As most of you will know the Woodland Walk is one of my favourite areas in the garden. I shall be working in this area today. The pretty Cyclamen Coum that you see above is in bloom. Planted under the apple tree, they are a welcome addition to this garden and are thriving.
Whilst in the village one day, I visited the little nursery that lives amongst the shops. I noticed a tray of rather unloved Cyclamen. I asked the owner if they were for sale. She said not really because they had been neglected and she did not know if they would do well. I offered to take them for a small sum (£5.00). She gladly accepted. I planted them under the Apple tree, added some smashed egg shells (which they love), watered them well and let them be. They have grown into the most beautiful plants and I love them for the sweet scent and dainty little flowers.
Our native hellebore (Helleborus foetidus), commonly known as the stinking hellebore. The nose wrinkling smell of the flowers attracts early pollinating bees, so is absolutely essential in this bee lovers garden. I must say I find it strangely attractive and now have a small colony of these unusual plants. Interesting fact : The plant has evolved an unusual way of dispersing its seeds. They exude an oil that attracts snails, once a snail has consumed the oil, the seed sticks to the slime and is carried away to a new site. I find many babies in my garden.....long live the snail :)
I decided a few days ago to add more trees to the garden. I wanted to plant in numbers, not just the odd tree here and there. I visited the local garden centre yesterday to browse, and came back with a huge smile on my face. Ten bare root Hazel. A native, and a lover of damp soil. It can be planted in sun or shade, and that suits me well.
I would like to leave you with a passage from A Tree in my Pocket by Jacqueline Memory Paterson.
The Hazel Tree.......Magic and Inspiration.
Hazel has always been regarded as magical for its presence inspires our intuitional senses. It is called the poets tree, for in the mind of the ancients it had great associations with faerie lore and supposedly allowed entrance into such realms.
Druids carried rods made from hazel to gain poetic and magical inspiration.
The Hazel is powerful in early spring when its energy and sap are surging outward and in autumn, when its energy is contained within its harvest of magical nuts.
Hazel can be used for protection. Its ruling planets, the Sun and Mercury, make it a brilliant healing plant.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
Our climate is changing. 2011 has been a difficult year in the garden. I have learnt a great deal, mainly through experience. For the last few weeks I have been reading about climate change and how to garden with extreme weather conditions. Changing my planting scheme is high on my agenda, and the mild winter is allowing me to make an early start.
Many old friends are going to good homes, others will meet their demise in the composters.
If all goes according to plan the garden will be easier to manage.........yet full of flowers, native flowers.
I am looking ahead.........I am excited.....I needed to change things.
Only in calm waters can you see your reflection, not in running waters. Only in tranquility can you find that resting place which stillness seeks.
LAO-TSE
I rarely read novels. I find my attention span is low and I lose interest very quickly. One thing that has always fascinated me, is writings on the English countryside. The myths, legends and old country beliefs that link the fabric of the landscape.
Tales of witches abound, linked with such creatures as hares, bats and toads.
Springs and wells were once the objects of pagan worship.....we have an old well in our garden.
I remember the day we discovered it. My husband and I lowered a bucket into its depths.
Should we drink. I decided I would. I can remember Mr P's face and his words. "Well if you are going to drink it, then so will I. That way we will die together." We live to tell the tale....the water is wonderful :)
One of my great joys is walking the English countryside with Nella each day. I like to sharpen my senses to observe and appreciate more closely the ways of the natural world. I collect feathers, bones and many other objects en route. Poppi and Riley love to look at them on a cold winters evening when they sleep over. I teach them, the little that I know, and find it a joy that they are fascinated by my stories.
Let me leave you with an extract from one of my books.....Amazing and Extraordinary facts on The English Countryside by Ruth Binney.
The Sacred Tree
It was beneath the oak's spreading branches that the wizard Merlin is believed to have worked his enchantments and because of its associations with the gods is said to be the first to be struck by lightning in a thunderstorm - farmers will plant oaks near buildings to act as lightning conductors. At Yule, the ancient ritual from which many of our Christmas customs derive, an oak log was always chosen as being the most likely to draw the sun back to the earth. To the Druids, whose name means 'oak men' the tree was - and still is - sacred, and thought to embody the spirit of their god Esus.
The mistletoe, which occasionally grows on it as a semi-parasite, was believed to guard the tree from evil. Cutting it with a golden sickle, on the sixth night of the moon will, they believe, preserve its magic.
Many many months ago a fellow blogger asked if I would do a post on 'Ten things you may not know about me' To be truthful I have forgotten who asked but I did say to her at some point I would join in. I forgot :) So todays post is the first......I thought I would write something every now and again through the winter.....until I have completed my task.
Nella watches her.......I watch them both.
Poppi loves to help tidy the garden.
I could listen to her stories from morning till night and never get bored. Her world is full of mystery.......
We put mulch beneath the trees.
I cannot believe we are still picking blackberries.
These days are golden days. The sort of days, that leave you with a lovely warm glow. Days that make you feel as though everything is right with the world.
They leave you pretty exhausted too :0)
The leaves are dropping. Autumn is in full swing. My parents love to walk the garden and see the changes. For the first time ever my mother failed to do so. She is very frail now.
Her weight loss, lack of appetite and other medical problems have left her weak. We have many hospital visits ahead. My mother is very stoic, she never gives up, but I have seen changes recently. She has lost her sparkle......that little twinkle in her eye, that tells me all is well.
We have had many moments where I have had to swallow hard and keep my emotions well hidden.
When I left her on Friday she called me back. Her words were unexpected.
"I have made many mistakes in my life Cheryl. You were not one of them. You have always been my sunshine." I hugged her gently, kissed her on the cheek and left. I pulled up along the lane, and found I was crying.
Yesterday I took Nella to the woods. I took my lunch with me and sat amongst the ancients.
I find nature helps me to heal and shows me the way. I needed this time alone.....apart from my little dog. I spent two hours wandering the forest........coming to terms with what might lay ahead.
I am following an unknown path....nothing is clear at this time. All I know is my parents have always been there for me. In my darkest moments and in my moments of joy.
My father has his own health issues and is finding it hard to cope with mother.
I can see and feel his sorrow........
I leave the forest behind.......my little dog sitting on the seat next to me. I feel refreshed, ready to start another week. I give thanks to Mother Earth..........
I tend to post the pretty side of my garden, I hope it reflects my romantic nature......but there is another side to this woman.
I am sure you are all familiar with the entrance to the copse but have you ever wondered if it hides a secret. Actually the left hand side does.....come with me and I will show you.
This is where I keep my compost bins, six in total. I have another three behind the garage. I am without doubt, a compost kind of girl.
Just look at that, isn't it lovely. Breathe deeply, can you smell woodland. If my compost does not smell sweet, it goes back into the composter and I leave it until Spring.
Today three bins were ready. Lovely black gold. It always amazes me that kitchen waste, shredded twigs and small branches, paper and cardboard turns into this lovely rich soil.
I spent the afternoon mulching the borders, I shall finish the job tomorrow.......
Are you a compost sort of girl??
