The garden in April
So much to do in the garden in April:
- Cut the dead tops off the perennials so the new growth can see the light
- Cut the roses and give them fertilizer
- Cut the dead flowers off bulbs
- Take care of the lawn – it is time to reseed established lawns
- Off with their heads! The weeds are growing fast like everything else. Hack it now and there will be less of it in June
- It is too early to plant annuals, except hardy violets (tricolors and cornuta)
- Sow seeds of sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) directly in the garden – remember they are tall and must have something to support them
- It is best to move perennials in autumn, but they can be moved now – water carefully through the dry spring season
Mount Hood daffodils combined with geranium
Autumn last year we put daffodil bulbs in three clusters on the newly established slopes. The garden architect recommended Mount Hood, which we have not regretted. The very tall, beautiful white daffodils light up the slope, where the newly planted geraniums are starting to spread. The white daffodils are much prettier than the classic warm yellow daffodils.
Mount hood daffodils - tall and cream-coloured
Blue crocus combined with peony
On another section of the slope, where the garden’s old peonies have moved to, blue crocus was laid. That has also been a success. For three weeks we could enjoy the sight of the pretty blue clusters of Crocus vernus. Some garden enthusiasts put bulbs in the ground one at the time, but we think the effect is much more striking if they are arranged in clusters.
Blue crocus in clusters
Bergenia – with flowers
Our bergenia cordifolia now blooms with beautiful pink flowers. The new bergenia that was moved last spring still does not cover the ground completely, even though they were planted closely together. The big, glossy green leaves do not look so juicy green as the old bergenia in the garden. This year, hopefully, the new plants will get to fill out the space. The evergreen groundcover is a popular choice in North side flower beds as it thrives in sun as well as shade.
Old bergenia
New bergenia
Spiraea by the new garden path
The new slope by the path in the back yard was planted with box and spiraea shrubs in autumn. Even though the shrubs have not yet grown to size, and the groundcover (Sedum spurium 'Album Superbum') does not yet cover the slope, this bed is already quite pleasant to watch, now that the spiraea has gotten fine green, juicy-fresh leaves. Spiraea betulifolia will grow to 1 m and blooms with white flowers in June. The foliage is a lovely spring green now – in autumn it will get even more beautiful with warm, pink-red-orange colours.
Spiraea shrubs by the new garden path
Viola tricolor in the berry garden
We could not resist the garden centre’s March offer on violets and have placed blue viola tricolor in the new berry garden. The sundial has found new placement in the middle of the berry shrubs (2 white currants, 2 red currants, 2 black currants and 3 gooseberries). It might need to be moved, when the berry scrubs get bigger. The garden plan suggests that we plant woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca) as groundcover, but so far we have only planted these by the new fruit trees (2 apples and 1 cherry). The little earthworm says welcome to the garden.
Violets and sundial in the berry garden
Redflower currant
We are the lucky owners of three redflower currant shrubs in the wild, mixed hedge that makes up the garden’s southern boundary. Redflower currant (Ribes sanguineum) bloom from early spring and they have really benefited from the last year’s hard trimming. The pink flowers are showy but rather ill-smelling. The plant is tolerant of shade and drought and has traditionally been a popular choice in the front yard.
Redflower currant
The garden in January
The garden in February
The garden in March
The garden in May
The garden in June
The garden in July
The garden in August
The garden in September
The garden in October
The garden in November
The garden in December
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