I feel that it is now time to start dividing my single wild snowdrops. Due to our record breaking warm temperatures in February, the wild snowdrops were unfortunately over very quickly. I have noticed a few rather large clumps which need splitting to fill the spaces where there aren’t any, this is the only way I’m going to get the nice drifts that I love so much.
Definitely in need of splitting.
This was just part of a clump, they were falling apart while I was digging them up.
So far I have dug up 3 clumps and divided them into 67 smaller clumps. They might look a bit pathetic next year, but hopefully. after that, they will start to increase again.
These are now in the woodland along with the rest of this clump.
To start with I got a large garden fork and dig the clump up, then split them into smaller clumps by just pulling them apart, trying to be gentle at the same time, so that I don’t damage the roots, this clump though did it all by itself.
Spread nicely over an area which was smothered in ivy a few weeks ago. I have now planted foxglove seedlings in amongst them.
The new little clumps get planted with my nicely rotted leaf mould, not forgetting to water them in, a mulch is given of the same leaf mould, then it’s up to them to decide that they like their new home and settle in. Since I have planted them we have had quite a bit of rain each day, so no more watering has been needed.It is back breaking work, but will be well worth it when they all start to increase once more and delight me on a cold, dull February day in years to come.
More planted by one of the huge chestnut trees.
I’m hoping now that I have just one more clump to do. I have also planted all the primrose and foxglove seedlings that I dug up about a month ago, they had all rooted nicely in their little pots. Neil has moved 3 large hellebore plants from the bog garden and they look very happy, I’m hoping that they don’t realise that they’ve been moved as I asked him to dig them up with as large a root ball as possible. I have also planted 2 more acers which have been in pots for a few years, I’m sure they appreciate being released into the woodland.
The view now from the archway into the woodland. Acer Sango kaku is at the back with Daphne bholua at the right hand side.
All the plants that I ordered for the woodland have been planted in the new area that has been cleared by taking the rhododendrons and ivy out and what a difference it has made. Getting rid of the rhodos has made the woodland so much lighter, I’m sure all the other plants will benefit from the extra light. I now just have my special snowdrops to bring over from the veggie area where they have been patiently waiting to add interest to the new path that has been made by Neil, then I can have a rest and get on with the rest of the garden!
Wood anemones have been spreading nicely.
Fritillaria meleagris are strting to flower, the rusty pheasant is on guard duty!
Round the back on the new path where lots of plants have been moved from the rest of the garden.
Primroses and snowdrops that I planted in the roots of the Chestnut tree, but look at all the stones I had to remove first!
The new foliage and little red flowers on Acer Sango kaku are absolutely beautiful.
These Narcissus pseudonarcissus were hiding under the rhodos, at last I can see them, they have seeded themselves here at the back of the border without any help from me.
There isn’t much more to do to the new area now, move my special snowdrops that have been patiently waiting, then maybe a few more plants to be moved from elsewhere, but then that should be it until the autumn when I can go mad with lots more bulbs! My concience is now clear, I have done, with a lot of help,the path that I said I was going to do last year, it’s only 13 months late, but I got there eventually!
I can hear the great sense of accomplishment in your tone as you wrote this. It’s wonderful to get something done that we’ve wanted for so long and promised ourselves. Kudos to you!
Goodness, that was quick Alison! Yes, I’m very glad that the end is in sight, the rest of the garden is calling to me, it is still such a mess from last year!
Chequered fritillary are the most exciting flowers – so hard to believe that nature decorates a flower in checks.
I agree Diana, they ae beautiful with their unusual markings. Just another couple of weeks and they should all be flowering.
Your new area looks wonderful and you must be very happy to have accomplished so much. Now that your garden is looking so splendid, perhaps you and Neil could come here and try to make sense of the mess outside my door.
Thank you Peter, but I will have to decline your kind offer, you haven’t seen the state of the rest of the garden, it hasn’t been touched since last year and is a total mess, I can now get on with it!
Wow, you really have been busy Pauline and it all looks wonderful. You will reap the rewards of all your hard work over the next couple of years.
My back is paying for all the work Denise, it needs a rest! I’m so glad you like the look of it all. Hopefully it will look good in the future, with more bulbs added in the autumn.
Oh that’s a job well done Pauline and you will reap the rewards in due course. Dividing snowdrop clumps is on my list of priorities but a cold and the weather have got in the way. Maybe later in the week . The new foliage on the acer looks exquisite. Are your fritillaries earlier then usual?
Thank you Anna, I do hope to see a difference next year, but must be realistic, it might take a bit longer. Just a couple more jobs to do in that area, but i think the weather might be against me this coming week. I think the fritillaries are more or less the same as usual, just a few opening to start with, then they all come in a rush in the second half of March.
It looks as if the warm spell has brought on spring! The little leaves on the acer look so promising, but so do all those snowdrop divisions. They will be clumps in no time I’m sure, and lucky for you to have enough to move all over now.
I’m almost at the point where I can make a few tiny ‘drifts’ . It’s exciting to have those lost little single blooms finally amount to something 🙂
Our warm spell has now changed back to winter Frank! The acer leaves are so pretty and delicate, I hope they don’t get torn with the gales we are having at the moment. It has taken a long time to get enough snowdrops to split and try to make a few drifts, gardening teaches us patience!
I’m sure you will have carpets of snowdrops next year. Goodness, you are making progress!xxx
I hope so too Dina, lots of lovely drifts would be perfect! Just a couple more jobs to do and then I can make a start on the bog garden, that will be the next area in flower.
That’s looking brilliant Pauline. The snowdrops will add so much to this area next year. Lots of hard work – but worth it!! A lovely area.
Thanks Sue, when we bought the house, many years ago, we never realised how important this area would become to me, it is certainly my favourite part of the garden.
What inroads you have been making, Pauline! I love the ritual of dividing snowdrops and carry it outvthroughout their season. And I have bben removing ivy from my woodland areas too – I think everything else will benefit
Thank you Cathy, it’s taken a while but I’m almost at the end now. The plus point for the ivy is that it smothers any weeds so they can’t grow, more weeding to do now though! I agree, everything else will benefit now that they have more light.