NGS and other garden openings

Posted on 27th June 202221st November 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Tis the season of open gardens

What a fabulous success the Jubilee weekend was. There were village lunches, fetes and concerts. Beacons as far as one could see. But, the highlight was the open gardens.

Around us dozens opened their gates to the public. Many for the first time. It was wonderful to be able to see these hidden gems.

Simply stunning

Some were simply stunning. Beautifully manicured with no sign of a weed or mildew. Others had aphids, slugs and black spot. It didn’t matter. This was a chance to peek over the garden walls and delight in the flowers and vegetables that were on display.

Fabulous lupins

It was wonderful to see so many lupins. One garden had ranks of Persian Slipper, Rachel de Thame and Blossom. The pastel shades of blue and pink really complemented each other. In a tiny cottage garden I spotted a magnificent red display consisting of Beefeater, Red Rum and Towering Inferno.

Elsewhere I saw Terracotta, Salmon Star and Masterpiece. It was great to see so many gorgeous lupins on my visits.

Other gems

Other gems in the open gardens included geraniums, astrantia and geums.

Tallest ever echiums

There were also the tallest echiums I have ever seen. They must have been well over three metres high. Their blue and pink spires were absolutely covered in bees. Truly magnificent.

As well as the flowers I enjoyed looking at people’s vegetable plots. I was reassured to see that my spinach was not the only one to have bolted.

Enjoying the warm days

It has been lovely to have some warm days. I do like sitting outside. First thing in the morning I take my tea out to a peaceful corner of the garden. I sit there watching the blue tits harvesting greenfly from my roses. Feeding their broods is a never-ending job. It might not be efficient as using chemicals but it is much better for all concerned.

I love the smell of early morning. The sweet perfume of lonicera wakens my senses. I have Simonet and Tellmanniana both of which are delightful.

Mid-morning coffee

If I get a chance I’ll have a coffee under the pergola mid-morning. It is currently draped in clematis flowers. The light-purple of Amethyst Beauty complements the deep pink of Barbara Harrington.

In the evening I might have a cheeky glass of wine in the sun.

Lovely country wedding

Last weekend I helped a bride decorate the church with flowers. She had grown them all herself. There were enormous creamy-white ammi. Beautiful cornflowers provided splashes of blue and purple colour. Glorious sweet peas gave a heavenly scent. The only things missing were lupins. But then I would say that!

Gardening tips

Feed tubs and hanging baskets regularly. Stake tall plants to prevent wind and rain damage. Plant out annuals and summer bedding. Start sowing seeds for next year’s flowers.

#gardens #flowers #warm #lupins #geranium #clematis #lonicera #echium #astrantia #geums

Platinum Jubilee flowers

Posted on 24th May 202221st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Celebrate the Jubilee with flowers

At the beginning of June the nation will be celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I can think of no better way of celebrating than with flowers.

We’re celebrating the Jubilee here with an Open Day at the nursery on Friday, June 10th. Come and see us between 10am and 3.30pm. The lupins will be in full bloom and there will be lots of plants for you to buy.

Flower festivals

Up and down the country there will be flower festivals to mark the Jubilee. There’s one near here and I have the porch to decorate.

Good colour scheme

I’m quite lucky with the colour scheme. We have been told we can use any colours associated with the Queen for inspiration, I could go with silver and purple to complement the Platinum Jubilee bunting I have bought. Or, red, white and blue would reflect the national flag. If I don’t fancy those I could choose any of Her Majesty’s gorgeous colourful outfits for inspiration.

I think I will aim for a little bit of everything.

Lupins are the best

The best flowers for the festival are definitely lupins. For purple I can choose between Blacksmith, King Canute and Shirley Anne. Silver is more difficult but I could always pop a Cashmere Cream in the mix.

Red, white and blue is easy. Red Rum and Tequila Flame for the reds. Snow Queen and Polar Princess for the whites. And Persian Slipper for the blues.

I liked the bright yellow outfit the Queen was wearing for her trip on the Elizabeth Line. Desert Sun is the perfect match.

Need other flowers too

However tempting I can’t just use lupins. I will be turning to Geranium Orion for purple. Deschampsia caespitosa Golden Dew for silver.

Phlox divaricata Chattahoochee has bright blue flowers with a red centre. Imperata cylindrica Rubra will provide more red and give some structure to my display. There will be blue from the salvias, especially Cacaliifolia and Black and Blue.

Hopefully with all these at my disposal I will be able to make a suitable arrangement.

Thank you for the rain

The recent rain has been welcome. Everything was getting very thirsty. The rain has encouraged many plants to bloom including geums.

Geum Poco is a riot of golden yellow flowers.

Gardening tips – Cut back the foliage of flowering bulbs if it has completely died down. Plant summer bedding, including astrantia for colourful displays through to autumn. Keep tender seedlings and young plants watered. Keep an eye out for #colour #lupins #flowers #plants ##dierama #phlox #geum #salvias #geraniums

Maytime

Posted on 1st May 202222nd November 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Don’t be fooled

Don’t be fooled by Easter’s warm weather. My neighbour was. She planted out all sorts of tender flowers. Sadly, they have been hit by the colder temperatures and most of them have died. Here we have had late frosts. I try to stick with the old rule ‘ne’er cast a clout til May is out’. I’m usually itching to plant out at the beginning of April but I bide my time.

Salvia Caradonna – one of the few hardy Salvias

Garden centre are full of colourful annuals

Garden centres and nurseries might be full of colourful annuals. But they will still need protecting for a couple of weeks yet.

If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame you can put your more tender plants in there. My greenhouse is full of young seedlings. I have lupins, geraniums and dieramas. They are all growing nicely and I will plant them out soon. I have grown some lupins from seed

Glorious year for blossom

The garden is springing back into life. It has been a glorious year for blossom. The apples, cherries and plums have put on a magnificent display. It was a different tale for the magnolias though. They were hit by the frosts and their gorgeous blooms all turned brown.

Showy clematis

Clematis are putting on a good show. Amethyst Beauty lives up to its name. It has light purple flowers which often change to a deeper purple as they mature. It looks as if it is a multi-coloured flowering clematis which adds interest to the garden.

Clematis Armandi is one of my favourites. It is covered in highly scented creamy-white flowers. The bees love it too.

Another fragrant white flower is Phlox May Breeze. If you want a more colourful phlox try Chattahoochee. It has bright blue flowers with a red eye.

Preparation, preparation, preparation

I spent Easter getting my garden ready for planting. My vegetable patch had been invaded by moss. A sure sign that it is waterlogged and the soil is compacted. I’ve taken all the moss out by hand but this autumn I need to dig lots more compost into the patch. I might invest in some sand and grit to aid the drainage too. If you want good results you need to prepare properly.

Gunnera manicata – a great moisture lover

We could do with some rain

It has been lovely out in the garden. Warm weather although the wind has been cold. But, we could do with some rain. We have had a very dry winter and spring.

First wild ducklings

For the first time in the 30 years I have been here a wild mallard successfully hatched eight ducklings on my pond. They were so cute. Unfortunately I wasn’t the only one to think so. Magpies decided they made a tasty snack. By day two we were down to five. By day three there was just one following Mum around. Now they have all gone. There is a chance she might lay a second clutch. I hope she does.

Gardening tips Dead head spring bulbs once they have stopped flowering but do not cut back their leaves. Harden off tender plants. Water seedlings daily. Once the danger of frost is over transplant vegetables and flowers from the cold frame or greenhouse into their final spots in the garden.

#warm #flowers #lupins #geranium #dierama #clematis #phlox #planting #dry #seed

Ukraine

Posted on 25th March 202221st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

This month I have been thinking of Ukraine

As the tragedy in Ukraine continues to unfold I have decided to show my support by making my garden a riot of yellow and blue.

Yellow and blue are definitely this year’s colours

Yellow flowers I can already see from my window include narcissus, crocuses, forsythia and primroses. In the lane we have aconites and wild daffodils.

Bluebell leaves are slowly emerging and soon my garden will be even more of an azure carpet.

Make your own Ukrainian flag

An easy way to replicate the Ukrainian flag is to use an iris. Their simple two-tone yellow and blue is nature’s perfect statement of support.

