Readers’ gardens
A family garden in Astley Burf, Worcestershire, with recently developed beds and borders.
We’ve been assessing the damage in the garden following a week of biting northerly winds, compounded by three successive frosty nights – the last of which saw plummeting temperatures.
It was interesting to see the path the cold air took through the garden, but disappointing to find some of the new foliage on acers, cercidiphyllum, cotinus, buddleia, hydrangeas and even hostas ruined by the frost. I’d remembered to fleece plants in the greenhouse and dahlias in the garden, which were just starting into growth, but I’m cross that I forgot all about the new hydrangeas and acers. It’s not all gloom, though. We’ve now had some gentle rain and warmer temperatures, and the garden’s coming back to life – there’s still plenty to enjoy and even more to do!
One of my favourite plants is geranium ‘Mary Mottram’ It has lovely white flowers and is slowly spreading around the garden. Viburnum plicatum also has white flowers and, luckily, only the tips of a few were touched by frost.
A major job I was dreading was moving our small greenhouse. We had planned to shift it (and put it off) months ago. However, I popped out briefly one morning and returned to find the plants on the drive and everything set for the move! It had to be shuffled about 90cm (3ft) to one side, luckily across concrete! It was lifted at each corner with a crowbar, pieces of wood put underneath and then gently edged across, inch by inch. It stayed in one piece, no glass was broken and I’m pleased with its new position.
To find out more about our garden, visit www. talesfrom acountrygarden. wordpress.com.