I have done quite a bit of my Spring cutting back in the garden, not everything is cleared away to allow for the new growth, but the majority has been. I am never quick to tidy up the old growth in the garden, I see it as a way of protecting the new growth whilst the worst of the frosts and snow are around. I also see it as a great place for hibernating insects and potential food for birds. I am also just not that tidy.
I have mentioned before that I love growing teasels. They are a good all-year plant, they have architectural growth, bee-friendly flowers and then great seed heads that stand proud all winter long. I have cleared away from from garden but the thicket in the wild garden remains and a few in the conservatory border as to be honest I like seeing them still giving the garden some height before the new spring growth really kicks in. Today I was glad I had not rushed to clear them.
I might even have been almost as glad as the goldfinches.