Keep the yellow and blue summer scheme through to autumn

I am planning to keep my colourful homage right through to autumn.

One of the easiest ways to do so is to use lupins. I have planted King Canute, Melody and Persian Slipper for the blues. They are next to the yellow Arboreus and Desert Sun. Once they are flowering they will make a very bold statement.

Plant yellows next to blues

Elsewhere I have teamed geums Lissane and Poco with Geranium Rosanne will complement epimedium Grandiflorum.

Other yellows I will plant include Sisyrinchium arenarium, Campsis Radicans Flava and amongst the blues will be Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost, Orthrosanthus laxus and Eryngium.

Offering support

Locally everyone is rallying round to support the Ukrainian people. We have filled lorries with clothes, medicines and food. Neighbours have been knitting comfort bears for children. We have attended concerts and been reduced to tears by the melodic folk singing of Ukrainian refugees. We are opening our homes and doing whatever we can.

Spring is here

Away from Ukraine nature is carrying on as normal. Spring is definitely here. There are bright green shoots on the clematis. Big fat bumble bees are gorging themselves on fresh pollen on the cherry trees. And everywhere I look birds are collecting nesting materials. The days are warmer and longer.

At night and sometimes in the day I can hear a solitary tawny owl calling for a mate. Clear twoo sounds but so far no answering kee-wick from a female. He’s not giving up and I am sure he will find one soon.

Greenhouse is full

My greenhouse is full of seed trays. The first vegetables are popping up and the ground will soon be warm enough to sow carrots, parsnips and spinach. It seems very strange that my life is following its normal pattern while just a short distance away life is anything but normal.

I pray for a peaceful and swift end to the war in Ukraine.

Gardening tips

Water plants which have been dormant in the greenhouse over winter to stimulate new growth. Give the grass a first cut if you haven’t already done so, but keep the blades high. Sow vegetable and annual seeds in your greenhouse. Plant new perennials for spring and summer colour.

#clematis #geum #lupins #daffodils #colour #spring #garden #flowers #narcissus #geranium #epimedium #sisyrinchium #campsis #brunnera #eryngium

Storms

Posted on 21st February 202227th October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Storm Eunice was a force to be reckoned with

Well, Storm Eunice definitely made her presence felt.

The day had hardly begun before she ripped one of our polytunnels. It was absolutely heartbreaking to see the damage she caused.

All our hard work destroyed in seconds by Mother Nature. However, no-one was hurt. Plants might have been decimated but they can be regrown.

Falling trees

My neighbour lost seven trees. Luckily, they all fell into her garden and field and didn’t block the road. As her husband observed it is much easier to chop them up when they have already been felled by the wind.

Garden is perking up

Thankfully Storm Eunice has blown herself out and the garden is beginning to perk up. The grass is growing. Birds are active and spring is on its way.

Spring bulbs are in full bloom

Spring bulbs are in full bloom. I have a completely new patch of crocuses under an ash tree. I didn’t plant them and I have no idea how they got there. The snowdrops were late to the party but they’re here now. I love their delicate white and green heads. Nature’s milkmaids.

Narcissus are out. I adore the early varieties which have such a sweet scent.

Cyclamen is also blooming. Cheery deep pinks and reds. Such a welcome sight.

Plan for summer

It is time to plan your summer planning. With the right research you can have colour right though until late autumn. Our catalogue is a good place to start.

I’m going to plant geums for some early summer colour. Top of my list is Scarlet Tempest. They are both delicious reds and guaranteed to cheer up my garden.

If you are keen on more red flowers consider planning Clematis Avante Guarde. It has double red flowers with unusual pale pink centres.

I will also plant Hemerocallis Frans Hals. It has deep apricot yellow flowers which should bloom from July to September.

Scillas will give me some lovely blue blooms in June. As will Thalictrum Black Stockings which has wonderful, fluffy lavender blue flowers.

Another blue flower to consider is Agapanthus Big Blue. It has striking large white and blue blooms.

For purples take a look at Dierama Blackberry Bells. The flowers are a deep, purple maroon.

If that’s too much colour

If all this colour is too much I recommend Dierama Guinevere. It has rare lovely white flowers with a delicate pink tinge.

