Some Movement in May

After one of the coldest Aprils, this month is loaded with sunny expectation but so far, has mostly chucked buckets of rain in strong, chilly winds. Still it’s early days and I am soon heading South for a welcome 2-week break, although am loath to leave the garden with its attendant needs unmet. The obvious downside of plants in pots is just how much and how frequently they need to be watered, even after rainy days.

It also means I shall miss the stages of plant growth which are unfolding at a fast-forward time-lapse rate. For this reason I have been out with my camera when I can, to capture some plant portraits for the Spring Gallery. Really I should take the tripod for crisp clear images though I do favour a touch of soft blur!

This is usually the time of year when I can admire my three Acers trees the most. They are some of the last trees to leaf and I enjoy them as much now as in the Autumn. The two larger ones, Acer ‘Trompenburg‘ and ‘Seiryu‘ have already been moved over to the new garden but I have kept back the diminuitive ‘Ukigumo‘ to go when I do. With its white and yellow-green variegation tinged pink in Spring, the translated name of ‘floating clouds’ is most apt.

With age, I have come to like the simpler flowers more and more and after throwing a few woodlands seeds into a large blue pot last year have had the enjoyment this Spring of some tall and honest Lunaria plants. One alas was pole-axed by vine weevil larvae. I had reused some compost in their pot but saw no sign of those dreaded maggoty grubs at the time.

“It is entirely possible to reuse old compost: the books tell you not to, but they are assuming you have money to spare/a car/easy access to a garden centre. Certainly, if the plant died from disease or soil pests such as vine weevil, then the compost is best sent elsewhere. But if it just looks very tired, use it as mulch.” ~ Alys Fowler’s Gardening Column. The Guardian

Looking to the few flowering tulips I am again confirmed in my dislike of double blooms. Since the demure ‘Lady Jane‘ has gone over, some pink peony style tulips have come to the fore and every time I look at them, I can almost taste candyfloss ice cream! Suitably named ‘Angelique‘ they romp around displaying all their frilly underwear. Most unseemly – but they were a gift I must be grateful for. It’s doubtful that they will (be allowed to) emerge next Spring!

Two early perennials which do give pleasure are Corydalis ‘purple leaf‘ and Ajuga. They remind me how much I am drawn to blue flowers and in the new garden I will focus as much on palette as plants. Thus blue/purples contrasted with some yellows/oranges or white are in my plan though overall I am aiming for the understated colours of a Japanese garden, dominated by green.

Almost by accident over the years I’ve chosen shrubs bearing the japonica or nipponica ending as well as iconic Japanese plants like hydrangea and hosta so when I move home they will all find themselves in something resembling their original environs – eventually, after a great deal of transformation!