Buds are swelling and clumps of early narcissus are in flower, but the
borders look bare now I have tidied them and the wheelbarrow stands overflowing on grass in urgent need of raking and de-mossing. Added frustrations are that the compost bin
is already full and that not one of my garden photographs merits showing
on this page.
At times like this I often find the best solution is to remove myself from the situation and seek inspiration elsewhere. Beth Chatto’s garden is guaranteed to restore my equilibrium and this lakeside picture of fiery-stemmed dogwoods in contrast with drifting snowdrops and white canes of Rubus biflorus is proof that a garden can be as interesting in winter as in
any other season. All Cornus species tolerate full sun or partial shade, but it is worth noting that winter stems are
more highly coloured when planted in full sun.
If you haven’t done so already, do visit the Beth Chatto garden - I guarantee
it will soothe the spirits of even the
most jaded gardener. |
