Mr Grinch's Garden

I moved a tree peony today. Its just not in the right place, sunny spot, the heavier west facing border. It flowers fine but does not grow really. Had it for 6 years and only grown about a foot. Now ive moved it to a shadier spot that gets morning sun until noon in summer. Soil better more organic matter so much better conditions for it but i fear it may not live. Because of the poor soil structure where it came from the main root instead of going down went outwards so when i dug around it i sliced through it. I will keep it watered for the first year but i fear the worst. If it does die i will replace with a herbaceous peony.

G

 

It was that sinking feeling as i chopped into it when i dug it up :o(
They are amazing but so short lived.

 

Early February but i sat outside this morning. The sun was out, chilly but warm in direct sun. The rabbit run came out and put on the lawn and i drank a cup of tea whilst he frollicked on his first feel of grass for 3 months. The smell of the Witch Hazel drifting in the breeze. The birds were singing their heads off, preparing territory for the nesting season. I think spring isd on the way.

I need to mulch the west border but its costly. A few spaces need filling.

G

 

and anybody know what's happened to Kristan ? Haven't seen him around for a while.

G

 

I was thinking of him too this morning,
yooo hooo @Kristen ...
Jenny

 

Hard pruned a Mallow today. I was going to wait until March when you should put the latest lot of snow prompted me to take action. The shrub had been growing outwards instead of upwards, the resulting main stems taking the loads of snow and weight nearly uprooted it. So i hard pruned these main stems and left the younger growth which is growing the right way.

G

 

Never used to like February's they were just the sibling of December and January but i'm changing my opinion. Whether the seasons are creeping forward a wee bit or i'm just getting old (40 this year) im feeling that February is the start of something. I walked down the garden today, some early Daffs, some snow drops, the odd crocus. The Hellebores are started to flower. The Witch Hazel perfume wafting around. Even saw a bee the other day. Sure ive got my worries (bloomin Box), one of the Sorbus although budding was hit hard last year, i had to cut out a few branches and will look unshapely but im hoping over the next few years it will grow out, recover and it becomes more established. Still need to mulch one border. I need to hard prune the Cornus, move a daylily, hellebore etc etc.
Bloomin squirrel raided my tulip pots, if only i had a gun and i want to encourage birds into the garden. Lots to think about.

G

 

I always thought the same about February Mr G but these days it's neither here nor there and it's gone in a blinking of an eye.
I've also got my niggles about the new Box I planted...it's so wet up here and they're looking a bit stressed,I know they do at this time of the year but I still don't like it.But having said all that the stoggies were getting amorous this morning and the Robin was chasing the girls so Spring is on it's way

 

Hard pruned the cornus today, maybe a few weeks early but i was bored. I took 5 cuttings from these just to see if they would take. Ive heard they are very easy so will see how it goes.

G

 

What bulbs are you planting ?

 

Ok, i was bored again today, lovely day, spring like, so the roses were pruned. Went in hard as a couple had become overgrown and too high. Looks bad but experience shows that it doesn't matter how hard you chop back, they will grow again. Dead headed the hydrangea back the big buds as well.

Next week will chop the Buddleia.

G