It is cold and miserable. Yet again I did not want to go outside to take photographs for Six on Saturday. Yes, I know I am a gardener and should be hardened to these things, but there is only so much dreariness a gal can take. Then I had a little word in my own ear “Whoa now Neddy! Less of that negative nonsense, slip off your marabou kitten heels, pop on your sparkling wellies and get your petite little rear out into the gloom. Most importantly stop your incessant wingeing about the weather”. And it worked! I might try that again. So just for you and our own Easter Bunny, The Propagator, (who will be handing out chocolate eggs to his favourite SoSers this holiday time) here is my Six on Saturday. Yet again sharp focus has been forsaken in pursuit of the perfect art form (it was bloomin’ cold and I was therefore in a hurry).
Shall we proceed? Some might have heard on the bloggy grapevine that last week I was hobbing with the nobs at the Hardy Plant Society AGM (unfortunately no oaty biscuits were involved). Here I was honoured to meet the real life, not a robot after all, and champion blogger JK. As reported by said supergrass, I may have purchased a couple of plants, but in my defence all but two were for my Esteemeds. The best two of course. I am a sucker for a salvia. When I spotted this tall and handsome Mexican, Salvia gesneriiflora, our eyes met across the crowded room, my elbows went out and he was mine all mine.
My next purchase was a fern. Now I generally have a problem with ferns. I love them but find it tricky to distinguish one from the other. Mostly. There are some exceptions. But not enough. This little lovely is labelled Pteris umbrosa, the Jungle Brake Fern, from Eastern Australia. However, it doesn’t look like any of the corresponding pictures on-line and isn’t mentioned in my new HPS Ferns book. Perhaps it is because it is a youngster. Any ideas anybody? Nice to see it has made a new friend. And that friend seems to have left a little gift. How kind.
Now we have a rescued Hylotelephium spectabile, found in the front garden being stifled under a carpet of ivy. At the “do” last weekend Julian Sutton spoke at great length about plant names and how they have changed over the years and whys and wherefores and ifs and buts. From both a scientific and a horticultural viewpoint. This is a case in point, up until very recently it was known as Sedum spectabile. I am unable to comment on this change as after JS’s talk I was left feeling a little sorry for the botanists. They need love too apparently. And I have a blogging friend, the wonderful Diversifolius, who is one. She also sells seeds!!!
The blueberry seems intent on flowering. This is a good thing of course, flowers mean fruit, but only if they are pollinated. There are not many pollinators about at the moment, and can you blame them? I’d be snuggled up somewhere warm and dry too. So I may have to help things along. You never know the sun might come out and the insects with it. I sincerely hope so. It will be a squeeze getting into that bee costume after all my Easter eggs.
Last Sunday I potted up all my new bulbs, received earlier that week. I’ve stored them underneath the bench, which might offer a smidgen of protection. I know, going soft in my old age. Nerine, leucocoryne, zephranthes and bessera, all putting down roots. I am going to plant the chasmanthe direct into the garden, once the soil warms a little. That will be August then.
And finally, a couple of goose eggs, a gift from the Head Gardener at Marwood. Apparently each one is the equivalent of four hens eggs. That is some egg. And I’ve got two!
Don’t forget to pop over to The Prop’s to check out all the other Six on Saturdays, and perhaps even be tempted to join in yourself!
Happy Easter to you all. Anyone fancy an omelette ?!
Off The Edge Gardening 