FESTIVE SPROUTS OF A DIFFERENT VARIETY
But, it is still worth a wander around the garden if only to assess what needs to be done before the hectic spring arrives. And it can be an interesting experience to see the first signs of snowdrops and other bulbs nudging through the surface of the soil already. There is some growth this month as the silvery marbled leaves of Arum Italicum spear their way above other decaying plants and Buddleias seem to be studded with young silver growth ready for next year.
One or two Viburnum varieties send a heady scent through the chilly air with their pale pink blossom which continues intermittently throughout the winter. The sprays of golden yellow Mahonias also sweeten the winter air. And while you are out in the garden, look out for berries and sprigs of conifers and pines to make Christmas decorations with.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Why not a green one?
IF YOU are fed up with the usual decorations, then how about making some from nature’s bounty?
1. Add sprigs of holly to bowls of fruits and nuts.
2. Ornamental squashes and gourds look superb on a mantel piece.
3. Spray pine-cones and dried Allium flowers silver and tie them to Christmas tree branches with thin cotton.
4. Wreaths can be made with holly sprigs and berries, combined with rosehips, silver juniper twigs, silver birch twigs and for exotica, chillies, lemons and aubergines.
5. Clear dishes of water with floating candles can accommodate upturned flowers of Lilies and Hellebores.
DECIDUOUS trees really come into their own during the winter, mainly because of their stature and stark tracery. Some varieties also display some striking colour in their bark and stems. Here are some recommended varieties (if you have a large garden):
Betula utilis xJacquemontii - These have bright white bark and their mid-green summer leaves, which turn clear yellow in autumn, are scented. These grow to 40ft x 20ft.
Salix ‘Chrysocoma’ - This has yellow weeping, curtain-like shoots. The yellowish-spring leaves mature to mid-green. Like all willows, it will thrive in a moist, or even, wet soil. These grow to 30ft x 20ft.
Salix alba x vitellina - This willow has bright orange and yellow weeping stems which look very warming against frost or snow. The best stems are promoted by hard pruning in March every year. These also reach 30ft x 20ft.
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ - These have contorted tapering leaves which fall in the fall, revealing twisted, sometimes even corkscrew-like, stems. This grows to 30ft in height, but width-wise, it does not demand any extra room in an average-sized garden.
Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ (Rosebud cherry) - This produces semi-double white flowers, which are preceded by pink buds during mild spells in late autumn, winter and spring. This reaches 20ft at the most.
It’ll be sum border to be proud of
IF YOU have an average sized border of 100 sq ft, (eg 25ft x 4ft or 10ft x 10ft) that you are unsure what to do with, why not create a beautiful summer border jam-packed with perennials and bulbs?
Assuming this is a rather traditional herbaceous border, the taller plants should be situated at the back with an occasional group coming forwards and the medium and small plants positioned in groups appropriately towards the front of the border.
Taking into account the 100 sq ft border, here is a suggested list of approximate quantities of each varieties and their heights, along with planting distances and bulb planting depths. Eremurus, also known as Foxtail Lilies, produce exotic spikes of bloom reaching around 4 to 5ft and can be planted at the back of a border in groups of seven. Hollyhocks are invaluable and are best suited to the back of the border as they can grow to a height of 6 to 8ft. Delphiniums are an absolute must and can be accommodated well in bold groups of fives or sevens. Their spires of bloom can easily reach 6ft or so in good growing conditions. Liatris usually reach 3ft and are suited to the middle of the border. Planted in groups, of ten or 12, they make a good statement with their fluffy mauve flowerheads. They are usually available as dry corms and like to be planted in a sandy mixture of soil.
With all these spikes about, cultivated varieties of Foxgloves add some fluid height to the middle of the border and should reach anywhere between 2 and 8ft in height. Alliums look superb when planted in clusters of five or ten and their firework orbs provide some drama to the border whilst maintaining a somewhat rounded mellow purple mood. The boldest types to choose are Christophii and Schubertii.
For the front of the border, go for Oxalis Deepii which has very large clover-like leaves with a chocolate-maroon centre and clusters of dainty pink flowers. These can be planted in groups of ten. Also, reaching a height of around 1ft, Dutch Iris are indispensable and extremely colourful with all shades of blue, purple and yellow above attractive, very sparse, grass-shaped leaves. Finally, this type of border would be most wonderfully set off by some dwarf English or French Lavenders.
Tovey's Tips
• Excessive leaf fall on borders is best removed to save rotting crowns of herbaceous perennials. Put all leaves to good use by composting them.
• It’s certainly not too late to plant spring bulbs and many are offered at much reduced prices at garden centres.
• Herbaceous perennials that do not produce attractive seed-heads are bound to be looking pretty awful and should be cut back, close to ground level. If they have become congested, they can be lifted and divided in the usual way.
• Now is the time to create a new vegetable garden by merely double-digging the soil. Watch out for a month-by-month guide to veg growing, including crop rotation, in 2005.
• Step-over apple trees can be planted as edging around a fruit and veg garden. These are perfect if you haven’t got enough room for a fully-grown apple tree.
Take a walk on the mild side
DECEMBER will start very much on the mild side with a little rain around, turning colder during the second week with night frosts. Some wet and windy weather should then arrive around mid-month, followed by much colder weather with potential snow falls in the run up to Christmas. This could be a December, or should that be Christmas, to watch closely...
Let’s go nuts in 2005!!!!
IN JANUARY we discover more deciduous trees and how to create bonsai from similar species.
Left-over Christmas nuts can be germinated and grown into charming houseplants which will brighten up the after-festive lull.
It is also a good time to start seeds of sub-tropical plants indoors for your summer borders.
See you next month!
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