Friday 25th October 2013

Still mild and it did not rain! The group pricked out some of the seedlings of hardy annuals which had germinated in the greenhouse, but mostly we planted masses of bulbs in pots. Including ‘spring bulb lasagne’, layers of bulbs in large, deep pots. (Instructions from Sarah Raven: How to plant bulb lasagne).

Ammi majus

The light levels are dropping and it will be cold soon. Bridge reminded us of things to do now:

Last chance before spring to sow hardy annuals e.g. nigella, ammi, calendula, sweet peas, larkspur, orlaya, cornflower, corncockle, ratibia, in cold frame or cold greenhouse for a bit of protection against weather. Helps to grow them hard so that they develop slowly but strongly. Sow ammi majus in modules so that tap root is not disturbed by pricking out. Plant out in open beds in March.

Sow hardy broad beans – Aquadulce Claudia variety – in pots or direct in ground. This gives an earlier crop and helps avoid black-fly.

Plants over-wintering Japanese onion sets in ground, leaving the tips above the earth. Or can plant in modules to get root system established, and plant in ground a month later.

Plant garlic individual bulbs 2.5 inches deep in open beds.

Plant bulbs in beds and pots – daffodils, crocus, iris etc but tulips can wait until it is colder. In pots set bulbs close together but not touching to avoid disease.

Plant indoor narcissi like ‘Paperwhite’ in containers (no drainage holes needed) in pure grit. Water sparingly and stand in the light, turning every day so that they grow up straight. Flower in approximately 6 weeks. Can continue planting up until February for extended display if bulbs stay firm and healthy.

Plant Ident:

Shrubs and trees bearing berries:

Pyracantha varieties (very thorny) - prune in April back to 2 buds. Red or yellow berries.

Cotoneaster (not thorny) deciduous or evergreen small trees and shrubs e.g. C. franchetti with orange berries, C. rothschildianus with yellow berries makes a good specimen tree, C. watereri has red berries and is evergreen.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) known as May, has small spines. Good for windswept gardens. White, pink or red flowers in May. Lots of varieties available from Notcutts Nurseries. Berries can be used in cooking.

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) known as Sloe. Has big spines. Flowers very early on bare wood. Can be used for sloe gin; put berries in freezer for 24 hours to soften.

Viburnum opulus known as Guelder Rose, frequently seen growing wild on the South Downs. White flowers, red hanging berries resembling redcurrants. Also worth growing: Viburnum tinus, V. davidii, v. rhytidophyllum. All love chalk.

Euonymus europaeus – has striking and vivid orange and pink split fruit in autumn. Bushes get very big but there is a more compact variety.

Common Privet has quite big black berries if left unpruned.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) has silvery grey foliage and orange berries. Very tough shrub for windy/coastal sites. Berries can be used for jam.

Stag’s Horn Sumach (Rhus typhina). Good autumn leaf colour and red velvety fruits. Suckering small tree. Rhus ‘Laciniata’ has dissected leaves and is less invasive.

 

Euonymus europaeus

Viburnum opulus

Sea Buckthorn