I have come to the conclusion, I sow too many seeds. I just like experimenting with and tasting the produce but I think I need to be a bit more practical. I have already grown over a hundred varieties of plants in my small area. I think that is enough to prove just what can be done in a small space, if you really want to, but I think now might be the time to have a re-think. Over the years, the garden has been constantly changing, as has my mind. What little there is of a garden, isn’t suitable for growing much produce, so that remains a corner for a small pond and perennials which hopefully wildlife will find attractive.
It is nice seeing the seeds germinate but I don’t have space for them once they need potting on especially with the weather not improving enough, the timetable is not working out as it should. I imagined if I planted early cropping vegetables, they would be cleared in time to be replaced by later crops. This of course depends on the seasons and when those are in chaos, I end up with a queue of plants waiting for some space to be vacated. Thinking along the lines of having a change, whilst still growing the produce I use most, I have just received a delivery of plants which, hopefully, will be of further benefit to my little squad of helpers and still turn my garden into a little, pleasant corner in which to relax.
Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana, a small pink flower, happy to be in partial shade and won’t mind a bit of cold within reason, it will be potted and later, overwintered in the greenhouse.
Galtonia candicans, also known as summer hyacinth or spire lily, it looks like a tall lily of the valley, and like the begonia, is slightly fragrant.
Gaultheria procumbens, also known as checkerberry, is a low growing shrub. Happy just about anywhere, only the leaves are fragrant when crushed and apparently make a fine herbal tea.
Hakonechloa macra ‘Nicolas‘, like a mop of unruly hair, is an ornamental Japanese grass which, hopefully, in a few years will display it’s impressive autumnal fiery red colours. I already have Imperata cylindrica Rubra, Japanese blood grass ‘Red Baron’ but have never seen the blood red leaves yet. Perhaps a little competition will help?
Oenothera odorata ‘Sulphurea’, a very smart name for an evening primrose and worthy of a plant whose seeds can be so beneficial in the making of evening primrose oil, the aid to the relief of many ailments. It’s added bonus comes when the flower opens up in the evening and allows us to enjoy it’s heady perfume.
These new plants came from a small nursery in Brittany and they arrived very quickly and very well packed. I doubt the plants would even have noticed they had been on a journey, except of course the chilly reception further north.
themagnoliatreeblog 