End of Month View February 2014

My end of month view this February, still as it was last month, is pretty much a work in progress.  Although we were lucky here to have escaped the horrific weather other parts of the UK have experienced, when it has rained it's been pretty heavy.  Weather not conducive to me traipsing my muckle welly boots around the garden. 

End of Jan 2014

It may not look like I've done much but I'm pretty please with what I've achieved so far.  Just for comparison - here's how the area looked at the end of January.  One thing that did surprise me was just how good the soil is up here.  Despite the fact it has been under the cover of the shed for the last 7 year - it was relatively easy to dig, when it wasn't to wet that is!  I'm digging over and adding bags of soil improver as I go along.  It may not be the correct way to do things but it's making it far less a chore to do it in smaller sections like this.


On the tier to the back - Sambucus Black Lace takes centre stage and Cotinus coggygria Golden Spirit will make a lovely contrast in the corner.   Planted as fence cover is Viburnum sargentii Onondaga, Deutzia Strawberry Fields and Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky.  When I look back on last month's post - I had hoped to have the border marked out and at the very least, manouvered the stones for the edge into place.  I failed in that respect.  I'm on annual leave next week and should be able to get lots done, weather permitting that is.  The trouble with having such good weather, it leads us into a false sense of security, I keep having to remind myself we are still in Winter and things could take a turn for the worse anytime between now and May.  Please note, I am not starving the birds - the feeders are indoors having their weekly wash.



End of February 2014

As a centre piece (or what ever real gardeners call it) I've gone down the ornamental conifer route, rather than fill it out with herbaceous perennials and such likes.  My plant of choice - Abies koreana Silberlocke.  As described on one website it's "a stunning small evergreen with amazing year-long color; distinctive red cones are eye-catching in spring; needles are held in whorls which displays the prominent silver bands"  This will be taking centre stage in my next End of Month post. 

I've underplanted the Cotinus with Iris reticulata Pauline and the Sambucus with some yellow Crocus - Crocus chrysanthus Romance - pale yellow on the outside and a darker golden colour on the inside.  I've a few dwarf flowering Narcissus else where in the garden that will be moved up here at an appropriate time.  

While my work at the top end of the garden may be slow, I've been extremely busy elsewhere and although not part of my End of Month View for 2014, work on the trellis (aka Project Privacy) that will divide the entire garden is well underway.  Hampered only by the number of trellis etc. I can carry in the car at the one time!  You can see the view through the trellis - there's still lots to do!
  

This may well be only my second End of Month View post, already I am feeling encouraged to stick to my plans.  There really is nothing like knowing that others are looking in to keep you on track.  My promise to break the habit of planting first - think second has not been broken yet! Thus far I've resisted the urge to 'plonk'.  So if you feel you need a prod in the right direction - join in with this meme, kindly hosted by Helen over at The Patient Gardeners Weblog.  It's up to you how you interpret 'End of Month View' - the idea is to cover the same subject matter on the last day of each month - simples!

As usual a great big thanks for reading, your thoughts and comments truly are appreciated.