Garden Team
Melianthus major
Until recently, our Melianthus major looked like it would come through the winter unscathed, but a recent hard frost has sadly blackened most of the shoots which would have produced flowers this season (as it blooms on previous year's growth). The damaged shoots have been cut to the ground to encourage fresh growth. A second, much smaller clump, better protected by shelter given by the leylandii hedge may still produce the odd flower (and hopefully some seed).
Preparing the Gravel Garden for spring
The team have started cutting back perennials and grasses in the Gravel Garden. The borders are always given a thorough weed before any spring bulbs emerge, editing any seedlings along the way. It gives the team the opportunity to reduce prolific self-seeders such as Stipa tenuissima and make decisions about the overall picture they are trying to paint.
The team have also taken the time to top up each bed with gravel as they go. This not only benefits the bed by acting as a mulch, keeping down weeds and retaining moisture, but it also sets off the plants beautifully.
Giving plants more space
A clump of Lamprothyrsus hieronymi (resembling a miniature pampus grass)- too large for its space and growing too close to the Californian tree poppy (Romneya coulteri), was lifted and given to our plant production team to prop from. We'll keep a small piece to replant, perhaps in the Reservoir Garden where it will have more room to grow.
Returning friends
We were delighted to welcome our good friend Tommy Tonsberg back to the garden to spend the week working alongside us. Tommy has been a regular intern, travelling from Norway during the winter to work in Beth's garden. We set Tommy straight to work lifting and replanting Iris 'Jane Phillips' where it had become congested and smothered by Epilobium canum 'Olbrich Silver', giving both plants back their space to shine. We look forward to welcoming Tommy back again next year.
Apprentice Hannah
'This week I began working on a bed by myself, aiming to boost my self confidence and assess what I've learned from the team. At first, I felt slightly anxious, however I soon realised how much knowledge I have gained from the team! As I walked around the bed explaining my plan to Åsa, I realised that I've acquired more knowledge than I initially thought. While there were still a few plants that left me uncertain, Overall I felt quite capable. This was a really encouraging task that we will continue to repeat through the 2nd year of my apprenticeship.'
Propagation Team
Stockbeds and divisions
The stockbed team have been mulching, mulching and mulching. Miya, Sean, Hollie and Hannah have worked really hard to ready our stockbeds for the warmer months ahead, and they're looking wonderful (the stockbeds and the team!).
Sean has been working lifting and dividing hemerocallis such as H. 'Pink Sundae' which will grace the garden with pale apricot petals charmingly ruffled along their soft edges come the summer. Sean and Hollie have also been lifting and splitting astilbe, including A.'Professor van der Wielen' and A. 'Venus' (x arendsii).
Snowdrops
Marc has been lifting many varieties of galanthus from around the garden which have then been wrapped with great care by Kathy for snowdrop lovers across the country.
Seedlings and cuttings
Emily has been planting succulents, getting ahead before spring arrives. Em and Debs have also had their hands full with an influx of seedlings and cuttings needing their attention. We can already see some signs of life on a few of our seedling benches which will soon look like a verdant patchwork quilt.
Grasses such as Stipa tenuissima and Deschampsia flexuosa 'Tatra Gold' have been propagated and planted ready to grow on. Debs has also been working on Sagina subulata var. glabrata 'Aurea' which will weave a moss-like mat wherever it grows. It is often used in rock gardens, or to thread between cracks in paving slabs.
Growing
Tina and Rob have been working on our plants which fare less well in the colder, damper months, so are brought into our main polytunnel this time of year. Tina has two decades of horticultural experience and is our expert in plant care and stock control, knowledge she is passing onto Rob who is coming up to his one year anniversary in the industry. Teaching and learning is at the heart of our principles at Beth's, sharing knowledge is our greatest treasure and asset, as it ensures such expertise is taken forward into the future.
Packing and dispatch
The team have been keeping themselves warm by picking and packing all of your orders this month. Introduced this year, we offered a pre order service to help customers plan their gardens by guaranteeing stock before the spring rush. Plants could be reserved and cared for by the team until delivery in either March, April or May (selected by the customer). We've had a great response and the team are getting ready to dispatch our first batch of orders next month. Look out for this option again later in the year.
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