It’s been a year of weird weather

Weatherwise, 2021 has been a year of extremes. Cold when our young plants demanded warmth, an excess of rain followed by a period of drought that brought watering cans and hoses into service, and the recent Storm Arwen, the like of which I cannot recall.

A flick through captured smart phone images reveals good soft and top fruit crops, raspberries and apples especially, and ornamental border plants have extended their influence right up to the recent frosts.

However, important elements have been missing for best part of the year.

The regular face-to-face contact and interaction with

fellow gardener, flower shows and garden visits, locally and nationally.

Collectively, they are such an important part of any gardening year.

It’s two years since we’ve sampled the hospitality of a live Glendale, Warkworth or Chelsea show. During that period the latter two have offered virtual exhibitions online. Then Chelsea boldly opened to the public for an autumn show this year, so unusual for them, but they’re currently selling tickets for May 2022.

Gardens open to the public has certainly helped alleviate much of the gloom throughout summer. At Wallington, Cragside, Howick and Alnwick, we found interest, space, and a sense of freedom in walking the grounds. And at The Alnwick Garden, fellow volunteers agreed that our return to duty felt so liberating despite the continuing precautions.

So, what’s happening right now in our garden, which has proved a lifeline throughout this continuing pandemic? The usual trustworthy shrubs are coming to the fore with a mixture of green and variegated leaves, coloured bark, and fragrant blooms. Helleborus niger (Christmas rose) is blooming bang on time in the border, and winter-hardy plants are flowering in the containers as various lowgrowing heathers strut their stuff and evergreen vegetable produce heads for the kitchen. Here’s to enjoyable gardening in 2022!