Of course, no garden would be complete without lupins. Manhattan Lights, Masterpiece and Red Rum will all give some lovely summer colour.

No shows in 2022

We are giving the shows a miss this year. It was a hard decision to take because I do like meeting customers face to face. But they take a lot of organisation and planning and after the last two years we felt we needed a rest.

Gardening tips

If you didn’t clean your greenhouse last autumn do it now ready for this year’s planting. Start watering plants which have been dormant in the greenhouse over winter, to stimulate new growth. Watch out for tips of new plants emerging when you are weeding. Try to avoid walking on saturated lawns.

#gardens #bulbs #spring #cyclamen #lupins #narcissus #summer #flowers #plants #trees #catalogue #geum #clematis #hemerocallis #scilla #thalictrum #agapanthus #dierama

Chilly days

Posted on 25th January 202221st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

First time greenhouse owner

My neighbour has bought her first greenhouse. She’s 64 and has waited a long time for her mock Victorian glass room with its finials and luscious creamy finish. It has been worth the wait. It is a really lovely greenhouse. I’m helping her fill it.

Time to sow seeds

She’s never had the luxury of sowing seeds in January before so we are having lots of fun trying things out.

Salvias and Guara can all be sown from seed

So far, we have sown gaura, and salvias.

Gauras are bee magnets

We have also sown two varieties of gaura. The Bride is a gorgeous white whilst Belleza is a rich cerise pink. Both are bee magnets.

We’ve stuck with blue with the Black and Blue salvia too.

Collect your own seeds

I’ve also given my neighbour some sweet pea plants which I planted from seed collected last summer. They had a real growth spurt during the warm sunny weather a few weeks ago and I thought they might burn themselves out. Luckily the recent frosts have slowed them down. One of the joys of growing flowers from seeds you have collected is you are never quite sure what you are going to get when they bloom. It is very exciting, and I can’t wait to see what comes up.

Nearly time for lupins

In a couple of weeks we will be sowing lupins from seed. Lupins don’t come true from seed so we have a mixed packet which should give us a nice variety of colours. If you want a particular colour or variety such as Red Rum or Manhattan Lights you need to buy plants.

Signs of spring

There are signs of spring all over the garden. Daffodil tips are poking through the grass and borders. One optimistic camellia already has a solitary gorgeous deep pink flower and the rest of the buds are fattening up.

Out on the vegetable patch I am still harvesting sprouts and parsnips. But I am already looking forward to summer pickings. My garlic and onions are in. So far the birds have only pulled out a couple of the onions. I check them every morning to see what damage has been done. It is still too early to put most other vegetables in the ground. But, my potatoes are chitting. It won’t be long before spring is well and truly here.

Gardening tips

Sow garlic and onions for late summer harvesting; start sowing summer annual seeds under glass; clean greenhouse windows; use our catalogue to plan purchases for next summer; don’t walk on frosty grass or you will damage it.

#spring #sunny #warm #daffodils #winter #colour #gaura #salvias #lupins

2021 over and out

Posted on 23rd December 202121st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Glad to be rid of 2021

A year ago I thought 2021 couldn’t be any worse than 2020. How wrong I was. Covid, the bug that never gives up continued to disappoint.

One by one my friends and family have been pinged, isolated and cancelled. Events which were postponed for a year have been put off for another 12 months.

Still I will not be pessimistic. I am determined 2022 will be better.

New Year’s Resolutions

I have made some New Year’s Resolutions. Usually I don’t bother but I feel I should start January as I mean to go on.

Resolution number 1

Don’t put off things which need to be done. If there was a prize for procrastination I would win it every time. I have a ‘to do’ list and it is disappointing to see some tasks appear on it for the third year in succession. My motto will be ‘just do it now’. Like paddleboarding!

The first thing I will do is sit down with my Westcountry Nurseries catalogue and plan what to plant in my garden. I definitely want some new plants.

Resolution number 2

Grow my own. I don’t just mean runner beans and courgettes. I want to collect more of my own seeds and grown my own plants from cuttings. I have made a start on the seed collection. Last autumn I carefully shook seed heads of my astrantias and placed them in envelopes. They are now in my seed tin ready for sowing. Florence is unusual as it has lavender pink flowers. The butterflies love it.

