Spring Gems and Woes

This year hasn’t been as successful for my spring bulbs as I had hoped.

Several small pots were knocked over, and the contents spilled out. A couple of others had the gravel topping and compost scooped out. I don’t think that’s the type of damage I can accuse the slugs and snails of carrying out.

The main suspect is the same grey squirrel that has eaten my rhododendron buds for the second year. This garden is possibly the best restaurant for local wildlife in our neighbourhood. But if I see that grey squirrel, I won’t be responsible for what I might be tempted to do.

But there’s another problem – not all bulbs planted in pots have appeared. In some cases, 50% are missing. The tops of the pots are undisturbed, and I’m left wondering if something else has been at work that has entered from beneath the pot. Perhaps covering the pots’ drainage holes with mesh might help? However, let’s get on with this week’s Six on Saturday.

Continue reading “Spring Gems and Woes”

Wishing You a Joyful Christmas

Since I arrived home from my visit to Washington I’ve had just one excursion into my soggy garden – almost afraid to find many plants ruined. Instead, the garden was slumbering gently…and displaying a few hopeful signs of plant life yet to come.

Seeing the first shoots of next year’s flowers is always exciting. Iris reticulata ‘Purple Hill’ is a bit early, but it’s reassuring to know the bulbs are alive!

Continue reading “Wishing You a Joyful Christmas”

Purple, Pink and Sunshine Yellow

Six on Saturday

Glorious purple. It’s always an exciting moment when you find little clumps of crocuses here and there in the borders. I spotted these on Friday morning just after the rain had gone off. They were new, fresh and had held up well against the awful downpours of the previous few days.

Crocus. A welcome sight in any garden.
Continue reading “Purple, Pink and Sunshine Yellow”