February In The Garden

The lovely warm sunshine, last Sunday got me reaching for my gardening shoes and trowel and tackling the weeds which seem to be taking over my garden.

A bit of landscaping was achieved too. Removing my neighbours fence and returning his property, albeit in pieces, (that was the wind not me!) to his garden and putting up trellis to divide the garden and to enable me to grow scented climbers by the summer house.

I have created a new bed for growing flowers for my wedding in September so in preparation, I went to Stewarts in Wimborne and bought a selection of Dahlias in pinks and white, a selection of seeds, cosmos, snapdragons and sweetpeas, which should be in flower at the right time.

As my garden is quite bare at the moment, I went to Hilliers Arboretum near Romsey for inspiration.

There aren't many plants out this early in the season, so those ones that are, have to work hard to attract the pollinating insects which are out and about and they do this by their incredible colour and scent.

The plant which I love the most this time of year is Sarcococca. Its flowers are quite insignificant but it's perfume is absolutely gorgeous and you don't have to stick your nose into the plant, just walking past it, gives your senses the wake up call they need in February.

Hilliers have a fabulous collection of Cornus in vibrant shades of reds and yellows, which just light up the garden. I think I need some of these wonderful colourful stems in my garden just to draw the eye into the garden and add interest to an otherwise dull and dreary vista.

The hazels with their fluffy flowers in yellow and russet add an unusual texture and shape and with the Daphne with their striking cerise flowers with a scent to challenge the Sarcococca, I left with plenty of inspiration to improve my garden and to add excitement, which would definitely get me reaching for my coat and venturing outside and into the fresh air in winter.

Another week and I can see it being all systems go in the greenhouse.

Some of the seeds I purchased can be planted straight into the ground but I think I'll start them off in modules first, so I can keep a closer eye on them.

I need to buy my tomatoes and chilli seeds too. I am planning to try some varieties I haven't grown before and although I adore the variety Legend, its large bushy habit is just too big for my greenhouse with too many hiding places for caterpillars. I have my Thompson & Morgan catalogue by my side, so a perusal of that is in order after tea.

I feel a bit apprehensive about the idea of growing flowers for my wedding. I have quite a relaxed attitude about gardening, in so much as, well if it's a success then super but if it fails, well never mind there is always next year but this year I need to get it right.

When I do, there will be quite a sense of achievement, I'll look around the barn where I am getting married and think, I did all this. One has to start off with a positive attitude, otherwise what's the point in even trying and I guess preparation is everything, then it's up to nature and diligence with the slugs and snails!

Watch this space - we'll soon see how long this relaxed attitude to gardening lasts.

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