In the spring I will take cuttings of Campsis radicans ‘Flamenco’. It is a good climber which has brilliant red flowers from July to September.

Resolution number 3

Be bolder with colour. Throughout lockdowns and covid isolation I have found joy in my garden. The plants have kept me grounded. I will now experiment more with colours to bring even more joy. I am looking at geraniums. Plenum has gorgeous double purple flowers.

The best providers of colour are lupins. Masterpiece is a rich purple. Red Rum a superb rose red. And, Manhattan Lights is purple and yellow. Whatever colour you are after there is a lupin for you.

Resolution number 4

Keep on top of weeds and pests. I always try to do this but rarely succeed. 2022 will be different.

Resolution number 5

No more peat based compost. I have nearly given up peat based compost but sometimes, especially with supply chain shortages it has been hard to get an eco-alternative. This year I shall be more organised and ensure I always have plenty in stock.

Gardening tips

Water overwintering pots in the greenhouse once a week. Plan next summer’s purchases with our 2021 catalogue. Rake up any fallen leaves. Keep an eye out for the tips of bulbs which will soon be emerging.

#catalogue #newplants #seeds #astrantia #colour #geranium #bulbs #cuttings

Freedom..

Posted on 25th November 202121st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Hoping for a more normal Christmas

I am hoping for a more normal Christmas this year. Last year’s lockdown was terribly disappointing and frustrating.

Let’s hope we can meet up, go to the pub and maybe even attend a party.

Plants make the best gifts

Christmas is a time for giving. Sometimes though it can be very difficult to find something which people need and want. One way round this is to give plants.

I always try to give plants which suit the recipients’ gardens. And, I love receiving plants in return.

Lupins are top of the list

A nephew with a small shady garden will be getting epidemium. A niece has just moved into a new house with a walled garden. She will be receiving Campsis Radicans Flamenco which will cover some of the bare bricks. I know she will love its brilliant red flowers.

Top of the list for presents are lupins. This year some of my nearest and dearest will be receiving Masterpiece, Manhattan Lights and Red Rum.

Gift vouchers are great

For those with gardens I am not very familiar with I shall give gift vouchers. That way they can get what they want.

Ready for winter

Out in the garden I have been getting everything shipshape for winter. Perennials have been pruned. Tender plants have been placed in the greenhouses for over wintering. The vegetable patch only has sprouts and parsnips left on it. I gave the lawn a (hopefully) last cut at the beginning of November. Now I need to tackle the fallen leaves before they rot. And then it will be onto the hedging. There is always something to do, even in the coldest, darkest months.

Still some colour

There is still some colour. The hedgerows are full of berries. The philadelphus is flowering. Its delicate white blooms give off a delicious scent. The Clematis urophylla ‘Winter Beauty’ is also flowering profusely. Its small nodding white bell-shaped flowers should keep doing from now until March.

There is also cyclamen. Hederifolium ‘Album’ is pure white. I

No more virtual events

In the village things are getting back to normal. We have a proper Christmas Fayre rather than a virtual one to look forward to. The Christmas nativity will be performed inside in front of an audience. Last year it was a walkthrough version in the churchyard. It was very cold. The carol singers will also be out and about. But they won’t be knocking on doors. Instead they will sing at pre-arranged outdoor venues.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Gardening tips – Open greenhouse doors on dry days to encourage air circulation. Continue to rake up leaves and store to provide a free mulch for next year. Order seeds and plants for next year.

#Christmas #gifts #vouchers #pruning #winter #colour #gardens #cyclamen #clematis #lupins #plants #epidmedium #campsis

Autumnal tints

Posted on 27th October 202121st October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Autumn has arrived

Autumn has well and truly arrived. The mornings are colder. The evenings are darker. And there is a damp, dankness in the air.

Some blooms are manfully trying to carry on. The dahlias, salvias and roses are still flowering. But most have given up. Salvia Black and Blue is a joyous exception. As are the trumpet vines. The orange flowers of ‘Madame Galen’ AGM are gorgeous. It is a great climber which adds height to the garden.

