Our prize wisteria is under my care!
I've just completed a very responsible job in the garden, pruning the wisteria. John normally does it, however, he’s still happily hedge laying in the orchard, so after a few minutes instruction I had to conquer my fear of both heights and ladders and get on with the pruning!
I hope I've done it correctly and that it blooms prolifically this year. It's more important than ever because the garden is open under the National Garden Scheme in mid-May, so I'd love to see the wisteria in full flower for that.
The hedge laying is going well; hopefully one more full weekend's work, then the clearing up. At the same time we're having to put new posts in to hold up the stock-proof fence round the orchard. All those put in 13 years ago have rotted off and, in fact, we discovered late on a wet Sunday afternoon that it was the hedge holding up the fence. One 50m (164ft) stretch of wire fence fell flat on the floor!
Much as we like to see and talk to the horses in the neighbouring field, we don't really want them in the orchard, so around 20 posts had to be put in and the fence stapled back up and all before we could get warm and have a cup of tea! The final task will be to put in around 100m (328ft) of rabbit wire to try and keep the orchard rabbit free.
Back in the garden, spring bulbs are looking cheerful, snowdrops now being joined by a few crocus, Iris reticulata and the first daffodils, while Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ looks and smells wonderful. I've also made a couple of willow plant supports that will be used to prop up perennials, such as the Oriental poppies and peonies.