Search is on for red devils...
An urban oasis in Twickenham combining trees, shrubs and general planting with a variety of pondlife and wildlife.
I’ve done all the spring pruning in the garden. The forsythia has had a severe chop with all crossing branches and dead twigs removed, so there’ll be a good display of sulphuryellow flowers next year.
Photinia ‘Red Robin’, in full bloom for spring, produced creamy flowers so large they looked like flower posies, and they attracted numerous insects.
My first lily beetle sighting was in mid-April. I’m now inspecting my lilies daily so they don’t get destroyed by these red devils! Butterflies, including orange tip, small tortoiseshell and brimstone, have all been spotted in the garden since the beginning of May. Swifts, screeching overhead, herald the arrival of summer.
At the end of the garden
against trellises, I’ve planted four types of clematis: ‘Arabella’, ‘Polish Spirit’, ‘Girenas’ and ‘Proteus’. I bend the stems into the soil as I plant them so that adventitious roots are produced which help to stabilise the plant. They also like to have their roots in the cool. I’m looking forward to a vertical riot of colour!
French lavender ‘Papillon’, planted in a pot on the steps,
wafts its delicious aroma and provides a good splash of colour.
Plenty of rhubarb is being harvested on the allotment. Sowings of lettuce ‘Little Gem’ and some calabrese are about to be thinned out. The garlic is looking particularly healthy this year. Climbing French beans and Italian borlotti beans are
romping away, so I’m hoping for a bumper crop this year.