The sun is out despite the weather forecast for thunder. We are in the garden, it’s all happening out here. Glenn is slashing and hacking and taming the beast that once was an unruly jasmine and is now an enlarged deck, a spot for some more plants and a much better feel to the whole plot. I, on the other hand have been tormenting the bottom bed. I’ve moved the chives which were being swamped by the sage. I’ve moved the polemonium which was being swamped by the persicaria. I’ve moved the stinging nettles which were swamping everything in their path and I’ve ruthlessly pulled up handfuls of three brilliant plants. Here they are;
Firstly the euphorbia, it will not quit. It started out as three small seedlings which Sarah Raven gave us. I used it as a foundation to my wedding bouquet and it has been in nearly every flower arrangement we have had in the house for the past three years. You can chop bits off it an it doesn’t seem to mind and it carries on through the winter. Its’ brilliant green is endlessly cheerful and sings out against the dark background of the neighbouring trees in summer. What they tell you about the sap is true. Always wear gloves, always wash your hands. If you get some on your skin and then put your contact lenses in it feels as if your eyeballs are being peeled by elves from hell with burning fingers….trust me.
Next is lamium. We bought ten plants three years ago for 50p each as we needed ground cover. We got it. It took a while to get going but it has totally covered everything we wanted it to and has spread throughout the woodland area at the bottom of the garden. This spring it had a fantastic show of yellow flowers and continues to encroach at a sensible pace. The best thing about it is, again, you can pull bits off and it won’t mind one bit. Just now I have reclaimed the steps and fill the compost bin.
Lastly, the no idea plant. We had a tiny bit growing in the original rockery which was here when we moved in. We saved a little bit as it has tiny pretty purple flowers. Underneath the current carpet of craziness there is stepping stone path and a dry stone wall but you wouldn’t know it. The beauty of this thing is that you can rip it up from wherever you don’t want it and it carries on, doesn’t even care.
Are you sensing a pattern here? I love this kind of gardening!