Early g n ! i r Sp r e t t e l News
Welcome to our first E-newsletter of 2014 ! Only the first week in January and what a ‘year’ of weather we’ve had already! In, fact, sat at my desk for the past hour there has been sun, rain and fierce hail driven by gusty winds. My heart goes out to those poor souls who are suffering from flooding in both house and garden However, I am determined that this is just a blip and there are much better things to come as the diary is already full of gardens that need designing and planting, lectures to be given, not to mention a full show diary which, once again, includes RHS Chelsea Flower Show This newsletter is just a taster of things to come-brighten your Once again, I am holding a series of monthly talks in my own garden, called ‘What The Books Don't Tell You’ which add up to month by month practical sessions that demonstrate what needs doing and when. See 10 page for details
I hope that this will be the first of several newsletters this year to keep you up to date with what’s going on at the nursery A whole decade of
healthy, hardy plants grown in
Hertfordshire! I hope this newsletter brightens a dull winter day & reminds you spring, and another year full of exciting garden possibilities is just around the corner. The nursery opens again on March 7tH I look forward to seeing there!
£12 per person At Daisy Roots, I sow around 200 packets of seed every season. I find getting seeds to germinate is relatively easy, but how best to deal with them afterwards seems to be where many people get stuck. Join me for ‘Sow It, Grow It!’ on Saturday March 8th and I will explain how to save, store and sow seed and how to deal with the young seedlings to get the very best results. Whether you want to grow your own perennials, annuals or vegetables from seed, the basic rules are the same. You will get to ‘have a go’ and take home your experiments at the end. It’s easy when you know how! Call me, Anne on 07958 563355 or email anne@daisyroots.com to book your place
January and Febru the year but there a donning on an extra o
Eranthus hyemalis or Winter Aconites are one of the earliest bulbs to poke through the ground
The slender evergreen leaves of Libert peregrinans add an unusual shade of orange sunny, well drained border
The leaves of hardy a contrast with those o purpurea. Both will flow of a sun Galanthus nivalis, always the first sign spring is on its way‌..
uary may be the coldest months of are still plenty of plants that make woolie and wellies worth the effort of going outside!
tia to any
annual Cerinthe purpurea of Euphorbia amygaloides wer in spring at the front nny border
ns flowers e p o l r a e P Crocus Blue hine to s n u s r e t in w wide in late ble bees m u b g in s s attract pa out this e r u t n e v o gh t brave enou early
Cyclamen coum enjoys dappled shade on any reasonable soil. Where happy it self seeds forming a carpet of colour from late winter into spring
Ophiopogon nigrescen black grass but is rea familly. It forms dense leaves and insignifican striking b
Helleborus foetidus ‘Wester Fisk’ is a form selected for the striking red tints found on the stems and flowers
Iris unguicularis flowers on and of a heavenly scent. Pick a few flow them and the s
Reticulata Iris flower in Februaury when nothing else comes close to their vibrant blue and shades. They do best on well drained soil
ns is often referred to as ally a member of the Lily e . Low clumps of evergreen nt flowers are followed by black berries
Helleborus lividus is native to Majorca and is, therefore, best grown in a pot of well drained compost and given shelter from the worst of the elements but well worth the effort!
