Apple Blossom – Notes From My Garden

The Crab Apple v The Wind

Published on May 6, 2023July 8, 2023 by Catherine19 Comments

The crab apple, Malus Evereste is a delight to behold every May. It’s Spring – the days are getting longer and we can finally feel warmth in the afternoon air. April winds tear through this little garden at a ferocious rate, then ease off at the beginning of May, I was happy and relieved that the old crab apple hadn’t flowered too early this year.

But the reprieve from the wind was short-lived as once again it tore through the trees, the bushes and the flowers at the start of the week. The blossom was just opening on the Malus when the grass below started to turn white. Our littlest grandson had gone into the garden to play and returned within minutes calling out, “Quick Gran, come and see this”. It’s becoming a regular cry when he discovers something new. This time he spotted the petals strewn across the grass. I stood him under the tree and shook one of the lower branches. The blossom came tumbling down on his head and he squealed with joy.

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Weekend Jobs

Published on March 7, 2023April 14, 2023 by Catherine7 Comments

It was cold last Saturday, 4C, but calm with occasional spells of sunshine that made the garden more enjoyable to work in. The garden is undergoing a bit of a change, through necessity, and at the moment it’s not the prettiest of places. However, the winter gloom has given way to signs of spring as the borders turn green with emerging perennials and a few little splashes of cheerful colour here and there courtesy of spring bulbs and hellebores.

I’m longing for the day when the sun streams in my bedroom window early in the morning and I can hear the birds chirping outside. It’s always motivation to get up and get started with whatever happens to be on the agenda.

But back to the jobs that husband & I managed to tick off the list last Saturday. Two hydrangeas were lifted and replanted elsewhere. Six Hellebores were also dug up and moved to a shadier bed. Various perennials were replanted or moved from one area to another, and a new Exochorda ‘Niagara’ was planted. I’d love to think it would be covered in masses of flowers this spring, but I think it’s too young for that, so I’ll appreciate whatever flowers it offers up.

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Six on Saturday 2020 08-05

Published on May 9, 2020May 30, 2020 by Catherine33 Comments

There’s been a lull in gardening activities this week, we’ve reached a sort of in-between stage. The seedlings are in the greenhouse, not yet ready to venture outside, and the final few half-size trays hold seedlings that are still too small to pot on. It’s too early to plant out the tender plants, the garden is mostly weed-free (that won’t last long), and it’s mostly just watering and feeding to attend to for the moment.

Right now it’s late Friday afternoon and I’m sitting Continue reading “Six on Saturday 2020 08-05” →