It’s amazing how much growth there has been in the last month. The temperatures in April have been higher than normal and there has been little, if any, rain. There is still a risk of frost so I’m not being fooled into putting tender plants out too early. Whilst everything is looking lush the ground has developed a bit of a dry crust and I worry that if it is dry this early in the year how will the garden cope if we have a dry summer. Time will tell.
Above is the main woodland border which has exploded since last month. I am really pleased with it especially as in the past it hasn’t quite lived up to the image in my mind. It just shows that you need to be patient and wait to give plants a chance to bulk up and establish. The highlights in the next month will be Solomon Seal (Polygonatum xhybridum) and False Solomon Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) whose scent I love. A couple of years ago the Solomon Seal was decimated by Solomon Sawfly and I was pleased last year when the plants reappeared and passed through the year trouble-free. They have started to spread around the border so fingers crossed this year the horrid sawfly caterpillars won’t return.
The less inspiring end of the woodland border. This is the area which was previously occupied by the Azalea which died. I have added a couple of shrubs, some foxgloves, some anemones and I am adding plants as the year progresses to try to create a longer season of interest.
The border alongside the gravel steps is beginning to fill out. I have been adding some Dianthus right up against the step edges in the hope that they will eventually spread and soften the side of the steps. The first group of pots are outside the shed and I think there is scope for something bigger and bolder there although the flat space is quite narrow – something to think about. I have also started to put out pots of things running down the steps, at the moment they are pots of bulbs going over but in the summer the pelargoniums will live here.
The view from the bottom path looking back towards the shed. The camassias are now flowering and I had forgotten how many there are in the Big Border, I suspect they are starting to bulk up. I particularly like the way they work with the Euphorbia and the Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’. I am pleased with the border so far this year as the asters are filling out and the aquilegias I added for an early summer interest seem to be doing all right.
Finally the view along the middle path which shows that the grass really needs a cut although the daisies are popular with the bees. It also demonstrates that we are poor at cutting grass which adds to the argument for removing the front lawn. The border to the right of the path is much fuller than last year and it feels better this year since I replanted it.
So there is my garden at the end of April. Any one can join in with the End of Month meme and you can use it as you wish, focussing on one year or giving us a tour – whatever works for you. Many people have found it helpful as they find it makes them look at their garden more critically. If you would like to join in all I ask is that you link to this post in your post and leave a link to your post in the comment box below so we can all find you and come for a nose.