ff from Nov-March and gives off wers to bring indoors and enjoy scent close up
Pulmonaria rubra is, for me, the earliest of the lungworts to flower, often opening a few flowers before Christmas
Why not plant all your winter interest in one border, somewhere near the house so that you get the full impact without even stepping outside
r d thei n a s a ucher e H gold, r , o n f e e y r Hurra e of g g n a inter r w s n s i e l l l d en usefu s o s l A . lbs pu s u e b d a g h n s spri
ative n n o m y com r e v ers in a w o e l f b rich just r y a a flying t m c e e t y a n v l I ut its le for b b ollow , a f t u n l t a a a l v h p are in ries t r c e e b D rds in i e b h t r o Novd rce f rs an u o o t s a n d stmas i o r o h f polli C l sefu reat u g a e k e a too! ar m s h d t n ra wrea d n winte a nds garla
ur nati o o t d relate s i a lower c f i n d o e p p a a j Fatsia larly sh i m i s vergr s e e s c i u h d t o e and pr ite. Sit h w d m cold e o h r c f n d a l e b er are t shelt o p s a n shrub i
n es in a v a e l green r e v e r purple d n a ilver until red, s s p a g to fill s b u t r ough r h t h s
s add i r e t p s Dryo a h c ack in u b s s s n n r r e e f reen f ut all g C r eaves . l e r v a w E e e y n resh f ure all t f x o e s t ge lot a foliage r u o c to en spring
ive ivy rs t h a t reen d winds
s down d n a h is the a c lant in o P c c . t o n c r e Sa ter sc n i w here w r e o f m o r winne en or s d r a g t this t a n o s r s f a p your uently q e sweet r f f o u s o e y else et wav g o cent t s l r l i a e w y r f n wate i time o m e t One s doors n i m o scent. e ro a whol
What The Books Don’t Tell You! Once again, in 2014 I am holding a series of monthly talks in my own garden, called ‘What The Books Don't Tell You’ which add up to month by month practical sessions that demonstrate what needs doing and when in any garden. Each month we will focus on one of the topics listed below and also take a look at what is flowering and looking good that month. February 22nd 9.30am - Rose & Wisteria pruning - easy when you know how! March 15th 9.30am - Spring bulbs, under storey planting ( extending the season), using mulches April 19th 9.30am - Shade lovers, lifting & dividing perennials for clump vigour & propagation May 29th 7.00pm - Staking, the 'Chelsea Chop', using annuals to fill the gaps June 26th 7.00pm - Cutting back spring flowering plants & pruning spring flowering shrubs July 24th 7.00pm - What to deadhead and when, summer pruning wisteria August 23rd 9.30am - Extending the season, keep the colour coming & softwood cuttings September 27th 9.30am - Using ornamental grasses in borders and flowers for autumn colour October 25th 9.30am - Planning & planting a bulb display for next year November 22nd 9.30am - ‘The Big Chop’ - what to start cutting down and when
If you wish to book a place please send your name, address and contact number, stating which month(s) you wish to attend and enclosing a cheque for ÂŁ12 for each month or ÂŁ30 for any 3 months. You will receive confirmation of your booking and directions. Send to Anne Godfrey, 8 Gosselin Road, Bengeo, Hertford. SG14 3LG. Feel free to contact me should you have any further questions. anne@daisyroots.com 07958 563355 ,
G ro wY
our O
ure t a n y b asitic r a p i m t e r s e s d i n t u i t t t ha a roo n i s t d n n a e l s p ls o sual a u t n i u t n u a b , f am is s i e e s s o e o t h r e t l e n t s Mi tosy to th o h g p n i g h n g o l e ou hos r b h e s t r e e y e h g r r t w on ene rds y a l i h d c a r e o r d s an date most n o s e m d w r o m a r o g g c e land, s o ac l k a r a k p a Mistleto o n i and ees n r a t w n be o o r h y , c l e u n l o p m a ; m e m m co ore, minat m r a e c g y y s l , e se r w l a o l l i r l i w s w a o , h m e Lim ies w hrist n C a r p o m f o t c of s cu s l m i e a t t s e d m sti e ro d s i i f v s k o r d r a e p b e l l S h wi eds’; c b r a d e e s e s t ‘ ne sing deal i U . e e k o a t An inter e m l ist m f meter o a i t d h n g i bran ei m w e c h e 0 t h 2 t f o s t ide s ppor r u e s Branche d o n t u h e or oug n d i e s l a e i h t t n onto d substa e e s e r th rt. a a e p a m s m ar 1 c e y 0 n 4 i t seed r u a o ap p e d ab e s c t a o p o s r , , only y l l success u f s s uc c e s s e !! t 4 a n r i a m e r y e n g ies i r r ……… e If seed b m i t r s e r t i n f i t he your n t i e d g e t r i h mig requ e b y a m hat k c i u Q e ous le u A Kiss-M d i c e d When th n o e k a t , this Lime ir M e h t g n i wav
