Moors Meadow Open Gardens and Nursery - Bromyard

This Month

This Month December 2024 - Sunday, 01 Dec 2024

It is the end of November and the temperature is in double figures, although I find it easier to work than either the frosts and snow or the heavy rain which the month has thrown at us. The heavy wet snow and wind has caused some damage with several large branches down and a few shrubs which were flattened and not bounced back up again. One Oak tree had a severe bashing with a lot of branches down, one branch was left hanging by just a narrow strip of bark but it was too high for us to get down so I am still waiting for it to fall. One large pine also had a few broken branches with some still hanging in the tree, again too high to get down.
I am pressing on with pruning and tidying the shrubberies most days. Some areas have taken a heavier chop back than others. Some of the shrubs will be allowed to grow back but, hopefully, in a more appealing shape, whilst others may be restrained evermore allowing space to infill with new species.
There is a large Catalpa which needs some attention, I keep looking at it to try to work out the best way as I feel that a very large branch needs removing in a controlled way so we can minimise damage to some very special shrubs underneath such as Illicium and Schefflera. If left I have a feeling it may come down at any time, or stay for several years. It will have to be cut carefully just a little at a time so it doesn’t crash down in one heavy lump.
I have only a few new plants to get in the ground, I bought some Cyclamen with unusual markings on a sale rail at a local garden centre. I am not a house plant person, I don’t have the space or time to care for them but at only £1 an Orchid caught my eye, I do like them but usually they cost far more than I would consider spending on something which may not survive long in my house. I hope it will survive on the neglect it will get from me, I dash through the house without much thought to doing more than the occasional flick of a duster, I would much rather be outdoors doing the worthwhile task of tending my garden to the benefit of protecting plant species and wildlife.
The autumn flowering Camellias are looking good, the flowers are more demure than the blousy spring flowering plants. Luckily the one with small white single flowers with splashes of pink was not damaged by the fallen oak branches. The winter flowering Jasmine is looking great, I don’t think I have ever seen it with so many flowers.
I succumbed to the temptation of ordering end of season sale bulbs, I wasn’t going to but a moment of weak will saw quite a large order including different varieties of dwarf Narcissus and various Crocus. I have taken a shine to the different Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) which can come in various colours, they seem quite happy in the Acer bed where the grass isn’t as vigorous as in some other areas. I look forward to their arrival and a day planting several hundred bulbs.

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