As the Spring heralds new life, a new something seems to appear every day in Ash Cottage's garden. On Thursday I thought I would photograph the emerging surprises that a new garden brings, for Mammasaurus' How Does Your Garden Grow linky. I'm not sure what many of these plants are, so, if you know please let me in on the secret. Above is some type of clematis?
I brought cuttings from our old garden, a lot of which didn't survive the transportation and neglect over the winter. One thing that did was Nana's peony, I'm discovering that the previous owners of Ash Cottage also liked peonies. The picture on the left is a quite healthy looking specimen in a overgrown bed in the centre of the garden and I think the picture on the right is another one, there are at least 2 more.
When we moved into Ash Cottage the plan for the garden was to clear, sort out the veggie patch, chickens and trees, use up old seeds and then not buy or plant any new ones. To get ready to start the garden year proper in the Autumn. This isn't quite what's happened. I've now got a hexagonal greenhouse full of tomato seedlings, with nowhere to put them.
We've been here since September and while I know we have a lot of stinging nettles, ivy, dandelion and other weeds, I am now discovering some hidden gems too. Hidden amongst the comfrey(?) that is rampant all over the western boarder of the garden is the shy head of a frittilaria(?)
I think I almost dug this beautiful flower up when feeding, weeding and re-seeding the lawn. It is a reminder to go a bit slower in my attempts to clear and tidy the garden as I don't yet know what else may be hidden.
In the same bed is the plant below, which I think is a euphorbia?
I think this might be a euphorbia too? The ants seem to like it.
I've no idea what these plants are:
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| Mystery Plant One |
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| Mystery Plant Two |
The little pink flower is on a shrub, whilst the other comes straight out of the ground on a single stem.
I'm on safer ground with the picture below. It's blossom from a fruit tree. Some kind of plum, damson or greengage maybe? I've got to wait until late summer when the fruit has set to be sure which one, but from the shrivelled desiccated old fruits still hanging on the tree from last year, I think it is something of that kind.
And finally - Ta Da! - my apple trees are putting out green buds and leaves.
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| James Grieves April 2015 |
I'm relieved, after all my faffing around (details here), getting them into the ground I wasn't sure they were alive, that I hadn't just spent a lot of time planting sticks. James Grieves is doing the best, then Grenadier and then Blenheim Orange, but all have green shoots. Phew - Proud Mama!
Speaking of which, finally, finally, here are my girls, out in the garden for the first time this/last week. Haven't they grown.
Hi, your mystery plant number one is Lily of the Valley. Here in France 1st May, labour Day is known as the Fete du Muguet and it is traditional to greet friends with a bunch of Lily of the Valley, considered a lucky charm, dating back to when King Charles IX was presented with a bunch of them in 1561 and he liked them so much the tradition remained
ReplyDeleteThank you. I thought they might be lily of the valley but they are really big and I thought lily of the valley was smaller with more leaves at the base. Anyway, I like the association with labour day in France. My birthday is in May and they are often referred to as my birth flower.
DeleteI think mystery plant one is Polygonatum AKA Solomon's seal
DeleteAfter a bit more research I think I'm with you EJG, they're solomon's Seal. Glad we sorted that out. ;)
DeleteI think mystery plant 2 is a currant berry, I've got one and it brings some early pink colour to the garden but not much else. Agree with lily of the valley too, they usually flower early May. Yes to the snakehead frittillary and the green euphorbium too (and quite possibly the red one!). I tend to grow my tomatoes in pots (if they're not in the greenhouse) as that means I can move them into and out of the sun as I need to, good luck with yours - and here's to many more discoveries :) #hdygg
ReplyDeleteI can wade in now and pretend I knew what those plants were can't I? Lily of the Valley and currant berry *ahem* *tires not to look suspicious*
ReplyDeleteMy how they have grown! Fluffy fellows! Too cute.
Glad to see that the apple trees have blossomed - after all that kerfuffle with the metal poles, least the hard work wasn't in vain. So exciting to be discovering what's in the garden throughout the year - I bet you'll still be finding new things coming up till last in the year!
Thank you for joining in again x