i M n Ow
e o t e l t s
w it h e e r t t hos e h t e e. d r i e v h o t r p s t rien aves t e u l n n s e r e e r all g gath m d s n a s ’ t e i e ost tr e; m t s s o w o h r e g f th and o s k e r t i a r b u ble. vo a l a t he i f a v e a r t a horn f ligh t o w y a t h n e d l th p l e an i p w p s a l ; a y u l i m ndivid i s a n w gro ely. t a i d e sts are m im w o s . d n n o a i as April r o h e on occ ply. c r p a u s M a n i o ss t eed s e c t c c a e l l e v o c t ha o n o d etter to u but if yo e t d a e r e t s e h n o pe s t he t d n t u o end fres o o r r r seed at su h w t o l l h a s e o l e of gh t us f c u o n o c a n s i h e v c n e i r you ill th e e’ - th s u a l e g ‘ r c n n w to i es o i h r c r n e a b r b e th ach e n o l a r seve t u P . you h , c y n k c u l ou’re y f I . 2 year n i s e v a f le o r i a p e st on u j d n a 1
ch as u s , s e e r t ho s t , n m u t u a ers n d i a l e l l a r f e s e e eav al ch e r o b r a f ance o r a ches e p n a p r a b e he r on ba s m o P P om Mistletoe
Show & Plant Fair Diary 2014 Feb 23rd Snowdrop & Hellebore Event, Goodnestone Park, Kent www.hpskent.co.uk/category/plant-sales
Mar 23rd Plant Fair, Lenham Community Centre www.hpskent.co.uk/category/plant-sales
Apr 1st-2nd RHS Great Spring Plant Fair, Westminster Halls www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-London-Flower-Shows
Apr 13th Great Comp Spring Fling, Great Comp, Kent www.greatcompgarden.co.uk/diaryofevents.html
May 3rd Plant Heritage Plant Fair, Highgate, North London www.nccpg.com/In-your-area/Local-Groups/London.aspx
May 11th Ashridge Plant Fair, Berkhampstead www.friendsofashridge.org.uk
May 20-25th RHS Chelsea Flower Show www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2014
May 31st-1st Jun Hatfield House Garden Show www.hatfield-house.co.uk
Jun 11-15th Gardeners World Live, NEC, Birmingham www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com
Jul 8-13th RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show www.rhs.org.uk/Hampton-Flower-Show
Jul 20th Chenies Manor Plant Fair www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk/plant_fair.htm
Jul 27th 35 Digswell Road Garden Open NGS, Welwyn Garden City www.ngs.org.uk
Aug 31st Sussex Prairie Garden Unusual Plant & Art Fair www.plantsandart.co.uk
Oct 21st-22nd RHS Shades of Autumn Show, Westminster www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-London-Flower-Shows
THE HARDY PLANT SOCIETY The aim of the Hardy Plant Society is to stimulate interest in growing hardy herbaceous perennials. It aims to give its members information about the wealth of both well and little known plants, and to ensure that all worthy plants remain in cultivation and have the widest possible distribution. The Hertfordshire group is one of 50 regional and specialist groups of the Hardy Plant Society. We are friendly and enthusiastic gardeners and garden lovers of all levels of skill and ability, with a common interest in learning more about perennial plants. In winter months we meet in Wheathampstead on the first Saturday of the month for a programme of talks, with slides or of a practical nature, from well known speakers including the likes of Fergus Garret, Andy Sturgeon, Graham Rice, Helen Yemm and Val Bourne. These talks are followed by refreshments with home made cakes, and a members’ plant stall. Our summer programme includes coach trips, garden and nursery visits, a seedling exchange and a public plant sale. We welcome new members and visitors to the group. Visit www.hertshps.com for details of our programme for 2014
e! r e h t u o y e e s , h t 7 h c r a M n o 4 1 0 2 r o f s n e p o y r e s T h e n ur