SIGNS OF SPRING

With all the glorious weather what to do first is the problem. I spent some time potting on plants from the terrace into bigger pots. Then when I was tired and weary I walked around the garden. My trees two Gleditsia and a Robinia Fresia are all budding. The Robinia was looking sick last year not sure if it could be the virus they are prone to or over watering as it was a newly planted tree two years ago. I have decided not to use tap water and sparingly this summer so fingers crossed. All three trees have a similar lime green colour and look wonderful. Planted in the wrong place near the greenhouse and can grow 60ft I think but not in my lifetime. Robinia seems to fair well to pruning from what I have seen in local gardens. My intention is to screen out the housing estate behind but actually I don't notice the houses as I have my head down in the plants.

I digressed there I was just going to say that when I was too tired to do any more I noticed the bindweed already a foot high and trying to get into some of my clematis. Some years back I visited Lamorna garden in St Mawes, Cornwall. A must to visit but check the opening times. I noticed some bindweed and asked the head gardener, who happened to be weeding what he would recommend. He said he just pulled it out as and when he sees it. Having tried all sorts of ways with systemic weed killer and stuffing it in bags of this, I am afraid I will follow his advice.

My first photo is of The President (rather appropriate don't you think) look at the rampant success so far (I'm expecting much from it's name sake too). Mike took the hedge cutters to it last autumn before I could warn him off but thankfully no permanent harm. There is a photo of The President in the Clematis section earlier. The President grows in a Banksiae Banksiae rose a must for a large South facing wall a bit tender as it comes from China. Grows nearly as much as a Russian vine but keeps it's leaves in winter and the first rose to flower. Also takes well from cuttings and one of which festoons the front of the house by the door amongst the Wisteria.

(I have just read what I have written and had a chuckle with the possible connotations in view of G20.)

I love flowers that pop in at you through the window.

The following is a picture of an Amelanchier next to an Acer. The Amelanchier is a must it has three seasons of interest. In the spring the flowers are delightful although my photography doesn't do justice. In the summer the small red fruits, edible and taste like strawberries, attract the birds, which do such somersaults trying to get at them on the wing. Then the best of all is in the Autumn when the lovely Autumn colours compete with any Acer.

The Rhubarb is coming through nicely and Mike keeps asking why he hasn't had any to eat yet. I have to confess I still have bags from last year in the freezer, I think they will end up on the compost heap yet again. What a waste!

The last photograph is of some of my Hostas these seem to shoot before my all green ones. Yes my only non organic weakness is slug pellets. I keep thinking of a good substitute but not quite got there yet. Hostas in particular I find exciting to watch and enjoy having them in pots near the house. Helps to do slug watch there too.