Welcome rain

The rain is welcome. We had a particularly dry summer. Although I like the lack of rain, my garden doesn’t. It is now having a good drink. The grass is still growing and each time I think I have given it the last cut of the year it puts on another spurt.

When I’m not mowing the grass I am spending my time clearing up. At the moment I am busy trying to harvest the last of the indoor chillies, peppers and tomatoes. This will enable me to give the greenhouses a good clean before moving new stuff in from outside. The hanging baskets are still flowering but the first frost will knock them back. Likewise the geraniums. I need to protect these tender plants if they are to have a chance to making it through the winter.

Good to think about spring

Every garden needs lupins. They come in so many colours and shades. There is one to suit everyone. One of the more unusual ones is Lupinus chamissonis. It is a dwarf variety with silvery leaves and claret and blue flowers.

One of the best lupins is Masterpiece. Its purple blooms with orange specks are magnificent. Every garden should have at least one Masterpiece.

As the colour in the garden fades I take comfort from the structure of grasses and the greenery of my ferns. I love the way the grasses move in the wind. At this time of year many of the ferns have turned golden. They provide a haven for wildlife, and I find the different shades of green very calming. Dryopteris filix mas ‘Barnesii’ is very neat. It goes well with Dryopteris filix mas ‘Crispa Cristata’

Wild flower project

Over the last few weeks I have been adding to the wildflowers in our lane. It is something I started a few years ago. I began small. Just a few native bluebells. But gradually I have added more and more. This year I have planted wood anemones, cyclamen and fritillaries. I can’t wait to see what they look like in the spring.

Gardening tips – Take advantage of dry days to give your lawn a last cut (hopefully!) but remember to raise the blades. Prune hedges. Lift tender bulbs and plants and put them in a frost-free area for the winter. Mulch dormant perennials. Prune roses. Dig over vegetable plots.

#lupin #cyclamen #perennials #trumpetvine #autumn #salvia

#grasses #ferns #geranium #dry #spring #anemones

Autumn Chelsea

Posted on 27th September 202127th October 2022 by WestcountryNurseries

Plenty of colour in the garden

There’s still plenty of colour in the garden. My flowers have all benefited from the recent sun. Roses which I thought were over have sent out new buds. The dahlias are magnificent and will remain so until the first frost. After a miserable August, September has been a fabulous month.

Asters in full bloom

The asters are still in full bloom. My Monch have been seething with flowers all summer and they show no sign of stopping. Their beautiful lavender blue blooms are covered in bees and butterflies. I get a buzz from all the buzzing every time I walk past them.

Late summer show from the dierama

The dierama are also putting on a late summer show. The blooms wave in the wind like fairy wands. They have taken over from the pulcherrimum which are beginning to die down. However, there are still enough of their pink fishing rod flowers to add a dash of colour and movement in the garden.

Another plant which blooms into autumn is the salvia. Confertiflora has unusual velvety red flowers well into November. It contrasts well against the sky blue Uliginosa. Black and Blue is also providing some very welcome colour.

Start thinking about winter

Despite the warm weather and the colourful flowers I need to start thinking about winter. I have been digging up annuals which are past their best. My pruning shears have been sharpened ready for some serious cutting back.

The greenhouse is still full of tomatoes, peppers and chillies. I will soon need to take them out to provide space for pots which need over-wintering away from the dangers of frost.

Welcome spring visitor

I have a very unseasonal flower. A narcissus which has been dormant in an outdoor pot all summer has decided to bloom. It might be six months early but it is very welcome.

It has reminded me that now is the time to plant bulbs for next spring.

Mixed emotions for Chelsea

I enjoyed watching the Chelsea Flower Show on television. It was good to see it going ahead although I was sad not to be there. It has been a very difficult two years for everyone who grows plants for a living. But, fingers crossed, next year will be better. My lupins will be back where they belong.

Gardening tips – If it is dry enough mow the lawn. You never know when it will be too wet to mow until next spring. Plant bulbs including snowdrops, crocus and daffodils. Keep dead heading flowers to prolong displays. Water pots sparingly. Remove dead and dying foliage. Bring tender plants into the greenhouse or a cold frame to overwinter.

#autumn #bulbs #summer #lupins #dierama #salvia #winter #annuals