The latest Evening Post gardening column from Joseph Atkin
Head gardener Joseph Atkin's latest Evening Post gardening column from the newspaper dated December 31, 2011 -
After Christmas dinner, what does a gardener do?
Well snow permitting it is great fun to walk round the garden and make a list of what plants are in flower.
Every year I have done this and each year the list is very different.
If you read the literature then technically there should be very little in flower as most things either finish late November or start in January.
So what you actually see are either late arrivals or early starters.
There is always plenty to see in the garden in December with winter stems, ornamental barks, winter coloured foliage and berries but it’s those seasonal refugees that can be a real surprise and treat.
This is especially so this December as the weather has been so mild if not a little wet.
Aberglasney is particularly good garden for doing this as it contains so many early flowering plants which often appear in December.
Since the 21st of December it has been great to see the first snowdrop out in bloom with its relatives not far behind it.
There is something very reassuring about snowdrops they seem to remind you that spring and summer actually exist as well as being fantastic garden plants.
Another bulb that is fast becoming one of the all time greats of the winter is Narcissus Cedric Morris which continually gets better and seems to throw more and more flowers each week it should be noted that this plant has been in flower since November making it very long lasting.
The Cyclamen have continued flowering enjoying the mild weather and rivalling their indoor relatives this year.
There are various clumps through the garden that have kept going in this mild weather.
The flower colour also seems much more vibrant in these short days with poor light.
Shrubs such as Mahonia which have been discussed recently are really enjoying these mild conditions and are looking fantastic especially as they bring a little perfume to the garden which is easy to find in late winter but not mid winter.
One of the biggest surprises is the perennial corn flower which is still in flower and has been since March.
This plant is noted for its long flower displays but it really has excelled its self at the base of a south facing wall.
Both the blue and pink forms have flowered for a long time but the pink has made it to Christmas day.
One plant that you are not surprised to see in many gardens on Christmas day is the Hellibore often called the Lenten rose or Christmas Rose.
Surprisingly, this year, they are not quite in flower.
However, the very cruelly named Stinking Hellibore (Helliborus foetidus) is in flower and looks fresh and full of the joys of spring.
The most reliable Christmas flowering Hellibore is Helliborus niger which has white flowers and will probably be coming into its own by the New Year
In the vegetable garden, the Kale and purple Brussel sprouts still look good despite most being used in the cafe. However. the biggest star in the Kitchen Garden is the Rainbow Chard which is still cropping and looks fantastic.
The same plants have been growing looking god and being harvested from May until now.
They also look as if they will keep going for a good while yet.
The real mark of approval for this plant is the cafe manager singing its praises and commenting that no matter how busy they get there is always plenty more.
December and January are really good months for spotting plants that really earn their keep both in the vegetable garden and the ornamental garden.
Tips for the week
• Enjoy the break
• Look at the gaps in the garden to see if you need to add any evergreen cover
• Keep the bird feeders and bowls ice free and food full
• Clear up any windblown debris there seems to be alot aroud
• If you are on dry ground and get a chance mowing the lawn is a good idea
• Cut back any very late flowering plants as it will strengthen them for next season
• Check all your protective fleece is still secure
Helliborus foetidus, top
Galanthus earliest, below
Cyclamen, bottom
After Christmas dinner, what does a gardener do?
Well snow permitting it is great fun to walk round the garden and make a list of what plants are in flower.
Every year I have done this and each year the list is very different.
If you read the literature then technically there should be very little in flower as most things either finish late November or start in January.
So what you actually see are either late arrivals or early starters.
There is always plenty to see in the garden in December with winter stems, ornamental barks, winter coloured foliage and berries but it’s those seasonal refugees that can be a real surprise and treat.
This is especially so this December as the weather has been so mild if not a little wet.
Aberglasney is particularly good garden for doing this as it contains so many early flowering plants which often appear in December.
Since the 21st of December it has been great to see the first snowdrop out in bloom with its relatives not far behind it.
There is something very reassuring about snowdrops they seem to remind you that spring and summer actually exist as well as being fantastic garden plants.
Another bulb that is fast becoming one of the all time greats of the winter is Narcissus Cedric Morris which continually gets better and seems to throw more and more flowers each week it should be noted that this plant has been in flower since November making it very long lasting.
The Cyclamen have continued flowering enjoying the mild weather and rivalling their indoor relatives this year.
There are various clumps through the garden that have kept going in this mild weather.
The flower colour also seems much more vibrant in these short days with poor light.
Shrubs such as Mahonia which have been discussed recently are really enjoying these mild conditions and are looking fantastic especially as they bring a little perfume to the garden which is easy to find in late winter but not mid winter.
One of the biggest surprises is the perennial corn flower which is still in flower and has been since March.
This plant is noted for its long flower displays but it really has excelled its self at the base of a south facing wall.
Both the blue and pink forms have flowered for a long time but the pink has made it to Christmas day.
One plant that you are not surprised to see in many gardens on Christmas day is the Hellibore often called the Lenten rose or Christmas Rose.
Surprisingly, this year, they are not quite in flower.
However, the very cruelly named Stinking Hellibore (Helliborus foetidus) is in flower and looks fresh and full of the joys of spring.
The most reliable Christmas flowering Hellibore is Helliborus niger which has white flowers and will probably be coming into its own by the New Year
In the vegetable garden, the Kale and purple Brussel sprouts still look good despite most being used in the cafe. However. the biggest star in the Kitchen Garden is the Rainbow Chard which is still cropping and looks fantastic.
The same plants have been growing looking god and being harvested from May until now.
They also look as if they will keep going for a good while yet.
The real mark of approval for this plant is the cafe manager singing its praises and commenting that no matter how busy they get there is always plenty more.
December and January are really good months for spotting plants that really earn their keep both in the vegetable garden and the ornamental garden.
Tips for the week
• Enjoy the break
• Look at the gaps in the garden to see if you need to add any evergreen cover
• Keep the bird feeders and bowls ice free and food full
• Clear up any windblown debris there seems to be alot aroud
• If you are on dry ground and get a chance mowing the lawn is a good idea
• Cut back any very late flowering plants as it will strengthen them for next season
• Check all your protective fleece is still secure
Helliborus foetidus, top
Galanthus earliest, below
Cyclamen, bottom
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