had little effect here; but Eunice (and, to a lesser extent, Franklin) were gale-force, with flooding along the Severn.  We had little damage, other than the big hellebore being knocked sideways and a lot of twigs blown out of the plum tree.  We were glad that the three ash trees had been taken down, otherwise damage would have been greater.

Last week was rainy too, and no real gardening was done; but this week has sunny spells, and a chance to check the garden over and get on with preparations for spring.  Temperatures have been mild again (I haven't needed a jacket much for gardening this winter!), and growth is beginning apace.  The first crocuses (the Tommies – C. tommasinianus ‘Whtewell Purple’ – and the little group of C. angustifolius by the drive) are in flower, as well as some of the later ones in shadier spots, and the violets are starting to bloom.  I noticed that the purple primula outside at the base of the signpost is also out; I always forget about it until it blooms.  The snowdrops, even the species G. nivalis (which are always the last to flower here) are in full flower and making a fine show; and I’m pleased to see that the ones I planted under the hedge across the lane – a spot of guerrilla gardening – are doing well.  The daffodils are in bud, especially the miniatures in the patio tubs; we might have daffs for St David's Day this year.

Today I managed some tidying up.  The Mahonia ‘Winter Sun’ had to be deadheaded (a rather prickly job, but worth the trouble), the peony had its dead stems removed to the compost bin (the little red shoots of this year’s growth are already pushing through), and the Epimedium sulphureum, now rather wide-spreading, had its old leaves cut away to reveal the new flower spikes beneath.  I think it probably needs dividing, as the flowers are mostly round the edges of the clump.  That enabled me to prune the rose that grows through it (R. alba ‘Koenigin von Daenemark’).  A couple of brambles that were where they shouldn’t have been were also pulled up; I’m not sure whether I removed the roots or not, but at least it will have done something to weaken the plants.

Progress in the greenhouse: the first signs of germination in the sweet pea pots.

On the less windy days, the birds have been very lively, getting ready for spring.  A pair of bluetits – we have several, possibly the result of a good breeding season last year – were busily checking out the nestbox one day; it’s still too early for them to nest, but they seem to have been getting their towels down on the deckchair to claim ownership for the coming months.