Friday 7th February 2014

We discussed plans for the future charity day at the Garden House on 13th July and also the Garden Gadabout weekends in June.

Plant identification:

• Helleborus orientalis, hellebores have pretty nodding cup shaped  flowers. They are excellent in woodland or in shaded areas and are good for under planting. They can be planted in raised beds so that the flowers can be seen more clearly. They grow well in chalk. They require little care apart from cutting back old leaves, they do self seed and can be divided when the plants are mature.
  
  
  

• Hamamelis (witch hazel) is a group of five or six species of deciduous shrubs grown for their spider-like, fragrant, frost-resistant winter flowers and autumn leaf colour. They require moderately fertile but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. They don't like chalk so could be grown in pots. Pruning requirements are minimal, they just  need  any crossing shoots removing in late winter/early spring to maintain a healthy framework. Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida' is a large deciduous shrub or tree with fruitily scented yellow flowers. Nymans is a good place to go to see witch hazels.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida'

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'

• Salix acutifolia 'Blue Streak' is a large deciduous shrub with a bluish - white bloom on the stems and narrow, dark green leaves. Slender silvery catkins to 5cm in length. It can grow to 5m and enjoys damp or wet soils in full sun or dappled shade. It is often pollarded and can be propagated by hard wood cuttings in winter.
  
• Arum italicum 'Marmoratum' - a tuberous perennial with arrow shaped mid green veined leaves, long lasting from winter to late spring. It has spikes of red or orange berries and is best in semi shade. The leaves are often used in flower arranging.
  

Activities in the garden this week:

• putting slates in the alpine sinks to divide up the planting areas
• gritting up the pots containing the witch hazels
• sorting out area behind the shed where all the stakes and poles are kept
• starting work on building the structure for a stick house using hazel poles in the top garden
• apple tree pruning
• clearing beds and planting hellebores and pulmonaria

Pulmonaria