Over the FENCE
Delights of Mother Nature
There have been severe cold spells here on the south coast. Temperatures in the heated greenhouse have dropped more this year than in previous ones, requiring me to put an additional domestic fan heater in there to boost temperatures several times a day. Fingers crossed everything will survive.
In the garden, some flowers never cease to amaze me, despite the heavy frosts. I’ve several osteospermum still flourishing at the back and they look magical covered with tiny droplets of ice. Likewise, Coronilla glauca, flowering profusely in the beach garden, has been a highlight through the last few months. It, too, looks stunning when coated with morning frost. Another old favourite in the beach garden at this time of year is Helleborus argutifolius. I cut it right back last year as it was starting to look a bit unruly. Now it’s come back and flowered beautifully around the old rowing boat and, again, looks magical in frost! I’ve made sure I feed the birds that come to the garden. I’ve got two feeders close to the house so we can observe them. I managed to snap a gorgeous little robin taking advantage of what was on offer. I’m frequently surprised at how they survive such cold spells. The back garden always looks lovely sprinkled with frost. The view from my office across the plot is a shot I never tire of taking. It always looks good whatever the time of year. I took a photo on a recent cold morning just as the sun started to rise, the frost really bringing it to life, just tinged by the early sun’s rays. I’ve got several hydrangeas and I’ll soon cut off the flower heads I left there over winter to try and protect the new growth. My Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ have been a constant source of joy through winter.
In late January, the back garden was adorned by some incredible rainbows – full, half circle arcs in all cases, and one I saw was almost a full double rainbow! I’ve searched high and low for that pot of gold! I’ve mentioned before about the damage winds can wreak on the fleeces I use to protect palms from wind burn. But my new ones have suffered no damage at all, despite some of the strongest winds we’ve experienced. They were quite expensive but it seems they were well worth it as they’ll live to see another year or two.
l Read more of Geoff’s garden at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk.