Around this time of year the sunshine starts to reach parts of the garden that have been in shade all winter. One disadvantage of this north facing hilly garden is how shady it is in December and January.
So after all the months of being in full shade, it is a magical moment when the sunshine hits the disco ball on the twisted hazel tree. This year it happened on the 23rd Feb.
This space is where the red apple tree once was, and it is much sunnier now. In November we had the apple tree cut down, to give the hazel more space and bring more light to the horsey border. We’ve planted more hellebores and daffodils around this space, and we’re hoping that some of the candelabra primula and red and blue aquilegia we had around here last year will have self-seeded.
This section of the garden is known as the horsey border, because of the horse head statue placed here by a previous occupier.
We bought a few new plants from the big DIY shop at the edge of town, picking up a few of these beautiful early flowering pink and purple daisies, called ‘Senetti Pink Bicolour.’
I looked this plant up, as I hadn’t really heard of it before, and found it’s a fairly new hybrid, from a greenhouse in Japan, that was first grown about 20 years ago.
The new Senecio plant is a naturally-occurring branch mutation of a proprietary selection of Senecio hybrida identified as code number RB325, not patented. The new Senecio was discovered and selected by the Inventor on a single flowering plant of the parent selection in a controlled greenhouse environment in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan in February, 2006. Asexual reproduction of the new Senecio plant by terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan since March, 2006, has shown that the unique features of this new Senecio plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations. https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP21353
I can see why this long flowering, colourful compact daisy type flower was picked up by the merchandisers and buyers of the Big DIY Shop at the edge of town, and put at the front of the garden centre at an approachable price. If it flowers all through to autumn – as it seems that it might if we keep on deadheading – I’ll be thrilled. Dear readers, I’ll let you know.
In the spring bulb planters by the dining room doors, this weeks superstars are the hyacinths. These ‘lasagne’ planters are really coming along now the days are warmer and longer. Here’s how ‘we’ made them.
Right now a blackbird is splashing in the birdbath, and yesterday the birdsong app ‘Merlin’ identified the following birds in the garden:
- dunnock
- goldfinch
- gold crest
- blue tit
- great tit
- robin
- blackbird
- blackcap
- collared dove
- carrion crow
- song thrush
So, sunshine and birdsong are brightening the days, and even when the weather is still grey and overcast it is delightful that the days are getting so much longer now.
In the greenhouse, it’s getting a bit fuller as the plants are really starting to grow. Our cat has been assessing and advising, of course.
So that’s my selection of six garden things this Saturday. For more, please visit Garden Ruminations, where bloggers share what’s growing on around them. This week, Jim has Narcissus Jetfire to start…
It’s an exciting time of year in the garden, and my lovely husband is extending the rose patch, so we’ll have even more blooms to enjoy this summer. I have a ‘big birthday’ coming up next week, and a bit of cash set aside for garden investments… So I plan to celebrate my 50th twirl around this planet on a day out with my lovely husband, possibly at a beautiful garden somewhere ‘picking’ flowers to plant this year. Or maybe at the seaside if we have a glimmer of sun. I might wear something a little sparkly.
I hope that whatever the weather and wherever you’re at this week you have a bit of sunshine and sparkle to enjoy.
J x
Love to hear birdsong in the garden, it is picking up around here too, and I saw a young Cooper’s hawk trying (and failing) to catch some dinner in my backyard, I hope she works on the voles… Love the purple and white daisy – very lovely, and your cat is adorable! My kitty has similar markings, but is completely terrified of the outdoors. She likes to look out a window, but go out? No! She is about comfort and safety.
Our cat came to us many years ago when we lived in London, and she’s always been the outdoor type! We have been lucky to have fairly safe back gardens away from traffic where she can snooze in the sunshine.
The horse’s head statue makes a lovely statement in your border, and yes we are all looking out for new seedlings coming up in the garden.
It’s such an exciting time in the garden, early spring. 🙂
You had me at “disco”. Love the horses head too, although it does sound a little sinister The Godfather-wise. Great bird selection.
I know! It seemed slightly sinister when we arrived but it’s got such charm. The birdsong is a delight 🙂
Gee, now that you mention it, I realize that I have not seen that type of Senecio X hybridus or Cineraria in a long time.
It’s a fantastic pop of colour for early spring, even though it does feel a bit like cheating to do ‘instant gardening’ like this. The bees appreciated the nectar and came buzzing by almost immediately.
Yes, that is it exactly; a ‘pop’ of color, almost like (although not cheating as badly) potted chrysanthemums.
What a beautiful garden, greenhouse, and cat! Where did you get that disco ball?? Is it a purchased one or did you make it? How does it hold up to the weather? I need one, heck, I need three at least because my garden has become overrun with noise from a new childcare facility to our south ( not just normal kid playground sounds, they play in a roofed “room” which is pointed at us like a speaker and amplifies the noise incredibly, and their adult minder is miked!!). (See videos on my YouTube, not an exaggeration or any form of disliking children https://youtube.com/@floragardener9005?si=DkTa25nikUuUNrQo). So I play dance music (disco, house) during the hours of screaming and multiple ball bouncing and have my own dance party everyday. Which doesn’t make me miserable! I’ve been thinking I desperately need some disco balls but wondered if they would fall apart in the weather.
I’ve hung disco balls in the garden for decades – they don’t last forever, but some of them have made it for a good five years or so. Sorry to hear about your noise situation – I admire your proposed solution to disco dance your way through it. 🙂
Looks like the kitty is in charge of the greenhouse–how fun! Our kitty always tries to dash into the sunroom, but we keep it partially closed off because my plants are in there. Thank you for the cheery view of returning sunshine and the wonderful list of bird visitors. Happy spring!