I thought I would bounce into a Six on Saturday for a little analysis of the garden in early spring (which began yesterday, on 1st March, as far as I am concerned!). What’s more, it’s a sunny morning, such a rarity that it’s worth celebrating in writing! We really have had dreary weather lately, and horrible horrible things happening in the world, it’s hard for everyone to keep their spirits up. So let’s have a little shoufti (from the Arabic, meaning ‘Did you see?’)
Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’. A climber that I bought on a whim a few years ago mainly because a friend bought one, it was March and in flower, and I felt envious! Am so glad I did though, as it loves scrambling along our sheltered old brick wall and god knows at this time of year we need promise. And those buds are ready to burst!
A new fence. We finally did it! A hideous Forsythia (sorry!) was hauled out and we put in these fence panels to hide my neighbour’s fluorescent orange shed (what was she thinking?). Now the mulling begins. A climber on the fence? A Trachelospermum jasmine? Passion flower? And a shrub to fill the gap. Another Cotinus? Or a Ceanothus? Or something else entirely? Do let me know your ideas!
Glade revamp. Things are getting messy and overcrowded in here. So a Buddleja got taken out and relocated to the allotment, and I now need to rearrange the seating (logs), and remove the tatty underlay and re-mulch.
Chaenomeles japonica (Japanese Quince). It’s a cheery bright pink against one wall of the glade.
Revamped border. More rearranging here in this herby-sunny-geraniumy little border in front of the terrace. Here I have just planted two Choisya ternata, the Mexican orange blossom shrubs with their gorgeous scented flowers in summer. They were sulking elsewhere and I thought we would enjoy them more from the terrace. The Heuchera has been removed for a haircut and will be replanted more deeply as they tend to get leggy and weird looking otherwise.
Ribes sanguineum (flowering currant). This one finally has a bit of space to breathe as last summer I relocated a few of thuggish neighbours that were smothering poor Ribes. I am slowly learning about spacing, one of the hardest parts of garden design I think. It has lovely pink flower buds that hang off it like earrings.
Hope you enjoyed this little spring snapshot. Am looking forward to catching up with my Six on Saturday blogging friends, and you can too by visiting our host Jim’s Six on Saturday page where you’ll find all the links.
Happy springtime to one and all, may your days be mostly sunny!
Spring has already clearly arrived in your garden, Sel 🙂
It all looks very beautiful and in a few weeks it will become a real paradise as an extension of your home.
Thanks Rudi, it’s definitely on its way!
Your clematis armandii is perfectly installed along this wall and is well protected from cold winds. Given the number of buds you have, the flowering will be amazing!
Regarding your new fence, yes I could add a trachelospermum jasminoides on the left, it will be easier to maintain and prune than a passion flower. And with a winter interest compared to the passiflora. Or you could add a clematis Montana.
A small creeping plant (ceanothus repens) could be added but be careful, it doesn’t like having its feet in too much humidity.
About your 2 varieties of Mexican orange tree, the one on the right grows much faster than the one on the left and risks suffocating it. You’ll have to be careful.
Thanks Fred, yes those are good reasons for a Jasmine instead of passiflora. I have enough vigorous climbers. You are probably right about the Mexican oranges- they are two different types so I thought I would see how they grow – I think they are slow growers.
Good to see your garden again and some sunshine! I’ve planted a few more of the pale yellow Coronilla Citrina (I think) – evergreen, fragrant flowers for months, fast growing, not too tall but does need a bit of tying in and a bit of sun. I’ve been tempted by a Japanese Quince too.
The Coronilla citrina is gorgeous, have admired it previously on your blog. I wonder if my soil is too heavy for it though and whether our winter cold snaps would kill it? J Quince is a very easy going wall shrub, & nice to have some colour at this time of year. The pomegranate coloured ones are my favourite.
There is promise of spring in your photos. I am anxious to see the clematis blooms.
Yes can’t wait!
I adding Clematis to my garden this year with a variety of flowering seasons, so that might be a thought for your fence?
Yes clematis would be nice there, thanks for the suggestion!
Glad you got some weather to let you do some rearranging. We have been doing some rearranging too, as the plants get bigger and space becomes a premium. We are being held back by the unusual amount of rain and as the garden colours up we are enjoying mainly it from rain-streaked windows. Amelia
I am practicing a sort of guerilla gardening: quick sorties before heavy fire from the weather starts up again! It’s prime time for rearranging.
I’m going with astronomical spring! Waiting for things to warm up a little more. I had quince in the old garden , aah fond memories. Very easy. I always love climbing roses but I have to admit I struggle to keep up with pruning. Would a philadelphus Belle Etoile work for you – such a lovely scent.
Astronomical spring seems a more popular choice judging from the blogs! You know I have been thinking of a Philadelphus and exactly that variety! But wasn’t sure if I would get the benefit of the scent from that part of the garden. Depends how strong it is!
Lovely to see your garden again, lots of changes! That clematis is bursting with buds, it will be amazing soon. Like you I need to dig up all my Heucheras and replant them, they have become very leggy now. Or maybe I’ll treat myself to some new ones.
Yes they do get leggy – when I dug some up previously I took cuttings which rioted very easily and I ended up with tons of new ones…but then those too will have to be dug up again one day!
Today’s six is an education, I never knew about “shoufti”. I look forward to seeing the clematis in full bloom, it’s going to be a stunner.
Thanks I must say I am looking forward to the clematis (and the sun!)
it really does look like spring in your garden Sel and I love all your planting choices, especially that clematis!
Thanks Cathy, that is clematis is a real star!
Thank you for the interesting article.
Am glad you enjoyed it Lana, thanks for stopping by.