Garden Blog

So far, this month the weather has been incredibly dull and temperatures have dropped giving us frost on some days along with wintry showers, meaning the log burner has been lit indoors and an extra blanket outdoors covering pots on some of the more tender perennials.

Despite the cold, the highlight of the month, so far has been the snowdrops forcing their way through soggy ground, carpeting many gardens and verges with little clumps of bright white delicate dangling jewels of perfection.

At the beginning of the month, I was very excited to attend a snowdrop painting class held by the lovely Rachel de Thame at her gorgeous house in the Cotswolds. Our tutor for the day was the celebrated artist, Debbie George whose work I have admired for ages now.

After an informative talk by Rachel on the wide variety of snowdrops (collectors are known as Galanthophiles and there is virtually no limit to the prices collectors will pay for these little flower bulbs – a number of years back one bulb sold for over £1,850), we were let loose in her garden to pick some snowdrops and once back in the house, we set about sketching the flowers and learning the technique of painting them using acrylic onto board.

Below are a few images from the day, including my artistic attempt along with the lunch table where we enjoyed a fantastic three-course meal expertly cooked by Gerard de Thame. I could barely continue painting after lunch especially after eating the pudding which was a huge chocolate brownie with cream (I’m sure there was brandy in that cream!) and would very happily, curled up next to their cat and had a nap!

Last week I paid a visit to my local National Trust property, Chirk Castle for their annual snowdrop walk. Always a delight in any season and I did notice how late the snowdrops were further North compared to those the week before in the Cotswolds. Below are a few some images of my visit .

Here are some plants to consider for your garden next February as well as Snowdrops that are well worth planting for naturalising: Primrose vulgaris, Eranthis hyemalis  (Winter Aconites), Crocus ‘tommasinianus’ (Early Crocus) and Hardy Cyclamen coum.

Yesterday I braved the journey down to the Big Smoke to attend the annual Garden Press Event in Islington. This event is where fellow garden writers and other media, meet to see new product launches from various garden manufacturers, network, exchange ideas and news along with attending talks from garden presenters and industry experts.

For many of us who sit in garden sheds tapping away at screens in between other garden tasks, it is an opportunity to dust off the mud and mingle with other professionals in the trade and show our faces.

There are always a few new product launches of interest, and I was particularly taken this year with the introduction from Tree Specialists, Frank P Mathews by their new variety of Pear Tree – Pear “Cornish Gold’. It could be because they had samples of the pear juice on the stand that was delicious but also because the fruits are so versatile being perfect for cooking, canning, juicing as well as the tree being self-fertile, it will crop reliably I am told in the most exposed sites.

I was also excited by a new range of products from Burgon & Ball some of which I will be adding to the range of products in my shop very soon so keep a look out and sign up to our Monthly Newsletter to be the first to know!

Whilst in London I managed to catch a wonderfully curated exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery entitled Flowers, Floral in Contemporary Art & Culture. Nine Galleries pay homage to the flower’s perennial attraction with pieces from well-known artist’s showcasing works from paintings to vinyl record album covers, sculptures both static and automated, dried flower installations, immersive video projections to books, fashion, photography and so much more…… Well worth a visit and the exhibition runs until May. Below are a few images to whet your appetite!

As February fades, we step into March with the promise of brighter days. Daffodils will soon be nodding in the breeze, a cheerful sign that Spring is truly on the way. With new growth appearing in the garden and the first blossoms just around the corner, there’s so much to look forward to.